Is there any interest in reviving the Colt 1903?

Would you buy a new 1903?

  • Yes, I would buy one.

    Votes: 71 70.3%

  • No, I would not buy one.

    Votes: 30 29.7%
  • Total voters
    101
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C

Candiru

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Feb 1, 2005
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Here is the Wikipedia article on the Colt 1903 "hammerless" pocket pistol, chambered in .32 and .380 ACP. What I don't understand is why these pistols haven't enjoyed the same rennaisance that the 1911 experienced. The 1903 pistols are, after all, the 1911 of mousegun calibers: safe cocked and locked carry, grip safety, and a short, crisp trigger. While you can get smaller and lighter guns in the calibers offered, I would be surprised if they were anywhere near as conducive to quick, accurate shooting. I've long held the opinion that a gun's usefulness for self-defense lies not in how tightly you can wrap the gun around the cartridge, but how shootable the resulting gun/cartridge combo is.

Am I the only one who would love to see a new run of these guns in both .32 and .380? Aside from adding a slight lip to the safety and offering stainless steel as a construction option, I think these guns are every bit as ready for the 21st century as they were for the 20th.

What do you think?
 
If they weren't astronomically priced.

I love that little gun, I love old Colts, and I love the 32 ACP. So yea, I’d buy one.
 
Maybe with a thumb safety that positively locked in the "on" and "off" positions, and a lot better sights than my 1903. They are neat pistols.
 
I don't know if I'd buy a new one. I have an old one and it's less accurate than my Kel-Tec P-32. A new one that had frills, though, like night sights, better grips and an accurized barrel would be cool. Yeah, I'd probably buy one.:D
 
the problem with the 1903 in a modern world is that it requires too much machine work. You would be looking at a pistol that cost more than a seecamp and was larger and heavier. They are one of the best pocket autos made but it would be a $1000 gun .
 
IF they didn't cost a fortune. Sure I'd love to have one, but I'm only willing to pay so much.

I don't mean to hijack: would you rather have the 1903 or a newly-minted Luger?

Take care,
DFW1911
 
If I could get a new one with an ambi safety in .380 or 9mm I'd definitely buy one.
Click to expand...

It's a nice pistol in 32 or 380acp, but since it is a blowback, it would not be practical for 9mm.

This is mine in 32acp.........

colt_1903.jpg
 
Love the 1903's

I'm 77 years old and I've loved the 1903's since I was a kid. I'm currently
looking for one after all these years and they are not cheap. Wish I could come across one (regular length or pocket model with or without a hammer) in .38 ACP.
 
I found and bought one....made in 1923, and mint condition!...I will post some pictures when recieved...it will be my pocket-gun after rejecting various other models...ideal for that purpose...
 
This is mine (was my Great Uncle's carried as a pocket backup along with his New Service in .45 LC while a sheriff in N. Texas during the 30's -40's) It is sooo sweet, the sights are a little fine but shoots great and never bobbles. It's in 380 and was given to him by the Colt Sales Rep. for this area back in the 30's for high Colt sales, (he also owned the local hardware store).

MVC-001F.jpg
 
I'd buy one.

But not if it had front slide serrations, a tatical light rail, beavertail grip, fully adjustable trijicon sights and a finish done by a monkey with a sheet of 200 grit sandpaper.

As mentioned, the problem with making the gun is the level of machining needed. However, a CNC machine could solve that problem.

I have one in .32 ACP. It's a fun gun and something for those occasions when I wish to be armed but not greatly armed. It's not in collectable condition so I think I'll have it engraved and refinished. If it's possible, I'm going to replace the original sights with standard sights from a 1911A1 (that is, the little sights.)
 
The internals can be redone in a way that both lowers cost and increases reliability. What you're looking for in this gun is the completely snag free exterior and the basic accuracy that a good one is capable of. Improved sights of course. The gun meets the old school criteria of being smooth "like a well worn bar of soap".

There are remarkably few guns produced these days that are actually smooth.

tipoc
 
I was thinking this very thing the other day. The problem is that modern manufacturing would not capture the elegance of the weapon. Today so much is done for the sake of saving a dollar that the art of making firearms is a dying one. Deep polished bluing, hand fitting, old world craftsmanship, these things are nonexistant in todays guns. I would love to see a revival of the 1903 but I'm afraid it would be turned into something that is a far cry from what it was for the sake of "improvement"
 
There is a company that makes new Baby Browning 25 ACP pocket pistols. If anyone could pull off the 1903 hammerless I think they could. This should also give an idea on how much it would cost. http://precisionsmallarms.com/
 
Took me a while I finally found a 1903 last year in a pawnshop , its pretty well worn and dinged up but shoots like a dream . i figure paying $200 for it is a steal since it still shoots . I wouldn't mind paying say something in the area of $500 - $600 for one with minor modern internal improvments , but for goodness sakes the the external appearance alone !
 
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