Florida Deputy
New member
Have you got experience with the Colt Pocketlite? If so, what is your opinion overall?
Experience with the Colt Pocketlite??
- Thread starter Florida Deputy
- Start date
Nice little gun, I had a pony pl, Probally the gun I regret selling the most.
It was not the most pleasent little gun to shoot, but it was very close to being the perfect pocket piece. Mine needed a serious melt and trigger work, but it was 100% reliable.
I believe on gunsamerica there is a nice pony pocketlite with wood grips FS at a shop in florida.
I would have bought it but they are not legal in my state. :barf:
It was not the most pleasent little gun to shoot, but it was very close to being the perfect pocket piece. Mine needed a serious melt and trigger work, but it was 100% reliable.
I believe on gunsamerica there is a nice pony pocketlite with wood grips FS at a shop in florida.
I would have bought it but they are not legal in my state. :barf:
I have...
both a Pony and a Pony Pocketlite. The Pocketlite is better for carrying in lightweight or dress pants but is a bit tougher to shoot (the triggerguard slaps my finger HARD). I use the Pony for practise and carry in jeans and heavier pants. If you can find either (or better yet, both) get em. You won't be sorry.
Now, I would prefer to carry a .45ACP but unfortunately I cannot conceal a pistol that large very well. The Pocketlite will be with me most of the time, thereby allowing me to follow the First Rule of a gunfight, have a gun with you.
both a Pony and a Pony Pocketlite. The Pocketlite is better for carrying in lightweight or dress pants but is a bit tougher to shoot (the triggerguard slaps my finger HARD). I use the Pony for practise and carry in jeans and heavier pants. If you can find either (or better yet, both) get em. You won't be sorry.
Now, I would prefer to carry a .45ACP but unfortunately I cannot conceal a pistol that large very well. The Pocketlite will be with me most of the time, thereby allowing me to follow the First Rule of a gunfight, have a gun with you.
Double Naught Spy
New member
I have a Pony Pocketlite. It has been reduced to a housecarry gun and carried on rare occasions when I can't risk anyone knowing I am carrying a gun.
It has a stiff trigger pull and that makes it easy to jerk shots of target as the tension changes just before the trigger 'breaks' and the hammer falls. The slide stop can be knocked out of place fairly easily by putting pressure on the slide stop bar on the right side of the gun during firing. The pin on which the trigger pivots needs to be watched because it can move left or right and if it comes loose, the gun is disabled. On mine, the mag catch requires minimal pressure and travel distance to release the magazine, which means the mag can more easily be released by accident such as during pocket carry. The sights are small and not of much use. As pistolsmith Alex Hamilton recounted to me about his wife's Pony, he removed the sights and refinished the top of the slide so as to reduce potential snag issues with the rear sight and told his wife that if she is using her Pony, that she won't be using her sights - that the gun is a very close combat gun for distances where using the sights would just mean wasting time. Contrary to that, a friend of mine put a set of Novak's on his. Slide to frame fit on mine and one's I have seen at the gun shows tends to be poor, meaning the slide has some lateral movement on the frame. Mine can be shaken and will rattle because of this.
These guns come with plastic guide rod. I thought that was a stupid idea and replaced it with a stainless one from Scott McDugal and Associates.
The front and back straps are small and smooth. Given the recoil of the gun, if your hands are sweaty, the gun will jump around in your hand's grip. I had the front strap checkered and should have had the back strap checkered (hind sight) but instead have simply added grip tape there. Grip tape would be fine on both the front and back straps.
The gun has a lot of sharp edges. I had mine dehorned. Had I had more money, I would have had it melted for easier pocket carry.
The gun is reliable, although it is best to choose ammo not known for hard primers. While my Pony does great with Fiocchi ball and with Hydrashok ammo, it has had problems with S&B ball ammo. So choose your carry ammo based on what you have test that works well in the gun.
To be completely honest, for a $500 gun with $200 would of modifications, I think I could have better spent my money on another gun instead. I have no plans on selling my gun. It is just that I am not sure it was the most prudent of purchases. And, given the gun's size, there are some 9 mm guns that are about comparable in size and would provide a little more defensive power than the Pony's .380 round provides.
It has a stiff trigger pull and that makes it easy to jerk shots of target as the tension changes just before the trigger 'breaks' and the hammer falls. The slide stop can be knocked out of place fairly easily by putting pressure on the slide stop bar on the right side of the gun during firing. The pin on which the trigger pivots needs to be watched because it can move left or right and if it comes loose, the gun is disabled. On mine, the mag catch requires minimal pressure and travel distance to release the magazine, which means the mag can more easily be released by accident such as during pocket carry. The sights are small and not of much use. As pistolsmith Alex Hamilton recounted to me about his wife's Pony, he removed the sights and refinished the top of the slide so as to reduce potential snag issues with the rear sight and told his wife that if she is using her Pony, that she won't be using her sights - that the gun is a very close combat gun for distances where using the sights would just mean wasting time. Contrary to that, a friend of mine put a set of Novak's on his. Slide to frame fit on mine and one's I have seen at the gun shows tends to be poor, meaning the slide has some lateral movement on the frame. Mine can be shaken and will rattle because of this.
