Colt 1903/1908

[BSA1]

I have become interested in Colt 1903 and 1908 Model handguns. With their slim profiles and thumb safeties they represent a excellent ccw for their time period.

However I can't help but feel they would also be excellent choice today. As I understand their design they will discharge if dropped with a loaded round in the chamber. This would seem to a problem that could not be overcome without too much difficulty.

Of course they can be carried safely today with a empty chamber. Has anyone offered a improved copy of the 1903/1908?

 

[Checkman]

Not that I'm aware of. I own a series 1 Model 1908 (seperate barrel bushing) that was made in 1908. Despite being 104 years old it functions like a champ and is still very accurate. But it's a safe queen. Taken out only once or twice a year for five or six rounds. It's earned some down time.

This one is not going to go to a gunshop for modifications. But you might be able to find one that has been modified in the past.

Here is mine taken just a few hours after I brought it home. Won it in an auction. Gun store had closed after many decades and the inventory was auctioned off. Hence the old price tag still being attached to it.

 

[hso]

I have a few of these and they're marvelous guns, but there are plenty of modern firearms that will carry as well. Unless you find a badly beat up '03 or '08 to try to modify I would suggest leaving them as they are because collectors love them so well.

 

[Jim K]

Colt later added a half-cock notch to the hammer to prevent the gun from firing if dropped. I don't know when the change was made but I can probably find out if anyone is interested.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with those guns for self defense - that is what they were made for. Today, the .32 ACP is considered inadequate, but there are far less reliable .380's out there.

The high value of good ones aside, the main drawback is the small safety. There have been safeties made with larger thumb pieces but AFAIK none is now on the market.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

I'll save Jim the trouble.

As it was originally designed the Colt .32/.380 Pocket Model did not have either a inertial-style firing pin or safety notch/ledge on the hammer. If something caused the hammer to be released it would go all of the way down. For this reason many experienced owners went with the magazine loaded and chamber empty.

In 1922 at serial numbers 422,000 (.32) and 66,000 (.380) Colt added both features, which had been standard on the 1911 Government Model, to the model M Pocket Model. From this point on they were as safe to carry with the chamber loaded as the larger .45 pistol.

In 1926 at serial numbers 468,097 (.32) and 92,894 (.380) a magazine disconect feature was added.

If your pistol has the magazine disconector it should also have the hammer and firing pin modifications.

To see: Check to be sure the pistol and magazine are both unloaded. Then cycle the slide after inserting the unloaded magazine. Pull the trigger to let the hammer fall, and then retract the slide about 1/4 to 3/8 inches. You should hear a click, and the grip safety will pop out. See if you can push the manual safety to the "on" position. If this drill is successful your hammer has the half-cock notch and inertial firing pin system.

 

[jimbo555]

Take a look at the kimber solo,I think they took the look of the colt1908 and modernized it!

 

[baylorattorney]

They do tend to break down if u plan on shooting a lot like I did.

 

[BSA1]

Thank you for the most excellent replies. I am now on a mission starting with serial number 422,001 and 66,001.

 

[Checkman]

Thanks for the info Old Fuff. As always you are a wealth of knowledge. Danke Schon.

 

[Old Fuff]

Be aware that Colt's Pocket Pistol was, and still is, a VERY popular handgun. If you use the forum's search feature and key words
such as "Colt .32 pistol" you will find a large number of past threads and posts.

Also:

1903 Colt

1908 Colt (be sure you don't get some on the little .25 Vest Pocket Pistol).

.380 Colt

Any combination of the above.

 

[06]

A 32 was my first "carry". Still have it and keep a few rounds in the mags. Used to carry it on planes if that tells you how long ago that was. Never did feel safe with one in the tube. Now I carry a Mak or Sig 232 (both "380s") instead of the 45s--still keep them very handy. Both are double action-- I like having an exposed hammer with half cock safety. These plastic and replica pistols have a cocked hammer sitting over a primer--that has always been a bit disconcerting.

 

[golden]

Really nice gun, but......

BSA.

I think the COLT 1903 Hammerless is a really nice gun, but the safety lever is really small as are the sights. I have one and took it to the range about 2 weeks ago. I shot 110 rounds of mixed ammo without a problem and was really impressed by the accuracy and handling of the 1903. Recoil is a non issue and you can actually shoot over the rear sights using just the front for quick shots. I found the gun to have very nice handling.
Also, it fed FIOCCHI hollow points without a hitch.

My biggest problem with carrying it would be the weight. It weighs about a pound and a half. Fine in a holster, but I could carry a GLOCK 19 for that. My SIG 225 is only a few ounces heavier.

