The single action trigger does appear to break at right around 5.5 lbs. I am no pistol marksman by any stretch, but was able to shoot groups with the Gold Cup that were comparable to mine with my 9mm USP. At 10 yards, 3-4 inch groups were easily managed. Because the malfunction was rather easily replicated, I would recommend using Federal bulk only in low stress, non-competitive situations.Īccuracy was very respectable. The slide did occasionally short stroke and fail to feed the next round, but I think this was generally caused by my thumbs-forward grip putting pressure on the side of the slide. Unlike my Bersa, the Gold Cup ate the Federal with very few problems. On the second trip out, I focused on making sure the Gold Cup worked well with the usually widely available Federal Champion bulk ammunition (36 grain).
CCI Mini-Mags (36 grain) and Remington Golden Bullets (40 grain) both functioned with 100% reliability. The Gold Cup’s first trip to the range was very impressive. There is some minute play between the slide in the frame that may affect accuracy in relation to the fixed barrel, but based on range experience, this seems negligible. The straight blowback system used by the Gold Cup is not much different than that found in the PP/PPK or Bersa Thunder handguns. This proven design should be familiar for anyone who has used a P22 or M&P-22. Unlike the GSG barrel which can be removed from the frame by loosening a screw, the Gold Cup has a pinned barrel. This differs from the GSG 1911 substantially in this area. The Gold Cup features a fixed barrel that is pinned in place. The slide can then be pushed to the front of the frame and past the barrel for removal. After the lever has been removed, the slide can be pulled back and up off the rails of the frame. Be sure that the slide notch and the release lever are properly aligned. Then, using a small punch the slide release may be punched out. The slide must be pulled back to the point where it locks. The handgun includes a single 12 round magazine and a plastic case.Īt this point, the similarities in disassembly start to end.
From my perspective, the aluminum is likely to last longer and be less prone to breakage than what we have seen with the P22 series handguns.
The Gold Cup has very similar heft to a full caliber 1911, but has a very lightweight aluminum slide, much like the Smith and Wesson M&P-22. The slide release is like any other non-extended 1911 slide release. Like any standard 1911, the Gold Cup features a grip safety that must be depressed in order for the gun to fire.
When the manual safety is engaged, the slide is locked in place and the trigger cannot be pulled. 22 LR pistol does include an ambidextrous safety, while the Gold Cup and the Government models do not. It should be noted that the Rail Gun version of this. The frame mounted safety on the Gold Cup can be found on the left side of the grip area and is actuated with relative ease using the right thumb, but will only activate if the hammer is in the cocked position. The Gold Cup is a hammer-fired, single-action only pistol just like any traditional 1911.