[Tijeras_Slim]

I believe that some of these test requirements led Kimber to change the firing pin block mechanism in the last year or so. Their 1911 models that have the new mechanism all carry the II suffix in the catalog. Unless I'm mistaken Colt is no longer producing handguns, and this 1911 would not have this new mechanism.

[toddst]

Unless I'm mistaken Colt is no longer producing handguns, and this 1911 would not have this new mechanism.

You are mistaken. Go look on the Colt website. They definitely still produce handguns.

[Frohickey]

I believe that some of these test requirements led Kimber to change the firing pin block mechanism in the last year or so. Their 1911 models that have the new mechanism all carry the II suffix in the catalog. Unless I'm mistaken Colt is no longer producing handguns, and this 1911 would not have this new mechanism.

The new Kimbers have what is called as the 'Series II' safety, or the Schwartz safety. Here, the grip safety disengages a firing pin block, so in order to fire the gun, you need to fully depress the grip safety, and also pull the trigger.

There have been instances where a gun can have the grip safety partially depressed enough to allow the trigger to be pulled, releasing the hammer, but not enough to disengage the firing pin block. Thats a non-reliable gun, IMHO!

Colts, back in the 80s have what is called the 'Series 80' safety, AFAIK, its also a firing pin block, but its disengaged by the trigger. If the trigger is depressed, it allowed the hammer to fall, as well as disengaging the firing pin block.

Colt started producing handguns again, since it it was sold to private investors. I hear that Colt is going back to pre-Series 80, or the traditional safety that John Moses Browning put into the 1911, which is just a grip safety, and no firing pin block.

[btcusn]

Colt IS still making hangun.They most likely didn't hand any over to Cali. for the testing. And yes, the series 80's do have a firing pin safety. This prevents the firing pin from contacting the primer unless the trigger is pulled. Think this was possible if the pistol was dropped from over 30 feet high onto a concrete surface, hitting hammer first. Nice pistols, mine is right in front of me.
Jack