Colts' Hammerless

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Eaglestroker

Eaglestroker

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I thought I made a post about this some while ago, but going through my recent posts my memory must have played some tricks on me. Ever since the leather bug bit me this model has been listed on my website as a 'possibles.' I finally had someone bite on it and set to work. I ended up making a few extras as I didn't realize there was both a 3.75" and a 4", until I slid that 4" gun into a holster patterned off my 3.75" dummy.

I digress though...while it looks a bit battered and tattered this one used to belong to Roy Baker who some might recall is credited with the invention known as the pancake holster. My grandfather worked for the Arkansas Highway Patrol as a safety officer and used to drop in his shop at least once a month and watch while Roy made whatever the flavor of the week happened to be for him and they would talk, gun trade, etc. They lost touch when things got really successful for Roy, but it is neat to have that connection with a man I'll never know. The gun is a series 1 that has seen better days but that makes no difference to me I just like it for what it is.










 
Hi:
My experience with a Colt Hammerless .380acp:
A buddy USCG brought one in to the armory to detail clean. We thought that it would be like a M1911 but without an exposed hammer. We stripped it down, cleaned it and reassembled it. Took it to the range to test fire. loaded magazine, jack a round in the chamber, and squeeze the trigger---BEHOLD, its full automatic !! maybe we didn't re-assembled it correctly ??? (YOU THINK ?)
 
Colt model Ms are among the very best small pistols ever built.
For a type I, that thing ain't bad.
You can still find OE black rubber grips in the correct style for 'em.
 
To me, they're the best looking auto pistols ever made. I wonder why someone doesn't make an updated clone with the same great lines. Look at how many copies of the 1911 and SAA there are. Why not hammerless copies?
 
jimmyj said:
Hi:
My experience with a Colt Hammerless .380acp:
A buddy USCG brought one in to the armory to detail clean. We thought that it would be like a M1911 but without an exposed hammer. We stripped it down, cleaned it and reassembled it. Took it to the range to test fire. loaded magazine, jack a round in the chamber, and squeeze the trigger---BEHOLD, its full automatic !! maybe we didn't re-assembled it correctly ??? (YOU THINK ?)
Click to expand...

Definitely not the same! :cool:

4011 said:
Like them both. Had to find a holster that fits the the Colt.
Click to expand...

They are few and far between, for sure.

oberon said:
Colt model Ms are among the very best small pistols ever built.
For a type I, that thing ain't bad.
You can still find OE black rubber grips in the correct style for 'em.
Click to expand...

I should buy some I just haven't. I don't really do much with the gun.

wbraswell said:
To me, they're the best looking auto pistols ever made. I wonder why someone doesn't make an updated clone with the same great lines. Look at how many copies of the 1911 and SAA there are. Why not hammerless copies?
Click to expand...

I would imagine the fact that you can still buy used ones, a bit battered and tattered, pretty affordable at least in my parts. If there were money to really be made someone would. Agree on looks and feel as I love how it sits in the hand.

Iggy said:
Cylinder and Slide did modify the 1911 into a hammerless .45 version.. Only cost $8000.00 to buy one.
Click to expand...

To many guns, to little money.. :p:D
 
These are great pistols. My .380 (pictured) doesn't get carried often but it does get carried. I picked up this Ted Blocker IWB and the after-market grips on the usual website for that stuff. The original grips are kept in the safe.
They are a bear to re-assemble but on-line instructions are available. A third hand (thanks honey) helps too.
Some say you shouldn't trust your life to a vintage pistol. But this one always works and it has my confidence. For a .380 anyway.
And they are SO cool.
 

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Model M's are just plain cool.
.380


COLTMODEL1903.jpg

.32 auto
 
model M colts

At the last gun show in IND. 3 -1903 's in 90-95% condition walked in with 3 different sellers and they all came home with me.All under the starting price that is asked on the web auction site I did become so captivated by them I had to buy a 1908 off of the auction site this week to round out the bunch.For those who dislike going to gun shows thank 's for leaving bargains for us that do attend them .The (if i dare say the word) COLT model M's are a treat to hold and shoot in 32 cal and .380 cal . 1 is going to be engraved to my liking and become a Keeper to pass down in my family. Just trying to decide which one ?
 
Battered and Tattered?? Here's one that is well broken in...:D
Serial puts it at 1909. When I got it I don't think it had been cleaned since the 1930's. The crud was built up so thick that I had to disassemble using dental picks to get enough room to take some of the parts out....
Amazing thing is, it still shoots quite well....

