New to me 1903/1908 Colt Hammerless

[timotab]

A friend of mine gave me this little pistol. It was supposed to be a project but he never got around to it. It has a 1920 32 ACP frame and a Shanghai 380 slide. Barrel looks like it's in good condition. I've ordered Wolff Springs, a 380 and 32 magazine. I'm tempted to buy a 32 barrel and see if I can get both working but for now I'll focus on 380.
181201
181202

[GOPHER SLAYER]

What is a Shanghai slide?

[timotab]

Here is some information. www.forgottenweapons.com/shanghai-municipal-police-colt-1908-at-ria/

[bouncer50]

The slide looks like the first model it looks longer then the later model. What is the screw in the slide about new seen one like that.? The grips look nice a lot of them i have seen are crack. I have one made in 1910 been in my family seen new. The bluing on a early Colts are so nice.

[Boaz]

32acp and 380 barrels/mags will interchange with this 1903 ?

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I bought one of these 32ACP pistols many years ago. I found a .380 barrel and magazine so I went about changing the pistol to .380. I was surprised to find that the magazine well was a bit too tight for the .380 magazine so I used various files and sand paper wrapped around wood to relieve the well enough for the mag to fit. It worked but I wish I had left it as is. I shot it once before trading it off. Oh well.

[AZBronco]

I have seen a .380 frame ,with a .380 mag. feed .32 ACP into a.32 barrel . Do not think you can go from the .32 frame to a .380 barrel due to the mag. size in the frame of the .32 receiver. Or you may find you have a single shot pistol !!

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I have seen a .380 frame ,with a .380 mag. feed .32 ACP into a.32 barrel . Do not think you can go from the .32 frame to a .380 barrel due to the mag. size in the frame of the .32 receiver. Or you may find you have a single shot pistol !! I agree, that is what I explained in my post. It is not a matter of changing a barrel and magazine, at least it was not the case in my experience.

[reddog81]

I just finished refurbishing a first series 1903 from 1904. Good luck with your project and make sure to keep us updated as to how this goes. It looks Like Numerich has a both the correct .32 slide and barrel but the pair will set you back over $200.

[timotab]

I know it's an off chance that the 380 magazines will work without modifying the frame. I went ahead and ordered the 32 ACP barrel from Numrich, figured for $67 it would be worth it. As far as I can tell the slides are not caliber specific, the issues with going from 32 to 380 have to do with the magazines/frame and in some cases the ejector. I did some single shot testing, Lee 358-105-SWC, OAL .955. 2GR of Titegroup, and they all hit the 12" plate from 15 yards. Unfortunately the extractor pin came loose on the last shot and sent the extractor, extractor pin and spring flying into the pasture. Those items were ordered along with the barrel.

As of now I'm $200 into the pistol and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get it to work with at least one caliber. And if I go the 32ACP route that means I'll "have to" buy a new mold (currently don't own any 32's).

[upr45]

I have an inherited one of later sn range. Cracked the mother of pearl (plastic)grips last time I shot. Have since got replacement grips and installed. My bluing is more wore off also. Please let me know how that replacement barrel goes-- my barrel's rifling is very shallow and somewhat pitted. It shot about as well as I could do with those sights, which is better than I expected. My grandfather purchased it during WW2 as it was the only pistol he could readily find ammo for.

[timotab]

I have an inherited one of later sn range. Cracked the mother of pearl (plastic)grips last time I shot. Have since got replacement grips and installed. My bluing is more wore off also. Please let me know how that replacement barrel goes-- my barrel's rifling is very shallow and somewhat pitted. It shot about as well as I could do with those sights, which is better than I expected. My grandfather purchased it during WW2 as it was the only pistol he could readily find ammo for.

Nice story. I really like how this little gun points. Helps make up for the diminutive sights.

[Boaz]

These are great little guns . Am very interested in seeing if the barrel conversion works . I'm aware of the Shanghai model . Mostly converted by the police dept . Pretty rare finds here , seems most were...bring backs from WW 2 . The 32 acp and 380 made and sold here can not be made interchangeable in their original state .
The rifling in the barrels was very shallow , most barrels are shot out but still preform well up to 25 yards .

[timotab]

These are great little guns . Am very interested in seeing if the barrel conversion works . I'm aware of the Shanghai model . Mostly converted by the police dept . Pretty rare finds here , seems most were...bring backs from WW 2 . The 32 acp and 380 made and sold here can not be made interchangeable in their original state .
The rifling in the barrels was very shallow , most barrels are shot out but still preform well up to 25 yards .

Yes, the rifling looks like a memory.

[Petrol & Powder]

I've had a few Colt 1903 and 1908 pistols over the years and they are fantastic pistols but often very neglected/abused. Corrosive ammo, poor cleaning and LOTS of honest wear takes it toll. I let a good 32 caliber one get away from me and I regret selling that one.

IF you can find one for less than $600 that has a good barrel, a decent finish and that hasn't been molested or abused; BUY IT ! Good ones are getting rare. I see the 1903/1908 Colts all of the time but good examples are becoming extremely rare.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I read the "forgotten weapons" link. Fascinating information. Thanks for posting.

[charlie b]

I just sold off my 1903. Great little pistol. Mine was a carry gun so was refinished with better sights, new barrel and grips.

The .32 and .380 frames are different sizes, ie, the .380 will not fit in the .32 without a lot of fitting. A local gunsmith would do it but would charge a lot for it. I'd leave it as a .32

My .32 was a very accurate gun. With the newer sights it would group into about 3" at 25yds if I did my part.

[timotab]

Update:

After a thorough cleaning I found a small crack on the slide at the ejection port. Its at 2 o'clock and is running towards the muzzle, about 1/8" long. I went ahead and found and ordered another slide, a 32ACP.

I tried a Triple K 380 magazine in the 32 frame. If fits but snugly. If anyone has pictures of a 380 ejector/cartridge guide I'd appreciate it. I'm not sure if there was some variation between the 32 and the 380, heard there was but would like to know exactly what.

Right now I'm leaning towards leaving it a 32, especially if changing out the ejector is required each time.

[charlie b]

I still vote for .32 But, if you are going to carry it some would push you toward the .380

If it is for plinking you'll like the lower recoil of the .32 and IMHO the .32 is more accurate.

[timotab]

Any reccomendations on 32 caliber molds? I'm partial to TC and RF profiles.

[dubber123]

Any reccomendations on 32 caliber molds? I'm partial to TC and RF profiles.

If it's an option to you, LEEs 100 gr. RN mold with the first base band and lube groove milled off the base makes a 75ish grain boolit that feeds and shoots well.

[charlie b]

My father-in-law loaded using the 93gn Lee mold (RN). Worked well. My 1903 did not like Hornady HydraShok bullets. It did like Silvertips. Never tried TC bullets.

[timotab]

Found this site and ordered the APP's for the 1903. Very informative with excellent pictures and cutaway drawings. The English is broken but not terrible.
http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/liste01.htm

[tejano]

I shot 50 of Meister's 95 gr. Flat Point cast bullets through my 1903 today. These are sized at
.312" and actually weighed 97-98 grains. I used 1.9-2.0 gr. of Bullseye and an OAL of .970." All 50 fed just fine.

[timotab]

Finally got all the parts and this little pistol is a hoot to shoot. Using a single Triple K mag for 32 and 380 and it has been 100% reliable. Shooting tl356-95-RF in 380 and factory Fiocchi fmj in 32. Asked Santa for NOE 314-75-rf.