Colt Govt. Pocketlite .380: Nice!

M

Matt VDW

New member
I just did some shooting with my Colt .380 Government Pocketlite last night and it reminded me of what a nifty little pistol it is. It's light enough and flat enough to carry easily, yet big enough to fit my hand well. The little Colt isn't quite as "shootable" as the big .45s, but its light recoil makes for a very pleasant range session nonetheless.

I'd advise any 1911 lovers who'd like a fun plinker or a secondary CCW piece to pick one up. Unfortunately, Colt isn't making this model anymore, so you'll have to look on the used market.
 
At the top of my wish list would be if Kimber would make a stainless clone of the Gov. Pocketlite that is reliable and with REAL sights. Being the only light-kicking (locked-breech) .380 out there, how come nobody makes a clone? Am I the only nut who would like it, or is patent infringement involved?
 
I love my colt pony in .380 acp. While accuracy is not as good as the single action mustang, I think the DAO of the pony is safer to carry as a "pocket gun". I can keep a 3 to 5 inch group at seven yards which is good enough for a close range pistol.

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Greetings,

I liked mine in nickel so much I bought another in stainless. The Gov. .380 is a fine little pistol whose demise is an unnecessary tragedy of these litigious times and a lack of concern for the civilian market.

This is in contrast with Colt's customer service, which is inexplicably good. Last month, I (finally) got a complete refund from Coltfor a Mustang I bought that was defective. They refunded the entire retail purchase price.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
I don't have a Govt. model, but I do have a Mustang Pocketlite. It's one of my favorie carry pistols. About three years ago, my gun shop had Mustang and Pony Pocketlites for $385.00. I bought the Mustang, however, if I had known that they were going to become unavailable, I'd have bought a few to put back for a "rainy day". My Mustang Pocketlite makes a GREAT "summer carry" pistol.
The guy that ownes the gun shop told me that a UPS pilot just told him that he paid $550.00 for a new Mustang and he thought he got a bargain.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
I have a Colt Mustang Pocketlite that is a regular companion. I sent it to SM&A for their Pocket Carry Package, and it's a very nice little gun. I recently stumbled across a stainless standard Mustang and snapped it up for $250, it's the range practice gun. :-)
 
Johnwill,
I just went to the SM&A website. (AGAIN!) I've always thought the "carry package" for Mustang Pocketlites looks great. (Although a little expensive.) I've even thought how nice my Mustang would look with a black "Gnome coated" frame and a polished stainless slide, trigger, and hammer. However, my pistol is so good, I'd hate to do anything to screw up functioning. Especially something that expensive. You seem to be quite happy with the outcome of SM&A's mods on your pistol. Was your Mustang 100% before you sent it to them? Also, how long did the mods take to complete?

Thanks,
Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
My mustang is a steel frame with factory nickel teflon finish. Well it's gonna need a new do soon as the finish is getting very worn. I love the little gun. It's my constant pocket companion. Mine has been 110% reliable. I changed the sear to a Brownell's tool steel sear and added the full length rod. It's a real screamer . It is a shame either Kimber or Springfield don't make one.

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I aree with you guys, someone should add a locked breech 380 again. I have a gov 380 and I think it is great. Virtually no recoil, and so far nearly 100% reliable straight from the box. One of these days I will change the sear, barrel bushing and the guide rod, but not till it is unreliable.

So Kimber, Springfield, Les??? Someone make us another locked little 380! Please!!!!

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P229 Sport and 357 SIG, H&K P7PSP and 9MM, Dual Perfection!!
 
I have the full-length guide rod from Scott-McDougall in my stainless .380. I can't tell the difference. I'm a little concerned with excessive frame battering resulting from replacement of the factory plastic guide rod with hard stainless.

Mark THG, are all factory nickel finishes teflon? If not how can I tell? BTW, Flitz works great to shine up the nickel if it's not peeling away. Don't leave solvent on it (you probably know this).

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
I know Colt isn't making these models anymore, but I keep seeing nib Mustangs, Ponys, and Gov't .380 in the $475 to $525 price range at the local gunshows. I a blued one and I really like it. The only thing is the slide release will fall out on it's own. I understand SM&A has a fix for this. Anyone have a comment on this particular fix?
 
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