Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Any reason to choose between the Colt Pocket hammerless 1903 and 1908?

Other than caliber of course which doesn't matter a great deal to me but i do have a lot of 380 ammo and no 32 auto. It seems like the 1903's commonly run a bit cheaper or am I wrong on that? I'd like to get one or the other

1908 tend to run about $300 ++ higher than a 1903. As stated other than chambering, feel, balance shootability are the same

I have both. Except for the size of the hole in the barrel, they are the same gun. The 380 commands a premium.

I am a Colt fan, but will ask if you’ve ever looked at a 51 Remington. I find them superior to the Colt, and can be had for a similar if not lower price.

I think the rear sight on the 1903 is rounded across the top edge as opposed to the traditional flat across the top shape of the 1908. I'm unsure if the 1908 sights are taller or easier to see.

If you want something really cool, go back a little earlier. Get the precursor to the 1911. A Colt 1902 .38 Auto.

Yeah, they run cheaper because of the less favored caliber, i.e., .32 ACP.

I'd never find ammo

Handload.

He would be better served with .380 Husqvarna 1907. If I wanted antique .380 vest pistol I would go with Remington Model 51.

Point me to where brass can be bought.

Ed,

You can buy brass.

The Colt .38 auto uses the same case as the .38 Super. That said NEVER mix them up, as the .38 Colt was/is loaded to MUCH lower pressures. I have shot the above gun numerous times. Even killed a few ground squirrels with it. You just have to be extremely careful about never mixing cases/loads.

This particular .38 Colt 1902 Military has been in my family for over 100 years and has some interesting history. Won't go into it here, but it has been used for its intended purposes.

That's no fun

I passed on 3 box's of that ammo this summer at a yard sale. 10 bucks a box. I had. Bought 2 1/2 boxs of 45 auto. Thought about it went back but yhey were gone.

I would always recommend the .32's. I don't consider these real good choices for carry in the modern world, when you can pick up a cheap Ruger .380 that's smaller, lighter, and twice the capacity, for about 1/4 the price. Therefore, the .32's tend to be the better shooters, and I love that these smaller frame pistols are perfect for kids to shoot as their first centerfire.

I have a 1903 in .32 acp. When researching holsters and such I found several accounts of drop fire incidents with this pistol. I’m not sure I’d want to carry one with a round chambered.