[SFOGUN]

Found my .380 Today!! Its been a long road with many obstacles (45 Colts) but I finally picked up
a .380 Im happy with and seems to be Reliable based on what ive read..

Its a 1989 Colt Govt /Series 80 in .380Cal
Picked it up on a TRADE, I gave up a Kimber Custom Target II 45ACP with some Custom parts.

The Kimber was nice but I already have 4 1911's which 3 are Colts . Never liked the Nitron finish on the Kimbers either.
This is what I traded minus the grips & holster (those Im keeping): I believe it was a good trade because both parties were happy
with their new pistols. And these 380 Govt.'s aren't as common as the Mustangs, first one Ive seen in person.

What do you guys think? Any .380 fans out there ? and would you have made the trade ??
The lighting in the shop was bad so it looks like the blueing is wasted but it looks better than it photographs . Just dirty as heck..

Cheers
SFOGUN

and TRADED for this ...

 

[SFOGUN]

Ive got to run to work right now but we are going to talk about this when I got back. Ok I suppose compared to the fine specimen above my finish is less than perfect but dont forget Im in California. Just to see a Colt for sale is a opportunity and as for 380's all we see is Mustangs and Kimbers. Strangely I feel Kimber sold out for bending to the California antigun legislators so the slightly unequal trade (-$200 to me) didnt sting at all. Possibly aided by this forum, the Colts in my Safe began multiplying so... I had to make room.

 

[SFOGUN]

It's all good and I forgot that you're in Kalifornistan where they have the goofy "drop & pop" test lists (yuck).... I've not spent any time looking at Kimbers other than when they failed to feed for the guy next to me on our range qualification. I think he literally took it out of the box, loaded the magazine and expected everything to work (factory crud has a tendency to muck up the works methinks). We had a forum member that worked for a guy that offered a lot of Colts on GB from Kali and he hated that he couldn't buy the guns due to the restrictive legislation on some models. Haven't seen him on here or GB for quite some time.

Like you said, it's a Colt and that's what matters. Demographics does play a part in what the same model pistol will fetch across the country. I'm in Texas, we're blessed

Definitely ecstatic I was able to pick this up. The Kimber only cost me 700 and I just turned a Kimber into a Colt! Thats a good trick to master.
I wont knock the Kimber either, its accurate as hell and this ones never jammed on me. (Guess you have to shoot it to make it jam)
Im more of a collector these days...work keeps me plenty occupied but when I do have that free weekend to go camp and shoot? Its going to be nice to shoot nothing but Colts.
My buddy owns a local pawn shop and he shows me the pistols he cant sell me. Makes me Sick! Yet I wouldn't be so quick to say Living in Texas is Blessed

"Whats the use of having all the guns you want, when a torneyder is gonna pick em all up and scatter them all over the County at some point" ?

All kidding aside... when our state finally takes all our guns away were counting on all you Texan's to regulate since you have all the fire power!

 

[SFOGUN]

Thanks guys... looking forward to posting a range report I always thought the Mustang was a Defender frame in .380
but No, its really tiny in comparison. Clown like almost.

 

[SFOGUN]

Well you stay right where you are , there will be less competition for Colts around here, and by the way there haven't been any tornadoes in this part of the state for many years. in case you don't know it is a very big state.

I do have to be reminded that there is more of TX outside of Dallas. I worked @Texas Instruments very briefly and from their perspective there was nothing outside DFW
From the news reports we get here it sure seems like no where is safe! Scary stuff. I'll take our earthquakes anyday.

Pythons, if I lived in Texas Id be grabbing Blued Pythons.

 

[SFOGUN]

No worries Hijack away! I believe what your referring to is the new Micro stamping law that passed. New guns will have to be fitted with a device that micro stamps a serial number
on each ejected shell casing so it would be easier to track to a specific firearm. Just all a waste of my taxpayer dollars...no way they will ever get that implemented.

 

[SFOGUN]

I got one just like it. I carry it cocked and locked with confidence. Good buy!!!!

Post Pics!!! Maybe we can convert this thread into a Colt .380 or better yet Colt Govt .380 Picture thread!!

So Iowa, is this a primary CCW for you or a back up?

 

[SFOGUN]

Well, picked up the Govt 380 on my way home from work. The Slide Rattles pretty good, is that normal for one of these?

