💥Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless💥: History, Tabletop Range Review. Should I Modernize It?

[VinnieBoomBah]

They SAY they are in production. I have actually spoke with them and they can't tell me where to go to find one and the conversation is so awkward I am a little afraid that if I were to get one and need support I may not be able to get it.

Isn't that the same thing they have been saying for like 4 or 5 years? Lolz, classis "2 weeks"

 

[DeanMk]

Yeah, I have to admit, I'm a little confused by their website.
When you click "Firearms" it looks like a buy and sell page.
Did they "make" all those guns?
Weird.

 

[po18guy]

They SAY they are in production. I have actually spoke with them and they can't tell me where to go to find one and the conversation is so awkward I am a little afraid that if I were to get one and need support I may not be able to get it.

There's a member of the Colt Forum that has purchased several examples, including one with his forum username as a serial number. Having said that, they are not Colt and are essentially a boutique manufacturer.

Every now and then, NIB Colt examples show up at auction but, as you might imagine, they command much more than the US Armament versions, being part of history.

 

[DeanMk]

I know Colt brought back the 1903 a few years ago, but I don't see them at the Colt website anymore.
When did they stop making it?

 

[po18guy]

I know Colt brought back the 1903 a few years ago, but I don't see them at the Colt website anymore.
When did they stop making it?

Colt ceased production in 1945, assembling the final examples from the parts remaining. They never produced a Model M (1903/1908) after that. What they did do was to grant a license to U.S. Armament to make licensed copies of the Model M. They are branded Colt and sold as copies.

 

[DeanMk]

Colt ceased production in 1945, assembling the final examples from the parts remaining. They never produced a Model M (1903/1908) after that. What they did do was to grant a license to U.S. Armament to make licensed copies of the Model M. They are branded Colt and sold as copies.

They were sold on Colt's website. Probably 3 or 4 years ago.
You're saying those were the US Armament guns?

 

[po18guy]

Understood. But they were not made by Colt.

 

[DeanMk]

Understood. But they were not made by Colt.

No, I'm asking...were those guns made by US Armament?

 

[po18guy]

Yes.

 

[DeanMk]

Yes.

Thank you.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

I really appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts here. I have decided I am going to leave it like it is. Though I have now become fond of 32acp wish more pistols were made foe that round

Good choice. Here's mine. Type I, Manufactured 1905.

 

[DeanMk]

I think mouse guns in general are the issue who says it has to be a mouse gun. I do not think the 1903 is a pocket pistol honestly would love to have another 32acp about this size. I know I know I can hear it now, well if that size why not 380 well because I want a 32 lol.

Beretta model 81 is .32 acp and I believe its around the same size as the '03 Colt.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Beretta model 81 is .32 acp and I believe its around the same size as the '03 Colt.

It's not, it is quite a bit larger but is a joy to shoot.

 

[DeanMk]

It's not, it is quite a bit larger but is a joy to shoot.

Do you have both guns?
Could you post their dimensions?
Went ahead and looked it up myself.
According to Wikipedia, the 1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless came in 5 "types".
Type 1 had a 4" barrel and was 7" long overall.
Types 2-5 had a 3 3/4" barrel and was 6 3/4" long overall.
All "types" weighed 24 oz. and magazine capacity was rated at 7 rounds.

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

According to Beretta's website, The Model 81 came with a 3.8" barrel and was 6.1" overall.
The gun weighed 24.2 oz. and the magazine capacity was rated at 12 rounds.

Beretta - Firearms, Guns, Pistols, Rifles, Clothing, Accessories

New guns Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. is an Italian company born of the dream and capability of a renaissance craftsman. Thanks to the courage, vision and skills of its lineage, its name has earned international status for its high-tech content, performance and f and for the Italian...

www.beretta.com

I would assume the overall width of both guns would be a bit different, (Beretta uses a double stack mag, Colt used a single stack), but according to Beretta's page on the 81, it's listed at 1.4" wide.
US Armament lists their version of the 1903 at 1.2" at the grip (wiki didn't list a width for the gun).
So, really, not much of a difference at all (although enough that one might notice it in a side-by-side comparison)

I wonder if you're not thinking of a different gun, Vinnie.
Clearly, the model 81 and the 1903 are fairly close in size and weight....or maybe you just have a sensitive touch.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

maybe you just have a sensitive touch

That's what I have been told

Here's a site that does an overlay

Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless vs Beretta 84BB Cheetah size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless and Beretta 84BB Cheetah

www.handgunhero.com

 

[CountryGent]

PPK is also cool. I have tried a bunch of .32s.

+1 to the PPK. It is not the smallest/lightest or by any definition "new", but they are a solid piece. Ditto to some, though certainly not all, clones. Beyond that the vz61 family, while certainly not a pocket pistol, are a lot of fun.

What they did do was to grant a license to U.S. Armament to make licensed copies of the Model M. They are branded Colt and sold as copies.

Dang, those US Armament pistols look splendid.

 

[Wombat of Doom]

Do you have both guns?
Could you post their dimensions?
Went ahead and looked it up myself.
According to Wikipedia, the 1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless came in 5 "types".
Type 1 had a 4" barrel and was 7" long overall.
Types 2-5 had a 3 3/4" barrel and was 6 3/4" long overall.
All "types" weighed 24 oz. and magazine capacity was rated at 7 rounds.

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

According to Beretta's website, The Model 81 came with a 3.8" barrel and was 6.1" overall.
The gun weighed 24.2 oz. and the magazine capacity was rated at 12 rounds.

Beretta - Firearms, Guns, Pistols, Rifles, Clothing, Accessories

New guns Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. is an Italian company born of the dream and capability of a renaissance craftsman. Thanks to the courage, vision and skills of its lineage, its name has earned international status for its high-tech content, performance and f and for the Italian...

www.beretta.com

I would assume the overall width of both guns would be a bit different, (Beretta uses a double stack mag, Colt used a single stack), but according to Beretta's page on the 81, it's listed at 1.4" wide.
US Armament lists their version of the 1903 at 1.2" at the grip (wiki didn't list a width for the gun).
So, really, not much of a difference at all (although enough that one might notice it in a side-by-side comparison)

I wonder if you're not thinking of a different gun, Vinnie.
Clearly, the model 81 and the 1903 are fairly close in size and weight....or maybe you just have a sensitive touch.

I have both. the 1903 I have is significantly slimmer. I know .2 inches does not sound like much but the colt disappears in a pocket. The Beretta, not so much. The feel difference is drastic.

 

[DeanMk]

Understood and thanks for chiming in, but would you say the Beretta is "...quite a bit larger..." than the Colt?
Maybe its just semantics but the measurements I posted earlier just don't define "quite a bit larger" in my book.

 

[Wombat of Doom]

Understood and thanks for chiming in, but would you say the Beretta is "...quite a bit larger..." than the Colt?
Maybe its just semantics but the measurements I posted earlier just don't define "quite a bit larger" in my book.

In ability to be concealed and feel in hand, yes. Part of it is the width of the slide

 

[Spitpatch]

In a slim holster, an '03 (or '08) is perhaps the perfect shoulder holster gun.

Two essential requirements for a carry gun are concealability and comfort (you choose what is most important to you).
Width of the gun (even in fractions of an inch) toward those requirements means everything.

The skinny little guns ride pretty quiet and comfortable on the hip as well.