Are new Gold Cups worth it?

[juk]

I've been getting myself more and more worked up over acquiring a 1911. I do have a certain set of criteria that I would like to meet.
1. I want a 1911 from a good, reputable manufacturer.
2. I want stainless. Hate it if you wish, but that is what I want.
3. I want a fairly classic setup.
4. Although I do not intend to sell, I want a pistol that will hold its value.
5. I want something that I would be proud to own 50 years from now and can actually make it that long.

Ideally, I want a flattop slide with adjustable sights, solid trigger, commander hammer, beavertail, match barrel/bushing, bar stock or forged small parts, non ambi and not above $1500. Sure, I doubt I will get everything I want, but I can research and ask questions.

I started off thinking I wanted a Rock Island in nickel, then thought that one of those new Ruger 1911s would be a better bet. Eventually, I got around to looking at Colts.

It would appear from Colt's consumer website that the Gold Cup series has just about everything I am looking for in a 1911. It looks to me like a pistol that can get the job done well for decades to come and will hold value while not being so nice and expensive that I would be afraid to take it out and run a few thousand rounds through. I know that many people love the older ones and it's generally hard to find someone with something bad to say about them.

The question is: Is a new Gold Cup worth the price they ask? Is there anything to be leary of on one of these newer ones? (I know that the stainless ones have a rounded slide and a series 80 firing system. Any MIM parts?) On gunbroker, they go for 1200-1500 for a new model.

Sorry for the book to ask a simple question. I thought a little background and basic list of wants and expectations might help. I would be open to hearing about any others in the price range that might be comparable.

 

[bannockburn]

juk

Well a Colt Gold Cup will certainly fill all of the criteria you have listed. I also believe that new Gold Cups are worth the money as I have bought a number of Colts over the last couple of years and I am very satified with the overall quality and workmanship that go into these new Colts. Fit and finish are first rate, as well as the build quality and the materials that go into making them.

 

[ares338]

My Colt MK IV Series 70 Gold Cup National Match is 30 years old and is as accurate as the day it was made and looks almost as good as the day it was made. Oh, and it's worth a lot more than the day it was made! I like mine and I think you would also if you got one.

 

[BigG]

I like my Colts. I have two Series 80 Gold Cups that have all the attributes you stated and they are top notch. Here's one with Colt replacement grips. It came with rubber.

 

[Flt Simulation]

QUOTE "juk" ... Is a new Gold Cup worth the price they ask?

I know that the stainless ones have a rounded slide and a series 80 firing system.
_____________________________________

The series 80 stainless Gold Cup "Enhanced" model have a flat-top slide and were produced between 1992-1996

The Gold Cup "Enhanced" were replaced by the series 80 Gold Cup "Trophy" in 1997. I believe it is the stainless "Trophy" that has the rounded-top slide.

This is my series 80 Gold Cup "Enhanced". Again, these guns have the flat-top slide.

 

[Flt Simulation]

BTW ... If you look at "BigG" Gold Cup in his post. You will see that it is identical to mine except that his has a different trigger and grip safety design. I believe this is because his Gold Cup was made prior to 1992.

Again, the stainless "Enhanced" Gold Cup ran between 92-96

The Serial numbers on the Enhanced Gold Cups will end with the letter "E". Such as "016216E"

.

 

[Flt Simulation]

Well, I said the "Trophy" had a round-top slide.

I was wrong. It appears that Colt made the stainless Gold Cup Trophy in both a round-top and a flat-top slide. Don't have any idea as to what year this change took place:
(rear sights are different too)

Flat-Top slide Trophy





Round-Top slide Trophy

 

[357 Guy]

They are very much worth it! I actually have the stainless pictured above, with the 100 in the gold emblem since I bought it 2011. If you see one in person, it will be hard to walk away from it!! It is great and has performed flawlessly. It has not jammed on me with the various types of ammo I have used. The adjustable sights work good and I don’t feel like I need to change them. If you are not buying a custom 1911 from Wilson or the likes, then, in my opinion, buy the original, not a copycat! A Colt will definitely hold its value.

