If colt started making the 1903/1908 pocket hammerless again would you buy one?

[Weevil]

Ok what if they updated it to a 9mm lockbreech.

It's been done already.


Kimber calls it the Solo.

 

[gordy]

I am first in line.

The colt 1903 and 1908 are the sweetest shooting old autos out there.
I would want one in blue and nickle. Then I would go and buy one of those cool long coats and one of the great hats you all ways see in the old movies.

 

[Jim Watson]

As a practical CC weapon? No.

At over 2 pounds in weight

Which Colt .32 is that, Mike? My old catalog says 24 oz.

Kimber calls it the Solo.

But the Colts work.
Been a lot of adverse reports on the Solo.

 

[CapnMac]

Yes, especially in old-school Colt finishes, like Royal Blue or Electroless nickle.

 

[cvb]

Im in

Got to shoot a copy of this gun in the Philippines a while back.
Its a hack job for sure but amazingly enough worked.

 

[orionengnr]

No. I am not really a fan of the .380 cartridge. That said, it has it's place, and I own an LCP....but would gladly trade it for a Kahr P380.
I once owned a Colt .380 and sold it...didn't do anything for me.

 

[Weevil]

But the Colts work.
Been a lot of adverse reports on the Solo.

Yeah and the old Colts aren't a lock-breech 9mm.


It does bring up a good point.

If it is completely modified and uses an entirely different action and caliber than the old Colts is it really a 1903/1908 or just something that looks like one?


Even so "adverse reports" or not, works or not, the Solo's are selling as fast as Kimber can make them. There's a huge waitting list and they're selling for way over MSRP at gun shows, shops that can get them, and at auction sights.


Yet there are those who have doubts that a new 1908 or a close repro version that actually works, would sell???

 

[rodinal220]

I would buy two.

 

[rondog]

They'd probably have to have the Hilary Hole in them to make the lawyers happy.....

 

[MUSICALGUNNUT45]

I have both a Colt Vest Pocket 25 and a Ruger LCP 380. I would choose the LCP for carry every time. Better performance, better ergonomics, lighter weight, and fitted with a Crimson Trace. That would be my choice!
Bob

Im not talking about the colt 25 im talking about the 1903 pocket hammerless 32/380. Carrying a 25 is one of those situations where throwing rocks might actually be a better option. Still a nice gun though and I believe one company actually did start producing the baby browning again.

 

[wlewisiii]

1908? Hell, yes.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Why do you ask? Is freezing weather expected in Hell soon?

 

[Plan2Live]

4 inch barrel, weighs 2 pounds. How big are your pockets?

 

[Onmilo]

No, I would not buy one.
I own a 1903 and frankly, there are far better and more modern designs on the market right now.

It took 70 years before manufacturers started making clones of the 1873 SAA revolver, another 40 before they started offering earlier versions of the gun as reproductions and about 65 years before copies of the 1911 were offered on a commercial basis.

With that in mind, one MIGHT expect to see reproductions of the 1903/1908 surface in about 30 years to satisfy the demand created by future gun collectors.

 

[NMGonzo]

It was good for the Archiduke ...

 

[MattTheHat]

No, I would not buy one.
I own a 1903 and frankly, there are far better and more modern designs on the market right now.

It took 70 years before manufacturers started making clones of the 1873 SAA revolver, another 40 before they started offering earlier versions of the gun as reproductions and about 65 years before copies of the 1911 were offered on a commercial basis.

With that in mind, one MIGHT expect to see reproductions of the 1903/1908 surface in about 30 years to satisfy the demand created by future gun collectors.

Not sure about your math. I own an 03 that's well over 100 years old.

-Matt

 

[MUSICALGUNNUT45]

It's been done already.


Kimber calls it the Solo.

Am I the only one who really wishes that colt could have come out with the solo instead of kimber.

 

[longhair75]

Am I the only one who really wishes that colt could have come out with the solo instead of kimber.

I have been reading about the many issues the Solo seems to have. This leads to a lack of confidence in the weapon. Had Colt developed this concept, I would be on that waiting list.

I would gladly buy a 1908 if they were to suddenly come available.

 

[Maia007]

Probably not. I say that because I doubt that any modern day manufacturer could put one out without screwing it up by trying to appeal to today's "market".

Like putting a big ol' beavertail on it, an ambi safety and ambi mag release, lots of extra metal checkering cuts or "stipplings" on the frame and the slide, a double column magazine well, fiberoptic front sight, a loaded chamber indicator, a warning label prominantly rolled onto the slide, a tactical flashlight mount and an integral trigger lock. Of course, the trigger would have to have three holes drilled in it. And maybe some grips by Uncle what's his name. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, the finish would need to be olive drab.

 

[MikeNice]

I would love to say yes. The truth is, with a Ruger LC9 running only $379 I couldn't justify Colt's prices for a 1908 reproduction. If you start talking Colt money I would probably buy a Sig Sauer 239 DAK. It isn't much, if any, bigger. Plus you get 9 shots of 9mm.

It is an interesting retro gun, but it would be sorely out of place in the modern market. If they upgraded it to handle 9mm it might fly.

 

[Old Fuff]

The old Colt Pocket Pistol was a great one during its day, but the basic construction (especially the thin walls in the frame's magazine area) would be very difficult to duplicate using modern manufacturing methods. The company lawyers would also insist on some changes, such as a positive firing pin block or lock. When everything was said and done you have something with a street price around $800 to $1,200, and at that level the market would dry up quickly. It wouldn't help when potential customers discovered that original pistols in mint to like-new condition were selling in the same range, or for less.

After World War Two, Colt considered retooling and bringing back the Pocket Model (.32 & .380) and Vest Pocket Model (.25) but concluded the selling point would be too high for the market. They then developed several prototypes of "moderized" replacements, but never brought them into production.

Other manufacturers are not going to bring forth clones because of the same reasons that Colt didn't.

 

[HisSoldier]

I was a little surprised recently to see that a company called Precision Small Arms (PSA - I never heard of them until I saw this ad) is marketing a "Baby Browning".

I have one, old world craftsmanship, extremely well made gun, my only objection was the plastic trigger and mag latch, but they sold me steel replacements for both.

Am I the only one who really wishes that colt could have come out with the solo instead of kimber.

All I care about is good materials and workmanship, I don't know about the latter but the Solo has an aluminum alloy frame and probably MIM parts. pass!

 

[BConklin]

I just pulled mine off the digital scale - fully loaded it weighed in at 1 pound, 10.1 ounces.

Still - I agree that it's a big gun to carry when all you're getting out of it is 32ACP.

Even in .380 - I'd rather carry my S&W Bodyguard which weighs in at 14.3 ounces loaded and fits better in my front pocket than my wallet.

But - it is a wicked cool gun...that's why I have two of them - and if I could find one in .380 that was cheap enough, I'd probably have three

 

[mortablunt]

Yes, I would buy a Colt 1908, laws permitting.

 

[easyg]

No.
I have no interest in those pistols.