Colt 45 ACP Gold Cup National Match

**Jack Leatherman** · October 22nd, 2008, 01:23 PM

Can anyone help me with info about this gun. I just came from shop and owner showed me what he said was a Colt Gold Cup Match 45 he had just traded for. Most of his stuff is lower grade. He was undecided whether he was going to keep or sell, but said he would sell for $1,000 today. It appears to be lightly used but still mint. Comes with the original box. It is stainless with the standard black checkered grips. I'm thinking his price is not out of line, but I have not had any experience or done any research. It appears very similar to my Kimber 45 which is also on 1911 frame. I am guessing it would be really sweet to shoot. I may go back and try to buy it later today. Maybe someone can enlighten me a little. Thanks.

**hzox221** · October 22nd, 2008, 06:04 PM

You need to get more info on the Gold Cup

Is it a Series 80, 70 or pre-70?

Stainless or blue?

Sights Ellison or Bo-Mar?

**Mity2** · October 22nd, 2008, 09:13 PM

Colt Gold cup national match... one heck of firearm.

Specialy early one with that deep Colt royal blue finish.. Almost jewel like shine.

They have that wide trigger(none interchangable with other 1911 trigger),

and depresser on sear match two stage trigger thing. Which is great for target shooting, but not good for the combat type shooting, as my design, you'll have to let go the trigger completely to reset the trigger.

Highly specialized firearm. And I would LOVE to have one

**Pete D.** · October 23rd, 2008, 05:48 AM

I have one, a series 80. It is my Bullseye gun. When I bought it, I paid $750 for it. So...if the gun in question is in mint condition, a $1000 makes sense.
It was a competitive pistol right out of the box.
I did, though, send it to the late George Madore for improvements. I had purchased a Clark match barrel to replace the stock barrel. George sent that back - unnecessary, the Colt barrel was fine. He reworked the firing pin block linkage so that it no longer added weight to the trigger, fitted a match bushing, bobbed the hammer a bit and swaged the rails, etc.
The gun still shoots all its bullets into the X-ring at 50 yards with the right ammo. Great piece.
Pete

**Jack Leatherman** · October 23rd, 2008, 06:49 AM

Thank you all for the helpful info. I have had no experience with the Colt. I need to find out for sure which series it is. Based upon prices I see on websites, my take is $1,000 not out of line, but not a great bargain. I loved the looks, heft, and feel of the gun. I'm anxious to shoot it and compare to my Kimber. I may go back today and try to "dicker" a little. If I get it, will post photos and range report. There is good chance I would never use other than occasional few rounds of targets with my friends. Probably can't justify it, but I really liked it. Heck, isn't that what guns are really for!? I'm guessing if I just lay it up a few years it will appreciate in value.

**Noah_Zark** · October 23rd, 2008, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Leatherman

. . . Based upon prices I see on websites, my take is $1,000 not out of line, but not a great bargain.

That's about it. My guess is that the subject Gold Cup is a Series 80, and IMO a used Series 80 SS GC is more like $850-$900. $1000 is too high for me for it, if it's a Series 80.

I'm not aware of any Series 70 SS Gold Cups being made.

Noah

**Jack Leatherman** · October 23rd, 2008, 02:30 PM

I went and looked at the gun again and confirmed it is a stainless 70 series. My impression is the 70 series may be woth more than 80 series?

**Noah_Zark** · October 23rd, 2008, 03:44 PM

Yes indeed.

I did some checking later today and Colt indeed made SS Series 70 GCs, just not a lot of them. Looks as if that $1000 might be "not a gouge, but not a screaming deal" after all according to my sources.

Nice find.

Noah