I've got two 1903s and I wouldn't mind getting one of the US Armament models. They're fun-to-shoot pistols that ooze quality and have historical significance. I've also admired the work that Bill Laughridge at Cylinder & Slide has done to slightly "modernize" the design.

I agree on the Triple K magazines: After a few years of saying "maybe it will work this time", I placed it on the cement and stomped on it before tossing it in the trash.

Overdue, but here you go. The first one with a few blemishes is the 1925 version. The second one with the box, papers, and even the wax paper is a 1930 version. The 1930 one is new in the box!

I forgot to add, I found another original mag and ordered 2 new repos from US Armament. Thanks for the heads up on those!!

You found a good looking gun.

A advertisement at the time described it as “Small, flat as a book..., and safe.”

These look and feel so good, and .32 is so accurate and intrguing.
For those of you with the new models made by Colt, how do they compare?

I ordered two .32 magazines from US Armament. Properly marked Colt .32 ACP. They run fine.

I believe they are made by Triple K.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt 127:
I ordered two .32 magazines from US Armament. Properly marked Colt .32 ACP. They run fine.

I believe they are made by Triple K.

I have some, as does a good friend,

all work with no issue

Bill, those are both very nice indeed!!!!

I've had several of these fine pistols, even had one in .380.

I've posted this before whenever a 1903 thread comes up. This is my stepfather's uncle Will's pistol. I inheritd it when my stepfather died. Uncle will used it to crack walnuts, never cleaned it or oiled it..

I knew it couldn't be reblued so I sanded out all the pits in the frame and slide. I ordered a new 32 acp barrel from Gun Parts, along with new springs. Then I finished it with Norrels Moly Resin.

After test firing it, found it would double tap. So I decided to order a new sear and disconnector. I found them on GunBroker, the nice guy selling them told me they were the later parts with 2 notch sear, added to the last production models of this pistol. He told me that it was an added safety , to avoid accidental discharge if the pistol was dropped while loaded.

My pistol isn't a thing of beauty, but if you had seen it originally, it was a basket case. It shoots great now, with no unexpected discharges.

And it is a family keepsake.

Love seeing all the member's old Colts.

Sunset, you did right by that pistol. Good work!

quote:

Originally posted by mesabi:
Sunset, you did right by that pistol. Good work!

Thank you. I should have taken before and after pictures. My stepfather's Uncle Will was a local moonshiner in the 20's. As with many pistols back then, the ammo was corrosive, and most rural people would shoot them, never clean the bore.

The history of the pistol and being in the family, being a moonshiner's "piece" makes it special to me. It originally had black bakelite grips.

The prices on these guns has risen so drastically, it's beyond me to ever get another one, even the new US Armament model, which I'd rather have.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
Bill, those are both very nice indeed!!!!

Get hold of me sometime Max and you can see them in person.

Very nice examples of this classic pistol. I still have the one my great grandfather carried when he was Governor of Wisconsin in the late 1920's. It still feels very natural in the hand, and is great fun to shoot.

Nice looking gun. I have a 1908 Colt vest pocket pistol in .25 and have been thinking about a 1903 hammerless. I may have to start thinking a bit harder.

I sure do wish that that U S Armament gun wasn't so spendy!!! I would love to have one as a shooter.

What a beautiful handgun design.