Colt 380

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BigBlue 94

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Have a chance to pick up a colt govt model in 380. Stainless and supposedly built in 89. $550 is what he (my uncle) wants and seems like a good deal.

That's all I know about it. He's gonna show it to me in a couple dayys

What do yall think of these little colts?
 
I have one. About the only complaints I have about it are the lack of a grip safety, the sights, and the ease at which the thumb safety comes off. Back when I carried it regularly, I would frequently notice that the thumb safety was off.

The safety wasn't a really big deal, it is a series 80, so it still has a firing pin blocking safety. But it bothered me all the same.

As far as the sights, they are poor. Cylinder and slide can update them, they also have some accessories. The lack of a grip safety is, again, just the nature of the gun.

I will say it has a great trigger, much lighter and more crisp than the current generation of variants that are based on it.

I have replaced it in my carry with the Kimber micro 380, which is the same gun, just a little smaller and with better sights. I am slowly shifting to a Browning 1911-380, which is larger but has both better sights and a grip safety.

I would not dissuade you from the purchase, it is a good gun. However, I would encourage you to also look at some of the newer variants (Sig, Kimber, Springfield, and, of course, Colt). Here are some size comparisons:
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The Colt 380 Government Model is the second on the right, next to the FDE (brownish) Kimber. Next to it is a Browning 1911-380, and on the far left is a standard M1911-A1 .45.
 
I like mine a lot. It is medium-sized, steel, and fires from a locked breech. The recoil is negligible. My daughter, who has always disliked recoil, found it pleasant to shoot starting at age nine or so. Mine is quite accurate and has been completely reliable.

 
It's not for carry purposes, so the safety issue is negligible. I'm a colt fan and only have one colt 1911. Ironically it's a 38 super. I've also got a para c7.45 lda in 45.

Appreciate the input fellas
 
I have several of these little pistols including two Government models (one all steel and one with an aluminum frame) and a couple of Mustangs inclduing the hard chromed one shown below. All pistols had Novak front and rear sights installed. The one below had the golf ball treatment done to the front and rear straps, ball cuts on top of the slide, flared magazine well, French borders, after market thumb safety, and hard chromed magazines.

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A Government 380 would not be my first or second choice for a carry gun... But I would pick up a stainless gov 380 for $550 in a hot second.

Ergonomics and shootability just makes them one great little gun that is really fun to shoot. I like the full length grip on the Gov better than the shorter Mustangs.

I don't own a Gov 380... But some day I will... And hopefully it will be stainless!
 
Mine is a series 90 Pony (DAO) and it's just about the best of all worlds. Larger than the KelTec/Rugers/Taurus, Smaller than a Walther PPK and locked breach. Seems to like most ammo and shoots to POA out to at least 15 yards.

The Government is a great weapon, just not quite right for pocket carry. Belt holster and it's just right
 
I got mine because it was in good shape and only $440, but I would have rather had a stainless.

It's not "really" a 1911, because it locks up differently, IIRC.

Next on your list might be a Colt 1903. That's another one with no recoil that my daughter and everyone else who's ever shot it has adored.

Yeah, all of my shooting buddies have shot my Government 380, and it is universally liked. It's a good solid little gun, and much better IMHO than the Browning and RIA wannabes I've seen lately.

Here is a gratuitous pic of my 1903:

 
I got mine because it was in good shape and only $440, but I would have rather had a stainless.

It's not "really" a 1911, because it locks up differently, IIRC.

Next on your list might be a Colt 1903. That's another one with no recoil that my daughter and everyone else who's ever shot it has adored.

Yeah, all of my shooting buddies have shot my Government 380, and it is universally liked. It's a good solid little gun, and much better IMHO than the Browning and RIA wannabes I've seen lately.

Here is a gratuitous pic of my 1903:


Aye that's a nice pocket hammerless! I've got one myself :D

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I am not wild about the 1903 because it is: 1. quite expensive, and 2. blowback (to the best of my knowledge). If I were to get a blowback 380 I would probably go for the Beretta or the Zenith MC-14. Really, I don't have a lot of interest in blowback except for 22lr.
 
I just took a peek at it, and and going to be giving him 500 bones tomorrow. It's got the black grips with colt medallions. A couple small scratches but in great shape. Comes with two mags, a few boxes of ammo, and a uncle Mike's holster
You will love it. I regret selling mine, but the stoopid kids wanted to eat that year.....:fire:

About the only issue I had with it was lack of availability of spare magazines and that the slide/ frame fit was loose enough that it would rattle when you shook it with the mag out. It always went bang though.
 
Have a chance to pick up a colt govt model in 380. Stainless and supposedly built in 89. $550 is what he (my uncle) wants and seems like a good deal.

That's all I know about it. He's gonna show it to me in a couple dayys

What do yall think of these little colts?
I rescued a stainless GM from an auction. Externally it was abused. Nice easy shooter and one of my favorite guns to bring to the range. . The original sights aren't great, but they are usable. My only internal modification was to install a metal trigger and a spring kit. It took a while to buff out all the scratches...
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Yeah, all of my shooting buddies have shot my Government 380, and it is universally liked. It's a good solid little gun, and much better IMHO than the Browning and RIA wannabes I've seen lately.

I have the Browning 85% 1911-380 and it is both a nice gun and a real fun shooter. The Browning is much closer to the classic 1911 design with a sliding trigger instead of the trigger hinged at the top with a pin like the Government 380. The Browning also has a grip safety like a real 1911. If I had a choice I would choose a Government 380 over the Browning 1911-380 in a heartbeat though!
 
I have the Browning 85% 1911-380 and it is both a nice gun and a real fun shooter. The Browning is much closer to the classic 1911 design with a sliding trigger instead of the trigger hinged at the top with a pin like the Government 380. The Browning also has a grip safety like a real 1911. If I had a choice I would choose a Government 380 over the Browning 1911-380 in a heartbeat though!

I have both, the Browning 1911-380 gets carried, the Colt 380 Government Model is in my safe. If I want something smaller than the Browning I carry my Kimber Micro 380. I hoped that my wife or daughter would like the Colt, but they don't.
 
I've always wanted the following: A S&W 60, Colt Mustang from the 80's or Gov't model 380 and a Colt 1903.

I now have a mint S&W 60 and am on the prowl for the Colts.

It's a nostalgia thing.
 
BigBlue 94

Had a Government .380 when they first came out. Liked it a lot but wanted something a bit smaller so I sold it to my brother and waited for the Mustang to be introduced. I like the Mustang a lot and except for the tiny sights (never had a problem with the safety walking off), the gun is just fun to shoot! Accuracy and reliability have been great and it's so easy to carry concealed. Bought a SIG P238 a few years ago to give the Mustang some time off in the carry rotation.

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BigBlue 94

I just took possession of it! 500 for the pistol, 2 colt mags, holster, and 3 50pks of ammo

That's definitely one sweet deal there! Hope it shoots as well as it looks!
 
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