If COLT brought back this pistol with an aluminum frame and GLOCK like safe action, it would be a killer CCW pistol. At least to me.

If nothing else, even during the OBAMASCARE ammo shortage, you can alway find ammo for a .32ACP like the 1903.

Jim

 

[jad0110]

I'm just curious. Could the newer hammer with the safety notch be fitted by a competent gunsmith to a pre 422,000 S/N 1903, without making any permanent changes? I assume the fitting an inertial firing pin is not really feasible, but the safety notch equipped hammer should be sufficient. I ask because my wife has a 1903 that she'd like to start carrying soon. It is otherwise the perfect carry gun for her tiny hands and fairly high recoil sensitivity.

Note that her hands are so tiny she can just reach the trigger on a Ruger SR-22 when the hammer is cocked (she can't reach it when the hammer is down and the trigger is in it's forward-most position).

 

[Old Fuff]

Could the newer hammer with the safety notch be fitted by a competent gunsmith to a pre 422,000 S/N 1903, without making any permanent changes?

Yes, if you can get the necessary parts. You would need a new hammer and sear. There were two different sears, one for pistols without the magazine disconector safety, and one for those with it. Also because it is a :banghead: to get the pistol reassembled you'd better find a gunsmith that has some experience with this particular pistol.

I assume the fitting an inertial firing pin is not really feasible,

Actually it is an easy, and relatively inexpensive job. It does require a pin punch with a cup point to drive out the firing pin pin in the slide. Without one the pin and slide will get marked up. A punch can be obtained from (www.brownells.com) and other sources. The firing pin system is a two-part affair, and you only need the front part and spring. These can be obtained from (www.gunpartscorp.com).

 

[tnelson31]

the safety lever is really small as are the sights

I have shot a 1903 a bunch of times (wish it was mine!) and while it points really well the sights are horrible--for me it is not an accurate gun at all.

 

[johnnydollar]

I have one of each (one .32 and one .380). They are fine guns, but not really very small, nor very light. They are, however, very thin. Few guns slip easier into the waistband than these thin little guns, and their not-too-small size makes them easy to shoot. And the safety, which everyone says is too small, was made that way to keep the gun as thin as it is.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have one of each, but they're mint "U.S. Property" marked General Officers' pistols. WAY too valuable to carry (worth thousands).

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

^^Why don't you get one you can shoot and enjoy?

[/IMG]

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Nothing fancy but a great shooter.

 

[44 Dave]

I'll save Jim the trouble.

As it was originally designed the Colt .32/.380 Pocket Model did not have either a inertial-style firing pin or safety notch/ledge on the hammer. If something caused the hammer to be released it would go all of the way down. For this reason many experienced owners went with the magazine loaded and chamber empty.

In 1922 at serial numbers 422,000 (.32) and 66,000 (.380) Colt added both features, which had been standard on the 1911 Government Model, to the model M Pocket Model. From this point on they were as safe to carry with the chamber loaded as the larger .45 pistol.

In 1926 at serial numbers 468,097 (.32) and 92,894 (.380) a magazine disconect feature was added.

If your pistol has the magazine disconector it should also have the hammer and firing pin modifications.

To see: Check to be sure the pistol and magazine are both unloaded. Then cycle the slide after inserting the unloaded magazine. Pull the trigger to let the hammer fall, and then retract the slide about 1/4 to 3/8 inches. You should hear a click, and the grip safety will pop out. See if you can push the manual safety to the "on" position. If this drill is successful your hammer has the half-cock notch and inertial firing pin system.

Thanks mine has it #451597

 

[Old Fuff]

Great! But to be sure...

Check to be sure the pistol and magazine are both unloaded. Then cycle the slide after inserting the unloaded magazine. Pull the trigger to let the hammer fall, and then retract the slide about 1/4 to 3/8 inches. You should hear a click, and the grip safety will pop out. See if you can push the manual safety to the "on" position. If this drill is successful your hammer has the half-cock notch and inertial firing pin system.

 

[Chuck Dye]

Old Fuff's advice on magazine safeties deserves a caveat: when I first acquired Dad's 1903, apparently made in 1940, it's recoil spring guide was reversed, effectively disabling the mag safety. The pistol shoots just fine that way.

(Dad was serving aboard USS Eldorado in Shanghai in 1948. Shore leave was a risky prospect as rickshaw drivers had a habit of rerouting and tipping customers over backwards so accomplices could rob them. The general solution, aboard Eldorado anyway, was to go armed and ready to open fire as the rickshaw was tipped. Dad said he bought the 1903 for that purpose but dodged the question when asked if he ever had to shoot, saying instead that the rickshaw drivers abandoned the practice after a few accomplices were shot. So, no, mine is not for sale!)