Gold Cup Sights

[gunnerjimmy]

I have a series 70 Colt Gold Cup that I have had for twinty five years. It has a Bar Sto barrel fitted by Irv Stone , Swensen amby safety and a few other goodies. The Problem I have had in the past is the sights. The rear sight has a pin that keeps the sight on, but I have replaced broken pins several time, also I have had the front sight restaked three times. Is there any way to replace the sights in a more permanent way. Thanks Jimmy

 

[hoghunting]

Jimmy,

Have you replaced the recoil spring. The factory recoil spring in the 70 series Gold Cup was made to shoot 185 SWC target ammo. If you are using hardball, you are beating the frame and slide to death. Use a heavier recoil spring and see if the sights stay together.

I have the same gun and used it in competition - IPSC in the 80's - and that pistol has seen about 20,000 rounds through it. First thing I did was change the recoil spring and have never had a problem with the sights.

 

[Jim Watson]

If your sights keep kicking loose after you put in a fresh recoil spring - 16 lb is GI - you might need new sights.

Restaking a sight is not fully effective because much of the metal that should be peened out into the inside recess is gone, beaten down or ground away. A new sight with full size stem might do you. If not, a cross dovetail could be cut for a Novak or similar front sight.

You might be able to find a stronger material for the rear sight pin. I would try a highspeed drill shank or a piece of spring wire the right diameter in hopes it would hold better than the mild steel the factory uses. Or an ugly roll pin might last better. A piece of used shock-buff or other hard rubber under the sight is said to cushion it from bouncing in recoil and to protect the sight pin and screw.

Wilson makes an adjustable sight for Gold Cups, the 428G at
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_sights_adj_rear.asp
I have not seen one and cannot tell from the description whether it requires machining to install or if it just goes in the factory recess. If the latter, what holds it down better than the little Accro or Eliason pin.

Strange, the only staked front sight I have kicked loose on a gun was on my Colt Ace .22.

 

[45auto]

The Wilson requires machining.

I used a "solid" pin to replace the original Colt pin and it seems to have worked. Over 10,000 rounds of 170PF ammo and still there.

 

[Sheldon]

My solid pin broke and I replace it with a tight fitting length of drill rod. It will probably break again with time, but I figure that's what I'll have to live with. As far as the front sight goes, when the staked in one got loose I had a gunsmith dovetail in a new one. It is a tight fit to the slide and has a set screw as well holding it in place.

 

[gunnerjimmy]

Thanks fellows.
I have changed springs when I first got, for a Chuck Taylor class. I have replaced the rear sight , but I guess I am either going to have to have some mill work done for the Wilson sights, or just sell it and upgrade to maybe a Scandium Commander Smith. I can't afford both. Thanks again. Jimmy