Colt 1903 Question

[rhtwist]

Hello to all,
I recently purchased a Colt 1903 Hammerless pistol. When the slide is released from the slide stop it will not pickup a round and chamber it. When I pull the slide fully back and release it, it always chambers a round. Is this normal for this type of pistol.
Also would 2 FTRB (bullet and part of casing in chamber, rear of case at down angle, dented the case) using WWB Truncated FMJ within the first 50 of 200 rounds be considered reliable. Thanks for any information.
rhtwist

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I dunno. I have only one 1903 (dates to 1912) and I always pull/release the slide to load. I do that with all my semis instead of using the slide release.

Try some different ammo also. Try some .32 ammo of European orgin. It is usually a little "hotter"...mine likes Privi Partizan JHP ammo and functions 100% with it.

 

[Jim Watson]

The only slide stop on MY 1903 Colt is the thumb safety latching the slide back manually. I use that only for cleaning and takedown. I rack the slide to load the gun. It is reliable with roundnose bullets, I don't ask a gun of that era to handle hollowpoints or conicals. (I had a spell when I carried an old gun with a hollowpoint in the chamber and hardball in the magazine, though.)

 

[Chuck Dye]

The safety of my 1903, made in 1945, latches the breech face well forward of the cartridge rim. No ammo change will ever allow thumbing the safety down and chambering a round from the magazine.

 

[rhtwist]

Thank you Gentlemen for that information. Also about the European Ammo. Really enjoy that photo.
Has anybody been using non-factory magazines reliably?
Take care.
rhtwist

 

[Onmilo]

Forget aftermarket magazines for the 1903, none work reliably for any length of time.
There are quite a few original magazines still available, Gun Parts Inc. has them from time to time, as does ammoclip.com.
You have to specifically ask for Colt original magazines from both places or you will get aftermarket, they are more expensive and worth the extra money.

 

[rhtwist]

Thank you for the sites to check out Onmilo. Unfortunately ammoclip was out and I can't find a Gun Parts Inc.
rhtwist

 

[Cocked & Locked]

...I can't find a Gun Parts Inc.

Here you are: http://www.e-gunparts.com/


Numrich is "Gun Parts Corp."

 

[rhtwist]

Hello and thank you! Will look it up.
rhtwist

 

[lechiffre]

maybe a new magazine spiring would help

 

[rhtwist]

Got one from Wolff and will give it a try. Good idea. Thank you Sir!
rhtwist