Rifleman Review: Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911

When it comes to the M1911 platform, the classic name associated with the design is Colt, and the company is still producing match-grade guns today. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above to see the details on this classically styled Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911, which pays homage to the original match guns made in the '50s.

"Colt 'O Frame,' or 1911 pistols, through the 1970s were all, up to that time, what would be later referred to as Series 70," American Rifleman Editor in Chief Brian Sheetz said. "Colt eventually went back and decided to manufacture a line of guns that were the modern Series 70. As might be expected, this Gold Cup National Match is a blued, 5", .45 ACP platform. So this would have been the classic Gold Cup that would have been available in 1957 and since that time."

At the top end of the gun is a Bomar-style target sight, which is adjustable for windage and elevation, along with a dovetailed, black-blade front sight. The top of the slide includes a serrated rib that wards off glare, ensuring target shooters can obtain a clear sight picture in bright sunlight. Angled serrations at the rear of the slide enable shooters to get the gun into battery and also provide a classic look for this traditionally styled handgun.

"I would just like to suggest that if you always wanted a Gold Cup National Match, and you wanted a Colt, that you should really take a look at this gun, because this is an impressive gun, given where it sits, price-wise, and given all of its features," Sheetz said. "It has all of the features that those older Gold Cups had."

Highlighting this gun's lineage is the "Series 70 MK IV" marking on the left side of the slide, which sits atop the gun's "Gold Cup National Match" moniker. A classic Colt stallion logo is located just to the right of the slide markings. On the right side of the slide, just forward of the ejection port, the gun is marked "Gold Cup National Match" next to a trophy engraving.

"There are a couple of features on this modern Model 70 Gold Cup National Match that differ from the originals," Sheetz said. "And there are things that have become pretty much de rigueur on 1911s in the modern age," Sheetz said. "One is there's a slight flare to the insides of the magazine well, so just getting a mag in there under time pressure is a little easier. The ejection port is cut a little lower and is flared at the back."

A traditionally located, single-side thumb safety is built into this Gold Cup, along with the conventional slide-stop lever and push-button magazine release. A skeletonized trigger is standard and comes with a hole in the face that allows shooters to adjust the overtravel distance.

"The workmanship, the fit and finish, the appearance on the outside, the high polished blue, I mean, this is a beautiful gun," Sheetz concluded. "The gold medallions in the stocks, the stocks themselves, the cut checkering in the stocks, the machine work on the front strap. This gun was really carried off well. So Colt pays tribute to, and in fact, pushes forward, the Gold Cup National Match concept down the line."

Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911 Specifications
Manufacturer: Colt's Manufacturing Company
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: .45 ACP
Barrel: 5"
Slide: blued steel
Frame: blued steel
Trigger: single-action
Sights: fully adjustable, Bomar target-style
Magazine: eight-round detachable box
Stocks: Rosewood, double-diamond with gold medallion
Overall Length: 8.5"
Weight: 37 ozs.
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.