Shopping for my first Colt, need help...

GoltCup is mainly a target pistol and over priced today. Buy a nice 5 inch Government model or a 4 1/4" Commander .

I have several Colt Commanders and think its better carry than 5" When I sit the 5" hits seat before I do . No problem with the 4 1/4" barrel

I disagree that the Gold Cup is overpriced. It's probably not the best off-the-shelf target 1911, but it's a dang good one.

However, if I were to buy a new Colt, I'd be looking very hard at this one:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...ernment-45-acp-5-rosewood-grips-o1980xse.html

The XSE is a fantastic pistol and an incredible value for the money (especially the sale price linked from PSA). I own the stainless version of the pistol linked above and it is an exceptional shooter and 100% reliable.

Years ago, the Colt Gold Cup Was strictly an NRA Bullseye target gun, tuned to run with light SWC mid-range match ammo.
Full power ammo would beat them into submission in short order.

But that was then, and this is 45 years later.

Todays Gold Cup is one of the top of the line pistols made by Colt and is designed for full power ammo.
If you want adjustable sights, which is a necessary improvement to a range gun!

You can't do better.

If you want a Commander size carry gun, then look further into the Colt 'combat model' offerings.

Myself, I would buy the Gold Cup and Bee Happy!

rc

Gold Cup is a good gun, but if you want a great shooter with a lot of class look at the Combat Elite. National Match barrel, two toned pistol, special grips, very reliable. It is a 5" gun and carries just as easily as my Commander. There is only 3/4" difference in length. That ain't much when you really look at it. My CE has become my "go to" pistol since I broke it in and am convinced of it's reliability. I'm leaving it to my second grandson. The first one gets the Les Baer.

I've owned the same Series 70 Gold Cup since 1981. I have run thousands of rounds through it without a hitch.

IMO the Series 70 Gold Cup is as fine a .45 ACP pistol as you will ever need.

There's nothing wrong with the Series 70 repros. This one is as accurate as any Gold Cup I've ever owned. The blued version is pretty much a classic.

Nice, but I'm leaning towards the series 70.

Click to expand...

The current-production Gold Cup is a series 80 pistol.

Gold Cup is a great choice. Or, the repo 70 series.

A Colt is always the right answer.

Unless you are getting a new Gold Cup the only thing I would say is find one that has not been modified.

The temptation to modify them is always present. Some will have been altered instead of just having a part swapped out.

I have never lost a dime on a Colt 1911, they have all been great examples of the platform. And just as they come from the factory has been outstanding with every one I ever owned.

+1 Rcmodel - Pre-1970 Gold CUps had lighter slides that break with a steady diet of standard 230 gr. F<J / GI Ball..

Something about Colt

Series 80 have a Firing Pin Safety in the internals
it blocks the firing Pin to prevent a discharge if
the loaded gun is dropped on it's muzzle. Purists
decry it and say it adds to the trigger pull.

MostColt 1911 variants except for the 70 Series
Goverment Model have the 80 series firing system

Just got a New Combat Commander - 'Combat' means
it's a Steel Frame - regular Commander is an alloy frame.

Find a shop that has Colts

Randall

Go for the Classic Series 70... a basic, classic beauty!!

I examined a new National Match yesterday. It was nice. However, the blue finish was nearly as polished or deep as Colts from decades ago....Kind of a let down to me...I would still buy one if I were in the market, though.

I have an original series 70 Gold Cup. Completely original with the box and collet bushing.
It's a great piece that keeps increasing in value. Wouldn't trade it for any new production Colt.
Too bad I don't have any kids and I hope someone appreciates it when I'm gone.
I don't shoot it anymore because I'm 70 years old and open sights are difficult for these old eyes.
Now shoot a custom 1911 fitted with an red dot scope.
The Gold Cup is feeling neglected. I bought it when they first came out and were expensive then.

UKW, I think the Gold Cup would be a good choice. I have owned several '70 series GCs, as well as a blue GC Trophy and currently a stainless GC Trophy. I do not believe they are overpriced. The current guns do not have the lightened slides and have the more robust B0-Mar type sights. The current Gold Cup national Match and Gold Cup Trophies handle hardball, hollow points, flat points, reliably, with no durability issues. I often see the National Match/ NM, barrel mentioned by proud owners. Since the '70s, I have owned seven '70 Series Gold Cups, most purchased new, and two '80 Series GCTs purchased new. All had "NM" marked barrels. I had pecisely one '70 Series GC that displayed accuracy superior to that delivered by the several regular production Government Models, with non-NM barrels, I have owned. One of my new '70 Series GCs back in the day was just dismal. Sent it back under warranty. New slide fitted. No improvement. While the '70 series Colts are desireable/collectable now days, they were not all as wonderful as so many true believers believe they were. My latest GCT went back to Colt twice with serious accuracy and other issues. That being said, I still consider the current production Colts to be a good value.....ymmv

Ps, So many of the '70 Gold Cups offered for sale have been monkeyed with, I'd suggest a new gun if you decide to go with the Gold Cup.