Colt series 70 Gold Cup question

[H1500308]

I've got a series 70 Gold Cup. I got it used so I didn't know what recoil spring was in it. I dropped in a 16lb Wolf spring according to what I read about the "standard 1911" recoil spring so I could shoot 230g ammo.

Now I hear that the slides were/are lighter weight?? My question is am I damaging the gun by running mid-range 230g reloads or factory WWB through this pistol with a 16lb recoil spring??

 

[BlindJustice]

The Gold Cup slides PRIOR to the 70 series had
the lightened slides, since then the slides are normal
weight and can handle standard or +P loads with
appropriate recoil spring rating .

I had a link that chronicles the history from
pre-WWII to present if I can find it I'll pass it along.

Randall

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I don't know about the slides being lighter, but the rear sight is lible to fly off when it's retaining pin shears off (unless the pin was replaced by a solid one).

 

[BlindJustice]

Yeah, the stock rear sight on a 70s era Gold Cup
National Match does have the issue with the
retaining pin.

R-

 

[rjheff]

I just checked mine. The pin is pulling out to one side. The rear sight dropped to one side. I was running a pretty stout load through it and it seemed to be to hard on the gun. I think I am using a 20 lb Wolfe too.

 

[10X]

The pre 70 series slide had a lightening cut in the rear of the slide. It is an internet or other rumor that the cut caused cracking of the slide. That cut is no where near the weakest part of the slide, the ejection port. I have yet for anyone to show me or even provide apicture one of those slides cracking in the cut area.

The only problem with the pre 70 slide was they were intended to shoot light loads and the gun had a light (12lb) recoil spring. Many shot the guns with 230 grain ball and did not change the springs. The slides would get battered. Colt increased the hardness of the slides aroung 1967 to mitigate battering and people woke up to using the proper 16 lb spring weight for 230 gr ball.

Use a 16 lb spring and you are good with everything other than very, very light handloads or a lot of +P or hot handloads.

 

[John Parker]

Hey Randall,

You can keep typing, you don't have to hit 'enter' to make your sentences fit into the little box that you write it. That way, your posts will go all the way to the end of the screen like everyone else's! Try it sometime buddy! :-D

Kris

 

[ROBBY.1911]

lemme see here...

let's make this short. i was told by bill wilson, wilson combat, to use a 17# spring for everything. also, a shock buff goes a long way to alleviate frame battering. the other thing is that production gold cups run a very normal slide. the light slide business came about years ago when competitive shooters were looking for an advantage when shooting semi-wadcutter loads.

 

[weisse52]

i was told by bill wilson, wilson combat, to use a 17# spring for everything. also, a shock buff goes a long way to alleviate frame battering.

I am sure he did promote the shock buff. He sells them. At one time people did think this was a good idea. I do not know of any true custom builder who promotes them.

I could be wrong, have been before and will be again...