Colt 1903 Magazine source?

[bigfatdave]

I have a shooter-grade 1903 that I really like. It came with one mag, and the reproduction mags I ordered* are junk. Legitimate magazines for sale are at prices that make my wallet (and other things) pucker up tight, and they're not even in particularly good shape half the time. I'd be willing to refurb a junker vintage mag, if it was cheap to start with!

So...

Has anyone found a source of working reproduction magazines for the Colt 1903 pocket hammerless .32acp? (AKA model M)

Has anyone found a more available mag that fits or can be modified to fit? For instance, some .32acp mags are longer than an '03 mag, and could perhaps have a slot for the heel mag release added? If anyone has done that, I'd really like to hear about it.

Will I just have to buy more 1903's to get more working magazines?


*(National Magazine Colt 1903 32 ACP 7-Round Steel Blue
Midway Product #: 428902 - they appear to be gone from Midway's website)

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I can't say how well - or if - they work, but Triple K makes them, as well as for a number of other long-discontinued guns. http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/412/prd/607/ I don't think you'll have a lot of choices.

 

[mjsdwash]

my tk mag for a spanish .25 works great... well made

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have a pair of Colt 1903 model M's in .32 ACP. I bought extra parts and mags thru Numrich:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufac...35748/1903Pocket32Hammerless-34909.htm?page=3

I have 6 of these and have shot hundreds of rounds thru them and never had a malfunction. Not cheap and I have no idea where they get them but they are great mags in my guns. They are out of stock right now (surprise!!) but I had to check the site every couple days to score them. They come in - they are gone in a few hours/days. I bought springs and replacement grips for my 1918 built gun and they fooled a 1903 experienced gunsmith/collector into telling me they are original.

It's a hassle but the mags I have are the best I have seen for these guns and worth the hassle, cash , and wait time. I have tried others and most are just....junk really. Originals sell for an awful lot of money and are hard/impossible to find now.

Good luck!!

VooDoo

 

[bigfatdave]

Maybe I'll have to try the Triple K option out - I've had less than ideal experiences with Triple K in the past, I've been trying to avoid those.

And thanks for the input/info!

 

[nightal]

I am with you dave, have tried them before the ones i bought did not work for me.
tried one for a Ruger P 90 and a P 89 neither worked as it should.I gave them away.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I bought 2 Triple K mags for my Colt 1903's and threw them away after trying to make them work for weeks. Really, really, sloppy craftsmanship....poorly built.

I saw an original go for like $200+ dollars at auction. I guard my originals like they were gold coins at the range but I doubt anyone would steal them. My Colts are like celebrities when I shoot 'em. They get a lot of attention.

VooDoo

 

[bigfatdave]

Vodoun da Vinci - if they were in stock, I'd happily buy those mags you linked to at that price.

I'll bookmark it and check in regularly, thanks for the tip.

My 1903 is always a star, I like to let someone run a few rounds through and then tell them that they're shooting a century gun.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

If I need another mag for my Pocket Hammerless, I'll save up and pay through the nose on ebay or gunbroker.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Can't argue with that...I bought my second Hammerless so I'd have another magazine at the range...before I scored mags at Numrich that is. Plus now I can shoot mine and my Wife can shoot hers at the same time.

Dang things are like peanuts....I always want another one. I have actually considered buying another 6 mags next time they are available just to have a couple to sell folks who need 'em. When you need 'em they are never around. Just visited with a guy at the local GS where they have a 1927 built Colt 1903 in the used gun case for $600...finish is a little rough here and there but it's worth the price. I think they actually sold it this afternoon while I was talking with the guy about spare mags. Wonderful guns....I wish someone would make a modern equivalent pistol.

VooDoo

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I wish Meg Gar would make nice NEW$30 mags for it, instead of the $60-$120 we see for original mags.

 

[toivo]

I found a Triple-K on the rack at Gander, of all places, for $40. It was there for months, and I kept saying to myself that I would buy it if it was still there the next time I went in. Finally my curiosity got the best of me, and I bought it just to see if it worked, Triple-K's reputation being what it is. I cleaned it out first, and I've run about 50 rounds through with no problems. Got my fingers crossed that it keeps working.

 

[rcmodel]

Good luck with that.

I ordered three Triple-K mags for a S&W Model 39 some years ago.

One would not lock in the gun.
And the other two were too short front to back for standard length 9mm to fit in them!

Never again!!

rc

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

As a service to the public, Triple K should have gone out of business 20 years ago.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

As a service to the public, Triple K should have gone out of business 20 years ago.

Hilarious.... They make enough of them, though. Some of 'em gotta work, right?

VooDoo

 

[Jim Watson]

As the FFL here said, they are guaranteed, just keep sending them back until you get one that works.

 

[bigfatdave]

Will Triple K really replace dud mags until I get ones that work?

I'm half tempted to order two from them, and swap them out until I get good ones, if needed.