Colt 1903 Hammerless Pocket at pawn shop

[Raguleader]

So, there's a pawn shop near where I live where I like to stop by and ogle the camera stuff there (what? I'm a photogeek ) and I noticed a few weeks ago that they also sell guns there (whazzis? Guns in a pawn shop? I'm new to this stuff).

Anyhow, I glanced at a few of the guns, played around a bit with a Sig P229 to see how it felt in my hand (a friend recommended it for me, but I think I like the feel of the 226 more), and something interesting caught my eye. Some sort of small oldish semiautomatic pistol, which I later found out was a Colt 1903 Hammerless Pocket in .32cal. Unfortunately, the slide was verily much stuck and would not move at all.

So, anybody have any experience with that type of gun, which has momentarily stricken my fancy? (not planning to buy it, as I can't any of the guns there, regardless of their working condition).

 

[1 old 0311]

Had one years ago. Good shooter, and has tons of class. Sold it for much more than I paid. Still miss that pistol.

Kevin

 

[isp2605]

I have a 1908 Colt which is the same but in .380. They're a fun shooter. I use to carry mine as a 3rd backup sometimes when on duty. There's not a sharp corner on them. The sights aren't the best as they're narrow and small.
http://www.coltautos.com/default.asp Go to the drop down window and select Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP. Some good info and neat pictures.

 

[ulflyer]

Raguleader, I have one of each and they are good carry guns. If the safety is on, (pushed up), the slide can't be pulled back. Check that out. Otherwise, hard to tell what prob it might have.

 

[Chipperman]

I have one. Cool little gun.
The barrel twists to break down the gun. Somebody prolly twisted the barrel enough to lock the threads and prevent slide movement.

How much do they want for the gun? If you can get it on the cheap, it may be worth the risk. If you cannot get it unstuck, you can still sell parts.
(I'll buy the grips from you, as mine do not match )

 

[dsk]

I too have a .380 M1908. They're fantastic little guns. The biggest problem with them is that magazines are very difficult to find. The original factory ones are the only ones that ever worked well, and when you find a Colt mag at a gun show they cost $100 or more. There is at least one maker of aftermarket mags, but they are J-U-N-K.

 

[ulflyer]

Chipperman....love the ole browned out slick looking 1911 in upper left corner. My 1903 sorta getting that way. What make/year is it?

 

[kokapelli]

IMO the 1903 is a really fine pistol. Has great feel in my hand and is very accurate. The only complaint I have with mine is the sights are rather small for my old eyes.
Here is mine____

 

[Moonclip]

(not planning to buy it, as I can't any of the guns there, regardless of their working condition).

Why can't you buy it? If it is a good price and you can't buy it, a THR person might be interested in contact info if you would be kind enough to share with us.

 

[Raguleader]

Why can't you buy it? If it is a good price and you can't buy it, a THR person might be interested in contact info if you would be kind enough to share with us.

Hmm.. can't remember the name of the pawn shop, but I'll try and remember to drive past it on my way home tonight and let y'all know. The SiG 299 looked good too, if anyone is looking for one in the B/CS area. That said, my expertise with handguns ends with knowing how to field strip a Beretta 92, which I'm informed was intended to be a rather easy task. (the safest place to be standing during a firefight is still in front of me, according to my room mate )

 

[Chipperman]

ulflyer: "Chipperman....love the ole browned out slick looking 1911 in upper left corner. My 1903 sorta getting that way. What make/year is it?"

Thanks. The first handgun I ever bought. It's an original US Army Colt 1911, made in 1913. The lowest serial number 1911 I've ever seen in person.

 

[ulflyer]

Some of you have seen this pic before of my browned out '03. Grips are repro's. Good point and shoot gun. Gets carried some and plinked with often.

 

[kokapelli]

Some of you have seen this pic before of my browned out '03. Grips are repro's. Good point and shoot gun. Gets carried some and plinked with often.

Did you remove the bluing or is it a chromed pistol?

 

[guy sajer]

If you enjoy classic pistols , these are cool . Watch some of the old detective & gangster movies of the 30's & 40's . You see them a lot .

They are extremely well built and everyone I've owned was reliable and shot pretty much where pointed .

 

[Raguleader]

OK, the gun was going for $350 at the Texas Jewelry and Loan in College Station, Texas. This time when I played with it, the slide and everything seemed to work fine. In any case, still well out of my budget.

 

[ulflyer]

Kokopelli: Its only been lightly rubbed down with 4O steel wool. If you click on the pic and then enlarge it you can better see the actual color, which is a brown patina. On the front of the slide theres a spot that is fairly silver where it had some light rust and I worked it a bit too much to remove it...along with with patina. The below pic is the way it looked when I bought it. The barrel was so cruddy you couldn't tell its condition, but that turned out to be mainly lint and fuzz. The rest of the gun was nasty even tho it doesn't show much in the pic. So for $100 I took the chance on buying it. When I removed the stag grips and commenced to wipe it down with Hoppes 9, the rag started getting blue/black. Apparently the blueing was cold blue put on long ago over the patina and minor rust. With only light rubbing with 4O, that stuff just rolled off. Even tho the recoil spring was like mush, it functioned perfectly. I put some new springs in after seeing that it was a good shooter. Bought some repor grips for $25 to replace the stag. Turns out it was made in 1905. Kinda neat having a good shooter older than me.

Not long ago I picked up a 380 with some scattered minor pitting but with a lot of bluing left. It too, is a good shooter. You can certainly feel the diff in kick going from the 32 to 380.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Chipperman,

What is the little .25?

 

[ulflyer]

Guy....thats a mighty fine looking 380. I put a clip on the side of mine so that I can stick it in my belt and the clip keeps it from sliding on through.

 

[Chipperman]

The_Antibubba,

It's a Colt 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've always wanted one of those.(sigh) Even a refinished shooter grade one.

 

[guy sajer]

Guy....thats a mighty fine looking 380. I put a clip on the side of mine so that I can stick it in my belt and the clip keeps it from sliding on through.

Thanks . I like the belt clip idea . Did you construct your own or adapt one ?

Here's a US Property marked .32

 

[carebear]

I've always wanted one of those.(sigh) Even a refinished shooter grade one.

The .25? I'll keep my eyes open.