Colt .380 Government Pocketlite

[Jacobus Rex]

OK, I couldn't resist posting a picture of my Colt .380 Government Pocketlite. I've had it for a number of years. I'm not normally a big Colt fan but I like this old pistol. Too bad they don't make it anymore.

I generally carry it in a pocket holster. I've never carried it cocked and locked in the 1911 fashion. Never thought that it would be suitable for that and also don't do cocked and locked in a pocket holster.

Are there any THR members that carry one as well? If so, how do you carry and do you carry chamber empty, hammer down, or cocked and locked?

 

[BHPshooter]

Very nice gun.

Tell me, is it downsized for the cartridge, or is it 1911 sized?

I would say that C&L carry is okay, but I don't know much about them. Hopefully someone who knows more will chime in and help.

Wes

 

[QB]

It's downsized. When I first saw .380 Government I was somewhat confused because I always thought "government" refered to the SIZE (like commander and officer). Not with this gun though. The slide's a little longer than the Mustang...can't remember how many rounds it holds. But unlike the Mustang, the Gov .380 had a barrel bushing etc like a 1911. I only have a Mustang pocketlite but have always wanted a .380 Gov stainless pocketlite. Anyway, hope I haven't mistated anything and apologize if I have.

 

[Smoke]

Looks a lot nicer than my Gov't .380

Do you have any other pics? That is a very nice looking gun.

Smoke

 

[Jacobus Rex]

It is basically a scaled down 1911. It is different is some ways but is mostly alike. I think mine weighs about 15 ozs unloaded. It is the aluminum frame version with a blue steel slide.

It has the bushing and all. It does differ in several ways such as a lack of the grip safety and backstrap. The ejector is different and it doesn't have grip screw bushings. I'm sure some of the members could name some other differences.

I've worked on this one some. It has the following parts changed out: guide rod and bushing, recoil spring, grips, and mag release spring. I'm not a fan of full length guide rods but I didn't like the plastic one that came with the gun. The stainless replacement happened to be full length.

I'll post a couple pictures:

 

[Kestrel]

Does the thumb safety lock the slide on any of these guns?

 

[Jacobus Rex]

The thumb safety doesn't lock the slide, however, it does lock the hammer, so if the hammer is down then you can't work the slide. If the hammer is back then you can work the slide with the safety on.

I'm interested in whether or not the other variants of this gun work the same way also.

James

 

[QB]

My Mustang works the same way.