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  #1  
Old 07-14-2017, 09:58 PM
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Default Who Likes Gold Cups?

Here is a circa 1990 bright stainless model that I put some giraffe bone grips on. I have some S&W revolvers that I just love to fondle and drool over, but it is hard not to pull this one out first when I open the safe. I'll get some real pictures of it someday soon as throwing it on some fabric doesn't do this pistol any justice.

Ain't going to be no safe queen either.

Thanks for looking.
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  #2  
Old 07-14-2017, 10:21 PM
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I really like my Gold Cup, it's a little older 1957 with ivory...

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Old 07-14-2017, 11:09 PM
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Love Gold Cups.

A Gold Cup was the first Autoloader I ever purchased new. That was four decades ago. I still own that one but it resides in the safe these days.

Here is one of my 5" Gold Cup Elitess with Ivory

My Gold Cup Commanders

Blue Gold Cup Commander with Ivory


Stainless Gold Cup Commander with walnut


Delta Gold Cup with Custom Shop Ebony


Gold Cup Elite IX


This last image us my US Shooting Team Gold Cup

None of the others are photographed . . . yet
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Old 07-14-2017, 11:42 PM
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While I'm not a fan of adjustable sights on a 1911, I do understand the need on the Gold Cup. I've shot a few and the trigger and the sights made for a very accurate competition worthy pistol. Maybe one day when I get over my adjustable sight phobia, I'll pick one up and improve my shooting.
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Old 07-15-2017, 12:04 AM
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This is a Clark accurized Series 80. One of my all time favorite 1911's. Shoots way better than I do.
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Old 07-15-2017, 08:23 AM
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Quote:
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I really like my Gold Cup, it's a little older 1957 with ivory...

Absolutely beautiful!
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Old 07-15-2017, 08:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colt_saa View Post
Love Gold Cups.

A Gold Cup was the first Autoloader I ever purchased new. That was four decades ago. I still own that one but it resides in the safe these days.

Here is one of my 5" Gold Cup Elitess with Ivory

My Gold Cup Commanders

Blue Gold Cup Commander with Ivory


Stainless Gold Cup Commander with walnut


Delta Gold Cup with Custom Shop Ebony


Gold Cup Elite IX


This last image us my US Shooting Team Gold Cup

None of the others are photographed . . . yet

I knew that we had some aficionados in here. Quite the collection! I had seriously looked into getting a Series 70 recently but ended up putting the money into a Special Combat Government.
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Old 07-15-2017, 08:42 AM
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Default HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE ONE?

While NOT a rabid 1911 guy.The first 1911 I fired was a WWll rattle trap & I was not real impressed. The second 1911 was a 1980-90 Gold cup, and wow what a difference. The only 1911 I've owned was a Thompson & it was in between the 2 and didn't hold a candle to the Gold Cup. What works with my hands now is a stainless Sig P220 ( used 92+% 500$), but it doesn't feel/balance as well in hand as a 1911. YMMV.

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Old 07-15-2017, 08:59 AM
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Default 1984 Model Series 80

I bought this Gold Cup about 17 years ago. It was in pretty
bad shape but I got a pretty good price. Went to the range.
First shot the front sight fell off. Jammed up about every
3rd shot.

Took it to local gunsmith. He put an Ashley Big Dot up front,
and after cutting his hand, he rounded the corners on the rear
Elliason. Sold me a couple of Wilson mags which did help
considerably. But still an occasional problem feeding.

About that time I read an article by Ralph Mroz, about a
pistolsmith named Karl Sokol. He said when it absolutely,
positively must work, knowledgeable people from all over
the world send their guns to Karl Sokol.

My name is crazyphil, but I'm not crazy enough to carry a gun for
protection that has an occasional problem, so I boxed it up
and sent it to Karl Sokol.

He did his reliability package on it, worked it over with all
new Ed Brown parts, installed a commander hammer, and
his Mountain Tuff finish.

I probably have more in it than a new one would cost, but
I also believe it is much better than a new one. It shoots
much better than I can, and has been 100% reliable now
for about 17 years.

Shown below with Dave Keith holster, Haugen belt & double
mag pouch, a Solingen blade with handle by crazyphil, and
my carry ammo 230-gr. Hydra-Shoks from Federal.
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Old 07-15-2017, 09:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by diggler1833 View Post
Here is a circa 1990 bright stainless model that I put some giraffe bone grips on.
Wow, the pistol is very nice, but I can't get over the grips! I have never seen better looking giraffe bone grips. I love the coloring. Who were they made by?
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Old 07-15-2017, 09:17 AM
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I have had this Series 70 for 40 years or so. I replaced the finger bushing and it is a great shooter. I had the frame done in CPII because I have wanted a 2 tone 1911 since Ross Seyfried was shown with one on the cover of G&A many years ago.

