I've got about a half dozen Colts lying around - been shooting them since I was about 10. For a while in my mid to late teens I shot IPSC competition with my 70 series Gold Cup National Match. No telling how many rounds I shot through that pistol between the 45 and my 22 conversion. Of all of my Colts, which include Officers 45, Government 380, Commander 9mm, Commander 38 super, Government 45 (2), and my NM, my very favorite is the Gold Cup. I tricked it out as best I could with a low budget and I have to say this.......you don't need a Clark or Pachmayr or a Wilson to be a competitor (or just a good shot). Buy a well made 45, make a few inexpensive upgrades, and spend the rest of your money on practice ammo.