Combat Elite Versus Special Combat Government

[MCMIX]

.Wondering about the Combat Elite and Special Combat Government. Could somebody enlighten me on the differences between the two. Are either custom shop?
Thanks

[Hunter]

The Combat Elite is an older Colt that has been called the poor man's Gold Cup and an excellent pistol.
The Special Combat Government Model is somewhat a different pistol geared toward competition right out the box.
While the Combat Elite is also a great pistol out of the box they are out of production.
Either would serve you well but they are different pistols.
I have examples of both and I love my Combat Elite but the Special Combat Government Model needs to be shot to appreciate.

[MCMIX]

Thanks. I went on the Colt website and perused the specs on the Special Combat Government. Totally different animal. The Special Combat is Colt Custom Shop and mucho expensive.($1679.00). Just picked up a Combat Elite, have to wait for the lottery for the Special Combat.






The Combat Elite is an older Colt that has been called the poor man's Gold Cup and an excellent pistol.
The Special Combat Government Model is somewhat a different pistol geared toward competition right out the box.
While the Combat Elite is also a great pistol out of the box they are out of production.
Either would serve you well but they are different pistols.
I have examples of both and I love my Combat Elite but the Special Combat Government Model needs to be shot to appreciate.

[daveohno]

I got mine for about $1200 a couple of years ago. I'm REALLY glad I bought when I did, because the price has gone straight up since then. The SCG is a very nice Colt. Very smooth and tight.

[dsk]

The Combat Elite is an older Colt that has been called the poor man's Gold Cup and an excellent pistol.


I've heard that comment before, however the Combat Elite bears no relation to a Gold Cup aside from being a 1911-pattern pistol made by Colt. The Gold Cup is Colt's accurized target pistol (or at least it's supposed to be). The Combat Elite was a factory "combat custom" pistol with features desired by most combat shooters, which the plain vanilla Government Model lacked at the time (late 1980's). This included hi-profile sights, lowered and flared ejection port, and beveled mag well. The two-tone blued/stainless finish was also something that was in fashion with many combat shooters. The immediate predecessor to the Combat Elite was the Combat Government Model, which was very similar except it had a standard blue finish. It had a short production run from 1982-1985 (roughly), and given the name similarity to the current Special Combat Government it's easy to confuse the two. However they are completely different animals.

[paul45]

The Combat Target is and was called the "poor man's Gold Cup" for years and years. However, I, personally, have never, ever, heard of a Combat Elite being referred to a "poor man's Gold Cup" till this thread.

[larry starling]

I've heard that comment before, however the Combat Elite bears no relation to a Gold Cup aside from being a 1911-pattern pistol made by Colt. The Gold Cup is Colt's accurized target pistol (or at least it's supposed to be). The Combat Elite was a factory "combat custom" pistol with features desired by most combat shooters, which the plain vanilla Government Model lacked at the time (late 1980's). This included hi-profile sights, lowered and flared ejection port, and beveled mag well. The two-tone blued/stainless finish was also something that was in fashion with many combat shooters. The immediate predecessor to the Combat Elite was the Combat Government Model, which was very similar except it had a standard blue finish. It had a short production run from 1982-1985 (roughly), and given the name similarity to the current Special Combat Government it's easy to confuse the two. However they are completely different animals.
Agreed. The Only Colt I have evered heard refered to as a Poor man's Gold cup was the Combat Target model. Here is a Picture of mine
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project179.png
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project178.png.

[d90king]

Agreed. The Only Colt I have evered heard refered to as a Poor man's Gold cup was the Combat Target model. Here is a Picture of mine
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project179.png
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project178.png.



Oh the power of a name. :D If it looks like a duck walks like a duck and quacks chances are its a duck ;) Not sure what makes that a poor mans GC but sure looks like one to me. Hmm trigger,flattop,duckbill and adjustable sights. Hmmm What's a Gold Cup again?

[dsk]

Looks to me like the Combat Target is essentially a Gold Cup but with an all-matte finish. Larry, are there any internal differences that you know of? For example, does it have the sear depressor?

