Colt Government was introduced in the 1970s’, when Colt started production of the Government MK IV Series 70 model.
There have been made several improvements and design changes to the original pistol model such as a different barrel bushing. The pistol was available in 9mm, .45 ACP and in addition in .38 Super (The Colt Super Commander gun variant) calibers.
There was a great demand among the shooters requesting modifications and special versions of the standard Government model. As Colt could not satisfied these requests at the time, it was allowed to a large number of small specialist gun shops to make these modifications to the Colt pistols by themselves (Wilson, Devel, Swenson, a.so.).
In 1982, the next series of Colt MK IV Series 80 were introduced, in which rear sights were improved and automatic firing pin safety was used.
Further modification of the gun was introduced in 1991, where a tension groove was cut into the back of the slide and the top of the slide was flattened and. This model had enlarged ejection port and grips were lengthened into the beavertail. The frame of the pistol contained a shallow finger groove under the trigger guard for more comfortable carry of the gun. From 1997-1998, the Government model was available in .38 Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACP calibers, and in 9x23 mm caliber.
Since 1999, the Colt decided to produce the Government model only in .45 ACP calibers, with a typical blued and stainless finish, that was known as Colt 1991 Government Model. In 2000, model called XS Government Model was introduced. This pistol was made of a stainless steel and was available only in .45 ACP calibers. This model was a bit more luxurious model, featuring mahogany grips, the triple combat sights, an ambidextrous safety catch, a trigger with adjustable trigger stop and magazine capacity was increased to 8 rounds.
In 2000, Colt started production of the Colt Special Combat Government Competition model, which was a single-action semi-automatic, chambered in .45 ACP caliber, with the barrel length of 5”, an ambidextrous safety catch, Bo-Mar micrometer sights and 8 rounds magazine capacity.
