Question about a Colt 1903

[EmGeeGeorge]

numrich has parts, if you ever were to need them... as do others...

at the gunstore I worked at partime, more volunteered I guess,

one came in with extensive rust... I mean seized slide, and grip safety, and trigger... used a hammer to beat the gun loose. Draw filed and bead blasted, and draw filed some more... wire wheel... etc... reblued, and gun is functional after being put back together... all the original parts were used, no replacements!

My Dad has one on his permit back home; It was my Granddads backup when he was a police officer from the 40's to 70's... He also carried it as a primary when he was a detective for his dept...(or so I've been told)
It has only been cleaned and oiled for the past 60+ years (it was second hand when he got it) no new springs, no new mags, etc... shot a box of 25+ year old ammo through it one of the last times I was home... no misfeeds, jams, stovepipes...
Colt 1903's are awesome. I need one... Maybe today is the day to go looking...
If you buy it and don't like it, I'll buy it off you if the price is right... (meaning fair)

 

[Insayn]

I just picked up this one yesterday. .32 cal 1903 from 1921. The end of the barrel is slightly damaged from a drop. Nothing too serious and I think a gunsmith could clean it up. I paid $300.

 

[Onmilo]

Mine was made in 1904.
I bought it many years ago for less than two hundred bucks.
The three original spare magazines I managed to find cost me nearly as much as I paid for the gun!

 

[Hoppy590]

just got mine today. Seriel 272XXX no camera at the moment but its close in finish to Onmilo's probibly not the 60 % i previously guesed. but still nice for 200$

 

[Mk VII]

Those contemplating the purchase of these guns should note that some design changes took place over the years and that it may be essential to quote the serial # when inquiring after parts.

 

[XavierBreath]

Go to ColtAutos.com and use the drop down menu to access Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless. You will get more info than you can shake a stick at. Use the password "coltautos.com" to open the PDF file containing the original instructions. They have many many pictures of these fine little shooters to salivate over.

Unless I'm mistaken,there are actually five distinct types of the Colt 1903/1908 Hammerless. Here is mine, a Type 3 produced in 1912. I paid $275 a couple of years ago.

 

[Jim K]

Break? Wear out? Those words just don't apply to the M1903 or the M1908 .380 caliber. The major problem with those guns is owners who just can't resist taking them apart, breaking or losing parts, or not being able to reassemble them. Leave the darned thing alone, just shoot it, and it will last just about forever.

Jim

 

[Hoppy590]

heres a question. anyone know where i can get another barrel? mines got some light pitting. nothing to make it unsafe. but it be nice to get another barrel anyway

added. would a barrel& slide swap make my .32 a .380?

 

[Old Fuff]

Parts can be obtained from Numrich - The Gun Parts Corporation at www.e-gunparts.com

They have some new, aftermarket barrels, but there are several styles and you need to know which one fits your gun. If you order a barrel be sure to include the pistol's serial number. You can use xx for the last two numbers.

People who try to convert from .32 to .380 have mixed success. Besides the barrel there are differences between the magazine well dimensions, and the magazines themselves. Add to that the ejector and sometimes the extractor.

 

[Hoppy590]

thanks for the info old fluff. i think il skip the converstion.