First Look: Colt Gold Cup Trophy

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Since its introduction back in the late '50s, Colt's Gold Cup pistol has been known as one of the finest-shooting semi-autos available to competitive shooters. In the competitive realm, it has traditionally enjoyed a great reputation, combining an excellent match barrel with a crisp, wide target trigger.

Now, for 2017 Colt is looking to continue upon that tradition with its new Gold Cup Trophy pistol. Although some in the industry have known about it for some time, the American manufacturer went wide with the gun at the 2017 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The new Colt Gold Cup Trophy pistol features the well-respected Gold Cup Series 70 Wide Target trigger, set between 4 to 6 pounds, as well as a 5-inch polished, stainless steel National Match barrel. This pairing, as with earlier Gold Cups, results in an incredibly accurate pistol.

Along with a group of other gun writers and members of the media, I was able to shoot the new Gold Cup this fall – a few months before it officially launched – and I was certainly impressed with the gun's accuracy. The trigger is smooth and breaks cleanly, and I had no trouble hitting the steel the folks at Colt had set up downrange.

Bone Up On Legendary Colt Firearms

The excellent sights also help in that department. The front is a genuine Novak red fiber optic, while the rear is a fully adjustable Bomar-style sight. The fiber optic shows up clearly in a variety of light conditions, and the adjustable rear helps ensure you get the bullet exactly where you want it to go (provided you do your part).

A few other nice features on this new Gold Cup include an integrated magwell and 25 LPI checkering on the front and backstrap. The blue G10 grips are also checkered and incorporate a scallop, and the gun has an upswept beavertail grip safety. The integrated magwell encourages fast and smooth reloads, while the checkering on the straps and on the grips themselves improves control without unnecessarily digging into the hands. The upswept beavertail helps keep the pistol low in the hand, also for increased control.

Slide and frame on the new Colt Gold Cup Trophy are brushed stainless steel, and the slide is of the round-top variety. Simple, but effective, slide serrations at the rear help manipulate the slide without being ostentatious, as some tend to become.

The new Gold Cup Trophy is available in either .45 ACP or 9mm. In the .45, capacity is 8+1 rounds, and the 9mm version adds an extra round.

For more detailed information on the new Colt Gold Cup Trophy pistol, check out the specifications below, or visit Colt's website.

Specifications:

Colt Gold Cup Trophy
Type: Semi-auto, single action
Caliber: 9mm, .45 ACP
Barrel: 5 in., National Match, polished stainless steel
Overall Length: 8.5 in.
Height: 5.5 in.
Width: 1.25 in.
Unloaded Weight: 38 oz. (.45 ACP), 40 oz. (9mm)
Frame: Stainless steel
Slide: Stainless steel, round top
Finish: Brushed stainless
Sights: Genuine Novak fiber optic front, fully adjustable Bomar-style rear
Trigger: 4-6 lbs., Gold Cup Series 70 Wide Target, three-hole aluminum
Grips: Blue G10, checkered with scallop
Manufacturer: Colt

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