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Old 07-15-2017, 09:26 AM
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The first handgun I ever bought was a colt gold cup 80 series. I sold it because I guess I'm just not a 1911 guy. Funny, as crazyphil mentioned, at one point the front sight on mine came off during a shooting session too. It was always a reliable gun though.
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Old 07-15-2017, 11:32 AM
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I bought this Gold Cup in 1985, it had been pretty extensively accurized by a gunsmith around Peoria IL. I successfully used it to shoot a 472 (of a possible 480) on a State PPC match in the later 80's.



It currently has a 12 lb spring in it for light bullseye loads.
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Old 07-15-2017, 01:30 PM
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My first handgun was a brand new blued Gold Cup National Match. I was 15 (pre-GCA) and working in a gun shop after school and on weekends. I think I paid around $164 wholesale.

Sadly, I sold it about a year later, as I absolutely had to have a car and needed the money for a down payment. Wish I still had it!
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:13 PM
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I love my Gold Cup. Only 1911 that I have. A great shooter!
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:56 PM
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I like GOLD CUP 1911's... my late father had a series 70 he shot IPSC back in the 1970's... one brother inherited it... other brother purchased it from him... ugh... I manged to get one very similar to his... just not dad's... oh well...
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:58 PM
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My personal best pawn shop find. A NIB 1980 Colt Gold Cup Series 70 MKIV 50th Anniversary Drug Enforcement Administration Commemorative. Only 910 guns made by Colt Custom Shop exclusively for the DEA agents. This one is #505.
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Old 07-15-2017, 03:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boykinlp View Post
Wow, the pistol is very nice, but I can't get over the grips! I have never seen better looking giraffe bone grips. I love the coloring. Who were they made by?
I second this opinion ! I have several sets of Giraffe, or Camel leg bone grips, but I have never see the character and figures of yours.
If NOT ivory; they are the closest to looking like ivory I have seen.

I also have to comment about the finish. You note it is "bright" S S, and I can see that clearly on the frame, but not so much the slide ? Is that just the angle of the camera ?

I have long hoped to find a nickel finished G C from the 70's, but I do believe seeing yours has switched me over to wanting bright stainless.
Fine looking rig you have there !
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:08 PM
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I like 1911s, but never really cared for the Gold Cup (I prefer service pistols to target pistols). I do have a Series 70 Gold Cup I inherited from my father, customized by King's Gun Works, that I enjoyed shooting. And before you ask, no, I'll never sell it.
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:09 PM
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Off topic, but I've always loved the Heretts D45 stocks.
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:48 PM
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Back about 1975 I was shooting bulls eye and bought a series 70 Cup. Used it for one season and the gun did did help me pick up a few points. I was shooting with guys that had guns by Behlert,, Pachmayr, Diann. A couple at my club were national or state ranked so the competition was stiff. I did OK but to be honest Bulls-eye bored me. We were just starting PPC and a form of combat shooting at the club

I used the Cup for those styles and did well. I like the faster shooting much better than slow Bulls eye. I then modified the gun a bit. First off I put on a longer slide release, then opened up the mag well. I was shooting 230 grain semi wad cutter Hornady jacketed slugs for everything. I did very well with the gun and started carrying it as a CCW with good defense ammo.

After I moved out of the hectic city I retired the cup as I did no more PPC or Combat and went to a smaller lighter carry gun.

To say I realy loved the Cup and what it could do would be a major understatement. If problems got more acute It would then go back as my CCW as it is about as good as you are going to ge here in NYS with its 10 round magazine restriction.
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Old 07-15-2017, 06:18 PM
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Wow, the pistol is very nice, but I can't get over the grips! I have never seen better looking giraffe bone grips. I love the coloring. Who were they made by?
A guy off of Gunbroker named Pettecat. Hope that this helps.
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Old 07-15-2017, 06:21 PM
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I second this opinion ! I have several sets of Giraffe, or Camel leg bone grips, but I have never see the character and figures of yours.
If NOT ivory; they are the closest to looking like ivory I have seen.

I also have to comment about the finish. You note it is "bright" S S, and I can see that clearly on the frame, but not so much the slide ? Is that just the angle of the camera ?

I have long hoped to find a nickel finished G C from the 70's, but I do believe seeing yours has switched me over to wanting bright stainless.
Fine looking rig you have there !

