Colt .380 Gov. question

[Steelharp]

I have a question, guys. I had a Mustang Pocketlite at one time and hated it. It was just a terrible experience in field stripping. I did a search, and couldn't find the answer to my question, so here goes. Is the Gov. .380 as difficult to put back together as the Mustang, or is it closer to a true 1911? I know it has a bushing, but I'm not sharp enough to automatically assume that means it works the same. I just never could get the hang of the Mustang, and if the Gov. is just like it, I don't even want to entertain the thought of one. However, if it's easier like a true 1911, I may want to start looking for one in the future.

Thanks, Mikey D...

 

[Grunt]

Uh, I got a .380 Colt Mustang too. Mind if I ask what you thought was so hard about taking it apart? I guess I don't see much difference between taking the Mustang apart and some other handguns like a CZ-75, H&K USP or S&W automatics. Sorry I can't answer your question about the .380 government but I am curious about what trouble you had with the Mustang.

 

[Steelharp]

It came apart like a piece of cake... as I said, putting it back together was the part I couldn't get down...

Mikey D...

 

[MICHAEL T]

You don t want the gov. 380 then , not all that much differance .Why don t you look at a Bersa , easy to field strip and put back to gather, and they shot will good.

 

[JohnKSa]

I would rate the Colt Govt .380 and the Mustang easier to field strip and reassemble than a 1911.

 

[Steelharp]

So the bushing on the Gov. is just cosmetic? It does not function like a 1911 bushing?

Mikey D...

 

[Jim Watson]

Which part bothers you more on Mustang, front end or back?

The bushing and plug are functional and 1911-like in the Gov't .380. The back end is the same as Mustang and care must be taken to depress the ejector/magazine disconnector enough to run the slide back on without rolling it over center down into the magazine well.

 

[tankrlm]

I carry a Colt .380 Govt,the only problem was the ejector when i field stripped it.(as noted above by Jim Watson) Overall it is problem free.

 

[Steelharp]

Thanks, guys. I never had too much trouble with the ejector; the biggest problem I had was trying to get everything to line up just so with the tension from the recoil spring fighting me. It sounds like this would be better, since that tension would be removed by the conventional bushing/plug arrangement.

I appreciate it... Mikey D...

 

[Grunt]

No big deal if the ejector does flop down into the magazine well. Insert the magazine and it pops right back up.

 

[hnm201]

I don't think that my mustang is very hard to strip at all. I do see where people get into trouble with the ejector/disconnector and the spring retaining the slide stop. Those were probably the "user un-friendly" points in the design that made this a very expensive pistol for Colt to support.

I am getting mine parkerized this week and I plan on locking the slide back and hitting with some gun scrubber, shooters in the bore and running a snake through and then a little break free. Will probably shoot 100-200 rds per month and only field strip once per year.

One day someone will license and improve this design and build it in 9x18 makarov. I hope.

I detest DA triggers! Make mine a Single Action or a Glock Safe-Action