 

[SFOGUN]

Ive been reading up and folks mention that a lot of these pistols do have a little slide fit issue which is attributed
to the MFG not over use. The wiggle supposedly keeps the gun reelable because crud wont jam up the action as much.
I dont know, I like a tight pistol in my hand. I'll have it looked at..after I try to shoot it today

Have a good humpday all!

 

[SFOGUN]

Range report - July 5, 2013: Jackson Arms SSF- Colt Govt 380

Remember what I was saying about excessive Slide Play? And how it would possible adversely
affect the Horizontal Accuracy... Nonsense! This pistol is one of the most accurate pistols ive had the pleasure to shoot.
This will have to move up int he CCW rotation. This Target was my first 50 rounds . All I shot today.
Feel pretty comfortable after only a box of shooting!

Yup I believe Im keeping this 380 just the way it is
PS: The Green hits were at 15 Yards and the neck shots in the white were at 25 yards.

 

[SFOGUN]

I shoot my Gov't model more than the Mustang, but both are reliable and fairly accurate.

Im salivating over that Stainless you got over there... Im going to be spending long nights scouring our intra cali web sites for one.
Does your Govt 380 have a loose slide fit also?

 

[SFOGUN]

The only thing I don't like is the front site is hard to see. Has anyone painted site or have any suggestions on what to do? Sorry, I may post that separately but you got a nice gun. If you did not need that 1911 and got what you wanted then I say its a good deal. I'm not Kimber fan other than looks.

Same here! When I was done shooting everything was blur due to me trying to see these tiny sites. i'll try some white out on the fronts next time.
Didnt need that Kimber at all. I recently picked up a couple nice Colt 1911's so the Kimber was just taking up space.
Funny thing is the guy I traded with immediately put my old/his new 1911 up for Sale.

Here is the post:

WTS Kimber custom target II - Calguns.net

 

[SFOGUN]

SFOGUN, that's pretty good shooting at that distance. I actually shoot my IA PPK slightly better than my gov mkiv .380 even though the Colt is softer recoil. I think cuz its so light I'm pulling my shots. But that accuracy makes the .380 a good SD firearm.

Thank you Sir - Must be the low recoil because I assure you I don't group them like that with a Standard .45ACP 1911 The Govt is slightly smaller than the PPK correct?

Its crazy how much the price of .380 Pistols have gone up. I have a unfired Browning BDA 380 w/orig box so Im not shooting that which is why I picked up this Colt.

Glad I did! Will be keeping my eye out for another one.

 

[SFOGUN]

I always liked my lil' Guv model. Used to carry it with CorBons, but plinked with cast bullets and low charges. Yo can get a couple thousand rounds out of a pound of powder. Since retirement, I've reverted to SA's for daily carry...maybe I should sell my Guvvy and build that chicken coop...

You wont find any problems selling it if you decide to go that route. I picked up a SA .22mag today, a NAA Black Widow, its the back up to my back up

 

[SFOGUN]

Very Nice Collection! I just picked up a Beretta 84 so i'll be posting pics soon of my .380 line up.
Whats that on the upper right? looks like a S&W

 

[SFOGUN]

I picked up .380 Gov at a show in Illinois years ago. It came with tijicon sites. since the move to AZ that little pistola has become one of my CC pieces.

- Mike

Hi Mike,

Would really like to see how the tijicon sites were installed. The front sight absolutely needs improvement but since it was a solid sight, didnt think there was any options? Pics Please !!

 

[SFOGUN]

Talo1911: "After 3-4 months of patiently waiting, my Colt .380 Pocketlite finally arrived last week.

Beautiful little bugger, and resembles a baby 1911 in so many ways. Haven't had time for a range visit as of yet.

I'm also trying to decide if I really want to shoot it ... or keep it a few years unfired ... "



Let us know how she shoots!

 

[SFOGUN]

Ivory Grips arrived today

 

[SFOGUN]

Nutmeg? Those look great and are on my list for mine, or my wife's depending on who you talk to

Charles Spresser (423)336-1013 @ Spresserknifeworks.itgo.com is the gent that crafted these and the handles for my WWII 1911. Looking forward to
taking a pic of both these fine examples of great looking elephant Ivory grips together . Most cost friendly I've found on the inteweb without
skimping on quality. Now I just have to learn how to photograph these grips without looking so blurry.

 

[SFOGUN]

Thanks for the photo's, Im noticing slight discoloration to the front end of your slide, is that just powder from being fired or did the sight work cause havoc to the finish at all?