The Colt 1911 National Match ...

[Empe]

What would be considered the best years of manufacture for these guns . I'm less interested in collector value . I'm more interested in one to shoot.

Does anyone own a new one ...if so how is the fit , finish and quality ?

 

[TheHobbyist]

I'll try to help.

This is an opinion, here goes, without writing a novel:

Pre-Series 70 NM Gold Cups have the best fit, form and function. They were hand fitted and I believe all subsequent were not at the factory. There are slight differences as well in the specs./dimensions as compared to Series 70 NM but I don't recall the subtle differences.

Series 70 NM. Seems to be the one most are compared to. Has a different feel as compared to pre-series 70.

'Modern' NM GC., great value, good shooters, purists may have different opinions...stainless is nice for durability, versus the previous two mentioned.

I've always considered the pre-series 70 NM GC to be the bar by which all other 1911s compare to. Obviously, there is a lot not being mentioned such as customization after WW2 to service pistols, gunsmith work, higher-end boutique manufacturers.

If you can narrow the focus of your question more with some specifics, I can give more specific feedback. In short, you really can't go wrong with any of them and my opinion is that if you own each variant, there is a tendency to prefer the original but I wouldn't really consider a PSS NM GC to be a working on the farm type firearm, more of a collectible piece at this time.

 

[Beemerguy53]

About 2018 I bought a brand-new blue Gold Cup. It's more accurate than I am, and has been 100% reliable. The fit and finish are fine. I wouldn't know how to fault it.

If you're looking for one to shoot, I don't think you could do any better, especially for the money.

 

[five 0]

The Pre 70 series NM Gold Cup is meant to use the 185 semi wadcutter where as the 70 series is built to use the 230 grain cartridge.

 

[moralem]

For the price you can’t go wrong….plus if you have some custom trigger work done it only enhances its performance.

 

[s&wchad]

In short, you really can't go wrong with any of them...

I agree with TheHobbyist.

The Military National Match pistols built for the marksmanship units may be the best, but they're scarce and very expensive. They're not pretty, but they were hand built by top military armorers. A friend and fellow forum member has at least one.

I've owned a number of post war variations, including pre-Series 70 #345, several Series 70's and a Series 80. They all shot well.

I currently have these two.

I've owned the pre-Series 70 for decades, but never shot it. I picked up the tuned/engraved Series 70 a couple years ago and have shot it. It shoots great, but I actually prefer the S&W 945. Virtually nothing is interchangeable with a 1911, but it's built like a tank and a superb shooter.

 

[Herky Bird]

For a shooter, can’t really go wrong with a new National Match. Every range visit I let the ROs, who’ve shot Bullseye before, shoot a magazine. With those guys, a one-inch hole at 15 yards is pretty neat to watch (my eyesights sucks). One thing they all ask, “who did the nice trigger job;” I reply “it’s factory.”

 

[AJ]

I have a 1976 manufactured Colt Series 70 Gold Cup National Match. I have had it for 15 years and it shoots better than I do. I throated the barrel, polished the feed ramp and lightened the trigger to 2.5 pounds. It will feed an empty case from the magazine.

My Gold Cup is the uppermost in the picture. The grips I made up about 1987. The target is about as far as this 72 year old can see!

 

[robvious]

I too have a 1976 Colt GCNM, exactly like the one my father had.. that big brother now has...
it is smooth and accurate... and is more capable than I am... my father used his in IPSC competition... occasionally for carry, but he replaced it with a brushed nickel Commander, I believe it was recommended in a book he read... that one I inherited... anyway, my limited experience would suggest a series 70 would work fine.

 

[Empe]

Thanks for the replies . A new one can be purchased for around $1200 and any test reports I've read on these have been quite favorable . Any reason not to buy a new one ....how is the fit and finish ?
What's been done to the NM model to enhance the accuracy ?

 

[TheHobbyist]

Fit and finish are considered excellent by multiple sources, supporting objectivity. There is a reason it is a standard in competition shooting and inspired further innovation with the 2011's.

You would have to handle different variations and manufacturers to render your own opinion; and notice the differences. It is generally accepted as a 'best-in-category' offering.

Flat main spring housing, national match barrel / accurizer barrel and bushing. Post front sight, adjustable rear sight. Many of the features present are more common than they were years ago.

 

[AJ]

Flat main spring housing, national match barrel / accurizer barrel and bushing. Post front sight, adjustable rear sight. Many of the features present are more common than they were years ago.

Sounds like an original Series 70 Gold Cup National Match.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Could be I am mistaken, I am exhausted and going to bed early. Someone can correct me, please, if I have made a mistake there. Thank you

 

[Rpg]

I much prefer the series 70 Gold Cup. The Elasion (sp?) sights are superb.

I’m less enthusiastic about more recent production examples.

 

[824tsv]

"The Elasion (sp?)"
Designed by George Elliason who at one time worked for Colt in the R&D Department and a superb Gunsmith in his own right.

 

[chief38]

My Colt GCNM was made in the early 1970's and SUPER high quality! It has seen at least an estimated 30,000+ rounds through it, been in many competitions, bullseye matches and has never failed. The accuracy is still superb!

Two of my shootin' Bud's bought the same guns about 5 years ago. While Colt has been through the ringer over the last few decades, they STILL make a hell of a GCNM! They are also accurate, well made and perfectly reliable.

 

[Rock185]

My 2¢ worth: I've never owned a pre 70 Series Gold Cup, but understand they were excellent. I did have several of the original 70 Series GCNMs. I don't think there is any fitting with the S70 and later Gold Cups, just assembling. One I purchased new in the 70s is still owned by a family member, and continues to be as accurate and reliable as any pistol I ever owned. But the rest of the S70 GCNMs I owned, about a half dozen IIRC, were unremarkable at best, some just dismal. Though my luck with Gold Cups has been less than stellar, I continue to like the darn things. My most recent is a current production type GC in 9mm. It is put together pretty well. It utilizes the very loose Colt drop-in barrel bushing of course, but barrel/slide/frame fit are decent. I did change the barrel bushing to a fitted one, and now it shoots acceptably well.

While I still like the Gold Cups, when buying I always realize they are a **** shoot. My last two GCs, one a .45 and my current 9mm, have been back to the factory with issues. But hey, they are Colts. So no worries, just par for the course;-)