Bonnie & Clyde Original Colt .32"
Colt Model M-1903 .32ACP - Can you see Bonnie's sticky-leg Tape Residue?
(- Don't Look for too Long.)
The 'Pocket Hammerless' .32 was a very popular design and when Colts stopped production at the end of WWII they had worn-out the production machinery by making over a million of them in the three calibers - 32", .380", and .25"ACP.
"Rimless? - Hammerless?"
- But Very Popular in its Day.
These pistols were described by the marketing men using typically 'near-enough' claims as the "Pocket Hammerless" - it is in fact internal hammer fired - and the legend 'CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS' that appears on the R/H of the slide is also wrong - as the 32"ACP round has in fact a ten thou. rim - being a semi-rimless cartridge that can also be used in .32" S&W caliber revolvers.
This round, the .32"ACP is also known as the 32 Auto, the 32 Browning, the 7.65 Browning, the 7.65x17, and the 7.65 Walther. - The wide variety of names reflects its worldwide use by Law Enforcement & the Military for around a century - Issued to US Officers - including OSS Officers in WWII. - The 32 ACP is also the most common round used in veterinary 'Humane Killers'.
An Early Advert.
(- The .32"s sold five times more units than the .380" Model 1908s).
The .32 ACP cartridge with its maximum internal pressure set by SAAMI at 20,500 psi - manages to effectively throw a 71 grain FMJ pill at around 900 feet per second - but most modern loadings are considerably less potent.
While there are still many of these old steel built collectible 'classics' around - they continue so well liked that Colts last year licensed US Armaments to build some 3,500 more new guns of this early John Browning design. These are the Type 2 iteration with a separate barrel bushing - but without a magazine disconnect & are fitted with wooden grips and a "gold" Colt medallion.
New Model Colt M-1903 Pocket Hammerless
- Premium-Priced at US$1,395
- Premium-Priced at US$1,395
My original antique Colt "thirty-two" - was built in 1914 - I can still see how fine the original fit and finish were back then. It doesn't go to the range - as with its 3.75" barrel it is registered to my non-firing 'C' endorsement. - Missed by quarter of an inch! - I do recall being assured that size doesn't matter - but it's what you do with it that counts.
Colt Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP With a Glock 17 9mm
- The first few years production Model 1903 actually had four inch barrels. - The one obvious problem is those minuscule sights - I can feel them - but I really can hardly see them at all - never mind use them for alignment! - Ah, the M-1903 'Pocket Hammerless' also has a grip safety and the old style magazine catch at the 'heel' of the grips.
A "Gentleman's Arm" - A pity I'm not a 'gentleman' eh
"Seven Shots A Second" - What, with those Sights?
"Seven Shots A Second" - What, with those Sights?
- Perhaps I should reconsider the Clunky Colt 1911 ... Naah!
Marty K.
Hi Marty
The similar 7.65mm M1910 FN Browning pistol (a true hammerless design) also saw widespread use in NZ (wholesaled and retailed by McCarthy’s in Dunedin) and was the pistol carried by the Armoured Freightways cash escorts up until about 1980 when the banks and cash escorts were disarmed. I used to train the Armoured Freightways staff every 6 months during the 1970’s and loaded practice ammo for them using ..308 100 grain Speer Plinkers. Their good factory ammo was saved for carry use.
Cheers
Rod
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
No comments:
Post a Comment