Your thoughts on a Colt Gold Cup National Match

[Snapping Twig]

I just bought one, a 1966 with the most beautiful deep blue finish.

It's got a FLGR, so I bought a GI and the plunger tube to go with it from Colt and a 17# recoil spring since I'm only going to shoot standard loads, not softball.

I understand it has a relieved slide, it's pre 70 series so it has a traditional barrel bushing that's hand fitted, just like the rest of the pistol.

I'm excited about it as you could imagine. In my mind it is like getting a modern high end piece, like a Wilson or Brown. Perhaps there's a degree of difference, but I don't see where it could be dramatic.

Its got an elongated, but standard type, grip safety - the tang is a bit longer, so I can live with that. I prefer beaver tail grip safety's with the raised bump to help with a less than perfect grip, but it's a target pistol for me.

In my research I have read that the finest examples, save for current production, are the reintroduction models post War from 1957 to 1969.

Not convinced to install a shock buff, I think the 17# spring is enough, but I'm open to suggestions.

Your thoughts on this pistol? How it compares to a modern custom - performance, etc?

 

[perrazi]

I shot 5066-nm for several years in bullseye competition. the longslide custom guns were a little better. if you had one of the big name built guns they would be better. f.bob chow, clark, behlert, Swenson, pachmayr. those are the ones I remember. it's been over 40 yrs now since I shot that game.

 

[colt_saa]

I LOVE Gold Cups. Well I LOVE all 1911s

The first pistol I ever bought new was a Gold Cup back in the 70s. My BBQ gun is a Gold Cup Commander in a pigskin lined, horse hide shoulder rig.

Most of my Gold Cups are newer than yours but all of them shoot GREAT

Make no mistake, a Gold Cup is still basically a production gun. Admittedly a truly superb one. Semi custom and true custom 1911s will absolutely out shoot it.

 

[Fishslayer]

Your thoughts on this pistol? How it compares to a modern custom - performance, etc?

About all I know is that a '60s vintage GCNM is on my "too much want" list. The bluing on those things is simply exquisite. :drool:

LGS had one awhile back at $1200. If I'd had the $$$ I would have boiled on it in a heartbeat.

Congratulations.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

nice find! Show us pictures

 

[DR505]

I like them! I just found a National Match .45 ACP (pre-Gold Cup) and a Colt Super .38 (before they called it .38 Super!) in the vault at work...along with several P&R S&W revolvers! They all sit right next to the two 1928 Thompson sub-guns.

 

[Rpg]

Your pistol is infinitely better than a Wilson and what ever elst you mentioned. The guide rod is aftermarket junk. Glad you disposed of it. Any 1911 with a guide rod is misconceived.


I mistakenly sold a serifs 70 gold cup recently, and have reverted it from the moment. A ball recoil spring is a good idea. Other than other customizing, it's as perfect a pistol the has been made.

Good catch!

 

[mkk41]

Had a FLGR? Hmmmm!

The original barrel bushing and recoil spring cap on GCs were different than GMs in that the end of the plug was tapered , not stepped, and the underside of the tab matched. Also be careful if you ever take the hammer & sear out as they have an extra little lever & spring that can be a PITA to put back together.

And if yer gonna shoot hardball or +P , use an 18.5-20lb spring. A quality shok-buff wouldn't hurt either.

And I like my pre-70 GCs too! Definitely the high water mark for Colt 1911s and the standard by which all others are judged.

 

[george minze]

They were and are great pistols.....My first 45 for NM shooting. I ended up with a Clark but it didn't help my scores that much.....When you went from expert to Master the jump was to big for a police shooter...Not enough range time...to compete with the military guys. but enough to have a great time...The old three gun matches were a great training ground for any further shooting sports,,,,sight alignment was crucial. Though not combat shooting, that became the standard for police, the three gun matches taught controlled trigger pull and steady hand. Taught good shooting habits... Newer Gold Cup Colts don't seem as finished as the 50's and 60's models....Progress ??????

 

[Peakes]

My father-inlaw has a mint National Match early production that will be mine soon. It is dead accurate and is one of the softest shooting 45's I have had the pleasure to shoot. Will post some pics when it arrives. I have had Kimber's that didn't compare..

 

[Texas Star]

I bought one in the USAF exchange in 1966. I sold it after the front sight loosened and I read Jeff Cooper's warning that the Gold Cup wasn't as strong as a normal Govt. Model.

However, it was VERY accurate with Federal's 230 grain Match load.

I had mine ordered by the BX with an arched mainspring housing, which I prefer. It is still the only GC on which I've seen an arched housing.

 

[Dennis The B]

I picked up a pre-70 NM @ my LGS last year. It was in a "scratch and dent" sale, after an attempted burglary of the store. I figured, that for $550, I couldn't get hurt too badly.

It's an extremely accurate piece, and I only shoot 185gr SWC and JSWC ammo in it. With the slide cut-out, I don't want to shoot any 230gr hardball in it. I removed the original stocks from it, and use a set of Hogue finger-grooves now. The only think missing from it is the original magazine.

My second Gold Cup is a stainless steel model, built in 1986. It's another tack driver, and it shoots almost as good as the older one. It shoots 230gr hardball ammo very nicely. The stocks on that one obviously weren't standard, but they were very comfortable to hold.

 

[kraigwy]

Mine is a series 70 from the mid-70s. I got it and used it in Bullseye. I replaced the front sight because they will come off. The springs are the normal GC springs that came with the gun. I too like the arched mainspring housing so I installed one on mine.

I replaced the collet barrel bushing with a fitted bushing. This puppy still shoots and shoots well.

I tried the buffer, after a few rounds they got buggered up and caused malfunctions. I dumped them, I don't think they are needed.

My Gold Cup don't care what you feed it, like SWC's to full blown hardball, never hickups, (except with the buffers). I use to shoot for the guard and had tons of free bullets. Now I have to fund my own shooting so I shoot exclusively cast bullets. The gun don't care.

I still shoot it, not many bullseye matches around here but I shoot a lot of Action Type Competitions.

I can shoot it better then any other pistol I have.

 

[BlackAgnes]

My Gold Cup Commander wearing a pair of Nutmeg Sports ivory grips--

 

[mstuhr]

Stir the pot some

Howdy,
This is just an opinion based on past experience. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings.
A 60's model Gold Cup, in good shape, is likely to shoot with the Clark/Marvel bullseye customs.
I have never seen a factory 70 series gun that compares. Not that they are bad, just that they lack the voodoo that was built into the earlier guns.
Just came across a N.I.B 1964 not long ago and reminisced about the two I had in years gone by. I can't justify the cost. I sure wish I would have had the good sense to keep at least one of the ones I had.
I have to agree with MKK41 "Definitely the high water mark for Colt 1911s and the standard by which all others are judged."
Thanks
Mike

 

[Snapping Twig]

Thanks for the replies, good info!

Where might I find a tapered recoil spring tube?

 

[Snapping Twig]

Here's some phone snaps.

 

[george minze]

Any 1911 colt say's American.......The older NM were as good as the average shooter could generally afford, and for the money well worth the cost Just looking at the pictures say Made in America...Lets hope Colt stys the course......I have seen nice forign 1911's but they are not Colt..Just not the same!!!