New! and looking at Gold Cup

[rheged]

I am looking at a Gold Cup Trophy. From what I have read they are not necessarily the best choice for carry and for shooting defense loads, but Colts are really hard to come by in my area. I know that I would have to use the heavier recoil spring. A shock buffer and more rugged sights would probably be good too, but is there anything else that I could do to make it more durable and reliable with defense loads? Are target sights and lighter springs all that make the Gold Cup less suitable for field use? Because these can be changed eventually, right?

Anyway, I have found the forum really helpful. Thanks for any help and/or comments.

[1911 Shooter]

Rheged, I can't wait to read all the responses you are going to get from this one.
If you are determined to carry a Gold Cup, my humble suggestions are to replace the recoil spring with a 16lb. spring from Wolff. If the sights are still being held on with a roll pin, toss it for a solid pin. I haven't seen a new Gold Cup lately, so I'm not sure about the pin anymore. I hate shock-buff's, I do not use them at all.

My last suggestion is to just buy a Colt XSE for a carry and go shooting. Still buy the Gold Cup for the range and maybe a comp gun. You can never have too many Colts.

[auto45]

Generally, any adjustable sight 1911 won't be recommended for carry. Larger, sharper sights that have more parts isn't your first choice. But, the blued GC has smaller Ellison sights that probably will need a solid pin, to keep the sight on, and it can be dehorned. It's not a high profile sight like the Bo-mars on the stainless version of the GC so it would be "easier" to carry.

I own a blued GC.

I have "read" that the wider trigger of the GC is not ideal for carry in a holster since it can "catch" on "whatever" easier than the standard, thinner trigger. Personally, I have no opinion on that, but it sounds "logical" I guess.

Overall, you pay several hundred dollars more for a GC with features that are not recommended for carry guns, so most would not consider it a good buy.
If it were me, and you want a Colt, I'd keep looking and buy their 1991 or XSE.

[Hunter]

Get the Gold Cup. It comes from Colt with a new 16 pound recoil spring in the box for standard pressure loads. I carry mine on a semi regular basis and it is not that bad. Carrying a full size 1911 can sometimes be a challenge to conceal but it is not that bad and the Gold cup is about as good of a 1911 as you can get. The rear sight is a little large but can easily be changed as it is pinned in but I do not know of a combat style sight that will drop in. I have shot mine right much from IDPA to informal range and target shooting and she has never let me down from defensive JHP to my own LSWC reloads.

[jacII]

Rheged:
I agree with Hunter - if you like it get the Gold Cup. I have a Combat Elite which is essentially a two-tone GC. Mine has the adjustable sights with the roll pin. I have thousands of rounds through this gun and have never had a problem with it. It is my primary IDPA gun and I only shoot 230 grain factory ball or equivalent HP ammo through it. I do run a Wolff 18lb. spring in the gun and use a shok buff. Also, if the gun you are looking at is an older GC with the collet barrel bushing, I would recommend a solid bushing. Although my gun came with a solid bushing, I had my 'smith fit an Ed Brown stainless bushing to the gun and its been great. GC's are great guns - enjoy it !
Joe

[Hunter]

jacII I have a Combat Elite as well and they are excellent 1911s It was my first Colt I bought 11 years ago (when I turned 21) and she has never given me any trouble. The Trophy will have a solid barrel bushing as do the Series 80 GCNM. The Series 70 GCNM will be the only Gold Cups with factory installed collet bushing that I am aware of.

[Joni Lynn]

My series 80 GC had the collet bushing when new as did my series 70. I don't know if they changed that after mine was produced. The one I bought was made before they started with the enhanced models.

[Hunter]

I'll be dog. I did not know that any Series 80 GCNM came with a collet bushing but then again there is right much I don't know. :D Learn something new everyday here, thanks Joni.

[Joni Lynn]

When I got mine it rattled like a box of disassembled parts when I shook it. The bushing was really loose in the slide and didn't grip the barrel well either. It's accuracy when new was no better than 3.5" inches at 10 yards with match ammo off a rest. At 25 yards it wasn't possible to get the majority of the shots on target. After my gunsmith rebuilt it it could pretty easily do 1.5" or a little less at 25 yards with my handloads. He also got the trigger down to 3 pounds.
From what I hear, I think I got a lemon.........most people report much better results from theirs.

[Hunter]

I hate to hear yours gave you so much trouble. I have had real good luck with the Gold Cups I have. That Series 80 GCNM in bright stainless I just got has a little rattle but she is a tack driver. My dad always told me if your Colt don't have a little rattle when you shake it something is wrong. I think most of mine do to some extent but all of them are plenty accurate.

[Joni Lynn]

I have two old GC's now in 45 (1957/1962) and they shoot quite well. I got rid of all the others I had and only kept 6 of them. At least with a Colt it usually retains some of it's value. (not that others won't)

[rheged]

Thanks so much for all of the helpful replies. I went ahead and got the blued Gold Cup for $1095 and I will look into getting the solid pin for the sights. I just have to wait for my paperwork to clear.

I am still going to keep an eye out for 1991-A1, but I thought I should get the GC while I could. Colts are not always easy to get in MD because of the fired casing and internal locking system requirements. Thanks again!

[Weg Ban]

I have two GCs, a Ser 70 and a Ser 80, in both, if the Eliason sights are raised sufficiently to actually have point of aim be point of impact at 25-30', they are high enough to be really fragile for carry purposes. I have the click settings written down and after firing them, I always lower the sights to protect them. I agree with the suggestion to get a regular carry model (but get the GC too if you can, they're a joy to shoot)