Information on 1903 Colts Please

H

Historyman

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My girlfriend has expressed intrest in a 1903 Colt .380. I would like to know what those of you that have experience with them think of their accuracy, reliability and any problems that might come up.

This will not be a primary defense gun, as she already has one of those, but will it do well for defense should the need arise? Also, can the barrel be replaced or is it part of the frame?

Like I said, this will primairily be a play-pretty, but I would like it to be functional.

Any info will be a great help.
Thanks
 
Well, if it's a .380 it's a 1908, the 1903 is strictly .32.
Same design, though; and a little confusing, the Colt .25 is also a 1908 model and there is an enlarged FN 1903 in 9mm Browning Long.

Anyway, I have a .32, and used to have another; a friend has two .32s and a .380. We shoot them as backup guns in IDPA. With roundnose ammo they are fully reliable and as accurate as I can hold the narrow sights. We don't ask them to handle modern hollowpoints, they are mainly range guns. For that matter, there is a school of thought that if you are going to fight with a .32 or .380 you need penetration more than expansion.

They are beautifully made and not heavily stressed. I doubt I would care to buy enough .32 ACP to wear mine out. Their main limits are the small sights and controls. The thumb safety is flat with only checkering for purchase and the grip safety needs a pretty firm grip. They can be learned, but I hit better and faster with my Government .380. It is not nearly as pretty, though.

The barrel is retained only by a set of lugs that look like locking lugs but are not, operation is straight blowback. The barrel comes right out in routine bare hands fieldstripping. I don't know where you would get a new one, though. Numrich, maybe.

Sounds like a good girl to know.
 
Sounds Good

Thank you for the information Mr. Watson.
Yes, this would probably be strictly a range gun, and I agree with the school of thought that says to use hardball for anything under 9mm. She is a keeper if there ever was one.

I am a collector of anything old, and I know that it is heresy to even suggest re-finishing an old gun, but I have come accross one that is in good working order, but the old hard chrome is chipped and wearing. The price is pretty low, so I do not think that having it re-chromed would hurt the value too much. Besides, it would be a shooter, not bought as an investment. Does anyone know who could do this, and make it look good?

I would like to make this gun a present for my sweetie, and would like for it to be as good looking as the one that caught her eye at the last gunshow.

Thanks for the help.
 
I have a 1908 .380, made sometime in the 1920's. It is extremely reliable and quite accurate within its intended range. The bluing on mine was almost gone, and in leui of getting it reblued I simply ran a cloth soaked with cold blue all over it. It actually looks good enough that I've held off on the refinishing for now.

The big problem with these guns is the magazines. The feed lips crack easily, and replacement mags are hard to find and expensive. Whatever you do, DON'T waste money on the aftermarket mags! You'll know an advertised mag is aftermarket if it sells for less than $50.
 
The 1908 is as good as anything else in .380, perhaps a bit better because the barrel is longer than many of the other guns. Those guns have an appeal all their own, with their smooth curves and almost sensuous handling qualities.

If the nickel plating is bad, have it stripped electrically, not polished, and then you can either replate or reblue. I recommend the latter as cheaper and easier. The stripping is essentially the reverse of plating, and any plating shop can do it.

Jim
 
Thanks again fellas

Thanks for the replies.

DSK, how does one tell if the feed lips are cracked? Is it obvious or does it take a jewelers loupe to spot it?

The only thing that troubles me so far about the one that I found is that it looks like the bore is shot out. I could be wrong about this, as I only gave it a casual once over, and was not able to look carefully at the bore. The magazine thing is certainly a consideration, as I do not intend on spending a fortune on this thing, but as Mr. Keenan noted, they are very alluring, and outclass (in terms of beauty) any of the currently manufactured "mouseguns" by a long shot.

Thanks
 
These web pages will help:

http://www.wwa.com/~dvelleux/19031908.html

is devoted to the 03/08 series of pistols.

And don't forget Sam Lisker's excellent site:

http://www.coltautos.com/

I have two in the inventory, a Parkerized "US Property" '03 and another '03 in Colt's special deep blue with ivory grips. They are fine guns - carefully designed, well made, and a good choice for concealed carry. Their thin profile is good if you have to wear a suit, as I do. Parts are also readily available from Sarco, Gun Parts Corp and Marstar.

Ken Strayhorn
Hiillsborough NC
 
I own a two digit serial numbered 1903 Colt and it is one very fine, almost 100 year old handgun. Mine has never malfunctioned and is still as tight as a new currently manufactured handgun.

7th
 
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