The Colt Gold Cup Lite 1911 is a single-action .38 Super pistol with a 5-inch polished stainless barrel and a 9+1 capacity. It's built for competition, with Novak fiber optic front sight, adjustable rear sight, and blue scalloped G10 checkered grips. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Colt Mfg 
• Model: Gold Cup Lite 1911 
• Caliber: .38 Super 
• Action Type: Single Action Only (SAO) 
• Capacity: 9+1 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 5 inches 
• Overall Length: 8.5 inches 
• Weight: 2.4 lbs (38 oz) 
• Sights: Novak Fiber Optic Front & Adjustable Rear 
• Grip Material: Blue Scalloped G10 Checkered 
• Safety Features: Ambidextrous Thumb Grip Safety 
• Finish: Polished Stainless Steel 
   

Features 

 
The .38 Super caliber delivers faster muzzle velocity than .45 ACP with milder recoil, which is why it's a common choice in USPSA Open and Limited divisions. The Novak fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear give the precise zero a competition pistol requires. G10 grips provide consistent texture regardless of hand moisture. The ambidextrous thumb safety is functional for left-handed shooters without requiring modification.

The Gold Cup Lite in .38 Super Polished Stainless draws a mix of appreciation and practical criticism. The polished stainless finish is visually striking, and most owners find the build quality tight and well-fitted. The .38 Super's lower recoil compared to .45 ACP gets positive marks for faster follow-up shots in competition. The Novak/adjustable sight combination is well-suited to the intended use.

On the critical side, the price sits high and some users cite occasional sensitivity to certain ammunition during break-in. A few owners note that some competition-specific features feel redundant for casual range use. Maintenance discussions come up regularly -- the polished stainless requires more attention to keep looking clean than a matte finish would.