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I'll be the first to admit that my knowledge of the 1911 is limited. I absolutely love the 1911, but I only have one. I have tons of other guns that I shoot, but I always shoot my 1911 better. I think it feels perfect in the hand, shoots like a dream, is a really big part of our firearms history, and it just plain cool . Mine is a Kimber Raptor II. I didn't really know what the "II" meant at first, but I've now learned that it's an updated (and it seems, slightly controversial to 1911 purists) safety. I've put about 2500 rounds through it in the year that I've owned it. I love this gun and have had not one single problem after a 200 round break in period. Before that, I had a few FTE's and a few FTF's. I've also had one magazine that turned out to be a lemon.

So I'm looking for a little help from you 1911 guys in decoding the main differences in 1911's. What's the difference in Colt's Series 70 and 80? What came before the series 70? What is a 1991 A1? In Kimber's, what is the actual difference between Series I and Series II? In any brand, what is the difference in internal and external extractors besides the obvious? Do other companies have vastly different internals (besides Para's LDA)? Any other significant differences you guys feel like metioning are welcome too!

Is there a really great book that someone has found that helps one learn more about all iterations of the 1911 from different manufacturers?



Edited to check the "Nofity me when a reply is posted" box.

When in doubt..go to the source brother

http://www.m1911.org/

Anything/everything 1911...blueprints, maint, lubrication howto's, reviews of dang near every 1911 or clone out there, hosters, magazines, really cool flash video of the actual operation of the 1911

any my personal fav
http://www.m1911.org/technic_forum.htm

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:What's the difference in Colt's Series 70 and 80?

Series 70 and series 80 were implemented approximately during those decades. Mechanically, the series 70 is the same as the original government model with the exception of the barrel bushing system of some models. Some Colts used a collet style bushing in the series 70, mostly government models, the commanders did not. The barrels had a slight taper behind the muzzle and the collet bushing had finger-like projections that gripped the barrel. The series 80 went back to the standard barrel/bushing set up and added a firing pin safety feature. The firing pin safety feature supposedly makes the pistol less likely to discharge if dropped or jarred. A little plunger assembly in the slide blocks the firing pin until the trigger is pulled and actuates two levers allowing the the firing pin to move when struck by the hammer. Some say trigger pull suffers on series 80s because of this. I say, "nay."

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:What came before the series 70?

The 1911 and 1911a1 commercial models as well as a host of military pistols made by various manufacturers. Colt made commercial models and liscensed others to make 1911s and 1911a1s for military use. The A1 were enhancements as a result of military feedback and implemented sometime during the early 1920s (I think). Enhancements included redesigned hammer, grip safety, arched mainspring housing, scallop cuts in the frame behind the trigger, shorter trigger, and others.

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:What is a 1991 A1?

The 1991 series was introduced in...you guessed it...1991, to correspond to the 80th year of the 1911. Essentially a marketing ploy by Colt to offer an entry level pistol for the budget minded. Early ones were parkerized and had BIG rollmarks with no horsey

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:In Kimber's, what is the actual difference between Series I and Series II?

The series II added a firing pin safety, although I'm not sure if it is mechanically the same as the Colt design. I don't own a Kimber.

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:In any brand, what is the difference in internal and external extractors besides the obvious?

Essentially, the only difference is the obvious. Others argue the virutes ad naseum. Kimber and S&W use external extractors on their newer models. Most others are as John Moses Browning desinged it.

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:Do other companies have vastly different internals (besides Para's LDA)?

Yes and No. Some manufactuers like Springfield have a proprietary locking mainspring housing that is different from others, but it is easily replaced with another design. That's the neat thing about 1911s, there is a lot of parts interchangeability or adaptability unless you are talking about a hi-cap or double action design.

Tactical_Texan_CHL wrote:Any other significant differences you guys feel like metioning are welcome too!

Ahhhh! The 1911...what a sweet addiction.

http://forum.m1911.org/
http://www.1911forum.com/forums