Post by XavierBreath on Mar 14, 2004 23:35:56 GMT -5
Colt introduced the Gold Cup in the late 1950's to allow a shooter to be able to take his 1911 directly from the gun store to competition. It featured an adjustable wide trigger, hand-honed action, adjustable target sights, flat grooved top rib on the slide, and many other refinements as standard. Even today, the Colt Gold Cup is held in high esteem among competitors and collectors alike. When I became interested in 1911's, of course, a Gold Cup was somewhere in the cards.
One day, while browsing a gunstore's used rack, I spied a Colt Gold Cup National Match. This pistol was unusual though. I looked it over, and noted how well it fit my hand, and how well the slide fit the frame, as well as the fitment of the other parts. The trigger was light, just over three pounds. The previous owner had supposedly had this pistol smithed while he was at Gunsite, shooting with another gun. I admit it, I'm a sucker for a custom 1911. I fired off an email with the serial number to the Gunsite gunsmiths and hurried back to the shop when I got my reply.
The gun had a plethora of modifications, from accurizing and trigger work to an Ed Brown grip safety, an Ed Brown full length guide rod, Ed Brown ambi thumb safety, forward slide serations, and a Wilson match bushing. It was finished in impeccable hard chrome.
I bought the pistol for $850. I took it home and ordered a Smith & Alexander Magwell and cocobolo grips. Since the order was over $100, S&A gave me a 10% discount and free shipping. Good folks! These are the only further modifications I have made to this pistol, except one.
I shoot at an indoor range. The pistol ejected spent shells reliably and hard, but sent them screaming straight up. They then bounced around the stall as I dodged them. I tried adjusting the extractor, but finally installed a Nowlins extended ejector to solve the problem. I also installed a 18.5 recoil spring.
Eventhough this pistol is a one of a kind, I wanted to critique it to show what could be found on the used pistol market. It will shoot better than I can ever hope to shoot. I can group five shots within an inch with it at 25 feet. I witnessed better shooters than myself bench the pistol and shoot similar groups at 25 yards. The pistol presented me with no problems. Even the ejection would not have been a problem had I been shooting outside.
Thus far, the pistol is over 2000 rounds by me, mostly 230 grain hardball. It will feed semiwadcutters and JHP. I am not sure if it has been throated. The barrel is the original Colt NM barrel. It is a Series 80 pistol, with the firing pin safety, and the special Gold Cup sear depressor spring that protects the sear from bouncing. These particular parts can be challenging on reassembly after detailing the gun. A slave pin is the best way to reinstall the sear depressor and it's spring.
Some people would balk at $850 for a used pistol, but I will not again. If I were to buy a Gold Cup and have it smithed to this level of customization, I would be paying twice that easily. I also have to consider that I would likely never alter a Gold Cup. They are iconic to me. As it is, I now have a pistol that will satisfy the urge for a Gold Cup, while eliminating any desire for a Kimber as well. Money saved.
Now if I can just locate a used Colt Gunsite to go along with it!
One day, while browsing a gunstore's used rack, I spied a Colt Gold Cup National Match. This pistol was unusual though. I looked it over, and noted how well it fit my hand, and how well the slide fit the frame, as well as the fitment of the other parts. The trigger was light, just over three pounds. The previous owner had supposedly had this pistol smithed while he was at Gunsite, shooting with another gun. I admit it, I'm a sucker for a custom 1911. I fired off an email with the serial number to the Gunsite gunsmiths and hurried back to the shop when I got my reply.
The gun had a plethora of modifications, from accurizing and trigger work to an Ed Brown grip safety, an Ed Brown full length guide rod, Ed Brown ambi thumb safety, forward slide serations, and a Wilson match bushing. It was finished in impeccable hard chrome.
I bought the pistol for $850. I took it home and ordered a Smith & Alexander Magwell and cocobolo grips. Since the order was over $100, S&A gave me a 10% discount and free shipping. Good folks! These are the only further modifications I have made to this pistol, except one.
I shoot at an indoor range. The pistol ejected spent shells reliably and hard, but sent them screaming straight up. They then bounced around the stall as I dodged them. I tried adjusting the extractor, but finally installed a Nowlins extended ejector to solve the problem. I also installed a 18.5 recoil spring.
Eventhough this pistol is a one of a kind, I wanted to critique it to show what could be found on the used pistol market. It will shoot better than I can ever hope to shoot. I can group five shots within an inch with it at 25 feet. I witnessed better shooters than myself bench the pistol and shoot similar groups at 25 yards. The pistol presented me with no problems. Even the ejection would not have been a problem had I been shooting outside.
Thus far, the pistol is over 2000 rounds by me, mostly 230 grain hardball. It will feed semiwadcutters and JHP. I am not sure if it has been throated. The barrel is the original Colt NM barrel. It is a Series 80 pistol, with the firing pin safety, and the special Gold Cup sear depressor spring that protects the sear from bouncing. These particular parts can be challenging on reassembly after detailing the gun. A slave pin is the best way to reinstall the sear depressor and it's spring.
Some people would balk at $850 for a used pistol, but I will not again. If I were to buy a Gold Cup and have it smithed to this level of customization, I would be paying twice that easily. I also have to consider that I would likely never alter a Gold Cup. They are iconic to me. As it is, I now have a pistol that will satisfy the urge for a Gold Cup, while eliminating any desire for a Kimber as well. Money saved.
Now if I can just locate a used Colt Gunsite to go along with it!