Hello
I have been trying to buy a Colt Gold Cup 1911. I would prefer the 70 series. I have attended several auctions in the past couple of months that had the 70 series Gold Cups.
The one auction had 2 blue ones. They were tight and in really good shape. One went for 1275.00 and the other for 1250.00. I was a little thrown off to say the least.
Next auction had an 80 series , stainless version. It was an early 80 series. It went for 1300.00. It was really loose although it appeared not to have been fired very much.
All of the ones I have looked at were in the same price range.
And, forget about buying a older Colt government model, they are just crazy in price. They are in the 1400.00 to 3000.00 range.
I am trying to understand what is driving these prices up on these. There are plenty of the government models out there, not nearly as many Gold Cups.
Anyone else noticing prices in this range?

One word says it all "Colt".

I'd like to add that 2011 was the 100th anniversary of the model, so sales and demand shot up. I think It will be awhile before supply catches up to the whipped up demand. I got caught up in it buying a Colt's GI version and their XSE in stainless (which I really love and carry a lot).

I liken the Colt 1911 demand/supply/price curve to how Harley-Davidson's were in the 2000-2005 year period. They sold every one they made with back orders and some people bought one, rode it six months, sold it for what they paid, and bought a new one. I knew a fellow at work that did that three times in less than three years.

Right now 1911's are hotter than ever and Colt is the original. It helps that Colt makes high quality guns again. Both of mine are top quality for a non-custom pistol.

I don't know who can afford to feed these things though-wow is .45 expensive! I'm not shooting mine as much as I'd like.

Prices on the pony guns are nuts. I was looking at a Springfield Lightweight Operator, cost around 1100. It was a well put together firearm, tight, fully supported barrel, good sights, good trigger, and all the stuff a person would ever want for a PDW or stock gun competition. I was surprised!

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Even older, even crankier....

LGS had an absolutely stunning 70 series Gold Cup @ $1200. If I had that kind of $$$ I would not consider it excessive.

I reload .45ACP. Using hard cast bullets, I can load a box of 50 for around $7. Some manufacturers state that shooting reloads will void the warranty. Since in 50 + years, I have never sent a handgun in for warranty repair, I am not going to worry about it.

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Corripe Cervisiam

This is the answer to high ammo prices.^^^^^^

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

If Colt made water pistols they'd sell for top dollar.

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I'm with the banned ...

Auctions..in my experience are not the place to buy firearms. An online auction maybe..but not an auction auction like you physicaly attend.

Every one I've been to the guns have sold high!!!..I mean really high..higher than you could walk into a gunstore and buy one. Then you usually have a percentage tacked on go to the auctioneers...

Best to just get to know the owners of some gunstores...tell them what you want or have them order it for you..and when they get it..go pay the gunstore. You also get to really look over the merchandise before purchase too.

I live just a few miles from Dillon, and I got a 550B with complete quick-change tool heads for .40, .44, and , .45. I get all the .40 brass I can handle from work, but I am still in the process of squirreling away .44's and .45's from the range. Soon I hope to be assembling some .45's!

Stevie is right, auctions always seem to get the bidder's blood up and the prices along with it.

I worked in a pawn store as a young 'un fresh outta the Marines, and boy did I find great deals in there!

Cruise the local pawn stores, it takes time and effort but man can you score big!

A) Get to know the owners/workers at the local pawns, if you become a serious customer, they will call you when the good stuff shows up. I have found that pawn store owners rarely keep the good stuff for themselves; a successful pawn shop owner treats all goods as commodities.

B) You can haggle!

Even if you find a clapped out 1911, if you are handy with files and such you can refit a new barrel, bushings, trigger. Turn a cheap clapped out parts mule into a project pistol-fun!

One last tip: You have to really know a 1911 well and be able to do good function checks. Most pawn store workers know less than the knumb-skulls behind the gun store counters.... Make your offer accordingly (which is how you score a cheap project mule!)

Have had the Ser 70 and Ser 80 Gold Cups. Not thrilled with the Ser 80/90 anything.
I bought two Ser 70 Gold Cups two years ago within six months of each other. Both in the same Serial range and both here in WY.
First one (June 2010) had been shot (98%) and did not have box or papers. Price was $1150. Second one ( Dec 5, 2010) was NIB, with the hanging tag and oily plastic wrapper still over the gun. Price was $1100. #1 I got from a neighbor at a Show in Rock Springs. The second one I got from a gent at the Casper Show. Both were made in 1977 and the second one had been in a safe since being bought. Second one is still in my possession as it was a Birthday present from my wife. Got it on my BD too.
Prices seem to have held in the $1200-1400 range at the shows and on GB.
Military 1911/1911A1s are all over the price range depending on what they are, manufacturer and naturally the condition.
If you are looking for a great reliable shooter you would be hard pressed to find something better or more accurate than the Series 70 Gold Cup or the 1950s-60s National Match (pre Gold Cup).
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

My first 1911 had a Pony on it.
It was a Cmbat Elite, and I loved it.
However it never fed well even after having work done on it and the front sight fell off. This was around 1994.

I sold it and bought a Wilson Combat. WC's were about $1500 back then. Twice the money of my Colt. Best money I ever spent.

I'd still like to have a WWII vintage Colt as a collectable though.

Emory

Firearms, like most everything else, are worth only what someone is willing to pay.

For that price a pre GC National Match is what you want . Later models are IMHO over priced junk . Pre GC's were hand fitted & shot pretty well .

