I just put a Colt Mustang on layaway...a few questions

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Rubber_Duck

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Hello all,

I just put a Colt Mustang Pocketlite on layaway at my LGS. It's one of the new production ones. I've been fondling one for the last 3 months and decided to just make it mine. Lucky me the one I'm getting is a NIB one they had in the back rather than the display model. And I'm a Colt fanboy so the idea of getting a new Colt has me psyched. Anyways I have some questions.

What are people's opinions on the plastic recoil spring guide rod? I personally have no issue with keeping it if I have to but I was thinking a steel guide rod would be sturdier but I read somewhere that a steel guide rod will batter the alloy frame. Any truth to this?

Also, eventually, I'd like to have Novak machine the slide and install their Lo-Mount sights with a tritium front sight, black rear. Does anyone know of any other reputable shops that do this sort of work? Just trying to find a lower price but I want the work done right so, buy once, cry once?

What are peoples experiences with the new production Mustang Pocketlite? Any issues? The LGS has the 80-grain Corbon DPX and I was thinking of using those as a carry load if they prove reliable.

And lastly, carry. How do others carry these? I was thinking in a pocket w/ pocket holster but what about IWB? My jeans might be too tight to draw a gun quickly from a pocket, I already have trouble pulling my wallet out sitting down. My current carry piece is a Sig P226 in an IWB holster so I'm used to having the gun at my 5 o'clock. But with summer approaching I won't be able to conceal a P226 with just a T-shirt, so the Mustang will likely be carried.

Thanks in advance for any answers.
 
I have one of the old models (1992) with the plastic recoil spring guide. I have between 500-1000 rounds through the gun with no issues regarding the guide other than it is sort of a pita to reassemble the slide assy to the frame because the guide flexes and doesn't want to line up with the hole in the slide. Whether a steel guide addresses that, I don't know.
I use a SmartCarry or go commando, IWB, 4:00, hammer down on a loaded chamber. Commando is more comfortable than the SmartCarry but the SC provides better concealment in the summer.
If I have to loosen my belt for any reason, the gun goes in my pocket. Been carrying it this way for 20 years and haven't lost it down my leg yet.
 
I've had no issues with my Pocketlite, and carry it in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. The only .380 I've ever enjoyed shooting.
 
MutinousDoug, when you say you go commando what does that mean? No holster?

A for what it's worth I have never read of any reliability issues regarding the old ones despite the QC problems in the 90s. Every company has it's ups and downs and everybody produced a lemon or two but Colt has been impressing more than a few folks in the last few years.
 
I have a 1983 made colt government .380 and havent had any problems with the plastic guide rod. Night Sights would be nice. Cylinder & Slide will do that kind of work , but I called them once, and they had a wait time of several months.
 
If you are concerned with the durability of the plastic guide rod, there is always the option of securing a second one- just in case.

I have one of the newer versions (never got around to getting one back in the 80s) and it seems to be just fine in that regard.

There are two schools of thought on loading the .380, the first advocating use of FMJs and the second advocating use of JHPs. While I personally go with FMJs for the penetration they promise, I can see why there are those who want a JHP and are willing to sacrifice some penetration in exchange for and expanding round. If the DPX is your choice, it ought to be just fine so long as it feeds reliably.
 
I had one, purchased in 1989. Easy to shoot and fairly accurate. The only gripe I had with it was that the safety was too easy to come off. It was sitting in a snug purse pocket and the safety worked it's way off. If I would have kept it, I wouldn't carry it without a holster that completely covered the trigger and maybe even snugged up to the safety.

I've heard the Sig P238 has a more positve detent on the safety than the Colt.

My wife had a purse with a pocket that the Mustang fit into perfectly - it was tempting to think of that perfectly fitting pocket like a holster, but lesson learned - it wasn't a holster.
 
Rubber_Duck said:
What are people's opinions on the plastic recoil spring guide rod? I personally have no issue with keeping it if I have to but I was thinking a steel guide rod would be sturdier but I read somewhere that a steel guide rod will batter the alloy frame. Any truth to this?
Click to expand...

