1903 colt

[Race Bannon]

Hello all,

I know that there are many better choices for concealed carry, but if a person were to carry a '03 Colt from time to time would cocked and locked be appropriate. I assume that the gun was meant to be carried that way but I'm wondering how those of you who have experience with this pistol feel about that.

Thanks

 

[Old Fuff]

Yes it's safe. Browning intended his hammerless (actually inclosed hammer) pistols to be carried in this mode, and provided both a grip and manual safety - neither of which were available on his military pistols until 1911.

The 1903 was famous for its reliability, partly because it has cartridge guides built into the frame to direct a cartridge into the barrel. The pistol is also very accurate. I once won a bet by dropping some shots in my magazine into a rifle target 200 yards away, but that's another story.

The biggest problem with these pistols today is finding a holster to carrying them in. Also avoid cheap aftermarket magazines.

 

[Race Bannon]

Although I've posted very little I've been reading posts for over a year and I was afraid that I would end up with a bunch of folks telling me to go buy a Kel-Tec or something. Thanks for the straight forward info. I appreciate it.

 

[isp2605]

I still grab my 1908 on occasion for off duty carry just to get it some fresh air. They're just so easy to carry since they don't have a sharp edge anywhere. As OF said they tend to be very accurate and they're a good design. Never had a lick of trouble out of mine.
What I would recommend tho if you plan on carrying yours and depending on it for CCW is to swap out all the springs. If yours still has the original springs they could be getting tired.

 

[Onmilo]

The 1903 and 1908 have a grip safety and this is the true safety design of these pistols.
If the grip safety is functioning properly the gun cannot fire unless the safety is firmly depressed with hand pressure or if the gun is dropped muzzle down on a hard surface it can accidently fire but who cares?
In those rare cases where this occurs, the bullet usually, 98% of the time to be on the safe side, goes into the hard surface.

The left side thumb 'safety' is really meant to be a convenient way to facilitate diassembly of the pistol for cleaning though it also does a fairly decent job of acting as a second safety feature when applied when the gun is chambered and cocked.

Have a gunsmith do a safety check on your pistol.
If everything is in order, there is no reason why you caould not carry your pistol, in condition one, as a personal defense weapon.

 

[Grayrider]

Race,

I think you will find many of us here have a tremendous fondness for those early JB designs. I get nostalgic every time I handle one, and have to pretend for a minute that I am Bogart in a classic movie.



I would not hesitate at all to carry one were it in my collection. Great handle too by the way Mr. Bannon. You are really bringing back memories in more ways than one.



GR

 

[Gunsnrovers]

I would not hesitate to carry mine.

That being said, I find the grip safety much more uncomfortable then the 1911 grip safety. I don't notice the grip safety on a 1911. I am very aware of it on my hammerless.

I also find the .380 very snappy.

I'd prefer to stick a J frame .38 in my pocket.