Colt 1911 - Model 70 vs. Model 1991 vs.Defender vs. ????

[GF.]

Does anybody know what the differences are between the 70 and the 1991 and which action they use in the Defender line (or the other lines, for that matter...)?

Given that the single most important feature in a handgun is that it be absolutely dead reliable, I guess I figured each 'version' of the 1911 was the same basic design but tweaked into different configurations and given more or less attention to slicking up the action, tuning for accuracy, finished to be corrosion resistant, etc.... But it looks like there are some fundamental differences in the actions and I have no idea what they are or what the strengths and weaknesses of each one might be...

Any 1911 experts or aficionados out there?

[GF.]

I looked a bit deeper... Looks like they make actions in series 70, 80 and 90, at least...

So now I know a little more, but somehow no more than when I started....

[DancesWithKnives]

I have a heavily modified custom pin gun based on a Series 70 frame and action. The trigger is extremely light and crisp. I've got a couple Series 80 Gold Cups with milder upgrades. Popular wisdom is that a Series 80 action is harder to get as light and crisp as the 70 in a competition gun because of safety features like the design of the firing pin/mechanism, etc. My outdoor carry 1911 is a more Plain Jane Springfield with some modest work on the trigger, sear, hammer, and internal polishing. Hogue grips too.

Sorry I don't know the whole story but one of the firearms or 1911 sites ought to provide more info.

MOGC is a serious 1911 guy---hopefully he will see this and add some info.

DWK

[Badger]

GF,

I suspect the farther you get from the Original M1911, you get added gizmos. I do own a Series 1970 Goldcup, but all my other .45 ACPs are M1911 or M1911A1 and they suit me just fine.

Badger

[Joe Boleo]

In my opinion, the Series 70 was the best of the bunch after the 1911A1. The Series 80 had changes to the trigger and disconnecter arrangement. Don't know all the finer details because I was happy with the Series 70. Take care...
Joe

[Bushman]

I've always heard that the 70's were the ones to look for too, but I never knew why. What were the Commanders? I know they were a lighter weight version. I only fingered one once and in retrospect I wish that I had bought it when I had the chance.

[GF.]

Unless my memory is even worse than I like to think it is, the Commander is a size down from the 'full size' 1911. And then they make an even smaller version called the Officer.... So maybe those are the 'compact' and 'subcompact' versions....

I'm not sure where they fall in the technical spectrum as regards all of the inner workings, but CZ is making an interesting configuration under the Dan Wesson label... It's a Commander upper unit mated to an Officer frame, so you get a little more barrel and a little less bulk overall... 'Tain't cheap, though....

Interesting to see that the CZ subcompacts are a bit less expensive, but I wonder if they might not be kind of a tough choice for learning to shoot....