[csmkersh]

It's not quit full size but pocket pistol it ain't.

Browning 1911-380

 

[Diamondback]

Didn't Charlie Petty or one of the other "name" smiths convert a Model M into a mini-1911 in .380 once?

My only complaint about it is that I prefer mine GI-style: tang (preferably long-tang like late-WWII) grip-safety and spur hammer, arched mainspring housing, closely-spaced vertical cocking serrations.

 

[Kevin Gibson]

Of all the guns to bring to market, that's one of the strangest. It makes sense for a very tiny segment of shooters, and maybe collectors. But ultimately it just doesn't make sense to me at least. Sure it's neat, but it's also REALLY expensive to shoot. .380 ammo is nearly twice the price of 9mm.

 

[stand watie]

csmkersh,

YEP. Personally, I really wish that somebody would "resurrect" the old Colt's Model of 1908, adding only an ambi-dexterous safety.
(The good originals are too much $$$$$$$$$ to daily pocket carry.)


yours, sw

 

[Diamondback]

SW, they did a limited run of Collector Grade Model M reissues recently, but I get the impression they're meant to be collectors' items rather than shooters.

 

[stand watie]

Diamondback,

YEP. The new ones were intended to be "collectables" & WAY too much money for a pocket pistol.

I'd like my Model 1908 to be in a "plain jane", rust-resistant black "Parkerizing" (or a similar finish) for "worry-free" daily pocket carry.

yours, sw

 

[Diamondback]

Yep...make mine identical to OSS or General Officer spec, but without the "Limited Edition" stuff--hell, MacArthur alone practically handed the things out like he was giving candy to kids at Halloween if memory serves.

Maybe make the General Officer Pistol belt and holster available through the Custom Shop as an "optional add-on."

 

[stand watie]

Diamondback,

EXACTLY TRUE.

Fyi, EL PASO SADDLERY currently makes the standard GI General Officer belt/holster & have them available for order/quick delivery by many current flag officers.

yours, sw

 

[bearcat6]

The new model Ms are all .32 Cal and seem to be selling for between $1200.00 and $1500.00, if you can find one, as they are scarce right now. Awful spendy for a pocket pistol.

 

[SpecialEd]

Eight round capacity... I'll stick with my East German MAK for something that size.

 

[WaltGraham]

A solution for a non existent problem.

But, there will always be folks that will throw money at the new, shiny stuff.

I myself am occasionally tempted to do that too.

 

[csmkersh]

csmkersh,

YEP. Personally, I really wish that somebody would "resurrect" the old Colt's Model of 1908, adding only an ambi-dexterous safety.
(The good originals are too much $$$$$$$$$ to daily pocket carry.)

I've got a 1903 in .32ACP. I'm the second owner as it was bought by a great uncle to carry when he made house calls. San Antonio was a little rough back then. Anyway Dr. Bowen's widow, Aunt Olga called one day in a small panic. She was digging around in the bottom drawer of her Singer when she found it. It was loaded with half jacketed soft lead nose rounds.

 

[csmkersh]

As to El Paso Saddlery, they offer the 1911 swivel cavalry holster with web belt hanger and a 1940 style most of us carried. I've got one of the 1940 models stuffed away somewhere.

 

[stand watie]

csmkersh,

Fwiw, I bought my Model 1908 in 1966 from an older man from Gurdon, AR who bought it new to carry as a rural mail carrier after WWII. = He said that he carried it every day but seldom fired it.
(The little Colt was "my second handgun", when I was a young Deputy Constable.)

yours, satx

 

[Diamondback]

The new model Ms are all .32 Cal and seem to be selling for between $1200.00 and $1500.00, if you can find one, as they are scarce right now. Awful spendy for a pocket pistol.

*Assuming* (yeah, I know, that evil word) the new ones are faithfully made to original spec, if the reports I've read are right it's not that difficult to up-gun a 1903 to a .380 if you can get the 1908 top-half parts and magazine for the bigger caliber.

*Big* assumption, though.

 

[Kevin Gibson]

Browning 1910's and 1955's can still be had at reasonable prices.

 

[bearcat6]

*Assuming* (yeah, I know, that evil word) the new ones are faithfully made to original spec, if the reports I've read are right it's not that difficult to up-gun a 1903 to a .380 if you can get the 1908 top-half parts and magazine for the bigger caliber.

*Big* assumption, though.

Evidently they are not made to original specs. A fellow on the Colt forum bought one and found the barrel would not fit in an original nor would the original barrel fit in the new one. You can buy a pretty nice old one for less than the new one. here is a pic of one of mine along with a Savage.

 

[spwenger]

Two Comments

1. It seems to me that they could have chambered it in 9x19mm instead of 9x17mm and competed very favorably with Springfield Armory's pricey EMP.
2. I would expect the market to be primarily the small-handed wives and girlfriends of 1911 cultists.

 

[Diamondback]

Be nice, Steve, some of us resemble that remark!

 

[DavidE]

There is always the classic "Colt Mustang" niche. Between Browning's .380 and the Kimber .380, maybe they are hitting that niche. Both gunmakers can afford to put some guns out in that category and hit another Colt niche in the way that the "IBM Cloners" used to do with Big Blue.

Haven't handled the Kimber, but the Browning "Mini Me" .22s and .380s are just fun stuff