The lack of "shine" is purely a symptom of poor lighting (single light in the bedroom). Later on I'll get her out in some sunlight for some appropriate photographs, these were just for insurance purposes.
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Old 07-15-2017, 08:00 PM
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I have owned a few over the years and, for the most part, enjoyed them. Exceptions were a poorly fit stainless steel version and a Series 80 that I never could get properly sorted out.
In days gone by, they were pretty much the only factory .45 bullseye gun available, with a custom build beng the only real alternative.
Having said that, and not wanting to in any way demean the Gold Cup, l think there are a number of today's guns that are fully equal to the old Colt....Sig Sauer, Dan Wesson, S&W, Baer and several others. Time marches on and we are truly blessed with today's choices.
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Old 07-18-2017, 04:27 PM
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I sure like them and have owned several,nine at last count. Some of my Gold Cups were not really very good guns, with all kinds of fitting/accuracy/reliability issues. I always thought the GCs were one of the best looking 1911 types ever created. Still do. The best Gold Cup I ever had, purchased new in 1976, is still owned by a member of my family. I get to shoot it occasionally and it is still flawlessly reliable, and as accurate as any semi-auto pistol I've ever owned. Your GC is a beauty!
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Old 07-18-2017, 04:51 PM
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Default Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid Range

I like them in .38 Special
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Old 07-18-2017, 10:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by diggler1833 View Post
Here is a circa 1990 bright stainless model that I put some giraffe bone grips on. I have some S&W revolvers that I just love to fondle and drool over, but it is hard not to pull this one out first when I open the safe. I'll get some real pictures of it someday soon as throwing it on some fabric doesn't do this pistol any justice.



Ain't going to be no safe queen either.



Thanks for looking.


I had a circa 1985 - 90 Kimber Gold Cup. Had to sell it - arthritis in my right hand could no longer handle the recoil. Purchased a factory reconditioned Sig Sauer 226. Nice surprise when it arrived at my local FFL - fully engraved, in beautiful condition. The 9 mm in the 226 has no effect on my arthritis.


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Old 07-19-2017, 07:13 AM
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Default Gold Cup

Great posts and photos. I have no photo to share because about a decade ago, I traded my mid-70s vintage Gold Cup National Match for a mint K38 . In retrospect, I should have paid cash for the K38 and kept the Gold Cup. I would LOVE to have it back ( in 50 years, my worst case of sellers remorse ).
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Old 07-19-2017, 02:17 PM
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Would love to have 1, just to say I did. Not sure why. Have a Sig 1911, a S&W, and others. Desire is a weird thing. Bob
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Old 07-22-2017, 10:45 AM
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I LOVE my (1974 mfg.) Series 70 Colt Gold Cup and it is the single most shot handgun I own! At this point I could not tell you how many (I'd guess at about 20K - 25K) rounds I've shot through it and it is still as accurate and smooth as ever. Never a hitch and I do swap out the recoil spring every year or so just for good measure.

Two of my shooting friends just bought brand new current production Series 70 Gold Cups (almost identical to the ones made in the 70's) and I will say their quality is TOP NOTCH! They shoot every bit as well as the older ones and are smooth and extremely well fit & finished. They are currently being produced and can be bought for under $1200.00. IMHO they are about the best there is for that price and will group just as well as Ed Brown's or Les Behr's. The best part is they function 100% out of the box with no excuses and do not need to be sent back to the Factory to function with re-loads. The Ed Browns I've experienced ( 3 of them belonging to friends ) were incapable of shooting a single magazine with reloads. They all went back to be "loosened up" and after 2 or 3 trips back, they now function most of the time. The Colts - 100% all the time with any mixed bag of reloaded ammo as long as it's within spec's.

If you are looking for a well built, no excuses gun that is dead nuts accurate and reliably works, get a new Gold Cup!
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Old 07-22-2017, 02:16 PM
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Default 1963 Gold Cup National Match

Here is a picture of my old Gold Cup, shown in a home brewed Case, I built. I bought, and started to use this Gold Cup, in 1964, paid the outrageous price, at the time, of $125.00, less the trade in price of $85.00 for a Colt .38 Cal. Peacemaker. This old Gold Cup, has been well used, but never abused, with bushels of .45 ACP semi wadcutter reloads, run through Her. There are many stories about Her that I won't bore you with. This is my first, and favorite Gold Cup. It's all set up to pass on to my Son, when I pass on.
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Old 07-22-2017, 03:03 PM
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Default 1990 Gold Cup Commander

Gold Cup Commander bought in 1991 Paid $799.00. Shown on a home brewed display stand, wearing a pair of Mammoth Ivory Grips.
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Old 07-22-2017, 03:47 PM
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I bought this Gold Cup in 1985, it had been pretty extensively accurized by a gunsmith around Peoria IL. I successfully used it to shoot a 472 (of a possible 480) on a State PPC match in the later 80's.



