Does .25ACP and .32 ACP still cut it for self defense?

[golden]

Colt 1903

I have a COLT 1903 .32ACP and it is quite a nice little gun. I would not use it for self defense if I could avoid it. However, if it is what you have, mine will shoot the FIOCCHI hollow point ammo with very good accuracy and total reliability. Practice the failure to stop drill a lot, that is 2 to the chest and 1 to the head.

I am planning to get some COR BON Powerball. I use that in my BERETTA Tomcat and it feeds with 100% reliability. I have not been able to say that about FEDERAL Hydro Shok ammo in .32ACP.
Until I put a hundred rounds of the COR BON through with 100% reliable feeding, I will carry a Hydro Shok in the chamber and FIOCCHI jhp in the magazine, if I used this pistol in condition 1, cocked and locked.
With this type of gun, I would feel better with an empty chamber and full mag.
Oh, it is quite accurate for a mouse gun.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

Depending on the age of your pistol, it would be a good idea to replace the magazine, firing pin spring, and recoil spring with new ones. Colt's 1903 Pocket Model is a straight blowback design, and lacks a locked breech. The old springs may not be up to preventing battering when you use current-day high performance ammunition.

Also you should be aware of this, taken from another thread:

The .32 M1903 is a sleek and well balanced semi auto that will do the trick though admittedly it's not drop proof safe.

Yes, and no....

As it was originally designed the Colt .32/.380 Pocket Model did not have either a inertial-style firing pin or safety notch/ledge on the hammer. If something caused the hammer to be released it would go all of the way down. For this reason many experienced owners went with the magazine loaded and chamber empty.

In 1922 at serial numbers 422,000 (.32) and 66,000 (.380) Colt added both features, which had been standard on the 1911 Government Model, to the model M Pocket Model. From this point on they were as safe to carry with the chamber loaded as the larger .45 pistol.

In 1926 at serial numbers 468,097 (.32) and 92,894 (.380) a magazine disconect feature was added.

If your pistol has the magazine disconector it should also have the hammer and firing pin modifications.

To see: Check to be sure the pistol and magazine are both unloaded. Then cycle the slide after inserting the unloaded magazine. Pull the trigger to let the hammer fall, and then retract the slide about 1/4 to 3/8 inches. You should hear a click, and the grip safety will pop out. See if you can push the manual safety to the "on" position. If this drill is successful your hammer has the half-cock notch and inertial firing pin system.