New "S70" Colt 1911, anything needed?

[Dantankerous]

Having not been paying attention to 1911s for a few years I've noticed sometime recently that Colt has brought back out their "series 70" guns. The 1911 Classic Government with typical fixed sights. Yeah, I know there is no collet bushing on these but the action is no longer a series 80... anyway. Blued or stainless, I have seen each and they are fairly tight and solidly built guns. Has anyone had any experience with these and might have a suggestion for a tweak or two IF EVEN NEEDED to have these running well enough for competition? Reliability is my main concern. I shoot Traditional, generally with 230 grain ammo although I've had a few suggest 200 grain and am looking at trying that. Thanks! 

[Garrison Joe]

The new production from Colt will be rougher and less tuned than the ones made in the hay-days of Colt Series 70s (1972 to 1985 or so).   You certainly would NOT want them to still be making their collet barrel bushing.  It was destined to break a leg off and jam the gun - mine did during a match! 

It's well worth a trip to a good pistol smith to have the gun tuned, trigger set to the pull weight you like (3.5 pounds is my preference), and mag well enhanced for the WB allowed funneling.   If you have ever had a 1911 bite you on the web of the shooting hand, I would have the smith add more clearance between the top of grip safety and the tip of the hammer.  

I would also have the smith replace any MIM (molded and sintered) internal fire control parts with forged-billet-steel.   They are easier for him to get a smooth surface on anyway, so if you use a good smith, he should automatically swap those parts out.  But then, I'm going by my experience.  I put in billet sear and hammer and thumb safety and 1000,000 rounds later have not had a bit of problem.

Sights on production now are pretty good.  About as high as any replacement sight set.   If you were expecting to change out the sights, though, now would be the time to do that, too.  A new front sight ought to be dovetailed into the slide so it will be driftable and easy to exchange.  And much more rugged in use. 

good luck, GJ