I don't know as I'd get all wrapped around the axle on Gold Cups or even Colts per se. After shooting a DCM $17 GI Remington Rand as a kid in 1959 and reading one of Jeff Cooper's early books, I started saving up for one. At that time the stock Colt was 78.50 and the GC $125--big bucks.

Years later I finally did get a GC. Nice gun and I used it in IPSC for a while. However mere ownership didn't quite make me Top Gun. Funny about that. I shot it for a few years and eventually sold it to buy something else. It really wasn't all that big a deal. Sort of like the gorgeous custom muzzleloader I had made up that was a work of art. Except for the part where it didn't work half as reliably as the Thompson Center "Hawken" that always went bang and was fun to shoot.

I have "enough" 1911s now, ranging from a couple of 1913 vintage Colts to GI and evolved GI guns to a Springfield Mil-Spec I got "for free" some years back. The SA pistol has turned out to probably be the most accurate, trouble-free, and reliable one of the whole lot. Whatever the reason (maybe I finally learned how to apply the basics a little better?) I shoot that rather plebian Mil-Spec better than I ever did the Gold Cup once I changed the front sight and got it zeroed the way I like it. It wants to shoot into one ragged hole at 20 yards, and occasionally I get out of my own way to do it. No pop can is safe out to ridiculous distances.

I have some mods into the gun, all very minor and none of real consequence. The only thing it lacks is a prancing pony on the side, and so far that just hasn't mattered. I like pretty guns as much as anyone, but I like guns that run like a Timex watch and hit stuff for me even more. Sometimes you get more than your money's worth.

In my experience,if I REALLY want something and can afford it,I buy it. If you wait,the price will only get higher. If it's a vintage Colt 1911,that's a given. Find a NICE one and fork over the cabbage!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Thanks for all the input, some good information here.
This all started when I fired a Gold Cup 70 series. I have a couple 1911's but not one of these. It was really smooth and accurate. I really liked it.
I think I will just hold off and see if things adjust themselves back down to reality.
I have a Springfield loaded model that I bought a long while back and it had a Marvel 22 conversion kit on it, but no original slide. After looking for 3 years, I finally found a new unused stainless Springfield slide. I learned how to fit a slide to a frame, install a rear sight, and now I need to install a new front sight. It should make a good shooter.
There is just something about the 70 Gold Cup that I cannot explain.
I have several shops and pawn shops working on this for me also. The problem with that is there are so many others looking for the same thing, but are friends of the owners of the shops.
I will continue with the search.

That is my FFL's view on the world, too. He rousted my buddy for buying a Springfield TRP a few years back with comments like "knock off" and "when are you getting a proper 1911". BTW I found the TRP to be an excellent pistol. He is the same about ARs, which is funny when you consider that Colt are NOT the original designers or manufacturers. There are a LOT of people who view all things Colt the same way.

If you think the Gold Cups, etc (autos) are high. Take a gander at a Python (if you can find one for sale). LGS in Houston generally has 20 plus. They have one today. $1800 beat all to hell.

Regards

Bill

I have had a 70 Series GC for 40 years or so and have fired over 20k rounds of my lead reloads through it. I had it ported and polished 35 years ago and have had no problems since. I also have a Commander and just got a Ruger 1911. I am still breaking the Ruger in.

@ the OP,

A 70 series Gold Cup around here sells for $1,500, easy.

If I came across a deal for $ 1,200; I would get it.

The people that have them, generally, do not want to sell them. Think 3.5" Model 27 category.

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Rather be outdoors

This all makes me wonder if I oughta put a 5 grand price tag on my 1932 commercial model and see what happens.......maybe swapping it for a nice H&H double rifle isn't all that ridiculous!

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Even older, even crankier....

This thread needs a picture.
The Gold Cup I got about 3 years ago from a local pawn shop. I was happy to find it.

Don't say I didn't warn you.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

The prices for them will not drop.

Prices for the Colt's have always been high, I guess because people pay the $$. Having been a full-time LEO since 1981 I have had occasion to shoot most everything out there. My 2 cents worth: the Colts are no better than any of the SW's when it comes to revolvers and there are many many 1911's that are as good or better than the Ponys. I only have one Colt, a 1981 series '70 stock 1911. I also have a SW 1911 and a Springfield 1911. I can tell no difference in the three as far as quality and all the other measures you look at in a 1911. I like to shoot so I'll go with what I can afford and there are many other companies out there that make quality products but don't have to rely on a name. As far as revolvers go, I own 8 various SW's, all made before 1992. I'll take the Smiths over the Colts all day long. Look at the AR-15 market, Colt had this wrapped up for the civilian and LE market for many moons... no longer. Again, just my 2 cents worth.

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TMW
ExFed

In my area Colts are always high. I found an Ed Brown for a good price and jumped on it.

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Well, you're lucky you didn't start a thread moaning about how much a replacement band for your Rolex costs-Trust me on this one

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Forum consigliere

1911's are cool and since people are posting pics:

Series 80 Gov't Model



Gold Cup Trophy




Recent WWI Reproduction




Series 70 Gov't Model reproduction with 100 year rollmark



Series 70 NIB Gov't Model

1967 Colt,I bought this in 1968,still new with box.(top is a Colt 22 Ace)
Dick

Here's my 70 Series Gold Cup, along with a couple of little brothers. It's pretty, but I've shot lots of better shooters. I felt robbed when I paid $800 for it a couple of years back. Maybe I didn't after all.