(updated on post #9) AFTER 50 PERFECT YEARS MY FAVORITE PISTOL HAD AN ISSUE TODAY

[chief38]

My all time favorite shooting and competition pistol is my Colt Gold Cup National Match (45 acp) from 1974. I will estimate that it has at least 45,000-50,000 rounds through it and other than a loose plunger tube rivet around 20 years ago, I have not had a minutes aggravation out of it. I cant even recall a single stoppage, jam or misfeed.

Today I was at the Range and I loaded an 8 round magazine. The first 7 shots could not have been better! They were all in one 1/2" hole the X ring on a 50 foot B-3 target and probably one of the best targets I had ever shot. I took the 8th and final shot and I was stunned! The 8th round was about 6" out of the X ring, low and to the right. I could not believe my eyes - the shot felt good! I reeled the target back, looked at it and in frustration I threw that target in the trash. The Range Officer who had been watching me shoot was also in disbelief as he knows how I normally shoot. Anyway, I loaded up the next magazine and took 1 shot - the rear sight blade had fallen off the gun. I then realized what had happened to make my last shot on the previous target go wild. After 50 years and gobs and gobs of ammo, the super fine threads of the windage adjustment screw had stripped to the point that the little tiny nut had flown off. After a futile attempt to find the nut and spring, I only found the spring. Doesn't mater much - it was more than likely stripped out anyway.

I went on line and ordered a new screw, nut and spring set for the Elaison rear sight ($9.95) and it should be here sometime next week. After 50 years of bliss, I guess I can not complain but the two ironic things are that I have enough parts in my stash to rebuild most of the guns I own several times over - that little screw and nut combo are about the only thing I do not have. The other thing is it ruined possibly the best target I had ever shot! Well, once it's fixed I will have a personal challenge to aim for. Just another one of life's stumbles - but no big deal in the long run!

 

[pasound]

50 years, 50,000 rounds, and $10.00 for replacement parts? Try that with a 50 year old Ford.

Great shooting with that Colt.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Well, you might just consider fixing it and hope you (or it!) lasts another half century...?

Comisserationes & Cheers!

 

[max]

I also have a GC from that era and about the same round count. I have had it in to a smith a couple of times, but the sight has never been mentioned.

I bought it used 40 years ago and found out last year, many of the internal parts were not Colt. I bought it from a guy who liked to tinker and he tinkered with the gun. A friend bought a non Colt gun from him and it had some Colt parts. Maybe from my gun.

I hope it will keep going as long as I do.

 

[colt_saa]

My Gold Cup National Match was purchased right about the same time in the 70s. I had to pay over $300 for it, but I no longer remember the exact price. Odds are pretty good that I could sell it at a profit today if I wanted to

This was actually the first auto loader I had ever purchased brand new

My GCNM probably has an extremely similar round count through it. Almost entirely from shooting the 200 grain H&G #68 SWC over 4.8 grains of 700X. These days I use 231

When I bought the firearm there was some talk of how fragile the Eliason sites were, so I purchased a spare Eliason sight to keep on hand for when I would need it. So far I have not needed it

 

[swagmeister]

I wish the newer guns, of any manufacturer, could have that long of a service life and have only a minor issue such as that. I'm older and almost worn out but I still say the older the better when it comes to firearms!!!

 

[H Richard]

I know your pleasure with Gold Cup. Mine is late 70's, and has been reworked with match barrel and a little tighter fitting of the slide, and some checkering. But any time I want to be sure I hit what I am shooting at (last was qualifying for the renewal of my CCL in March). Just a wonderful handgun.

 

[chief38]

I know your pleasure with Gold Cup. Mine is late 70's, and has been reworked with match barrel and a little tighter fitting of the slide, and some checkering. But any time I want to be sure I hit what I am shooting at (last was qualifying for the renewal of my CCL in March). Just a wonderful handgun.

BTW, I have those exact grips on another 1911 I own - like 'em!

 

[chief38]

UPDATE 06/07:

Went to the range today to sight in the vintage Gold Cup NM with the new parts. After receiving, installing and shooting the pistol with the new screw, spring and nut - I discovered there was no sight adjustment available when I tried to adjust it for windage. Apparently I found out that not only did the original screw threads strip, but the internal blade threads stripped as well (did not see that upon original inspection). So even with new parts, the original blade was worn out and unserviceable. I could not find a blade replacement sold separately so I wound up ordering a brand new Elaison sight for the Gold Cup. I should have that in a few days and should be back in business for next Friday.

I really can't complain too much as this was the very first issue I have had with the Colt. At 50 years old and around 50,000 rounds I guess the very thin, finely threaded parts just could no longer take the pounding. Hope the new sight lasts as long - lol!

 

[jimmyj]

Jimmy's Rule:
No matter how many spare parts you have on hand, the part you need you will not have.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a Series 70 GC purchased new in 75 and well remember hearing about problems with the sight. Mine also has lots put threw it.

If, big if I remember correctly both Major Nonte and Skeeter mentioned it many times in their writings.

 

[chief38]

I have a Series 70 GC purchased new in 75 and well remember hearing about problems with the sight. Mine also has lots put threw it.

If, big if I remember correctly both Major Nonte and Skeeter mentioned it many times in their writings.

I believe what they talked about back in the day, is the pin that retains the entire Elaison sight in the slide used to come loose on a routine basis. That situation has never happened to me. Maybe mine got corrected prior to shipping, I can only assume so since up until last week, the sight never gave me a hint of trouble. It's an easy and not very expensive fix though. I'm on it.

 

[rockquarry]

I believe what they talked about back in the day, is the pin that retains the entire Elaison sight in the slide used to come loose on a routine basis. That situation has never happened to me. Maybe mine got corrected prior to shipping, I can only assume so since up until last week, the sight never gave me a hint of trouble. It's an easy and not very expensive fix though. I'm on it.

The pin broke on my Gold Cup but it took decades and much shooting for that to happen. I bought a small inexpensive baggie of pins from Brownells about five years ago. Everything eventually breaks, but I'd hardly call pin breakage after many years a routine problem.