Colt S70 Gold Cup National Match

[SSN Vet]

I’ve been hankerin for a full size 1911 that could be accurized (with a very light trigger) for range only use and was intrigued when I learned that Colt had a “retro” S70 National Match in their 2015 line up, model # 05870A1.

Several folks have written comments about these new Gold Cups, so I decided to submit a "review in pictures".

Click on any of the images to see full size at Flicker, and you can scroll the entire slide show.

Here's the outside











some component pics....

 

[SSN Vet]

MSH is metal... not plastic...



comes with one 8rd (CM style follower) and one 7rd (standard follower) Springs are not High Tensile Chrome Silicon Wolf Springs







Bowtie cut is there but is very shallow...



Out of the box, the best of 10 pulls was 3 lb. 14 oz. .... average was 4 lb 2 oz.



My one complaint..... the back side of the slide stop was VERY roughly machined. Here you see it after I lightly filed it.



I also touched up the burr on both sides of the hammer

Lock up is good and tight. Bushing is tight, but I can still get it off without a wrench.

Slide fit is a little loose, as is typical of factory Colts.... but a tad tighter than my S80 Commander.

First trip to the range cycled 100 rounds of my hand loaded 230 gr ball without a hiccup with both 7 & 8 rd mags.

I've only shot competitively a couple times, so I'm not claiming to be any kind of ace... but I think I'm a relatively decent shot...

At 20 yards I was putting full mag in the 8" dia. black with 5-6 rounds in the 9 & 10 ring. Almost too easy!

At 30 yds I still managed to put full mags in the black on my last two targets.

For me, this is good shooting and I'm quite happy.

 

[SSN Vet]

I've had the new GC out four times now and put 400 rounds through it....

Not a single hiccup, with either 7 or 8 round mags.

I decided to put the sear on my Less Barr jig and gave it just a couple swipes on a hard Arkansas Stone, followed by some polishing on a ~3000 grit ceramic stone. Then I lightly stoned a slight relief angle on the other side. This left me with ~2.5# trigger, that is crisp and clean with zero perceptible creep. All function checks are sat, as are the "click" tests.

I'm a happy camper and can't believe how well I'm shooting this GC.

By comparison, I handled a guys new Range Officer (what I would have bought if I didn't get the S70 GC) and though it is a very nice 1911, the trigger on my Gold Cup is noticeably cleaner and lighter, and I like the Blued Finnish much better than Parkerized finish.

It wasn't cheap ($1,100) but it sure is a nice looking piece and a sweet shooter.

 

[RT.45]

I was happy to read your positive review of the series 70 GCNM because I found one this morning at a LGS and it is now in layaway and I can't wait. I have read some other reviews on other forums and all are positive. Seems Colt Got it right with these.

 

[FM12]

Back in the day1920s=1980)I carried a Mk4 series 70 GC as a duty gun. Best one ever!

Aint no slack...but got more roomer in a boomer!! TM3/SS 71-75

 

[SSN Vet]

Seems Colt Got it right with these.

I really think they did....