45 Gold Cup : Has Anyone Had a Trigger Job

[Rutin2tin]

performed on their Gold Cup from Colt Manufacturing?

I bought a new (blued) Colt Gold Cup Trophy, but have been somewhat disappointed by the trigger weight of pull.

It seems excessive for a target gun, when all of My revolvers and .22 autos have a very light and crisp trigger.
I called Colt, and they quoted a reasonable figure for the work, but I'm wondering if they'll actually lighten the pull enough to  please Me.

Another issue is, the pistol can disappear during shipping and return shipping.
Guess that I'd like to hear some positive feedback from others who have sent their Gold Cup to Colt, for trigger/action work.

Thank You in advance for Your input!

[John R.]

I would find a good gunsmith in your area to do a simple trigger job on the 1911 platform. If you can't find one in your area (and you should be able to) Call Tim Thompson of Bill's Custom Automatics, in Shelby, Miss. @ (662) 398-5001. They do excellent work.

[Savage]

With today's insane shipping charges, and the sorry customer service that seems to be the norm, my guns stay close to home. Like John, I'd find someone local to smith that Colt.
Savage

[sweet45]

Does the trigger have a lot of creep, or is the pull just heavy? Maybe try to boost the hammer a few times, and adjust the sear spring by pulling back a little on the left leaf of the spring. If the trigger isn't too bad, it may help alot. After adjusting the sear spring, pull the slide back and let it slam home a few times to make sure the hammer doesn't follow. Also when adjusting the spring you may want to put some lube of choice on the fire control parts..hammer, sear, disconnector, trigger bow.

[williamlayton]

Where do you live?
Trigger jobs are like a Hollywood make-up artist---you would swear your dancing with a different woman.
Blessings

[SHOOTALL]

Williamlayton , like women a bunch of work togather makes um better . Shoot that gun a 1000 times before stoning it .

[Mikey]

Rutin2tin:  I have had series 70 Gold Cups that were just fine but have helped with series 80 Gold Cups that had crummy triggers.  If you send it back to colt they will return it to you as it came to them - they may install new parts if they feel anything is out of spec but otherwise you get back from colt what you sent them and I have not seen or felt any changes in series 80 or later Gold Cups returned for trigger serviceing.

Some gunsmiths can smooth out burrs or roughness that may impede the trigger but with the series 80s that infernal, liberal 'it will go off by itself' firing pin block adds a lot of resistance - if that part is not smoothed considerably most of the other work completed is almost for naught. 

I would never suggest or recommend any activity that would invalidate a warranty or create a unsafe situation yet I know the firing pin block can be removed safely and the sear, hammer and trigger can be replaced with Chip McCormick parts with the trigger pull able to be reduced to under 3 lbs, and the firearm will remaining as inherently safe as with the firing pin block.  Your factory warranty woun't be worth the paper it's written on but that is no different than before with colt, so the decision is yours.  jmtcw.

[Savage]

Yep, the design of the series 80 precludes having a decent trigger. Shame too! I'm in total agreement with Mikey
Sadly, Kimber went down that same road with the Series ll. While the Swartz system doesn't affect trigger pull, it can  (and has) caused a few failures to fire. Pretty rare, but if the grip safety is not gripped properly while the gun is fired in an unusual position. When the trigger is pulled on some Kimbers the hammer falls, but is blocked by the firing pin safety. Had it happen twice on a qualified duty weapon. Let's just say it won't happen again on that Kimber! It's a shame Colt and Kimber have attempted to idiot proof their pistols, and in the process made them into less desirable shooters, in some cases even made they unsafe!!
Savage

[williamlayton]

I would have agreed with you about a series 80 trigger until I got the gun back from Vandenberg.
He refused to take off the FP block but he sid I would never know it was there after he got thru with it.
He was right. This trigger breaks crisply at 3#'s. It may be better that the Colt government he did for me, and it is a series 70.
He also would not pin the grip safty but after his work on it I cannot notice it is there.
Blessings

[Savage]

William,
Glad to hear you're happy with your series 80! I should have qualified my opinion of the series 80 as being one based on my observations and experience. Good shooting!
Savage

[williamlayton]

Savage
I was not picking arguement with you, that is a  "for sure".
I was skeptical going in, both on the FP block and the grip safety.
This LW Commander project is in a .38Super and a specific carry roscoe.
I did some things too it that I wanted for faster and surer action. I knew that I could get the FP taken care of from others but I like Vandenburgs work and recognized the fact that I might have to take the thing to another if I was dissatisfied with the trigger.
Blessings

[Savage]

Hey William, No argument here! I'm darn sure you know a good trigger when you feel one! I just have not experienced a good series 80 trigger. I guess I just gave up too early on the Colts!! All my 1911 work has been done by myself, and a local gunsmith. (Deceased Now) Sounds like Vandenburg would be the man to send a 1911 to! With my limited abilities, I'll have to stick with the series 70s if I want a Colt. Glad yours worked out so well.
Savage

[Questor]

Do not trust your local gunsmith with this job, unless he is a renouned 1911 'smith. Very few people know how to do this well.

[williamlayton]

Questor
I have been thinking about your advice for a day or two.
You are correct, of course--however, there are a great number of good, solid, reliable gunsmiths around.
Like shadetree mechanics, don't trust one just because he is cheap.
If he is established, with good credientals, HE can still mess up. Like the shadetree mechanic, the chances are better he will mess up than a shop that has been in business and does it for a living.
Blessings 

[LCR]

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Colt pistol- the best iron out there. I'd put a few rounds through her before I did anything. The Colt custom shop does fine work, as for shipping.... that's what insurance is for.

[Rutin2tin]

Many thanks for the replies!

I was away for well over a month; ie, traveled to Tennessee and caught some wicked sized Large mouth bass in a farm pond, then on up to the Northeast where I customized my Chevy Suburban by careening against 2 deer.

I also lost a Dear Friend, whom I've known for 50+ years.....I was the last friend to visit and speak with Him, as He collapsed the following morning.

I've been busy as hades since I've returned, and along with administrator duties on 2 sites, and complete household duties, I find little time for pleasure. (FYI: wife is away for the summer)

My thoughts were to go to a local 'smith, and given the input here, I think that local is best!

[Questor]

I strongly urge you NOT to have the trigger job done on a competition gun by a local gunsmith. Been there. Done that. Go with a competition gunsmith. Try larrysguns.com or Clark Custom Guns. It's a one-time expense. Yes, it's expensive to ship, but it's disastrous to have anyone but a competition gunsmith doing the work.