Colt's Bare-Bones Series 70 .45 Runs Flawlessly Through 1,000 Rounds

A Colt Government Model .45 just put in 1,000 rounds, and according to GunsAmerica, the old Series 70 design still holds up fine against the parade of modern 1911 clones.

Key points

• Reliability: GunsAmerica reports the pistol ran reliably through the full 1,000-round test.
• Accuracy and recoil: The review found the Colt delivered practical accuracy with recoil the author describes as manageable.
• Bare-bones build: Compared to newer 1911 variants, this Government Model skips extras like upgraded sights and modern ergonomic touches.
• Durability: The article notes the pistol's construction held up well under extended use.
• Substance over nostalgia: GunsAmerica frames its conclusion around real performance rather than the Colt name or 1911 sentimentality.

Quick take

There's no shortage of 1911s with optics cuts, flat triggers, and night sights these days, so a plain Series 70 can look behind the times on a shelf. But the whole point of this review is that the basics still work: feed it, shoot it, and it goes bang reliably for a thousand rounds. If you want a 1911 that does the job without extra features to fuss over, this is the kind of result that makes the case. Worth noting it's one gun and one tester's experience, not a lab test.

Read the full story: gunsamerica.com