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.
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.
Now, thank you.
NRA Training Counselor NRA Benefactor Member
October 31, 2022, 03:31 PM
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.
______________________________________________ "If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 31, 2022, 03:39 PM
leonidas211
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.
I appreciate the responses.
I have a few others for actual serious carry work... most of what comes after this is for fun, I think the majority of us are in that category.
NRA Training Counselor NRA Benefactor Member
October 31, 2022, 03:48 PM
P220 Smudge
Good! In terms of caliber, I'd get whatever you'd prefer to shoot for budgetary or other reasons. I've never heard much in the way of reliability about these guns, especially not in a caliber-dependent way. It may be the case that they're less finnicky than 1911's, but .45ACP God'sgun/man-sizedbulletsapplepie'Murica and all that.
______________________________________________ "If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 31, 2022, 03:49 PM
PASig
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.
I thought I read at one time that the .32 Colt 1903 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.
This is what Wikipedia says about it:
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]
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.
I beat you to your edit. It was, and IIRC, continued to be issued as such for some branches all the way up through Vietnam. I believe it was common for Airforce pilots (being officers) to carry one during that conflict. I just always found it a bit odd that Patton would carry one, given his personality, but he may have enjoyed being able to change it up:
______________________________________________ "If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 31, 2022, 04:12 PM
YooperSigs
At one point several years ago, Standard Manufacturing paired with Colt to reproduce the 1903/1908. I dont think they are in production any longer. US Armaments has new 1903s in production now.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
October 31, 2022, 05:25 PM
clubleaf206
I had a 1908 once, sadly it was stolen, I really liked it. I saw an old magazine ad that described it as “Small, flat as a book, and safe”.
___________________________________________________________________________ "....imitate the action of the Tiger."
October 31, 2022, 06:48 PM
abnmacv
If you are looking for a new 1903or 1908 US Armament makes them, 1903 operates perfectly including upper end ammo. Very thin for deep cover if that is of interest.
U.S. Army 11F4P Vietnam 69-70 NRA Life Member
October 31, 2022, 09:45 PM
captain127
While a supplemental military arm principally for issue to general officers ( who then had the option to purchase the pistol as well ) they were also issued at times from research I have read to other officers who required a defensive arm but when 1911’s were prioritized to combat units. I have read several instances of them being issued to medical officers, and some were also utilized by the OSS. As mentioned they were an option for issue/ sale to general officers in both the 32&380 calibers well into the 1970’s perhaps even the 80’s.
