Colt 1903 handgun

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Posted: 5/17/2020 7:46:08 PM EDT

Not sure if this is the right spot for this so if not, mod’s please move it.

I recently picked up this Colt 1903 handgun. I bought it online and was not able to inspect it. The finish is rougher than I thought based on the picture. Inside was also a in worse shape than I though, I was able to clean it up but I am concerned about the barrel. I still have a lot of work to do but it looks pretty badly pitted.

Thoughts?

Attached File

Posted: 5/17/2020 7:54:03 PM EDT

[#1]

Scrub the hell out of the barrel, clean it well and do the same for the whole pistol, then go shoot it. I'd replace the springs, Wolff sells a service pack for them.

Posted: 5/17/2020 8:13:36 PM EDT

[#2]

I have one. Good shooter, easy to conceal. Fun gun.

Posted: 5/17/2020 8:45:58 PM EDT

[#3]

InLeadWeTrust threaded barrel?

Posted: 5/17/2020 9:33:46 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Originally Posted By fxntime:
Scrub the hell out of the barrel, clean it well and do the same for the whole pistol, then go shoot it. I'd replace the springs, Wolff sells a service pack for them.

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The sad thing is this was after about an hour of scrubbing the bore.

Posted: 5/17/2020 9:34:59 PM EDT

[#5]

One of my grail guns. One day I will pick one up

Posted: 5/17/2020 9:36:27 PM EDT

[#6]

Maybe a good project for turnbull to color case harden? Looks like a fun gun!

Posted: 5/17/2020 9:38:14 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Originally Posted By 66cuda:

The sad thing is this was after about an hour of scrubbing the bore.

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Quote History

Originally Posted By 66cuda:

Originally Posted By fxntime:
Scrub the hell out of the barrel, clean it well and do the same for the whole pistol, then go shoot it. I'd replace the springs, Wolff sells a service pack for them.

The sad thing is this was after about an hour of scrubbing the bore.

Old corrosive ammo ate a lot of barrels back in the day.

I'm betting it'll still shoot just fine with FMJ.

Posted: 5/17/2020 10:35:31 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Originally Posted By sparky923:
InLeadWeTrust threaded barrel?

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Haha, pretty sure it would look ridiculous with my osprey 45.

Posted: 5/17/2020 10:49:12 PM EDT

[#9]

It's a shooter. Preserve what you can. Replace springs. Keep it in a felt lined hollowed out book or cigar box next to your desk.

I wish I had bought more when they were $250 for shooter grade

Posted: 5/18/2020 8:10:48 AM EDT

[#10]

OP, I think it will be a fine shooter. You may need to spend more time keeping the barrel clean, though.

I wouldn't mind picking up one in that kind of shape as a shooter and something to carry from time-to-time.

Posted: 5/18/2020 8:43:54 AM EDT

[#11]

Clean it and shoot it. You'll be surprised at how fun they are and how well they shoot.

Mine is a Type III made in 1919.

Posted: 5/18/2020 9:46:50 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
OP, I think it will be a fine shooter. You may need to spend more time keeping the barrel clean, though.

I wouldn't mind picking up one in that kind of shape as a shooter and something to carry from time-to-time.

View Quote

I definitely plan on cleaning it more and shooting it.

Quoted:
Clean it and shoot it. You'll be surprised at how fun they are and how well they shoot.

https://i.imgur.com/Ex7xZfc.jpg

Mine is a Type III made in 1919.

View Quote

This one was made in 1919

Posted: 5/18/2020 11:04:53 AM EDT

[#13]

Beautiful guns, mine was made in 1908

Posted: 5/18/2020 5:41:06 PM EDT

[#14]

You can get a new barrel from Brownells and high quality magazines both made by U.S Armament who was making complete guns.

Definitely invest in a spring kit from Wolff. Looking at your pictures, you really need to be concerned about the safety. It has been center punched/peen'd where the shaft attaches to the lever. Ensure that is functions as it should but, I'd be looking for a replacement if you're actually planning on carrying it.

They are fun guns, I restored one a few years ago and use it as a daily carry.

Wpns Man

Posted: 5/18/2020 6:05:28 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Originally Posted By WpnsMan:
You can get a new barrel from Brownells and high quality magazines both made by U.S Armament who was making complete guns.

Definitely invest in a spring kit from Wolff. Looking at your pictures, you really need to be concerned about the safety. It has been center punched/peen'd where the shaft attaches to the lever. Ensure that is functions as it should but, I'd be looking for a replacement if you're actually planning on carrying it.

They are fun guns, I restored one a few years ago and use it as a daily carry.

Wpns Man

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I noticed the safety as well. This is the Achilles heel of these little guns.
What I’ve done is have the safety lever welded to the cross shaft.
File and sand down the weld blob and cold re-blue.
The new safeties sold on -line are trash. Do not FO.
Good luck finding an original.
I love the 1903. Shoot mine frequently.
Definitely get the Wolff spring pack.

Posted: 5/18/2020 9:06:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Originally Posted By WpnsMan:
You can get a new barrel from Brownells and high quality magazines both made by U.S Armament who was making complete guns.

Definitely invest in a spring kit from Wolff. Looking at your pictures, you really need to be concerned about the safety. It has been center punched/peen'd where the shaft attaches to the lever. Ensure that is functions as it should but, I'd be looking for a replacement if you're actually planning on carrying it.

They are fun guns, I restored one a few years ago and use it as a daily carry.

Wpns Man

View Quote

I’m embarrassed to say that I completely missed the safety. I function checked it and it does work properly. But I am supper bummed about that.

Posted: 5/19/2020 8:29:57 AM EDT

[#17]

Jack First Gun Parts have both the old style and new style safety on page 2 of their Colt 1903 page.

Jack First Gun Parts Colt 1903 page 2

Posted: 5/20/2020 10:48:27 AM EDT

[#18]

That is what I hate about buying older guns online. If they don't have a picture of the bore or a good description or they lie about the condition you are king of screwed

I got lucky with this. It is a Colt Police Positive in 38 S&W. The bore was described as good but dark. I got it pretty cheap. I cleaned it up and the bore and cylinders look nearly new.

The timing is dead on. I wasn't sure of the date but it was made in 1906, a second year production.