Colt MK IV Series 80 Government Model .380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol (1985) – Custom Faux-Ivory Grips & Four Magazines
This 1985 Colt Government Model MK IV Series 80 is a micro-sized, .380 ACP rendition of the classic 1911. Scaled to roughly 78 % of the full-size design and equipped with Colt’s first Series 80 firing-pin safety, it offers familiar 1911 controls in a lightweight, straight-blowback package. Custom faux-ivory grip panels with a scrimshaw-style Native archer motif set this example apart, while its early “RC” serial prefix marks it as an early production pistol.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Scratches, finish loss, and scattered rust pitting are visible on the polished blued slide and frame. Despite the exterior wear, the bore remains clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Colt MK IV Series 80 Government Model .380 ACP pistol
- 4 x 7-round factory Colt steel magazines
- Colt Government Model Automatic safety & instruction manual
Colt introduced the MK IV Series 80 .380 in the mid-1980s as its first pocket pistol to incorporate the firing-pin block safety. This added peace of mind without altering the familiar single-action trigger pull.
Unlike many small-frame .380s, this pistol retains full 1911 ergonomics—manual thumb safety, slide stop, and magazine release are in the same places shooters expect. Vertical rear slide serrations aid manipulation, and fixed iron sights provide a clear sight picture.
The carbon-steel slide and frame wear a polished blued finish that contrasts sharply with the custom faux-ivory grips. The right panel features a scrimshaw-style Native archer design, giving the gun distinctive collector appeal while maintaining shoot-ready function.
At just 3.25 inches, the barrel keeps weight and length down, yet the 7+1 capacity single-stack magazine supplies practical firepower. Four factory magazines are included, so the pistol is range-ready out of the box.
This early production RC-prefix pistol represents a formative step in Colt’s compact pistol lineage, serving as the parent design for the later Mustang family while offering an authentic 1911 manual of arms in a more concealable format.