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I'm ready to pick up a base gun for my third purchase and have a question for the smiths.
I have heard (by some smiths) that Colt is a superior choice, but I wanted to get feedback from everyone here.
Should I just pick up an NM Mil Spec Springer, or hold out, pay a little more, and find an S70 Colt?
Any pros/cons? Metal quality?

Thank you

The finish on the new Colt S70s is about as good as the come on a factory piece. Fit is much better than the old, original S70s. Plus, the roll marks just look so nice on the Colts. My .02.

Springfield builds a good gun. I think any of the smiths here will work on one. That being said, I personally like using the Colt 70s. Just picked up a new one, fit and finish is very good! Just something about a colt. And if I am spending big $$ on a build I want Colt for the base. But I am sure there are others who prefer SA. Just a matter of what you want!

I'd check the spring plug cut and straightness of roll marks and use a Colt as a base. Everything will be tossed except the frame/slide and a few small parts anyway. The few hundred dollars in price difference will be negated in most cases by the added value of a Colt.

As Terry Peters once told me several years ago, if it's got a pony it sells

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"Bones heal, chicks dig scars, pain goes away"

On a base build. Look at what mostly you see folks getting build. In order it is a full size Colt, Springfield and then some special ordered frame and slide.

I would get the colt. The Colt Reproduction 70's are starting to show up as the panic slows down. So if you are going to invest a significant amount of funds to a full house, the difference would not be worth it.

Recommend a new roll mark or reproduction Colt Series 70 with the 71B or 72B serial number.

As several of the comments I heard at the LTW Shot Show set up over the years. "A blank piece of canvas is best place to start."

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Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end
http://www.pt-partners.com
@ptpartners_tx

I'm with the rest who recommend the Colt, but I actually wouldn't be too particular, but maybe that's lack of bad experiences talkin'. If I was buying a base gun for a custom build, I'd be looking for a well-used Colt (read that 'low-priced' verging on cheeep)--something that needs rebluing, at least--as long as there's no discernible mechanical problems (home-gunsmith'd grind or file marks, welding, etc.), it'd qualify in my book for a base gun purchase. Aftermarket parts wouldn't bother me unless mods to the frame or slide were implemented to allow them.

My smith of choice is Tim Brian; I really prefer his styling. He might correct me here, but I don't think he'd use anything from a Colt except the slide and frame, whether it was a new or old series 70. The only concerns I'd have is slide to frame "fit"--how the back of the slide mates with the frame, not the tightness between the two. Tim will work the two to get a tight fit, and if Acc-U-rails are his recommendation, that wouldn't bother me at all, even for CCW.

In my mind the only opportunity I have to save any money with a full custom order is the base purchase. Once I've got the base gun, there's no controlling "costs"-- I've always given my gunsmiths free discretion for 'the best available'-- after all, this is a one-time occurrence, whether it's another customized gun in a set of orders, a "final", or even the "only" custom I commission or not.

I would ask the smith doing your work what they prefer to start with.

I would offer a suggestion to first consider the type of build you are going after first. If the smith is going to do a frame weld up and cut then might as go with a Colt because those frame/slide fits are generally a bit loose and will benefit for a full weld up and trueing. I have seen some of the newer 72B's that are very nicely machined for a good fit. If not going the welding route a NM Springfield is just fine as they are very tighly machine cut fitted. I have a Colt S70 NIB if you are interested and also a NM Springfield.
Best regards.

I think both would make great base guns but everything being equal, price quality etc., I think most would pick Colt every time

Go with what the 'smiths here tell you. So far the Colt and Springfield owners I know are 100% the opposite of what the posters in the thread are saying. Weed out user feedback and go by the gunsmith feedback. you want the gun you invest your heart and $ into to be one you wish to love forever, not curse after putting a couple grr (plus purchase price) into it.