I have an original Mustang purchased in the mid-eighties. Lots of rounds through it without issue. It still has the plastic guide rod in it.

I could reliably hit gongs with the Mustang out to 50 yards with 90-95 grain FMJ. The all steel Mustang was easy to shoot. My aluminum framed Sig P238 was not so easy until I installed a set of neoprene grips on it.

I did not like the safety on the Mustang. Difficult to put on. Came off too easy. The Sig P238 has a better safety. I hope Colt improved the safety on the new Mustang. My early Sig P238 had other issues that Sig finally redesigned parts and corrected the problems.
 
I have a Government 380 and it also has the plastic guide rod. My opinion is to stick with it because it is designed to work as a recoil buffer. I'm at over 1200 rounds with mine and the plastic rod is still in like new conditions. My little Colt was purchased by my father in 1992 and it's one of my favourite guns to shoot. However I try to limit myself in shooting it because I understand it's becoming a collector piece.
 
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Well I'm of the school of thought of using HP in the .380. Sure I may only get 8 to 10 inches of penetration but in a frontal shot this should suffice and if not, well that's what follow-up shots are for.
 
I've got one from the '90's and I replaced the plastic rod with a stainless steel one from brownells. Great gun I love it
 
i had a mustang II in the past, cant comment on the new light version put out today.
 
What are they selling for and when do we get to see it?

Glocks have plastic guide rods.
 
Little Colt

I have a Nite Lite Version of the Pocket Lite , Purchased Used A Bunch of Years Back.
Replaced all the Springs and the Firing Pin, but Not the Plastic Guide Rod when purchased
I would guess the Rod is the Original from Colt
Used the Pistol as a IDPA Bug Gun for Many Years with Zero Issues

As far as a CCW Carry - Cocked & Locked in My Right Front Pocket .
If the Curreent Model Is As Tough As the Original , It Is A Fine Little Firearm

00
 
Hagen442 said:
I have a Nite Lite Version of the Pocket Lite , Purchased Used A Bunch of Years Back.
Replaced all the Springs and the Firing Pin, but Not the Plastic Guide Rod when purchased
I would guess the Rod is the Original from Colt
Used the Pistol as a IDPA Bug Gun for Many Years with Zero Issues

As far as a CCW Carry - Cocked & Locked in My Right Front Pocket .
If the Curreent Model Is As Tough As the Original , It Is A Fine Little Firearm

00
Click to expand...

We need to see that one too.
 
Rubber_Duck said:
MutinousDoug, when you say you go commando what does that mean? No holster?

A for what it's worth I have never read of any reliability issues regarding the old ones despite the QC problems in the 90s. Every company has it's ups and downs and everybody produced a lemon or two but Colt has been impressing more than a few folks in the last few years.
Click to expand...
Yeah,

By commando, I meant: no holster (not: no underwear).
My Mustang Pocketlite is blued and the slide stop notch started to show some minor battering. After reading about Colt Mustang's soft slide problems, I found a used stainless slide assembly (also Pocketlite) and use that as my carry piece to save wear on the blued one. I'm happy with my purchase(s).
 
My original Mustang Pocketlite has become my summertime pocket carry gun. Slim, lightweight, reliable and one of the easiest-shooting .380 on the market. I left the plastic guide rod the way it was.
 
I have 2 Mustangs from early 1990's I replaced the guide rod in one with steel. My relieable. Mustang became unrelieable I returned to the factory rod

I carry Corbon DPX in all My 380's .
 
I think that beacuse the whole thing is made of machined stainless/aluminum, and is already expensive, there must be a reason other than cost to have a plastic guide rod. Maybe it just isn't needed, or that there is some longevity associated with the frame? I can't say, I'm not a gun designer. But what would be the savings, a whole $1.00? I don't think they will be making that many to justify a design change to save a few pennies. The plastic trigger is an annoyance, since they are advertising it with a metal trigger and it is a part that has been reported to break on the older versions. It seems like they are using up old stock (or old molds) to assemble the new ones. Mine has the plastic parts still in it and has been flawless, though I'll admit that there is only about 500 rounds though it.
 
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