I finally after almost a year received my 1903 Colt .38 ACP back from Turnbull. As usual they did a beautiful full restoration to original factory specs.

What type and brand of ammo should I use? I won't be shooting it much, maybe 100 rounds at most. I did shoot it before the restoration but can't remember what I used.

Pic's WTF?

.38 ACP ?

As far as ammo goes, whatever factory stuff is available.

If you’re a hand loader, try any 125-130 gr lead or plated .355 or .356 with 9mm Luger starting load of Bullseye. I use 4.1 gr. in Starline brass. Any .38 super brass will do but NOT .38 super data.

If you’re not, call Glen at Aardvark (630) 957-7999

Thank you.

I do reload but have never done any small pistol reloads.

So will .38 Super OTC work?

I’m blanking on what OTC refers to...

All external dimensions of the “.38 Rimless Smokeless” or “ACP” are the same as .38 Super, just not pressure. Your 1903 Pocket Hammer uses a much weaker design. Also I’d avoid a lot of modern jacketed bullets in order to take it easier on the old barrel steel.

.38 Super brass, dies, & shell holders along with cartridge over all length are gonna get you there.

Turnbull has done a few of mine. No finer craftsman out there

Beautiful!

Colt made two 1903 models.
HB’s pic is the .32 ACP “hammerless”

Also two 1908’s, a .380 ACP version of the above pictured gun & a .25 ACP hammerless which is much smaller.
Gets confusing.

The OP, I believe is referring to the larger .38 Rimless Smokeless pistol with the exposed hammer. The 1902 Military is the same with a longer barrel/slide & grip frame, holding 1 more round in the magazine.

All are neat pistols!

Mine is a .380. its a 1903. Many say the 380 is a 1908, but that is just the year the introduced the 380 in the 1903 model

I have a 1903 in 32 ACP. I'm not familiar with the .38ACP

You can call your gun whatever you like but Colt would disagree. They’re both the model M but the 1903 in .32 & 1908 in .380 are even serialized separately, each with their own range. If you “letter” yours it’ll be a 1908, unless someone swapped a barrel & magazine to convert the caliber. Often that’s all it takes.

Gorgeous restoration & holster.

Correct, mine is the .38 Rimless Smokeless, five inch barrel, with the lanyard loop. Guess that makes it the Military model.

Very good info. Last thing I want is to blow up this pistol. Maybe I will set up and load some.

I use 115 gr. .38 acp in mine. Works well. you can shoot the 125, and the 130 gr. in it also, but for me there's no need or much difference in results.
These aren't antiques but well built older quality firearms made to shoot the proper ammo in them, and not the .38 Super.
The Semi Rimless factory ammo at 115 gr. also shoots well. Turnbull does great work.
Very good comments above also.

Good Luck,

HS 58

Mine is in 32acp and stamped us property, nice little pistol.

Worth lettering & researching that one. May have been issued to a General. Could make many thousands of dollars difference.

I think generals were issues the .380 and colonels the .32

Neat pistol.

Mine must have been a Colonel's.

I have one of these, made in 1944. sent off for the letter in early november.

No

Both were issued to Generals

I stand corrected, thank you

Last spring at a yard sale guy had 3 box's of 38acp, wanted 10 bucks a box! I Know I should have bought them, Rem. Green box. But I didn't.