Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP

[Tabequache]

Here's a puzzler. I have recently acquired a Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistol chambered in .380 ACP. The SN shows the handgun was manufactured around 1921. Condition is pretty good, actually, about 80% with much of the dark gray-light bluing still visible. The problem is that the pistol slide will not retract far enough to line up the disassembly mark so that the barrel can be rotated to release the slide from the frame. Also, as a result, the slide will not come back far enough to chamber a round from the magazine. So it will not fire (but the hammer will cock). If you are familiar with this old gun, you know that disassembly centers on the barrel grooves and the ability to rotate the barrel at the disassembly mark. So I am stumped as to how to get the gun apart so that I can see what is obstructing the slide (without destroying the 97 year old gun in the process). Any ideas?

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

You might possibly have a bulged barrel. I’ve heard of that happening with autos but no clue how to start addressing it.

 

[cfullgraf]

Apologizes for stating the obvious at times, but please bear with me.

I checked my 1908. With the slide fully retracted, the disassembly mark will disappear under the dust shroud on the frame. With the slide lock/safety engaged, the disassembly mark will be about 1/8" short of lining up with the disassembly mark on the frame.

I find that I have to adjust position of the slide a little to get the barrel grooves lined up with the relief cut in the slide.

If you cannot retract the slide fully, I suspect something is loose inside the recoil spring/barrel area or the recoil spring has broken.

You may be able wiggle slide to move the spring/obstruction around and/or partially retract the slide a few times then try fully retracting it. The idea is to hopefully move things around so that the slide can retract enough to allow for releasing the barrel.

Hope this helps and gives you some ideas.

 

[Tabequache]

Thanks to you both. I did check the barrel and it seems okay, no apparent bulge. I know how to disassemble the gun, but thanks for your suggestions. I'll try them. The recoil spring does bring the slide forcibly forward after trying to rack the slide rearward. It's just that something is blocking the slide about half way back. Could still mean a broken spring I guess. I have a gunsmith friend who will tackle the problem soon. Other suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[cfullgraf]

Hope you find the problem. The 1908 and the 1903 Colts are fun guns to shoot.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Maybe the disconnector is stuck?

Oh, but you said the hammer will cock... so I assume the trigger drops it too.

 

[Sistema1927]

I wonder if you would have better success if you hold it in a different orientation, such as upside down, or muzzle pointing up/down? If something is broken then maybe gravity could help you by realigning the broken part.

 

[Eugen]

So you bought it in this condition or did you encounter this problem after shooting, disassembling or other wise working with it?

 

[Tabequache]

Thanks for everyone's help and comments. I did buy the Colt knowing of the problem, and now I'm trying to fix it. I called Colt, and they believe that I have a kinked recoil spring which will prevent disassembly of the pistol in the normal way. They don't repair their antique firearms, but the Colt service man gave me contact information for two factory-authorized gunsmiths, in Montana and Nebraska. I emailed both and got responses, so I have resources to pursue repair when I decide to do it.

 

[cfullgraf]

Glad to hear. I hope those folks can help.

 

[Tabequache]

Update on Colt 1908 Hammerless in .380 (Type III bushingless). With help of a local gunsmith friend, he was able to disassemble the pistol in an "unconventional" way. Recoil spring and rod were not damaged. Strongly suspect the barrel is a replacement as the internal groves and bushing did not fit correctly with groves in the slide. A little dremel work and light grinding helped fix that problem. Slide works fine now; comes all the way back and the pistol disassembles the right way.