got a Colt 1903 today...

[aspen1964]

..about 98% condition...didn't get a chance to fire it yet, but has a lot of charms to it...quality machined & fitted piece, has a meaty feel to it, like the grip safety(similar to it's big brother Colt)...thumb safety is small and flat, but sharply serrated part gets flipped off fairly easily while drawing gun, sights are very small(of course that facilitates lack of likeliness of snagging it on pocket interior), gun was made for the American man of it's era(wearing suitcoats and jackets being everyday attire for most men at the time)..not useful in a light fabric jacket or trousers but more suitable for clothing with a heavier fabric...as said before, I could feel completely confident carrying loaded with thumb safety off, relying solely on the grip safety..would make a decent car or house gun as well...very thin design...unlike the previous 32 auto I used(german-made Ortigies), this gun's magazine withdraws much easier even with it's slide magazine-release button...now I just need a CCW so I can feel a little bit like Johnny Rocco !

 

[1 old 0311]

They do ooze with class! That is one of a very few pistols I regret selling. Enjoy.

 

[Old Fuff]

aspen1964:

I'm where my research book isn't....

But be aware that from 1903 to sometime in the 1930's (I think) the hammer on Colt's Pocket Pistol didn't have a half-cock notch or ledge, so if the hammer falls there is nothing to keep it from going all of the way, On later guns they changed this. Keep this in mind if you decide to carry with only the grip safety functioning.

To quick-check your pistol: Cycle the slide to cock the hammer and double-check to be sure the chamber is empty. When you are sure the chamber's cleared, pull the trigger. (If your pistol has a magazine disconector you will have to replace it first. Again be sure it isn't loaded).

Now pull the slide back about 1/4" - but no further - and then let it return to battery.

See if you can engage the manual safety. If you can you have a hammer with a 1/2 cock notch. If you can't engage the safety you don't.

 

[aspen1964]

..this is a 1923 Colt, so I am sure it doesn't have the notch you spoke of..I also tried your test and the thumb safety won't engage...despite my earlier comments, I would probably employ the thumb safety as well for carrying since it is not dificult to disengage...your point on safety is certainly warranted...

..after a little fiddling using a printed copy of take-down , I figured out the process of dissassembly for cleaning...the retractor spring has a bend in it..I may replace it...this gun is exceptionally clean with a little bit of sharp edge wear and some small light scratches...definitely in the excellent range just below mint-near mint...but that bit of wear will ease my mind from carrying & using a true new condition gun...and it still is a beauty to look at...considering this is one of the very early automatic designs, a real enduring & endearing piece of hand iron...

 

[Old Fuff]

...the retractor spring has a bend in it..I may replace it...

I think you mean the recoil spring, and yes - it would be a good idea to replace both it and the magazine spring. Be very careful of your magazine. Original ones are difficult to find, and expensive when you do. All of the aftermarket ones I've seen aren't worth zip.

The pistol is easy to field strip, but don't try and go any further. Detail stripping is a bear to get back together.

 

[alamo]

On "American Rifleman TV" a few months ago, they had a segment on the 1903s. They showed the parkerized ones issued to General officers in WWII. Wow! Great looking pistols.

 

[FPrice]

If you need a copy of the original instruction sheet on this fine pistol (I have two) you can find it here:

http://www.coltautos.com/

Scroll on down to the bottom and click on "Instruction sheets".