Colt Government .45 ACP
Model: O1911C
Colt Government .45 ACP
Model: O1911C
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Colt's Series 70 Government is a deliberate throwback. Where most modern 1911 makers pile on accessory rails, night sights, and front strap checkering, this gun ships with a spurred hammer, fixed blade sights, and a collet-style barrel bushing that Colt used before the Series 80 firing pin safety was introduced. The result is a cleaner trigger pull than any Series 80 Colt, because there is no plunger lever in the action. At 35 oz with all-carbon-steel construction and a traditional blued finish, it weighs less than the 38 oz Kimber Custom II or the 42.3 oz Dan Wesson Specialist, though it lacks their match-grade barrel and tighter slide fit.
The surprising strength here is the National Match barrel. Despite the gun's retro appearance, Colt fits a match-grade barrel that shoots tighter groups than many owners expect from a GI-looking gun. Community consensus puts it at 3-inch groups at 25 yards with good ammunition, which is better than the Rock Island GI Standard and close to the Kimber Custom II. If you want a 1911 that looks like a WWII-era pistol but shoots like it was built this decade, this is the one.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Series 70 action with no firing pin safety plunger. The trigger breaks cleaner than any Series 80 design because there is no extra lever for the trigger to push through.
- National Match barrel in a classic-looking package. Most GI-style 1911s ship with standard fitment barrels, but this one shoots tighter than its appearance suggests.
- Ships with 1 magazine while the Springfield Garrison and HK HK45 include 2. A spare Colt or Wilson Combat magazine is an immediate necessity.
- Fixed blade sights with no tritium or fiber optic inserts. In low light, the sight picture disappears. The Sig Sauer 1911 Nitron ships with SIGLITE night sights as standard.
- No accessory rail, no optic cut, no threaded barrel. This is a gun for people who want a 1911 that looks and works like it did in 1970.
Category Rankings
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Kimber Custom II .45 ACP
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Kimber Rapide .45 ACP
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Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Standard .45 ACP
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Sig Sauer P220 Nitron .45 ACP
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Series 70 and Series 80 Colt 1911?
The Series 80 added a firing pin safety plunger that blocks the firing pin until the trigger is pulled. The Series 70 omits this, giving it a cleaner trigger feel with fewer parts in the fire control group. The trade-off is that a Series 70 can theoretically fire if dropped hard enough on the muzzle, though this is extremely rare with modern ammunition and a properly functioning half-cock notch.
Does the Colt Government need a break-in period?
Colt recommends 200 rounds to break in a new 1911. Forum consensus says to run 200-300 rounds of ball ammo before trusting it with hollow points. The tight barrel bushing fit can cause occasional failures to feed during the first 100 rounds, which typically resolves as parts wear in.