BROUGHT A 110 YEAR OLD GUN TO THE RANGE FRIDAY - HAD FUN!

chief38 · Feb 20, 2023

I've been helping two friends learn to shoot for a few months now and they both purchased Ruger LCP Max's in caliber .380acp. This past Friday I figured as long as .380 was the caliber of the day, I'd bring my 110+ year old Colt M1908 Pocket Pistol. After shooting a few magazines of ammo I let my two friends shoot it as well. They both commented on how smooth the trigger was and how accurate it shot. Recoil was also quite a but less than the Ruger because the Colt is larger, all steel and heavier.

After about 20 minutes, one of the Range Officers asked me if he could look at it so I loaded up a magazine and let him shoot it. He asked me if I would sell it - NOPE! He was fairly young, maybe around 35 - 40 and had never seen or heard of this model before.

I am always amazed when I shoot this gun at how well it groups, considering the sights are almost useless. I also have a few others in .32 and .25 calibers.

.357magger · Feb 20, 2023

All I'll say is, "AMEN BROTHER ".

(BIG fan of the Colt Model M's)

old tanker · Feb 20, 2023

.357magger said:
All I'll say is, "AMEN BROTHER ".

(BIG fan of the Colt Model M's)

Mine are nowhere near as pretty as yours, but I like them a lot. They shoot far better than most folks expect.

Inland7-45 · Feb 20, 2023

Last year I bought a 1903 Colt .32 ACP. I have 400 pcs of PPU new brass, some Remington 71 gr fmj bullets and a Set of C&H dies. With so many irons in the fire right now I still have’nt shot it yet. Mine was made in 1915. It is in nice shape with a little holster wear and a few scratches hear and there. The hard rubber grips look great with no chips or cracks. My area of interest is Colt and S&W revolvers from around 1900 to the end of the pinned barrel era at S&W.

These are nice little guns with a lot of history. Most people are surprised to learn that the U.S. military issued these to generals until 1970 when they ran out of them.

This gun looks very nice next to my Colt Police Positve .38 S&W that was made in 1917. The bluing on both of these guns is spectacular and really shows the level of pride people took in their work in those days.

I hope to get the ammunition loaded soon and out the range with this gun and my other old stuff. Right now I am just finishing up a long run of .32 S&W for my .32 I frames.

I would like to find a newer example with medallion walnut grips. Good luck with yours.

I will have a range report and pictures soon.

Marshal Tom · Feb 20, 2023

I've always wanted a nice condition 1908. A couple of years ago, a local shop had a really nice example that I could have had for $650. I passed on it at the time and have kicked myself ever since. I am a lefty so the safety would not work for me for carry but it would still be fun to shoot.

walter o · Feb 20, 2023

They are fun to shoot and collect

robertrwalsh · Feb 20, 2023

I have one and it is probably the most ELEGANT gun I own.

smithra_66 · Feb 20, 2023

Old guns are the best guns....in my opinion.

Grayfox · Feb 20, 2023

Another fan of the Colt Model M here. Great little pistols!

I have a 1903 and a 1908. Mine ain't real pretty, but they just feel so good in your hand.

PALADIN85020 · Feb 20, 2023

The fact that these guns, over a century old, can still shoot is a tribute to one man - John Moses Browning.

John

AJ · Feb 20, 2023

Good to exercise the old timers. I shot a Colt Model 1903 Hammer in .38 ACP on a fairly regular basis, until I sold it last month.

I still have and shoot a Colt Model 1909 U.S. Army in .45 Colt about once a month or so.

Have fun with the old timer!

sigp220.45 · Feb 20, 2023

One of my all time favorites. I have both calibers and have given decent Pocket Hammerless’ to one son and a nephew.

I carry mine frequently and feel better armed than with more modern and powerful pistols.

I found this last year at the place everyone says has no deals:

They go well with a bow tie.

I’ve heard the refrain: Why would you carry that old thing and not a (insert gun de jour here)? I usually just say - you wouldn’t understand.

BLACKHAWKNJ · Feb 20, 2023

If the Luftwaffe strafes your house you can shoot back like Patton did.

turnerriver · Feb 20, 2023

I run into a lot of holsters made for the Colt pocket autos, they were carried and used frequently.

Regards,

.357magger · Feb 20, 2023

turnerriver said:
I run into a lot of holsters made for the Colt pocket autos, they were carried and used frequently.

Regards,

The lower is a "car" holster is it not?

For attaching to the steering column of a Model A or T?

I've only got one vintage leather holster for mine, so far.

Redcoat3340 · Feb 20, 2023

Every time I consider selling mine (in .32acp) someone posts something like this tribute. And it goes immediately into the range bag for another outing.
My only other century old guns are a Krag, a Smith "Perfected" in .38S&W and a Colt 1917 .45 revolver. All work just fine and all get shot a couple of times a year when I want a good dose of "history" in my hands.

ameridaddy · Feb 20, 2023

.357magger said:
All I'll say is, "AMEN BROTHER ".

(BIG fan of the Colt Model M's)

Is that Model 1908 in .380 the gun that later became the pistol issued to general officers during and right after WW2?
It looks like one a friend of mine has whose uncle was a general in WW2.

.357magger · Feb 20, 2023

ameridaddy said:
Is that Model 1908 in .380 the gun that later became the pistol issued to general officers during and right after WW2?
It looks like one a friend of mine has whose uncle was a general in WW2.

Yes.

But Uncle Sam issued both 32 and 380 Model M s as a General Officer's Pistol.

LVSteve · Feb 20, 2023

This thread is a reminder that my Argy 1909, Chilean 1912, and P14 rifles haven't been to the range in a while. Then there's my Chilean 1895 I've yet to shoot.

Beemerguy53 · Feb 20, 2023

I've wanted a 1903 ever since I watched Bogie whack Edward G. Robinson in Key Largo...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U95Zk5nBQIM&t=64s[/ame]

BROUGHT A 110 YEAR OLD GUN TO THE RANGE FRIDAY - HAD FUN!

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