Rifleman Review: Colt Gold Cup National Match

by
posted on September 27, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Designed for competition use, the Colt Gold Cup National Match is one of the classic M1911 pistol configurations, but this particular Gold Cup has more of a story behind it than most guns. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above to learn about how Colt has made the latest rendition of the Gold Cup a gun worth having.

"When I first met Paul Spitale, who's the vice president at Colt, I knew there was a new sheriff in town," NRA Publications Editorial Director Mark Keefe said. "And Colt is one of the great names in American firearms, but he had a personal story about his own Colt Gold Cup National Match that was really disappointing. He bought the gun, thinking of the heyday of Colt, and he ended up having to send it to a gunsmith to get the gun absolutely right for competition. And it was his personal mission, frankly, to fix the Gold Cup. The result of his ambition is the gun I have in my hand today."

Right side of the Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911.

Colt's Gold Cup National Match is built on the company's Series 70 operating system, which ensures a clean, crisp trigger pull. Outfitted as a standard Government model gun, the pistol features a 5" barrel sitting inside a blued slide that's matched to a blued, carbon steel frame. A set of checkered double-diamond stocks completes its classic look.

"This gun has what you're looking for in a high-end competition gun, in terms of finish," Keefe said. "This gun is a seven-shot .45 ACP. There are 9 mm versions of it because a lot of guys seem to think that's a good idea. But you have, of course, a target-style trigger. When you get back to the hammer, you've got grooves on the back of the hammer. You have, of course, a beavertail-style grip safety, again, a hallmark of the Colt."

Muzzle end of the Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911.

Other notable touches include vertical grooves on the backstrap, which help to anchor the gun in a shooter's hand. It being built like a classic Colt, controls are located in traditional locations. There is a slide-stop lever on the left side of the frame, just forward of the single-sided thumb safety. A round, checkered, push-button magazine release is located on the left side of the frame, just behind the trigger.

"So, of course, this gun does have a National Match barrel, and when you look at the lugs, of course, this is a top-locking gun, as all 1911s should be, but they've really held the tolerances on this barrel," Keefe said. "Frankly, a lot of the accuracy comes from the fit between the barrel and the slide, but it starts with this."

The Bomar rear sight on top of the Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911.

It being a competition gun, the slide is topped with a Bomar adjustable rear sight, matched to a Patridge-style front sight blade. The rear face of the Bomar sight is serrated to reduce glare, and the top of the slide is also serrated to reduce glare, ensuring a clean, clear sight picture.

"There's a lot of pride of ownership with a gun like this, and frankly, I am very impressed with what they've done with the Gold Cup," Keefe said.

Colt Gold Cup National Match Specifications
Manufacturer: Colt's Mfg. Co.; West Hartford, Conn.
Action type: recoil-operated, hammer-fired, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: .45 ACP
Frame: blued carbon steel
Barrel: 5"
Rifling: six-groove, 1:16" LH twist
Overall length: 8.5"
Height: 5.5"
Width: 1.25"
Magazine: eight-round detachable box
Trigger: single-action; 3-lb., 14-oz. pull
Sights: target post front, fully adjustable target rear
Stocks: checkered walnut with gold-tone escutcheon
Weight: 37.5 ozs.
Accessories: owner's manual, carrying case, lock
MSRP: $1,299


To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view

Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS

For this episode, we’re on the range with a double-stack, M1911-style handgun that’s more compact and lightweight than we’re used to seeing. This is the Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS chambered for 9 mm Luger.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 1, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Budget Pistol Rigs With AIM Surplus

It's still possible to pull together a budget-friendly, name-brand pistol rig for $300 to $400, if you play your cards right.

Nextorch Celebrating 20th Anniversary—A Timely Preparedness Reminder

Nextorch North America is celebrating the company’s 20 years of providing lighting solutions for consumers, law enforcement professionals and military forces around the world.

Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum

One of Smith & Wesson's recent additions to its M&P handgun line is the M&P 22 Magnum, and there's a lot more going on in this gun, technologically, than it appears at first glance.

New For 2025: Beretta BRX1 Ranch

Beretta has expanded its BRX1 straight-pull action into a "ranch rifle" configuration, providing a handy, lightweight platform that still includes some of the groundbreaking features of the original BRX1 rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.