Does anyone else thrill to the Idea of owning a Colt M1903?
- Thread starter CaptainO
- Start date
Funny, Jim! Very funny! Trouble is, It was quite well-documented that General George Simpson Patton did carry four handguns:
1) His "ivory gripped" nickel-plated Colt Model P. (The General's favorite handgun).
2) A 3.5" barreled Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum (A revolver the general reffered to as his "killing gun"). This was the revolver that was said he used to dispatch a pair of mules, then had them trown over the bridge's side that were blocking his troops advance across a bridge in Italy.
3) Gen. Patton carried a Remington Model 51 (.380) under his tunic as a backup pistol. this was the self-loade he sed to take pot-shots at the strafing Stuka dive-bombers as they passed over his tent.
4) The General also carried a nickel-plated M1908 Colt (.380) with Ivory grip panels.
This is history, not pure supposition. (If you don't believe me, look it up).
1) His "ivory gripped" nickel-plated Colt Model P. (The General's favorite handgun).
2) A 3.5" barreled Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum (A revolver the general reffered to as his "killing gun"). This was the revolver that was said he used to dispatch a pair of mules, then had them trown over the bridge's side that were blocking his troops advance across a bridge in Italy.
3) Gen. Patton carried a Remington Model 51 (.380) under his tunic as a backup pistol. this was the self-loade he sed to take pot-shots at the strafing Stuka dive-bombers as they passed over his tent.
4) The General also carried a nickel-plated M1908 Colt (.380) with Ivory grip panels.
This is history, not pure supposition. (If you don't believe me, look it up).
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After October 15th, I'll be looking into buying an older M1903. i want another .32 ACP tha will be sufficiently reliable to handle Buffalo Bore loads. I will likely take it to a decent gunsmith to make certain that it will be serviceable. I'll want at least 3 extra magazines to make certain that it will perfrom as needed.
Captain O, Code 4 and clear.
Captain O, Code 4 and clear.
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Captain, I don't thrill to the idea of a hammerless 1903 .32. If I did thrill to the idea, I wouldn't worry one bit about more powerful ammo, etc. I'd use whatever functioned absolutely reliably, standard ball would be OK with me. It's just a .32 no matter what you do. I have a chronograph and have fun calculating velocity and energy. But, I realize what really counts is shot placement. In any case if a 1903 original or reproduction .32 grabs you, go for it whether anybody else thrills to the idea or not. Some guns I've spent good money on, sometimes considerable good money, would likely not thrill about 99.5% of my fellow gun owners. Doesn't matter, I enjoy them.....ymmv
rock185:
The reason I want to use Buffalo Bore ammunition, is for one reason, and only one... penetration! Since the true forte (pronounced: fort) of the .32 ACP is penetration, I want to make the most of this attribute. The 75 grain Flat Point Hard Cast lead bullet driven as fast as the cartridge can manage contributes to said pentration.
The old expression, "Do what you do, and do it well" is given and entirely new meaning. I am certain that the creator of the .32 ACP, John Moses Browning, would approve of this improvement.
The reason I want to use Buffalo Bore ammunition, is for one reason, and only one... penetration! Since the true forte (pronounced: fort) of the .32 ACP is penetration, I want to make the most of this attribute. The 75 grain Flat Point Hard Cast lead bullet driven as fast as the cartridge can manage contributes to said pentration.
The old expression, "Do what you do, and do it well" is given and entirely new meaning. I am certain that the creator of the .32 ACP, John Moses Browning, would approve of this improvement.
If the ONLY thing you are concerned about is penetration I’d stick with RN FMJ. I can’t see how a blunt nose bullet would penetrate any further than a round nose.
In regards to your other questions. The original barrel should be fine as long as it’s in good working order. Replacing the recoil spring isn’t a bad idea when purchasing any used firearm. Getting a replacement barrel in 32 NAA sounds like a terrible idea. The cost to get the barrel made and fit to your gun is going to be more than a reasonable priced gun costs and the pressure of that round is 25% higher than the gun was designed to handle.
Buffalo Bore’s website only compares their ammo vs. other American made ammo because typically European made ammo is hotter to begin with. Fiocchi is a good brand and cost 1/3 of what Buffalo Bore cost.
In regards to your other questions. The original barrel should be fine as long as it’s in good working order. Replacing the recoil spring isn’t a bad idea when purchasing any used firearm. Getting a replacement barrel in 32 NAA sounds like a terrible idea. The cost to get the barrel made and fit to your gun is going to be more than a reasonable priced gun costs and the pressure of that round is 25% higher than the gun was designed to handle.
Buffalo Bore’s website only compares their ammo vs. other American made ammo because typically European made ammo is hotter to begin with. Fiocchi is a good brand and cost 1/3 of what Buffalo Bore cost.
reddog81:
I know this, and currently run Fiocchi 73 grain FMJ through my Crvena Zastava M70 (a 3.1/2" barreled "Serbian Police turn-in"). It is significantly hotter than most American fodder and, best of all, it is loaded in Southern Nevada (Boulder City).
Buffalo bore gains it's perfromance from additional bullet weight, sectional density and velocity. It is loaded at the upper limits of SAMMI specifications for the .32 ACP. I believe that the flat point is a marketing gimmick.
I understand your logic as well as your economic reasoning, but buying a box of Buffalo Bore won't "break the bank" and it could provide added pentration when needed. Sometimes you have to pay a little more to CYA.
I know this, and currently run Fiocchi 73 grain FMJ through my Crvena Zastava M70 (a 3.1/2" barreled "Serbian Police turn-in"). It is significantly hotter than most American fodder and, best of all, it is loaded in Southern Nevada (Boulder City).
Buffalo bore gains it's perfromance from additional bullet weight, sectional density and velocity. It is loaded at the upper limits of SAMMI specifications for the .32 ACP. I believe that the flat point is a marketing gimmick.
I understand your logic as well as your economic reasoning, but buying a box of Buffalo Bore won't "break the bank" and it could provide added pentration when needed. Sometimes you have to pay a little more to CYA.
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
I'd love to carry a 1908 but at that price you can't afford to get any holster wear.