I think that in middle of 2018, Colt's Facebook page had a video showing a quick blurb on a Gold Cup Lite with the explanation that it's for those who wants a Gold Cup but not wanting to spend the $1699 MSRP or not needing/wanting checkered front & back straps and mag well funnel.
Since then there was nothing else on Colt's Facebook page and none listed on Colt's own website. As of today, there's still nothing mentioned on Colt's own website for this Gold Cup Lite, but I digress. I thought that it was vaporware until my local shop that knows how I like my .38 Super Colts called and said, "Hey, we got a Gold Cup Lite in your favorite caliber, interested?" I replied, "I'll be there in five minutes."
Just for grins and giggles, I asked the shop where they got the gun from and they said Lipsey's. Lo and behold, Lipsey's listed the Lite with MSRP of $1249. The .38 Super Competition has an MSRP of $1049.
http://lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=COO5073GCL
My pre-tax prices for both the Competition (purchased in 2017) and Gold Cup Lite were $900 and $1100 respectively. So, for $200 difference, what does one get for a Gold Cup Lite over a Competition?
Let's talk about what one DOESN'T get for 200 smackaroos more in the case of the Lite:
1. One doesn't get replacement fiber optics rods. The Competition comes with a package of several replacement fiber optics rods in red, green and blue.
2. One also doesn't get an extra mag. Apparently Colt is cost cutting by shipping with one mag - I got a confirmation from Colt's Facebook reply on it.
3. One does not get an extra recoil spring either, but I think it has to do with Colt turning the Gold Cup Trophy into an action pistol instead of a bullseye pistol (which the Gold Cup National Match is still being made for). It comes with the double springs setup like the Competition series. I haven't seen the full blown revised Gold Cup so I don't know if it sports the same double springs setup.
However, one DOES get a few things more for that $200:
1. One gets an allen wrench for the rear sight adjustment AND a barrel bushing wrench. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the barrel bushing wrench since that the bushing is not fitted and can be turned by hand.
2. One gets the Bomar knock-off since that Bomar is now defunct.
3. One gets the silver wide target trigger bow versus the slim trigger bow on the Competition. Interestingly enough, the Trophy has the wide trigger bow but in black instead of silver.
4. One gets the cool "Gold Cup Trophy" markings
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What are the same between the Competition and the Lite?
1. Blue G10 grips are the same.
2. Barrels are the same. They both marked "Colt Super 38 Auto NM"
3. Front sights are the same.
4. Fit and Finish are the same.
5. Trigger pulls are the same.
6. They even shoot the same mechanical accuracy - which is to say pretty damn sweet.
That said, I like shooting the Lite just a "hair" more due to my finding the fake Bomar's sight picture more palatable AND I kinda like the feel of the wide trigger. However, for all practical purposes, they're pretty much the same.
Let's say that I'm a shooter who wants a Colt .38 Super but can only afford one or the other, I'd say go with the Competition. I don't think that the Bomar knock-off and the wide trigger bow are really worth the $200 price differential.
Since then there was nothing else on Colt's Facebook page and none listed on Colt's own website. As of today, there's still nothing mentioned on Colt's own website for this Gold Cup Lite, but I digress. I thought that it was vaporware until my local shop that knows how I like my .38 Super Colts called and said, "Hey, we got a Gold Cup Lite in your favorite caliber, interested?" I replied, "I'll be there in five minutes."
Just for grins and giggles, I asked the shop where they got the gun from and they said Lipsey's. Lo and behold, Lipsey's listed the Lite with MSRP of $1249. The .38 Super Competition has an MSRP of $1049.
http://lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=COO5073GCL
My pre-tax prices for both the Competition (purchased in 2017) and Gold Cup Lite were $900 and $1100 respectively. So, for $200 difference, what does one get for a Gold Cup Lite over a Competition?
Let's talk about what one DOESN'T get for 200 smackaroos more in the case of the Lite:
1. One doesn't get replacement fiber optics rods. The Competition comes with a package of several replacement fiber optics rods in red, green and blue.
2. One also doesn't get an extra mag. Apparently Colt is cost cutting by shipping with one mag - I got a confirmation from Colt's Facebook reply on it.
3. One does not get an extra recoil spring either, but I think it has to do with Colt turning the Gold Cup Trophy into an action pistol instead of a bullseye pistol (which the Gold Cup National Match is still being made for). It comes with the double springs setup like the Competition series. I haven't seen the full blown revised Gold Cup so I don't know if it sports the same double springs setup.
However, one DOES get a few things more for that $200:
1. One gets an allen wrench for the rear sight adjustment AND a barrel bushing wrench. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the barrel bushing wrench since that the bushing is not fitted and can be turned by hand.
2. One gets the Bomar knock-off since that Bomar is now defunct.
3. One gets the silver wide target trigger bow versus the slim trigger bow on the Competition. Interestingly enough, the Trophy has the wide trigger bow but in black instead of silver.
4. One gets the cool "Gold Cup Trophy" markings
What are the same between the Competition and the Lite?
1. Blue G10 grips are the same.
2. Barrels are the same. They both marked "Colt Super 38 Auto NM"
3. Front sights are the same.
4. Fit and Finish are the same.
5. Trigger pulls are the same.
6. They even shoot the same mechanical accuracy - which is to say pretty damn sweet.
That said, I like shooting the Lite just a "hair" more due to my finding the fake Bomar's sight picture more palatable AND I kinda like the feel of the wide trigger. However, for all practical purposes, they're pretty much the same.
Let's say that I'm a shooter who wants a Colt .38 Super but can only afford one or the other, I'd say go with the Competition. I don't think that the Bomar knock-off and the wide trigger bow are really worth the $200 price differential.