 

[juk]

Dang, those things are gorgeous! Another question, though. Do all of the stainless models have the polished slide sides? The pictures of the new ones make it look like they have bead blasted sides. In some of the pictures yall posted, it looks like the sides are polished or brushed and the remainder is matte. That's actually the look I am wanting.

One of the reasons that I went from looking at Rock Islands to the GC is because of parts. I know that I would have a whole lot of fun with a Rock Island. I also know that it wouldn't be long before I would be looking at Wilson Combat parts to start throwing on. I figured that I would end up in the same ballpark pricewise with a modified Rock Island or a GC. The GC would just have everything already installed, the work performed, and I would have a warranty.

I appreciate the replies. It seems to mimic what I was thinking.

 

[BigG]

Juk - The Gold Cups I've seen have a combination of polished flats and bead blasted curved surfaces. The photographs probably do not bring it out as well but the flats are polished and the curved top of the slide is bead blasted. My S/S Gold Cup has the flat top slide with a rib running between the sights.

 

[BigG]

Here's my Delta Gold Cup 10mm Auto. It has the more modern grip safety and hammer and the Gold Cup trigger with Accro sights, rather than the usual Eliason Gold Cup sights

 

[Flt Simulation]

QUOTE: "Do all of the stainless models have the polished slide sides"?
__________________________________

Yup .. Like BigG mentioned, they looked to be bead blasted with polished flats (the flat side area of the slide and sides on the frame)

Again, the photos just don't show it well, but these areas are polished to a shine.

 

[juk]

I thought the flats were polished, just wasn't sure. It looks like yall have talked me into one. I've just got to save up a little more now. I thought about selling my current .45, a CZ97, but I just can't do it. The 97 was my first pistol and I want to hang on to it for a long time too.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I bought my first GCT last year. {used} It quickly became one of my favorite guns.

 

[Robert101]

I grew up loving Colt 1911's but today I buy Springfield Armory and Dan Wesson 1911 products. If I were you, I'd take a look at the SA TRP. Quality gun, great fit and best customer service in the industry.

 

[juk]

You just had to mention Dan Wesson! Now you got me wanting a Heritage 45. I had almost forgotten completely about DW. I have wanted a RZ 45 pretty much since I knew about them. I guess fate will have to intervene when I get the funds. The GC and Heritage 45 are in the same price range.

Wasn't there a fire fairly recently at the DW factory?

 

[smalls]

Wasn't there a fire fairly recently at the DW factory?

Yes, there was. I don't believe they're back up and running, yet.

 

[hentown]

Pretty sure the new Gold Cups have some MIM parts. I own three 70 series Gold Cups that were bought in the 70s. They DON'T have any MIM parts.

 

[YZ]

Juk
The Gold Cup Trophy meets all 5 points on your checklist.
I am not going to debate accuracy. It can only be proven at the range. Here on the Internet any claims are hot air. Any 1911 will shoot as well as you do, barring Camp Perry and such.
I traded my GCT "down" to a Remington R1 with a fiber optic front sight, and feel no disadvantage. The Colt was fine. I just couldn't warm up to it, including its stainless finish.
Before you decide, look at its wraparound grip (could be replaced of course), the sight picture (no dots or outline, rear may snag), and the slide to frame fit (loose but no worries). Don't concern yourself with 80 series vs 70, browning style guide rod vs full size, MIM vs whatever. Leave that to the gun magazines and the Internet fanatics. I don't think there is any magic to a modern 1911 Colt, but the brand is strong and no doubt helps against depreciation.

 

[juk]

I'm not really worried about a gun capable of "extreme" accuracy. I'm not a good enough pistol shot to even do justice to a match grade gun. The only pistol that didn't shoot as well as I am capable of was a NEW XD in 357 Sig. I don't know what's it's deal was, but it couldn't keep all the rounds on a paper plate at 5 yards.

I'm not really worried about the sights because I don't intend to carry whatever I buy. I have a CZ PCR for a carry gun. I'm not worried about the grips either. My dad is making custom exotic hardwood grips for 1911s and we need a stainless gun to showcase some of his grips. My brother has a basic blued Rock Island, but there are some grips that look much better on a stainless pistol.

I do appreciate all of the replies and insight, folks.