It currently has a 12 lb spring in it for light bullseye loads.
I've got a set of those exact those grips too! Got 'em from Dad when he passed away.
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Old 07-22-2017, 06:12 PM
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Default 1988 Colt Officer's Match Set

Here is my Colt Officer's Match Set. The Gold Cup half of the set is shown wearing Colt Elephant Ivory Grips, and resting on a home brewed display stand, the Officer's slide, is shown, by it's self, that makes an Officer's standard length barrel pistol, but with full size handle, that uses a standard 8 round magazine. Both slides have matching serial numbers, OMO25, of 250 sets made.
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Old 07-23-2017, 06:33 AM
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Here's a lightly used, new model, Series 70 GCNM from 2016 or early 2017 I just picked up from a guy who bought it new, ran 50 rounds through it and did not like the target sights......his loss, my gain.
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Old 07-23-2017, 01:23 PM
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Never had one, but own 6 GM's currently. Besides having to send back a S80 from 1986 that came with a 30lb trigger(purchased during a factory strike), all my Colts have been reliable and awesome right out of the box.
I must be the exception to internet lore that all Colts need work to function.
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Old 07-23-2017, 02:45 PM
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Never had one, but own 6 GM's currently. Besides having to send back a S80 from 1986 that came with a 30lb trigger(purchased during a factory strike), all my Colts have been reliable and awesome right out of the box.
I must be the exception to internet lore that all Colts need work to function.
I also fall into the Internet Myth exception

I have been shooting Colt 1911s for 4 decades now. I own and shoot many . NONE have ever been unreliable nor have any of them needed to go back to the factory.
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Old 07-25-2017, 05:02 AM
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Here is a picture of my old Gold Cup, shown in a home brewed Case, I built. I bought, and started to use this Gold Cup, in 1964, paid the outrageous price, at the time, of $125.00, less the trade in price of $85.00 for a Colt .38 Cal. Peacemaker. This old Gold Cup, has been well used, but never abused, with bushels of .45 ACP semi wadcutter reloads, run through Her. There are many stories about Her that I won't bore you with. This is my first, and favorite Gold Cup. It's all set up to pass on to my Son, when I pass on.
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Nice job on the case too!
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Old 07-25-2017, 05:26 AM
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New Model
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Old 07-25-2017, 10:00 AM
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Here is a circa 1990 bright stainless model that I put some giraffe bone grips on. I have some S&W revolvers that I just love to fondle and drool over, but it is hard not to pull this one out first when I open the safe. I'll get some real pictures of it someday soon as throwing it on some fabric doesn't do this pistol any justice.

Ain't going to be no safe queen either.

Thanks for looking.
Wow i'd be proud of it to if I owned it.
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Old 07-25-2017, 12:52 PM
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The very first pistol I bought was in 1984. A Series 80 Colt Mk IV Gold Cup National Match. She was blue and she was beautiful. And after replacing the front sight for the second time, she was gone.
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Old 07-25-2017, 02:00 PM
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Here's mine with Spegel grips:



I've been selling guns lately that weigh a lot, or have stout recoil, due to orthopedic problems. The .45 ACP is right at the edge of comfort for me in an auto; it's easier in a revolver (cause they're better ). I sold my other Colt 1911, but I had Cylinder & Slide do a trigger job and install their own hammer and sear in this one (this picture pre-dates that work). I don't think I could sell it for even a used Gold Cup price because of that work, so I'm keeping it. I'll save it to use on one of my better days. I like that it has a real Bo-mar sight.
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Old 07-25-2017, 06:43 PM
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Default Opinions, like rear ends, Everyone has one.