 
That's one with a bushing on the barrel .Early serial# John Browning used many of the ideas from this design on the 1911 Grip safety, Barrel bushing.Disconnect arrangement &I think the safety engaging the sear.
Oh You don't find many that won't run .no matter what condition they are in
 
These are some great pistols. IMHO nothing else will fit your 'average' size hand as well as this little jewel. I question too...why has someone not reproduced a gun of this size and dimensions. I certainly buy my existing Colt a new roommate.
 
Great looking holsters.. If I had one of those, I'd be tempted to pack my guns.
 
Mr. Turnerriver, you have seven holsters. I've only had a chance to buy one. It had been wet and stunk so bad I gave it away. Sir I hate you!!!!

Kidding of course. Really like you collection.
 
I really like the 1903s and 1908 model Ms. I had a Colt .32 Auto when I was waiting for the draft. I was wholly ignorant and tried to shoot it at same distance I plinked with my Ruger Standard .22 Auto. Couldn't hit a thing and traded it off....ammo was expensive too.

I recently acquired one of each. The 1908 is factory nickel and has MOP stocks. I figured that MOP would be fragile and one magazine full proved it. I had MOP chips in my hand. Replacement stocks now on order.

Both guns are pretty accurate at 7 to 10 yards.

If you ever watch old gangster movies from the 30s and 40s, note that a lot of the gats are model Ms. Always held close to the body when pointing at someone.
 
The Colt M or Pocket Pistol IS the coolest auto ever made, I've had three .32s and one .380 pass thru my hands. And like many noted they are delightful little shooters that are more than accurate enough for the job.
I wish somebody would shoehorn the 9mm into the design. Or Springfiels would enclose the hammer on the EMP, that would be awfully close!
Dale
 
I carry one

I pocket carry one ( have four). Absolutely reliable- and I can hit the target. I have two pocket holsters and a Pager Pal (for phone) plus a custom made flap holster.
 
Saw a kit to convert a hammerless over to 22 LR on gun -------- one time. Sold for several hundred. Only saw that once.
 
Just for grins, I tried a holster for a Browning 1911-22
on a M1903, model 3. It fits just fine, also works on
a LLama .380. Since they're all JMB inspired, I figured
they Ought to fit; and they do.
Holster by LOBO, firearm by COLT'S.
TACC1
 

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I got some good advice about these 03 & 08's before I got my first: don't let the outside fool you. Many of these were carried a lot but shot a little. I've seen some that looked like heck but functioned perfectly with unworn interiors. The ones that look beat-up sell for a lot less so if you can get a peek at the innards, it may be worth picking up, especially for little money.
deadin said:
Battered and Tattered?? Here's one that is well broken in...:D
Serial puts it at 1909. When I got it I don't think it had been cleaned since the 1930's. The crud was built up so thick that I had to disassemble using dental picks to get enough room to take some of the parts out....
Amazing thing is, it still shoots quite well....

Click to expand...
 
Don't let the outside fool you -

tompehret said:
I got some good advice about these 03 & 08's before I got my first: don't let the outside fool you. Many of these were carried a lot but shot a little. I've seen some that looked like heck but functioned perfectly with unworn interiors. The ones that look beat-up sell for a lot less so if you can get a peek at the innards, it may be worth picking up, especially for little money.
Click to expand...

I'd say that about all the older Colt autos, 1900, 1902 and 1903 hammer models are both pretty good operators so long as you can find 38 ACP cartridges. Of course any M1911 or M1911A1 also.
 
I've wanted an '03 and/or an '08 for years. One of my exes has an '03 in lovely shape. Unfortunately she won't part with it.

I haven't seen even one of the well-worn ones in an LGS or pawn shop for years. Doesn't matter anyway, my income won't allow me to buy guns anymore, but I can fantasize.
 
I love the Colt Series M's and have 3 of them! Not only do I love their looks but they shoot flawlessly and I have never had a FTF in 25 years with any of them. Despite their small flat fixed sights they are extremely accurate and have very good, smooth and relatively light trigger.

I bough them simply because I like them but would not use them as a carry - SD gun for several reasons:

1) IMHO .32 and .380 acp's are a bit lacking in stopping power.

2) I don't like carrying them with a round in the chamber, cocked & locked - as their safeties are a short throw and pushed off way too easily.

3) If they are carried with an empty chamber they are slow to bring into action and require two hands to do so.

I relegate my Colt Pocket Model M's to Range work and drooling over but love them just the same.
 
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