I consider Browning's early 1900s designs - the ones that look like T-squares - to be the Preparations A through G or WD-1 through 39 (before they finally got it right with H and 40 respectively) of pistols.

Hard to take a piece seriously that says:
"With the M1900, Browning created the first locked-breech semi-auto pistol that would use short recoil operation."

What do you call Borchardt, Luger, and Mauser, then?

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Watson:
Hard to take a piece seriously that says:
"With the M1900, Browning created the first locked-breech semi-auto pistol that would use short recoil operation."

What do you call Borchardt, Luger, and Mauser, then?

Kraut Pistols?

quote:

Hard to take a piece seriously that says:
"With the M1900, Browning created the first locked-breech semi-auto pistol that would use short recoil operation."

And the FN (the actual manufacturer of his early designs) 1900 was a blowback, with the recoil spring above the barrel, in .32 ACP.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
And the FN (the actual manufacturer of his early designs) 1900 was a blowback, with the recoil spring above the barrel, in .32 ACP.

A 1900 has been on my short list since picking up this beauty in January (circa 1907)

I was lucky to find a 1902 at a reasonable price, but I wish it was easier to find .38 Auto Somali could get a few rounds through it!



My example of the 1900 is a bit more humble, but at least I can shoot the thing…



And just cause… The 1903. Everyone should have one, it’s a classic .32


Bill R

If you want a “detailed” look at the development of the 1911, I can recommend C&Rsenals series of videos:

Colt 1900

Colt 1902

Colt 1903

Colt 1905

Colt 1907/1909

Colt 1909

Colt 1911

They have one on the 1911A1 that should be out soon, and for bonus material:

The Norwegian 1914!

Bill R

Stylo,did you mean 38 Super? WRT the posts 2 up from mine.

Do you reload?

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Stylo,did you mean 38 Super? WRT the posts 2 up from mine.

Do you reload?

I was really just looking for a few magazines worth of .38 auto, I’m not going to shoot it a ton, just want to have the experience.

I have seen it’s “relatively” easy to load for using .38 Super brass, but that’s another set of dies… Maybe I will end up there, don’t know.

I had the same issue with my 1907:



Found some PPU 9mm Browning Long for like $28 a box and grabbed some, just so I could say I’ve shot the thing. I just don’t want to pay $3 per round for original.38 Auto to do the same with the 1902!

Bill R

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Hard to take a piece seriously that says:
"With the M1900, Browning created the first locked-breech semi-auto pistol that would use short recoil operation."

And the FN (the actual manufacturer of his early designs) 1900 was a blowback, with the recoil spring above the barrel, in .32 ACP.

Well, I do give him credit for talking about the Colt 1900 .38 Automatic, even though there were pre-1900 recoil operated Kraut Guns. There was actually a FN 1899 .32 that led up to the 1900 .32.

quote:

Originally posted by stylophiles:

I was really just looking for a few magazines worth of .38 auto, I’m not going to shoot it a ton, just want to have the experience.

Guess I have just been lucky, have found at least 2 dozen boxes of it over the last 20 years or so. Clarks Gun Shop in VA has several boxes now priced at $49.95 per, although that location is probably of no help for you. I find it at sportsmans shows, gun shows, and most recently at an estate auction. A guy bought 4 boxes of .38's, then I went up to him and informed him 2 were 38 Auto, got them from him for $5@. It's definitely out there. I chronographed some, but am traveling now and don't have the file with me. IIRC were about 1050.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I consider Browning's early 1900s designs - the ones that look like T-squares - to be the Preparations A through G or WD-1 through 39 (before they finally got it right with H and 40 respectively) of pistols.

Glock 16? Haha