[larry starling]

Looks to me like the Combat Target is essentially a Gold Cup but with an all-matte finish. Larry, are there any internal differences that you know of? For example, does it have the sear depressor?
No it doesn't have the sear depressor. other than that your right it's a matte finish Gold cup.

[Joni Lynn]

The trigger isn't a wide one like the GC uses is it? Just similar in profile.

[dsk]

It's a wide Gold Cup trigger.

[MCMIX]

Hmm, my new (to me) Combat Elite doesn't resemble a Gold Cup at all? I don't see many Colt's with that configuration, it must be, after all it is in the eye of the beholder.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/snache281/pix3053105828.jpg







I've heard that comment before, however the Combat Elite bears no relation to a Gold Cup aside from being a 1911-pattern pistol made by Colt. The Gold Cup is Colt's accurized target pistol (or at least it's supposed to be). The Combat Elite was a factory "combat custom" pistol with features desired by most combat shooters, which the plain vanilla Government Model lacked at the time (late 1980's). This included hi-profile sights, lowered and flared ejection port, and beveled mag well. The two-tone blued/stainless finish was also something that was in fashion with many combat shooters. The immediate predecessor to the Combat Elite was the Combat Government Model, which was very similar except it had a standard blue finish. It had a short production run from 1982-1985 (roughly), and given the name similarity to the current Special Combat Government it's easy to confuse the two. However they are completely different animals.

[Hunter]

The comparison between the GC and CE is features.
Large adjustable sights as well as a ready to go match pistol out of the box for cheaper than a Gold Cup.
The CE will work great for matches and is closer to a match pistol than say a 1991A1.
Poor man's Gold Cup is a term I have heard a few times.

[dsk]

Remember there were several changes to the Combat Elite during its production run. My early Combat Elite has a round-topped slide, fixed sights, and a spur hammer. When the Enhanced models were introduced in 1992 the Combat Elite got the flat-topped slide, angled cocking serrations, and adjustable sights. Perhaps that's where the alleged similarity to the Gold Cup exists.

[Hunter]

You are correct, I bought my CE in 1992 and it is an enhanced model. That model I imagine is where the comparison is drawn.

With the wrap around rubber stocks, serrated flat top slide, skeletonized hammer, beaver tail grip safety, slanted cocking serrations, and Accro sights it is similar to the GC.

[dsk]

Here's my early (~1987) Combat Elite. When these pics were taken it was still bone-stock except for the grips. The originals were Pachmayr wraparounds with a silver Colt medallion.

http://home.comcast.net/~danakamm/Images/Saved/cesmallr.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~danakamm/Images/Saved/cesmalll.jpg

[Hunter]

Very nice pistol, I really like the spur hammer better.
I like the pre enhanced pistols because they do have a more traditional look.

[larry starling]

Hmm, my new (to me) Combat Elite doesn't resemble a Gold Cup at all? I don't see many Colt's with that configuration, it must be, after all it is in the eye of the beholder.
I guess if you look at the enhanced model with adjustable sights one could make a case their similar? But it still isn't a Gold cup.
Enhanced
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project70.png
non-enhanced
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project75.png

[dsk]

Larry, which one is that in the bottom picture? It says "Elite Team" on it. Is it essentially a 10mm Combat Elite?

Good thing about Colt, no two were ever alike! :eek:

[larry starling]

Larry, which one is that in the bottom picture? It says "Elite Team" on it. Is it essentially a 10mm Combat Elite?

Good thing about Colt, no two were ever alike! :eek:
Yes and no. It's part of my set one was a Delta Elite in 10mm and the other was a Combat Elite in .45 ACP. the roll marks on the other side are the same as the Combat elite. were as instead of MKIV series 80 etc it says team elite.
Here is the other side.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project74.png

[paul45]

Combat target......ie, poor mans Gold Cup. It is a base Gold Cup, not as refined as a Gold Cup. Made in '97 only. A Combat Elite has nothing to do with it, except, perhaps, by those confused with the enhanced features.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0130.jpg

[larry starling]

Combat target......ie, poor mans Gold Cup. It is a base Gold Cup, not as refined as a Gold Cup. Made in '97 only. A Combat Elite has nothing to do with it, except, perhaps, by those confused with the enhanced features.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0130.jpg
Great looking stock's/grips on your Combat Target.