Colt 1903/08 vs. FN 1910

[Darkenfast]

I have always found the history of J. M. Browning and the two firms of Colt and FN to be a fascinating story of modern firearms history, although I only own one example of that history: an old Browning High Power.

So, here's a fun question (and I hope some of our European members will join in on this): If you needed a concealed defense piece during the early decades of the 20th century and you had access to both sides of the Atlantic, would you choose a Colt 1903/1908 or an FN 1910? Why?

Extra credit: .32 or .380 for your choice of pistol?

My own answers (from the safety of my time-traveling armchair!):

1. Colt. Although slightly larger, it has one more round in the magazine and also has (I think) slightly better sights (although still small). More easily accessed safety lever compared to the 1910. The sights on the Colt also allow one-handed racking in an emergency.

2. For the Colt, I would choose .380. I think I would go with .32 for the 1910, because it is reputed to be snappy with the larger cartridge.

3. Extra trivia: If it was after 1922, I would try to find an FN 1922 (an "expanded" version of the 1910). Nine rounds in .32 and eight in .380 and with a longer barrel, it had a surprisingly long career outside the U.S. as a law-enforcement and "poor-country" or second line military service pistol. When the Nazis controlled FN during WW2, they focused on High Powers (about 350,000) and 1922s (about 450,000, mostly in .32). I think few were sold to civilians (who tended to buy 1910s).

I'd love to hear from people with experience of shooting both companies pistols.

Enjoy the discussion!

 

[DWalt]

I presently have neither, but I do have a minty FN 1900 - the first of the Browning blowback autopistol designs, made only in .32 ACP. I wouldn't feel under-armed carrying it (and have done so). Regarding making a choice between the Colt 1903/08 and the FN 1910, I see little reason to rank one above or below the other.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have both. I MUCH prefer the 1908. It is easier to strip and clean if nothing else. Plus I like the trigger better, though that could vary a lot from sample to sample. It is, however, cool to own a pistol of historical interest. The Arch Duke might not agree however.

 

[squidsix]

The Colt 1908 .380 was Waaaay ahead of its time. For generations we tried to reproduce it, coming nearly full circle.

 

[crstrode]

I was watching Dr. No a couple days ago and saw that James Bond used a FN 1910 to kill off a bad guy. The FN logo could clearly be seen on the right grip panel. His FN was equipped with a quarter-turn silencer. Yeah - right.

 

[DWalt]

One of the oddities in Dr. No. Much was made of M's relieving James Bond of his Beretta .25 and replacing it with a PPK .32, but he uses a FN 1910 with a silencer to kill that geologist - who has some S&W automatic which holds only six shots. No indication of where the FN 1910 came from either.

 

[safearm]

Since I have a 1903, I guess I'll just stick with it.

 

[Absalom]

The three pistol types really belong in chronological sequence, not so much in competition with each other.

In the simplest terms, JMB changed around where he should place the recoil spring: on top of the barrel in the 1900, underneath the barrel in the 1903, and finally around the barrel in the 1910, achieving the most compact design.

Of course that‘s where it remained in other designers‘ most successful pocket pistol models, like the Walther PP series in 1929. And also in my favorite, below.

For a pocket pistol, with compactness the primary objective, I would certainly go with the 1910 if that were my only choice. But living at that time, I think I‘d rather have tried getting my hands on a Remington 51

 

[Absalom]

Addendum:

While not in both calibers, with the exception of the FN 1900 I do have specimen of the models discussed, the Colt and the two FN models in .32, the Remington in .380.

 

[Sistema1927]

At one point, before I stupidly sold it to pay for a semester of grad school, I had a "minty" 1908 with factory box, factory instructions and target, and even the original hang tag for the trigger guard. I still kick myself when I think about letting it go.

That said, I wouldn't kick any of the pistols described on this thread out of bed.

 

[Grayfox]

I have a Colt 1903 and a 1908. I also have a Browning 1955 .380 which simply a re-issue of the FN 1910.

I much prefer the Colts. Easier to shoot well, easier to field strip and it just fits my hand so well. I'd probably go with the 1908 for its bigger caliber.

The Browning is a good gun, but a real PITA to field strip.

 

[RMFnLA]

I, too, let one go, a mint 1910 in the box that my doctor gave to me years ago.

Ah, regrets...