quote:

I am not hunting for a 1903 / 1908 colt...

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Watson:

quote:

I am not hunting for a 1903 / 1908 colt...

Not or now?

There is some information describing and illustrating the five major variations at http://coltautos.com/ModelMci.htm

The .32 is likely more reliable but they were not fooling when they designed these guns and the .380s I have seen did just fine. But notice on the pictures of the Shanghai Municipal Police guns, a little spring to steady the barrel. Also see where the thumb safety is blocked, the SMP carried them in "Condition 3" and the safety catch was considered unnecessary and undesirable.

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
Difference in models, .380 vs .32 for reliability, what should I be looking for when purchasing one.

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
Overall impressions, experiences from users, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
Difference in models, .380 vs .32 for reliability, what should I be looking for when purchasing one.

This, I couldn't tell you much about. I'm no authority. They made them for decades and the webpage Jim Watson linked you to would be a good start. The only thing I would say to keep an eye on for purchasing is the frame rails eventually crack. It's my understanding that it's more a question of "when, not if." May be fuddlore, may be true. I don't know. Mine didn't fail, but I only put a few boxes of ammo through it. Mine was made in 1936, and I don't know how many rounds went through it, but it had been carried a lot and looked to be shot very little. We had a member here who had a serious love affair with them for some time, bought one, put a few rounds through it and then it jammed up. When he got it apart, the frame rails had begun to split. I don't recall if there were any warning signs of it happening prior, but I suspect not.

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
Overall impressions, experiences from users, etc.

It's a neat piece of history, and if you wanted an iconic old Colt, this one ranks. Some famous and interesting characters carried them, including General Patton, as you know. Why he carried one is anyone's guess. Probably because he could. They are small, slim, and the trigger pull is short and light. It's 65% or so of a 1911, and it feels like it. The sights are garbage, but mine was surprisingly accurate. I ran regular ball ammo through it and it never had a hiccup. .32 vs .380 for reliability? It's a vintage collector's pistol - you could carry one, but there's only a zillion better options these days. I did carry mine in a coat pocket a few times, but it's heavy and not ideal for it. You'd be better off with a Glock 42 if you were serious about a little .380 for carry.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Some famous and interesting characters carried them, including General Patton, as you know. Why he carried one is anyone's guess.

quote:

General officer models
General officer models were often engraved with the officer's name. Recipients include generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Marshall, and Patton. Patton's Model 1908 was embellished with three (later four) stars on the grip panels to denote his rank. They were issued with a fine-grade leather holster, leather pistol belt with gold-metal clasp, rope pistol lanyard with gold-metal fittings, and leather two-pocket ammunition pouch with gold-metal fasteners. They came in russet or black leather (depending on service and regulations) and were made by Atchison Leather Products or Hickok. A cleaning rod and two spare magazines were also included.[2] Generals were issued the Model M in .380 ACP, until 1950, when supplies ran out. At that point, they were substituted with .32 models until their replacement in 1972. The Pocket Hammerless was replaced by the M15 pistol made by Rock Island Arsenal in .45 ACP. Today, the Pocket Hammerless is manufactured by U.S. Armament, and is licensed by Colt.[3]

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I thought I read at one time that the .32 Colt M1903 was one of the standard sidearms authorized for General officers to carry and some actually did into the 1970's. My guess is the thinner profile and lighter weight than the M1911 had something to do with that.