Is this a good weapon?

[Krankheit]

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I am browsing weaponry in search of my very first pistol (or gun, for that matter). As sad as this may sound, I've actually decided on buying a Colt 1911 pistol due to its qualities in a number of computer games. I've also read up on it, though, and it seems to be a reliable gun. It served the Army faithfully for some seven decades, so how bad can it be? ;)

Anyway, I was looking to buy a sexy Colt 1911 pistol and was wondering if this specimen is worth the pricetag.

Here's the link: Colt 1911 Gold Cop Trophy 45 SS (http://www.impactguns.com/store/colt_cold_cupss.html)

Let me know what you think. I truly appreciate the input.

[dclark]

It all depends upon what you want to use the pistol for. You are looking at a high quality Colt that will do very serious plinking, but that will need some rather expensive work to shoot bullseye in a serious manner. It would be an expensive plinker, but will need other work to do action pistol or IPSC/IDPA shooting in a competitive manner. I am not fond of the wide trigger, but that is a personal preference. You may get used to it.

All in all, you need to decide how it is to be used, and then we can comment further on your choice.

David

[Krankheit]

Hm...yes, I've been doing more reading and now I'm not sure if this would suit my purposes. I don't plan on doing competitive shooting. The gun will eventually be used for self-defense.

Does anyone have some suggestions? Thank you.

[stans]

If the primary use is self defense, look for a gun with fixed sights. Adjustable sights are one more thing to snag on clothing and/or break when you need them most. Will you be carrying concealed? If so, look for something a bit shorter than the Government model. 4 to 4-1/4 inch barrels seem to be just as reliable as the 5 inch Government model. The real short barreled guns sometimes have reliability issues. I think the ideal concealed carry 1911 style gun is a 4 to 4-1/4 inch barrel with the shorter Officer's ACP style frame (6 round mags instead of the standard 7). The butt of the pistol is the hardest part to conceal.

[dsk]

"As sad as this may sound, I've actually decided on buying a Colt 1911 pistol due to its qualities in a number of computer games."

You're joking, right? PC game codewriters can make a 1911 have the power of a howitzer shell and hold 100 rounds if they want to. The real world OTOH is subject to physics. Choose a 1911 if it has the best combination of features and is something you can handle, NOT because it was really way-cool in some video game you played.

[John]

I would suggest you spend some time in M1911.ORG Home Page, and see what the 1911 is all about. You'll find that there are more than 30 manufacturers these days, which produce a great variety of the pistol.

Choosing one for self defence? As others said, go with fixed sights, beavertail grip safety and absolute reliability. This last one is not something you select from the specs sheet, it's something you will find after you get your favorite piece.

Basically, for my first 1911, I would choose between Colt, Kimber and Springfield, not necessarily in this order.

Rgds

[Krankheit]

Ah, thanks a lot, John & Stan. This gives me a good starting point. I'll go from here.

[care-less]

Krankheit, should you decide to go with the Gold Cup Trophy; you will have made one hell of a good choice. The pistol is good to go "out of the box" for any IDPA, ISPC, or Bullseye competition that you would care to compete in; and will do quite nicely for home or personal defense. The pistol comes with two recoil springs; a sixteen and an eighteen pounder. The sixteen will be in the gun; it is for target shooting with light loads. For full powered ammo, take it out and use the heavier eighteen pound spring. Colts Gold Cup Trophy's are one of the best kept secrets in the handgun world. They come set up and ready to go for a very reasonable price. All of those features would cost a lot more on a custom pistol. In fact, the only way you can beat the GCT is to go the custom route; plan on spending a lot more money. The old Gold Cups were pretty much set up to be light target pistols only; the newer Gold Cups (since 1990) have been set up to shoot full power loads for IPSC major etc. I would not necessarily recommend a 1911 as a first gun; in fact I definitly would not. However, if you go with the GCT from Colt, you will have been able to do no better. Is it a good weapon? Absolutly! The best made by the best maker; what more do you or could you want?

[lil toad]

If you guys talk Krankheit out of that 45 that's just one more for me to grab. Just joking! A 1911 that works can lead to addiction. However one that doesn't can scar you for life. Read everything you can get your hands on about the pistol and take in the discussions on this forum. What you read may help you if something goes wrong.


There are two types of people who carry concealed. Those who carry 1911's and those who don't.

[Hunter]

You will not go wrong with a cold gold cup trophy. Colt makes the finest 1911 that can be had and a gold cup trophy is their best. I have several colts and one of then is a gold cup national match which is by far the finest shooting pistol i have ever been around. I also play video games and there is a reason 1911 in 45 acp are included.you will do very well with the colt i am sure.

[carguy]

Just one point to consider as well. 45 Caliber ammunition can get pretty expensive to shoot if you buy it at the store. If you reload or browse gun shows, the ammunition can become really reasonable to shoot.

WIth that said I love my 1911 and want to buy another when the funds are available!

[Hunter]

Wal Mart usually sells Winchester 230gm. ball for about 20 dollars a hundred which is not a bad deal but it dosen't take long at the range to run through a hundred rounds. Handloading is the way to go as far as getting the most ammo for the money(for basic pistol rounds not so much for match grade rifle ammo).The initial investment of a press, dies, and all the hardware is somewhat costly but once you have it then keeping yourself in bullets, powder, and primers is much cheeper than continuing to buy store bought rounds.Not to mention the amount of control you have over what type of rounds you load for your pistol to a specfic applaction.

[mattw]

That is a fine 1911 and is worth that money. .45 ammo is kind of expensive, if that doesn't bother you then i would say go for it!