A beauty Colt 1908 .380 ACP

[Mendozaco]

A pristine 1935 pistol. I got this baby at Reddding's auction last sunday. It did not go cheap but I'm glad it found a home in Maryland. I took it out today and it shoots great. I found my carry piece once I get my conceal license.

 

[A1Uni]

Wow, very nice!

It is almost a shame to carry it as it will beat up and holster burned eventually.

 

[reverendbeer]

A pristine 1935 pistol. I got this baby at Reddding's auction last sunday. It did not go cheap but I'm glad it found a home in Maryland. I took it out today and it shoots great. I found my carry piece once I get my conceal license.

I've used this image before, and several times at that....but never, NEVER has it been more appropos.

 

[KH195]

Absolutely gorgeous! I don't think I could ever bring myself to use something that nice as my carry gun but I'm glad it's a good shooter!

 

[BlackBart]

Phew.... that's like MINT! Auctions are often great.

 

[Mendozaco]

I take it out on a date one or twice a year like my old lady.

 

[Bob A]

I think those Colts are some of the prettiest pistols ever made. But that one's a safe queen for sure; no way I'd carry it around. It's the sort of arms candy that you take to the range once a year, to make everyone else crazy jealous.

 

[BlackBart]

I think those Colts are some of the prettiest pistols ever made. But that one's a safe queen for sure; no way I'd carry it around. It's the sort of arms candy that you take to the range once a year, to make everyone else crazy jealous.

Understood BUT we only live X amount of years and one thing certain, that pistol will outlive any of us even if it is used often. Use it NOW, let the wife or kids do what they may with it.............

 

[BossmanPJ]

Wow. That is it.

 

[BossmanPJ]

Understood BUT we only live X amount of years and one thing certain, that pistol will outlive any of us even if it is used often. Use it NOW, let the wife or kids do what they may with it.............

I had the same thought about my Colt AR. Then I reolized that it needed to be shot. I enjoy it MUCH more now that I shoot it a lot instead of just looking at it in the safe. The thoughts of investment were crap compared to the joy ighy of shooting it.

 

[lilpenny]

WOW.. I love it, great find. You may not want to carry it. It's to nice.

 

[Machodoc]

It is almost a shame to carry it as it will beat up and holster burned eventually.

Just what I was thinking. That one has remained beautiful for this long ....

 

[Threeband]

That is beautiful.

I'd be happy with one half as nice, but I wouldn't carry it.

A carry gun should be 100% utilitarian, the best, most reliable boring ugly piece of expendable hardware. Assume the cops gonna take it and you won't get it back if you ever actually use it.

That's a barbecue gun.

I had the same thought about my Colt AR. Then I reolized that it needed to be shot. I enjoy it MUCH more now that I shoot it a lot instead of just looking at it in the safe. The thoughts of investment were crap compared to the joy ighy of shooting it.

That's how I feel about my Correct Grade Garand. It's been my number one shooter these past 5 or 6 years.

Shoot that barbecue gun, but don't carry it.

 

[Mendozaco]

I guess this is a good choice for a carry gun.

 

[Docster]

Guns are made to shoot. All mine are. Life's too short to maintain a firearms museum

 

[somd_mustangs]

I'd agree the OP Model M is too nice to use as a carry gun.
It's in gorgeous condition.

It probably won't hurt to shoot occasionally but it'll get beat up in a holster as mentioned earlier.
The .32 Model M shown later is more like it.

I'm biased of course but I feel strongly any early Colt (or other C&R gun) that has survived for this long in that beautiful condition should be maintained in that condition for future generations.
(Yes my collection is more museum than daily functional and I'm ok with that).

There are more than plenty enough Model M's in shooter condition out there in both .32 and .380 -> I'd be glad to trade one of mine for it

This platform is a nice choice for an old-timey carry gun because it's reliable and very slim & compact compared to just about anything else. Biggest drawback for a self-defense gun: terrible, teeny sights. You'd really want to put Novaks or something like it for serious work which of course would destroy the value.

 

[mawkie]

I'd agree the OP Model M is too nice to use as a carry gun.
It's in gorgeous condition.

It probably won't hurt to shoot occasionally but it'll get beat up in a holster as mentioned earlier.
The .32 Model M shown later is more like it.

I'm biased of course but I feel strongly any early Colt (or other C&R gun) that has survived for this long in that beautiful condition should be maintained in that condition for future generations.
(Yes my collection is more museum than daily functional and I'm ok with that).

There are more than plenty enough Model M's in shooter condition out there in both .32 and .380 -> I'd be glad to trade one of mine for it

This platform is a nice choice for an old-timey carry gun because it's reliable and very slim & compact compared to just about anything else. Biggest drawback for a self-defense gun: terrible, teeny sights. You'd really want to put Novaks or something like it for serious work which of course would destroy the value.

+1 That's a beautiful 1908, hard to upgrade. I've got one just like it and yes, it's a museum piece. My last summer carry piece, when I lived in PA and had a CCW, was a Browning BDA in .380 (a Beretta 84 in different clothes). I've seen the odd 1903/1908 pocket hammerless that was refinished and had Novak sights added. A good carry piece, much narrower than my BDA.

 

[BUFF7MM]

That gun looks like it just came from Colt, beautiful firearm.

 

[Machodoc]

Everyone has different opinions, of course, but when someone(s) have taken special care of a gun like this one, I personally feel an obligation to continue that level of custodial care if I'm lucky enough to have one that nice come to me.

If you want a good compact CCW, the P-64 fits that bill. If you are OK with something larger, but remarkably dependable and accurate, get a Vz. (CZ) 82 or 83.

I promise that if you get holster wear and scratches on that near-perfect Colt, you will some day regret it.

I've got plenty of guns that I can fire, carry, and even haul in the back seat of the truck (in a case) without worrying about ruining a piece that's in beautiful condition. I don't have a whole lot of museum pieces, but I do have some that I think deserve to be cleaned and stored safely.

 

[somd_mustangs]

I promise that if you get holster wear and scratches on that near-perfect Colt, you will some day regret it.

... and get a visit late one night from Crufflers with socks filled with sand