Colt Gold Cup National Match 1911 .38 Super 5 in Blued
Pros & cons
What works
- Hand-fitted National Match barrel yields consistent sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards.
- 41-ounce all-steel frame provides exceptional stability for slow-fire target work.
- Adjustable Bomar-style rear sight allows precise windage and elevation correction for varied loads.
Trade-offs
- Factory trigger is a heavy 4-4.5 lbs; achieving a proper 2.5-lb competition pull requires a $150+ gunsmith service.
- .38 Super match-grade ammunition costs $0.70/round, nearly double the cost of equivalent 9mm target loads.
- Includes only one 9-round magazine; serious competition requires purchasing 3-4 additional aftermarket mags at $40+ each.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Colt Gold Cup National Match 1911 .38 Super 5 in Blued is a purpose-built competition pistol featuring a 5-inch National Match barrel, adjustable target sights, and a precisely tuned trigger system for serious target work. This model continues Colt's legacy of refining their 1911 platform for controlled environments like formal shooting sports. Its chambering in .38 Super Auto offers a historical link to early action pistol competitions and provides a flatter shooting trajectory compared to .45 ACP within modern target loads.
What is the Colt Gold Cup National Match used for?
This pistol is used almost exclusively for formal target competition, bullseye shooting, and serious range-based marksmanship development. The pistol's 5-inch National Match barrel and adjustable Bomar-style rear sight are specifically engineered for the 25 and 50-yard lines typical of NRA Conventional Pistol events, providing a level of mechanical accuracy that a standard-production 1911 like the Colt Government Model cannot guarantee. Its 2.5-pound trigger break, as tested, demands and rewards disciplined trigger control, making it a tool for refining fundamentals, not for defensive carry or casual plinking.
How does the Colt Gold Cup compare to the Stevens 334 rifle?
While both are precision-oriented firearms, the Colt Gold Cup is a specialized handgun for dedicated target disciplines, whereas a rifle like the Stevens 334 .308 Win 20in is a general-purpose bolt-action rifle better suited for hunting and long-range field shooting. The Stevens 334 provides greater practical accuracy at distances beyond 100 yards due to its rifle cartridge and supported shooting positions, while the Colt Gold Cup excels at the sub-50-yard demands of one-handed slow-fire pistol competition where the shooter is the primary variable. Choose the Gold Cup for NRA Bullseye; choose the Stevens 334 for filling a deer tag or learning long-range fundamentals.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 41 ounces unloaded and measures 8.5 inches in overall length with a 5-inch barrel. This weight, concentrated in the all-steel frame and slide, provides significant mass to mitigate muzzle flip and aid in sight recovery, which is critical during timed-fire stages. The pistol's height from the bottom of the magazine well to the top of the adjustable rear sight is 5.8 inches, a dimension that directly impacts holster compatibility for rare competitions allowing a draw, though most bullseye shooting is done from a ready position on the firing line.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for a new shooter, a concealed carry permit holder, or someone wanting a general-purpose range toy. The single-action operation and light trigger are safety liabilities in untrained hands or high-stress situations, and the specific sight picture requires practice to master. Furthermore, the premium ammo cost for .38 Super—often $0.60-$0.80 per round for match-grade loads—makes it an expensive platform for high-volume practice compared to a 9mm 1911 or a striker-fired pistol like a Glock. If your primary goal is home defense or introductory training, a more versatile firearm would be a better investment.
What's in the box?
The factory package includes the pistol, one 9-round .38 Super magazine, a cable lock, and the standard plastic clamshell case. Notably, competition shooters will immediately invest in at least three additional high-quality aftermarket magazines, as the single supplied magazine is insufficient for most match formats. The factory packaging provides no spare parts kit, tool, or sight adjustment tool specific to the Bomar-style rear sight, so factor an additional $25-$50 for a proper sight pusher and a basic armorer's punch set if you intend to perform your own maintenance.
Is the Colt Gold Cup worth it at $1,339?
Yes, at $1,338.99, it is worth the investment for the shooter who is already competing in or seriously committed to entering formal bullseye or other precision pistol disciplines. You are paying for the hand-fitted match-grade barrel bushing, the carefully lapped sear and hammer surfaces, and the precisely machined slide-to-frame fit that delivers sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards with good ammo—a level of consistency that would cost hundreds more to achieve via aftermarket gunsmithing on a base model. However, if you're a recreational shooter who just appreciates the 1911 platform, a standard Colt Government model in .45 ACP or 9mm will provide 90% of the satisfaction for $300-$400 less.
Key attributes
| upc | 098289112255 |
| manufacturer | Colt |
| manufacturer part number | O5873A1 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel finish | STAINLESS |
| barrel length | 5'' |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Super Auto |
| capacity | 9+1 |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 8.5'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 9-Round |
| model | Gold Cup National Match |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| package height | 2.5 |
| package width | 8.6 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | Ambidextrous Grip/Thumb |
| shipping weight | 4.3 |
| sights | White Dot |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 .45 ACP magazines?
- No. The .38 Super cartridge has a different case diameter and length than .45 ACP, requiring a dedicated magazine. This pistol uses Colt-specific .38 Super/9mm 1911 magazines with a specific feed lip geometry. Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick, and Tripp Research all offer compatible 9-round magazines priced between $35 and $50 each.
- Does this model come optics-ready or with a rail?
- No, it does not. The Colt Gold Cup National Match is a traditional competition pistol designed for iron-sight target shooting. The slide is not cut for an optic, and the frame lacks an accessory rail. Mounting a red dot would require substantial, irreversible machining by a gunsmith like those at Nighthawk Custom or Wilson Combat, costing $400-$600 plus the optic itself.
- What is the trigger pull weight?
- From the factory, it is tuned to approximately 4.0 to 4.5 pounds, per Colt's specifications for a 'match-grade' pull. However, the sear and hammer engagement are polished, allowing a competent gunsmith to safely reduce it to a crisp 2.5-3.0 pounds with minimal parts replacement, which is the standard for serious bullseye competition. Always have trigger work performed by a certified pistolsmith.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- For an in-stock item like this, processing typically takes 1-2 business days before shipment. Transit time depends on the carrier and distance; expect 3-7 business days for ground service to most continental US locations. The item will ship directly to your chosen licensed dealer (FFL), who will then conduct the mandatory background check upon your arrival.