These guns come with plastic guide rod. I thought that was a stupid idea and replaced it with a stainless one from Scott McDugal and Associates.
The front and back straps are small and smooth. Given the recoil of the gun, if your hands are sweaty, the gun will jump around in your hand's grip. I had the front strap checkered and should have had the back strap checkered (hind sight) but instead have simply added grip tape there. Grip tape would be fine on both the front and back straps.
The gun has a lot of sharp edges. I had mine dehorned. Had I had more money, I would have had it melted for easier pocket carry.
The gun is reliable, although it is best to choose ammo not known for hard primers. While my Pony does great with Fiocchi ball and with Hydrashok ammo, it has had problems with S&B ball ammo. So choose your carry ammo based on what you have test that works well in the gun.
To be completely honest, for a $500 gun with $200 would of modifications, I think I could have better spent my money on another gun instead. I have no plans on selling my gun. It is just that I am not sure it was the most prudent of purchases. And, given the gun's size, there are some 9 mm guns that are about comparable in size and would provide a little more defensive power than the Pony's .380 round provides.
Double Naught Spy
Yours sounds like one of those guns that should have been returned to the factory for a free adjustment plus some bonuses for poor workmanship. It unfortunately happens even though we expect perfection out of every product. Most of the mechanical problems you have described seem to be able to be corrected.
As far as close combat, I can reliably keep my shots on an 8" paper plate at 45-50' (w/Fed H-S). They are not quick, but it can be done. You need to practise though to do this. It is a small gun, made more for concealment than target accuracy.
I know the two guys who designed and developed this pistol for Colt. They started with a metal guide rod, had reliability problems, then went to the plastic rod and it seemed to work much better. I am sure that McDougal has his reasons for using a metal rod.
You really should consider selling this pistol if you don't like it. After all, what good is a pistol you can only carry when it helps you by fulfilling one of it's main purposes, to have a pistol handy when you need as much concealment as it can provide?
Yours sounds like one of those guns that should have been returned to the factory for a free adjustment plus some bonuses for poor workmanship. It unfortunately happens even though we expect perfection out of every product. Most of the mechanical problems you have described seem to be able to be corrected.
As far as close combat, I can reliably keep my shots on an 8" paper plate at 45-50' (w/Fed H-S). They are not quick, but it can be done. You need to practise though to do this. It is a small gun, made more for concealment than target accuracy.
I know the two guys who designed and developed this pistol for Colt. They started with a metal guide rod, had reliability problems, then went to the plastic rod and it seemed to work much better. I am sure that McDougal has his reasons for using a metal rod.
You really should consider selling this pistol if you don't like it. After all, what good is a pistol you can only carry when it helps you by fulfilling one of it's main purposes, to have a pistol handy when you need as much concealment as it can provide?
Colt Government Pocketlite
I have the .380 Government Pocketlite version. It's essentially a mini 1911 with out the grip safety and built on a lightweight alloy frame to reduce carry weight to 12 ounces. It has a seven round mag and is single action only, just like its big brother.
I had mine worked over by Scott, McDougall and Assoc. (Colt380.com) with their deep cover carry package. They dehorn it, clean up the mag well, adjust the sights as needed, add a full length guide rod, new upgraded springs and in general give it a great going over. I've put around 1000 round through it so far with the only problem jamming with the Win-Clean blunt nosed ammo. I guess the feed ramp doesn't like that profile, but with regular FMJ and HP I've never experienced a failure to feed or eject properly
I love it and it's my all around favorite. It's not for heavy target shooting though. As Mac Scott said, "these guns are to be carried often and shot seldom". I got lucky and bought mine when the Sports Authority near me stopped carrying guns. I picked it up for $250 at their clearance sale. I wish I had bought three now!
Don P.
I have the .380 Government Pocketlite version. It's essentially a mini 1911 with out the grip safety and built on a lightweight alloy frame to reduce carry weight to 12 ounces. It has a seven round mag and is single action only, just like its big brother.
I had mine worked over by Scott, McDougall and Assoc. (Colt380.com) with their deep cover carry package. They dehorn it, clean up the mag well, adjust the sights as needed, add a full length guide rod, new upgraded springs and in general give it a great going over. I've put around 1000 round through it so far with the only problem jamming with the Win-Clean blunt nosed ammo. I guess the feed ramp doesn't like that profile, but with regular FMJ and HP I've never experienced a failure to feed or eject properly
I love it and it's my all around favorite. It's not for heavy target shooting though. As Mac Scott said, "these guns are to be carried often and shot seldom". I got lucky and bought mine when the Sports Authority near me stopped carrying guns. I picked it up for $250 at their clearance sale. I wish I had bought three now!
Don P.
