Which Gold Cup

[Incitatus]

I am pretty set on getting a Colt Gold Cup in 45 ACP but the alternatives seem a bit confusing.  I hear that the mod 70 has the best trigger but, frankly, I probably will never be good enough to notice.  I see that there is a modern version with the combat hammer.  Should I simply go by price?  Any other advice?

Thanks.

[williamlayton]

IN-----may I call you IN? Hey, I just did.
The Series 70 does not have to have a better pull. I do like the 70 series because of the lack of a FP block. Most Smiths will not remove it but , like the grip safety, can be worked on.
The hammer? I like the combat and the full equally well. I like the full with a full beavertail -- for looks, it can be a nusiance when carrying.
I like lowered and flared ports--good ejectors and extended thumb safteies--no ambi's in my line-up.
I like GI triggers, also.
Arn't you sorry you brought it up?
Blessings

[Incitatus]

Not at all, thank you.  I am actually Ed BTW. 

I have been shooting my Contenders for some time and just got the bug to get a 1911 something.

[Bigeasy]

Well, I have a series 70 and a series 80 Gold Cup.  The 70 is blue, the 80 SS.  Frankly, there is little difference between them R/E the trigger pulls.  The 80 is a smidgen more accurate then the 70, the 70 has that beautiful Colt Royal Blue finish.  Both have the standard spur hammer, and hammer bite has not been a problem even though I have big hands.  Both guns feed almost anything I feed them, including cast 200 grain semi-waddcutters, with very good reliability.  Both utilize the Colt Eliason adj. rear sight, and it is very sturdy.  Series 70 guns seem to bring a premium in price, I guess because of the lack of a firing pin safety.  I believe the older series 70 and 80 Colts, built on old machinery, were dependant on hand fitting for best tolerances and accuracy.  This quality level did vary some.  I do hear the newest Colt 1911's, made on modern, close tolerance machinery, have been showing more consistent fit and accuracy.

Now to throw a fly in the ointment - My Kimber Custom Target 1911 is more accurate then either Colt, better fit, and has NEVER malfunctioned, in many, many rounds of factory and reloads.  They are under 1K, in the satin blue finish.

Larry

[Broom Rider]

I have a few Gold Cups of various vintage. The ones made prior to the series 70 are more accurate than any of the series 70 or 80 guns. The current production guns are probably better made than they have been for quite a long time. I'd recommend getting one of the new ones.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive had a few of them an if i could only have one it would be a 70s series national match blued gun. that been said the most accurate one i have is an 80 series trophy that has a national match barrel and bushing fitted. By the way dont let anyone tell you a 80 series trigger cant be made to be just as good as a 70.

[S.B.]

ive had a few of them an if i could only have one it would be a 70s series national match blued gun. that been said the most accurate one i have is an 80 series trophy that has a national match barrel and bushing fitted. By the way dont let anyone tell you a 80 series trigger cant be made to be just as good as a 70.

Most pistolsmiths charge more money for a series 80 trigger job, thou. I suppose because of more parts to hone and smoothout? My Heinie series 70 custom breaks at a weighed clean 2 pounds? Very rare on a 1911.
Steve

[Lloyd Smale]

havent heard from you in a while lynn. Guys listen up! this lady knows 1911s!!

I have a few Gold Cups of various vintage. The ones made prior to the series 70 are more accurate than any of the series 70 or 80 guns. The current production guns are probably better made than they have been for quite a long time. I'd recommend getting one of the new ones.

[williamlayton]

If I was single Linn would have to carry the gold cup---I might make a nusiance of myownself.
She would just giggle though and I would cry.
Ed
If you are looking forr accuracy and a GOOD trigger pull the honest answer is buy a used one and let a Smith work it up for you. Won't be as expensive as you think and it would be you.
Blessings

[darkgael]

My own GC is a series 80 NM. Marvelous gun. I have had the opportunity to shoot quite a few other 1911s over the years and haven't found any better than what I own. Round count is about 60K at this point with only a handful of FTFs in that time.
In all fairness, the gun was worked on by the "Wizard of the 1911", the late George Madore. He tightened the gun, fit a new bushing, bobbed the hammer and did a trigger job - part of the trigger work involved altering the linkage to the FP block so that it operated off the grip safety and not the trigger. However he did it, the trigger came back better than it went out (and it was pretty good to begin with).
Pete

[rockbilly]

I have to agree with WilliamLayton on the comment about buying a used and having it worked.  I have two that were worked by Jim Clark (now run by his son at CCG Inc, Princeton, LA.)  He is not cheap, but does excellent work.  Back in the 50s Jim senior was one of only five that scored a perfect 2600 in an NRA match.  Not only could he fix them, he could also shoot em.
 
I have one gun that was worked strictly for hardball, the other for wadcutters.  Both shoot far better than I am capable of shooting.  About a year after he worked my guns I witnessed Jim shooting the wadcutter gun, twenty shots, twenty Xs during a practice in Shreveport.  I never could do that well, but the gun could with the right shooter.
 
Toi some this may be out of their price range, but keep in mind, once Jim Clark engraves his name on the slide the value goes up considerably.  You get what you pay for.