Does anyone else thrill to the Idea of owning a Colt M1903?
- Thread starter CaptainO
- Start date
I wanted one too but didn't have much money. I stalked them on Gunbroker for months. Finally I got lucky and found one no one seemed to want, probably because it was refinished and had new grips. I won it for a bid of less than $400. It's a great shooter and I like it a lot. It's my daughter's favorite 32acp. There is no need to pay $1500. You just have to be patient.
Here is what $380 plus shipping will get you, IIRC.
Here is what $380 plus shipping will get you, IIRC.
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If you believe that the old metallugy was bad and the guns are dangerous with slightly hotter ammo, going to a Model 1908 isn't going to change much. The higher power (or higher hype) load won't blow up the barrel; damage to the gun (if any) would more likely be to the slide and frame.
FWIW, I think the .32 NAA is a gunzine BS of the month deal, like dozens of other miracle cartridges over the years that barely lasted until the magazine went into the trash.
Jim
FWIW, I think the .32 NAA is a gunzine BS of the month deal, like dozens of other miracle cartridges over the years that barely lasted until the magazine went into the trash.
Jim
The .32 NAA was created by Ed Wood of NAA. All that constitutes the cartridge is an .380 necked down to accept .312" projectiles. You can shoot any .32 caliber bullet normally reserved for the .32 ACP. The bullets fairly fly form the muzzle because the pressures are the same as those of the .380. This is why a 3.75" - 4" long barrel will prove quite useful in a pistol the size of a 1908. (1453 fpe and 287 fpe with a 60 grain bullet from a 4" barrel).
I prefer to use either the 71 grain or 80 grain bullet at a slightly slower velocity. Listen, when I can carry a .380-sized pistol and can launch a 80 grain .312" dia. bullet at approximately 1365 fps (yielding 331 fpe)... I'll take it! (Hornady already provides loaded ammunition for it). Power, accuracy and penetration. That's the "trifecta"!
Mull it over for a bit and it makes a great deal of sense.
I prefer to use either the 71 grain or 80 grain bullet at a slightly slower velocity. Listen, when I can carry a .380-sized pistol and can launch a 80 grain .312" dia. bullet at approximately 1365 fps (yielding 331 fpe)... I'll take it! (Hornady already provides loaded ammunition for it). Power, accuracy and penetration. That's the "trifecta"!
Mull it over for a bit and it makes a great deal of sense.
FrankenMauser
New member
I'm a .32 caliber fan, but I'd still prefer a .380 over .32 NAA.
.32 Auto bullets aren't really designed to be pushed very hard, and I wouldn't trust them. The .32 Auto market hasn't really seen anything 'new and improved' since Hornady introduced the 60 gr XTP (which isn't meant for any more than 1,000 fps).
On the flip side, we've had some fantastic advances in bullet technology that .380 Auto has benefited from, due to its popularity for personal defense use and concealed carry. Whatever you want to do, there are bullets and factory ammunition available.
I did a little reading about some rechambered Browning M1910 and Browning M1922 's
The Daily Caller ran an article nearly 3 years ago about an idividual that rechambered a Browning Model 1910 (with a 3.375" barrel) and a Browning Model 1922 (with a 4.375" barrel).
The proprietary Cor-Bon 60-grain .32 NAA blew out of a 4" barrel at 1453 fps, generating 281fpe.
I prefer to use the 71 grain FMJ, trucking smartly from a 4" barrel at approximately 1430 fps (just an educated guess) and generating about 322.46 fpe. This is an accurate load and should penetrate the torso (and sternum) rather abruptly. If it strikes the spinal column, all the better! All this with about 15% less recoil than the stock .380 cartridge! This increases controllability and accurate shot placement. Terminal perfromance should be excellent and recoil less than any .380 extant.
Better living through ballistic innovation.
Yep, that tells quite a story.
The Daily Caller ran an article nearly 3 years ago about an idividual that rechambered a Browning Model 1910 (with a 3.375" barrel) and a Browning Model 1922 (with a 4.375" barrel).
The proprietary Cor-Bon 60-grain .32 NAA blew out of a 4" barrel at 1453 fps, generating 281fpe.
I prefer to use the 71 grain FMJ, trucking smartly from a 4" barrel at approximately 1430 fps (just an educated guess) and generating about 322.46 fpe. This is an accurate load and should penetrate the torso (and sternum) rather abruptly. If it strikes the spinal column, all the better! All this with about 15% less recoil than the stock .380 cartridge! This increases controllability and accurate shot placement. Terminal perfromance should be excellent and recoil less than any .380 extant.
Better living through ballistic innovation.
Yep, that tells quite a story.
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You know, CapO, it occurred to me you are trying to make a Vincent Black Shadow out of a Cushman. After reading some of your posts, I can see that some of your intended loads are on the verge of OVERloads, and that you are headed for a damaged gun (or worse) no matter who made it. Be careful and think about what you are doing vs. what there is to be gained.
highpower3006
New member
I might add to the above post that the stress on an auto pistol is not just in the chamber area of the barrel, but also on the slide stop (you know, the part of the gun that keeps the slide from embedding itself in you forehead). So, changing the barrel is not going to suddenly make the rest of the gun newer.
To me, it seems like a dumb idea. If I want a gun with more power, I just go out and buy one that is designed for a more powerful round.
"These are made from tooling identical to what was initially used 113 years ago. the "new" versions still have the "parkerized" finish of the pistols manufactures (and issued) to high-ranking Army Officers prior to "The War To End All Wars". "
Well, no. The new pistols are made on modern CNC machines and are Parkerized and marked deliberately to create fakes of the old and highly valued guns. The profile changes may have been made so that experts could tell the difference, and the serial number is a giveaway, but I still think those guns are being made with the intent that they will be passed off as original guns.
Jim
Well, no. The new pistols are made on modern CNC machines and are Parkerized and marked deliberately to create fakes of the old and highly valued guns. The profile changes may have been made so that experts could tell the difference, and the serial number is a giveaway, but I still think those guns are being made with the intent that they will be passed off as original guns.
Jim
Deaf Smith
New member
Well folks, I grew up with a 1903 .32, first edition (with bushing). Killed two armadillos with it when I was 16.
Bout to get a '03 in a few weeks. 550 bucks. 2nd edition, in .32. Along with my Marlin Texan carbine (got my first five deer with one when I was 18 or so) I'm all set for nostalgia.
But $1500? Nope!
Deaf
Bout to get a '03 in a few weeks. 550 bucks. 2nd edition, in .32. Along with my Marlin Texan carbine (got my first five deer with one when I was 18 or so) I'm all set for nostalgia.
But $1500? Nope!
Deaf
Model12Win
Moderator
Just why is it that you don't think standard quality .32 ACP won't be enough? Because Buffalo Bore told you so?
You might want to skip these magical loads, including the .32 NAA, and use the money to buy practice ammo. With proper shot placement, a .32 ACP ball round is perfectly adequate. Without proper shot placement, you're souped up cartridges will not be effective either. Sorry!