I had a Colt Government Pocketlite .380. Same gun as DonP described. It was very reliable. It took a lot of marksmanship practice - but once you got in the groove, it was easy to use. Nice and flat, and really light. I was just thinking about it the other day, wishing I'd kept it. adk
Double Naught Spy
New member
Fprice, thanks for the advice, but I don't think sending the gun to Colt woudl have been a prudent idea. First off, I have yet to see another one of these that doesn't have the same issues as mine. Given Colt's spotty quality control problems, I would not consider sending anything back to them.
The gun can be shot accurately when shot slowly as you described, but for a self defense gun, I need to shoot quickly as well as accurately and so that brings down the effective accurate range quite a bit.
I don't know why the two yahoos that designed the Colt could not figure out why a metal guide rod caused reliability problems that would not be produced with a plastic guide rod. McDugal's reasons for the stainless rod are clear, it will last forever and does not adversely affect reliability. And this is what is a little frightening to me about Colt's products. Why could they not figure out why the metal guide rod caused reliability problems? Personally, I am more inclined to believe that they just simply cut corners and went with plastic to save a couple of dollars in cost, sort of like they are doing now with the retro Series 70 guns with the new roll marks and plastic MSH and triggers.
Colt has the ability to be the finest gunmaker in the USA. It is a shame they don't have the consistency and quality control to do just that.
The gun can be shot accurately when shot slowly as you described, but for a self defense gun, I need to shoot quickly as well as accurately and so that brings down the effective accurate range quite a bit.
I don't know why the two yahoos that designed the Colt could not figure out why a metal guide rod caused reliability problems that would not be produced with a plastic guide rod. McDugal's reasons for the stainless rod are clear, it will last forever and does not adversely affect reliability. And this is what is a little frightening to me about Colt's products. Why could they not figure out why the metal guide rod caused reliability problems? Personally, I am more inclined to believe that they just simply cut corners and went with plastic to save a couple of dollars in cost, sort of like they are doing now with the retro Series 70 guns with the new roll marks and plastic MSH and triggers.
Colt has the ability to be the finest gunmaker in the USA. It is a shame they don't have the consistency and quality control to do just that.
Coltdriver
New member
I have two Pocketlites and one Mustang.
One of my pocketlites has been melted and worked over by a smith in NC who did an excellent job. It is a smooth and easy to carry in your pocket piece, the trigger is very smooth and it is amazingly accurate.
I got mine after another poster here posted some results with Triton Quik Shok in .380. It is a very potent round and makes the little .380 a viable defense piece. Even though it is +P the locked breech of the Pony makes it very manageable, not painful at all to shoot and easy to get multiple quick shots off accurately.
One of my Pocketlites is for sale (like new with an extra mag and the SM&A steel guide rod) here:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=3374560
My Mustang and the Melted Pony are keepers but if you want the address of the smith who tweaked mine I will look it up for you (I have since moved) Cost me $175.00 including Knome Coat, melting, crowning the muzzle and polishing the internals which smoothed up the whole gun. I wanted it extra reliable for carry and that is what he did.
One of my pocketlites has been melted and worked over by a smith in NC who did an excellent job. It is a smooth and easy to carry in your pocket piece, the trigger is very smooth and it is amazingly accurate.
I got mine after another poster here posted some results with Triton Quik Shok in .380. It is a very potent round and makes the little .380 a viable defense piece. Even though it is +P the locked breech of the Pony makes it very manageable, not painful at all to shoot and easy to get multiple quick shots off accurately.
One of my Pocketlites is for sale (like new with an extra mag and the SM&A steel guide rod) here:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=3374560
My Mustang and the Melted Pony are keepers but if you want the address of the smith who tweaked mine I will look it up for you (I have since moved) Cost me $175.00 including Knome Coat, melting, crowning the muzzle and polishing the internals which smoothed up the whole gun. I wanted it extra reliable for carry and that is what he did.
Mannlicher
New member
I carried a Colt Pocketlite, the DAO one for several years. My leather guy made me a pocket holster that concealed the gun perfectly, and also held the extra mag. I used only HydroShock 90grain in it, and it shot great. A local smith in Florida took care of the sharp edges, and really smoothed the 13 pound trigger. At the time I wore it, I was managing a large Chain restaurant. No one ever noticed I was carrying.
I traded it in on a Browning HP Practical ( 40S&W). Everytime I carried the little Colt, and there was even a hint of a possibility that I might need a gun, I suddenly felt nekkid. I never felt comfortable with a .380.
I traded it in on a Browning HP Practical ( 40S&W). Everytime I carried the little Colt, and there was even a hint of a possibility that I might need a gun, I suddenly felt nekkid. I never felt comfortable with a .380.
Sam Norton
New member
I have a Colt Pony Pocketlite. I consider them a dimond in the rough. I spent $650 on my $400 gun. Novak night sights etc. It is my American Express Card. If I am dressed its with me. If I feel like carrying a gun then I also have my P7, if not it's there. It is the biggest gun I can carry in my front pocket. With the good sights I can hit where I am aiming. It's one of the best choices I have made. Showgun did the work on mine, just don't be in a hurry, it took him 6 months to get it back to me.
Best
Sam
Best
Sam