As I read through the accounts of Folks, posting about their Gold Cup, Pistols. I see two completely different outlooks of owners about their Gold Cups. One faction, think of their G.C. pistol, as strictly a tool, and use it as such, and tend to try to see how many rounds that they can run through their tool at the range in one outing, with no failures. The other faction, tend to treat their G.C. pistol as a "treasured work" of the top Pistol Smiths that the Colt company has in their employment. I have no bone to pick with ether faction's opinion. I do think that the "tool" faction, would be better satisfied with aftermarket vendors offerings. The other, faction, Ones that spent an extra amount of their money to get, what they considered a "Top of the Line" Company offered Pistol, has their opinion also. I happen to belong to the "top of the Line" faction, learned to cherish each one, and make every round count. My firearms were used, and never ever abused, and they all reflect that. I still have the front sight pin, that folks of the other faction, informed me that I would soon need in 1964. "Nuf Said"
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Old 07-25-2017, 06:44 PM
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Only Series 70, not interested in any other GCs.
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Old 07-25-2017, 07:48 PM
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Here's one that's near and dear to my heart. And yes, I shot the sights off so I replaced them with Millets. As well back in the day a lot of law enforcement needed something more that would protect your sidearm from the elements and rigors of daily carry. Blue was too prone to wear and rust, Nickel was good but scratched easily and the finish would eventually breakdown over time turning cloudy when carrying everyday, and a bit flashy also. At the time I read an article in American Handgunner Magazine written about a new finish called Nitex (Company owned by Ed House) and lucky for me it was offered nearby in a gun shop called Peebles Gun Shop in Arlington, Texas. When I called to inquire about the finish a representative of the shop (don't' recall his name) told me that Colt was so expressed with the Nitex process that the Nitex Company were in negotiations with Colt in doing some work for them. The finish, called Electroless Nickel, E-Nick, and (Coltguard) was later offered by Colt; rumor of course of Colt contracting with the Nitex Company for the finishes. With that said around 1980 I had my duty weapon done; 1978 Gold Gold Cup Series 70 MKIV as did a number of other LE officers in the area did; it was very popular in the law enforcement circles. Still have it today and the finish still looks great.
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Old 07-28-2017, 06:19 PM
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Default 70 Series Gold Cup National Match

I never thought of owning one, then my dealer called and informed me about this NIB 70 series Gold Cup National Match for $795, so I decided to buy one. I don't know if I will shoot it, but feel this was a good investment for the future.
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Old 10-09-2017, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Chubbo View Post
Here is a picture of my old Gold Cup, shown in a home brewed Case, I built. I bought, and started to use this Gold Cup, in 1964, paid the outrageous price, at the time, of $125.00, less the trade in price of $85.00 for a Colt .38 Cal. Peacemaker. This old Gold Cup, has been well used, but never abused, with bushels of .45 ACP semi wadcutter reloads, run through Her. There are many stories about Her that I won't bore you with. This is my first, and favorite Gold Cup. It's all set up to pass on to my Son, when I pass on.
Chubbo
Nice set up you have there!
Thanks for redirecting me back to this thread. I noticed the Barry Wood folder in the middle drawer. Very nice indeed!!
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Old 10-09-2017, 12:27 PM
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Default Who Likes Gold Cups?

I really enjoyed reading through this thread as I finally acquired one recently. It was a great price and I kind of stumbled on it, otherwise I'm priced out on current market prices.

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Old 10-09-2017, 12:47 PM
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I had a series 70 Gold Cup in the 1970's. It was all show and no go. I sold it and bought an accurized Government Model Colt from Jim Clark. No regrets. They are purty, though.
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Old 10-10-2017, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Chubbo View Post
As I read through the accounts of Folks, posting about their Gold Cup, Pistols. I see two completely different outlooks of owners about their Gold Cups. One faction, think of their G.C. pistol, as strictly a tool, and use it as such, and tend to try to see how many rounds that they can run through their tool at the range in one outing, with no failures. The other faction, tend to treat their G.C. pistol as a "treasured work" of the top Pistol Smiths that the Colt company has in their employment. I have no bone to pick with ether faction's opinion. I do think that the "tool" faction, would be better satisfied with aftermarket vendors offerings. The other, faction, Ones that spent an extra amount of their money to get, what they considered a "Top of the Line" Company offered Pistol, has their opinion also. I happen to belong to the "top of the Line" faction, learned to cherish each one, and make every round count. My firearms were used, and never ever abused, and they all reflect that. I still have the front sight pin, that folks of the other faction, informed me that I would soon need in 1964. "Nuf Said"
Chubbo
I actually think there are three factions.

1) the cherish it is as Colt near gun art faction;
2) the practical pistol shooter (see how many rounds I can reliably put through it) faction; and
3) the Bullseye competitor faction (the people it was originally built for).

----

Personally, I'm not in faction 1 as I don't really buy guns just to set them in a safe.

I'm also not in faction 2 as a Gold Cup would not be my first choice for practical pistol shooting given the loads used and the number of rounds fired in the average season. You don't need the accuracy that a Gold Cup can produce, and it won't maintain that accuracy in the 10,000-30,000 rounds per year you're going to fire.

Sadly, I am also not in faction 3. As can be inferred from some of the posts above, to get really good accuracy out of a Gold Cup, you need to send them off for some custom work. I found I got much better out of the box accuracy for Bullseye competition shooting from the Kimber Gold Match. Both are better with some custom work, but the Kimber is better out of the box.
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