1960s Colt Gold Cups

What is the consensus on 1960s era Colt Gold Cups for CMP Leg Matches?

I have a friend with three. Claims the most used of them probably doesn't have 50 rounds through it. All in beautiful shape. I could pick any of the three for $1000. 

Seems like a good deal to me. I don't want to spend 1k on a pistol that isn't known to be capable of earning leg points though. 

What say you? Quality competition pistol, antiquated but nice, or not worth the money?

Jamie

I think Colts were still worth their salt back then. I shot my BIL's 50's vintage one, nice gun. I think they are well worth that just to have one.

I wouldn’t mind a piece of that action! Always did have a soft spot for anything Colt

I got about half my leg points with my 1963 GC.  Early on I Ransomed it with Winchester JSWC.  7 shots in 1-3/4" at 50.  5 of the 7 were in a nice knot.

They will probably be OK with today's ammo requirements.  If they group then they will be ok. If not there's always the gunsmith route and you've not lost much at that price and still have a GC if that's what you want.  (With 230 Ball, they occasionally sent the front sight somewhere else and the rear sight hinge pin would sometimes crack.  And today's beavertail grip safety design feels so much better to me.)

CR

A hoarder collector in me says this is a very good deal even if they don't group well, $1000 is a very good price for a GC in good condition. Ask your friend if he's willing to sell them all

+1!

Sounds like a deal to me.

Greetings,

The old Gold Cups had two slitting saw cuts underneath the slide.

If you remove the slide and can see the extractor it has this cut.

It was a weight reduction cut for WadCutter ammo.

Shooting Hard Ball led to cracking at the front of the extractor hole.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Dave, that's good info. I'm going to look at and shoot the collection this weekend and I'll look for that detail. I'd be wanting this (for now at least) as a 100% harball gun and wouldn't want to ruin a collectible pistol in the process.

Does your friend want to sell all three? I am looking forward to your range report, and I might be interested in any leftovers. I have a soft spot for quality target pistols, especially when offered at a reasonable price. Feel free to send me a pm.
Thanks.

Sorry to come in late here.  Very good price for a Gold Cup.  $1500 would be market value, if you have time to wait for the right buyer. 
Maybe a bit higher if it groups really well.  I shot a Gold Cup, similar but 1970 (Series 70), for EIC matches.  Front sight got loose,
had it silver soldered in place.  Elevation détente pin started rising into field of view.  Put a drop of blue Loctite on it, and it stayed down. 
Trigger was very nice, and the extra wide Gold Cup trigger is like having a trigger shoe.  Little sear depresser was difficult to reinstall
after detail stripping.  Finally just left it out; pistolsmith told me it was unnecessary if trigger set up properly.

I wouldn't count on any pistol grouping well at 50 yards without having tested it. I would also need to weigh the trigger and feel it. I also had a series 70 Gold Cup. It wouldn't group worth a hoot at 50 yards, but that doesn't mean the ones you are looking at won't.

my 1963 has the lightening cuts to the slude as do all up until about 1969, is my recollection. I shoot mine regularly for PPC, Open Class and Distinguish..

my 1963 has the lightening cuts to the slide as do all up until about 1969, is my recollection. I shoot mine regularly for PPC, Open Class and Distinguish..