Colt Government .380 help

[mattk]

Hey guys,
Recently I bought a little .380 gov Pocketlite. I really havent had a chance to mess with it until today.
When I got the gun apart and cleaned it up I found a couple things that could be bad or just cosmetic but I am not sure.

On the outside of the barrel and 1.8 from the end are some pits. At first I thought they were just grime. It kind of looks like someone held the barrel with a pair of pliers and the teeth left marks. There is no rust and they aren't deep. Also the Recoil spring cap has pits on its outside and they look bad, but still no rust.

Everything else on the gun is great. The trigger is best I have felt on one these little guns.

I ordered a new Barrel bushing and recoil spring cap from Numrich.
Do I worry about the barrel or is it just crappy cosmetic QC from Colt?

 

[Jim Watson]

My blue steel Gov't .380 has no flaws on barrel or plug. As long as yours are not so rough as to drag on the action, they are not likely a problem although unsightly.
Mine has a very light feeling trigger pull, although it is about 5 pounds on a gauge. Something to do with the pivoting action and short reach that lets you get a lot of finger on the trigger.

 

[TurkeyHunter]

Baby Colt

Look closely at the "Baby Colt", you'll notice that 1.8" from the end of the barrel is no where near the area contacting the bushing when the pistol is in full battery. If those dings were inside the bushing when locked up, I'd be concerned.
The end of the barrel "Flairs" slightly so it seats well inside the bushing upon firing.

No worries mate!
A fine India stone, a little fine steel wool and some cold blueing and you're good to go!

If you are wanting a more accurate Colt .380, There are MANY things that can really help.

First, I recommend you get the slide stop reworked, it is the only real bummer on the gun and can work itself out in high stress / rapid fire engagements which would put you out of the fight and possibly dead in a real armed confrontation.

You simply MUST have the feed ramp polished to feed hollow points reliably. Most guns are this way from the factory. (defense rounds - I use Gold Dots)

You might contact Irv at Bar-Sto barrels in 29 Palms, California and see if he's making any more bushings for the Colt.
He would then be able to "FLU" the barrel to the new custom bushing for an AWESOME fit. He did mine and the accuracy improved dramatically.!!

Wolf makes performance spring sets for it.
Cylinder and Slide makes competition aluminum triggers and ambi-safeties for it.
Pachmyer makes combat grips for it. (GREAT FOR COMBAT/CARRY)
An 11 degree crown on the barrel helps accuracy.
You can bevel the mag well with a dremel tool. (speed up reloading)
Several companies make sight systems for them all the way up to $500.00.

I have a Kramer Horsehide IWB holster for concealed carry.

People are completely amazed by the accuracy of my Baby Colt but it didn't shoot that way out of the box. I make consistant hits at 25 yards inside of 5" !! That's remarkable considering the Baby Colt fits in my hand.

Shoot Safe
Vote Bush

Bill

 

[mattk]

I shot the gun today and its plenty accurate for its size and the fact that I havent shot a gun in about 3 months. It feeds Hyrashocks great and the assorted fmj I put through it.
I have re examined the marks on the barrel and they really seem to be cosmectic flaws from manufacturing.
I have an Alessi holster on the way.

Thanks
Matt

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Watch your barrel lugs. My gov 380 started to peen up the barrel lugs although the slide seems fine. Not much you can do about it though. I finally just decided to live with it and load my ammo a bit lighter for it. I think my barrel may be a bit "soft" or the frame is slightly drilled off spec for the pin.