I love older semi-auto pistols,,,

aarondhgraham · September 4, 2012, 03:06 PM

I love older semi-auto pistols.

Or let me clarify by saying,,,
I love the looks and style of older semi-auto pistols.

I like the Colt 1903 pocket hammerless,,,
It's a beautiful slender waif of a gun.

I think the early 1900's Savage pistols are truly lovely in design,,,
They have this wonderful Art Deco look to them.

My question is this,,,
If I were going to buy one for actual carry,,,
What are some makes and models I should be looking for?

I would like to stay with .32 ACP or maybe larger,,,
This is just a pipe-dream thing for now,,,
But as I learn more about the guns,,,
I want to purchase one to shoot.

So if you can recommend any pistols to me,,,
I would surely appreciate your learned suggestions.

Pics would be nice as well.

Thanks gentlemen.

Aarond

.

Sid · September 4, 2012, 03:44 PM

I would recommend the 1903 Colt in .32 ACP. It is built like a tank and is absolutely reliable. I have shot thousands of handloads through mine without any problems. Besides, it was Humphrey Bogart's favorite pistol. What better recommendation can there be?

micromontenegro · September 4, 2012, 03:45 PM

I'd have no qualms about carrying a Colt 1903/1908.

aarondhgraham · September 4, 2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Besides, it was Humphrey Bogart's favorite pistol.

Well shucks,,,
The debate is over.

I'm happy to hear it actually was/is a reliable pistol,,,
Because it is on my list of pistols to watch for.

I need a good gun show.

Aarond

.

sgms · September 4, 2012, 08:22 PM

I know I'm running off topic but for lovers of older autos have a look at several old colts military. Youngest made 1944, the oldest 1902.

SIGSHR · September 4, 2012, 08:31 PM

I would choose the Colt, better ergonomics IMHO.

magmax · September 4, 2012, 10:24 PM

Aarond,
As a start. The Savage, Colt, and Remington can be had in either .32acp or .380acp. Appearances of the Colt and Remington are identical in either caliber while with the Savage .380 differs from the .32 with the barrel being larger. It is alittle subtle, But really neat in that it more closely resembles the proportions of the Savage .45cal that competed with the Colt .45cal for the military. Pictures are of the 1907 .32acp and the 1907 .380acp.
David

Winchester_73 · September 5, 2012, 12:52 AM

And of all of them, I like the Remington 51 best. I've had them in both cals. In most of these older guns, the 32 is more common but with a Remington 51 the 32 is much more uncommon.

I have a bunch of 32s. Many different types. I have a couple of .380s, but like the Wehrmacht, I prefer 7.65 browning aka 32 acp :P

Here a few of my 32s. Many different designs. Fascinating IMO. Out of all them, I like the Remington 51 best for carry and its one of my favorites in general. Manual with grip safety, very flat, well made and designed, and a natural pointer.

Ortgies big brother 32 and lil brother 25 - bad for carry though as they have a problem with accidental discharge

Heres the 32 that started it all, the FN 1900...a great gun, esp for its time.

Although, one of the older Walther designs is great as well. PPs bite me, no other gun ever did.

Walther Model 4

The bottom left, Sauer 38H, is another well designed 32. Bottom right is a wartime Mauser HSc also in 32.

WWI Langenhan Sebstlader - left with WWI Imperial marked Sauer 1913 - center. (1917 Navy Luger 9mm of course, right)

Winchester_73 · September 5, 2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

I know I'm running off topic but for lovers of older autos have a look at several old colts military. Youngest made 1944, the oldest 1902.

SGMS,

Nice spread. I think I saw these kind of photos before from you. Great guns.

For those of you who are wondering - upper left he has a Colt 1905 45 auto (scarce), the first John Browning 45acp, before the 85 degree grip angle that you know on the 1911. Right looks to be a 1902 sporting, bottom right a Springfield Armory 1911 from WWI and center/left looks to be a pre war Colt Service Model Ace in 22. All of these are great guns.

aarondhgraham · September 5, 2012, 07:47 AM

Thanks for all the pictures and very good information.

So far I've seen three that I like,,,
They should be within my price range.

Thanks gentlemen,,,
Keep the posts and pics coming.

Aarond

.

walts · September 5, 2012, 08:05 AM

Very cool pics. I love the simplicity and toolishness of old school pistols.

**Mike Irwin** · September 5, 2012, 08:42 AM

Is none of the above a viable answer?

No?

OK, then it would be a Remington 51.

BlueTrain · September 5, 2012, 09:02 AM

A .32 auto was Humphrey Bogart's favorite pistol? I doubt it. More like a Colt .45 automatic. He even had to shoot someone with his issued .45 auto when he was in the Navy in WWI.

"Remember, my gun's bigger than yours."

**Mike Irwin** · September 5, 2012, 10:15 AM

"More like a Colt .45 automatic. He even had to shoot someone with his issued .45 auto when he was in the Navy in WWI."

How does that make the case for that being his favorite handgun?

BlueTrain · September 5, 2012, 12:11 PM

Beats me. Make a case for it not being.

magnumPi · September 5, 2012, 12:17 PM

Bogart used the Colt 1903 .32 in the majority of his films. He didn't want to use the 1911 because he was a smaller guy, and the gun looked huge in his hands. So he generally preferred the smaller .32

**Mike Irwin** · September 5, 2012, 12:38 PM

Thats what is called a logic flaw and you know it. You made the claim so it it's up to you to prove it, not for me top do your due diligence for you.

Bogie used a Detective Special in Key Largo, I believe.

Winchester_73 · September 5, 2012, 01:16 PM

IIRC Bogie had a Glock 19 in the Treasure of the Sierra Madre - great movie btw.

Bogie thought to the future, and so he didn't need the obsolete 1911 platform.

aarondhgraham · September 5, 2012, 02:17 PM

According to this Wikipedia article,,,
The Savage 1907 is a Striker Fired gun.

Quote:

Though it appears to have an external hammer, it is actually a striker-fired gun; the "hammer" is actually a cocking lever.

And here I thought that Striker Fired actions were a relatively new thing.

So my question to you Savage aficionados is this:
How do you un-cock or de-cock this pistol once you have cocked it?

Aarond

.

aarondhgraham · September 5, 2012, 02:26 PM

I have no idea what his favorite pistol actually was,,,
But according to this page on imfdb.org,,,
He used a Colt 1903 in 4 movies,,,
And a Colt 1911 in 5 movies.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the 1911 at all,,,
But the 1903 is just one sexy little pistola

Man, ya just hasta luv the Interwebs,,,

Aarond

.

sgms · September 5, 2012, 02:30 PM

Correct Winchester_73, wondered if anyone would ID them correctly. Oh and the ACE was property of the Frankfort Arsenals officers pistol club/team during WW 2 and were sold to shooters if they wanted them at end of the war. Have the paper work around here somewhere and if my memory is working I think the sale price was some thing in the $30-40.00 range, may be wrong, bought the mans entire collection a number of years back and he had lots paper on his stuff.
And you have a very, very impressive collection of .32's their.

Sharpsdressed Man · September 5, 2012, 02:41 PM

One of the biggest gun shows in the country is in Tulsa in Oct or Nov. If you can't find it there, it probably isn't available.

aarondhgraham · September 5, 2012, 02:55 PM

November 10-11 at the Tulsa fairgrounds.

This is a never miss gun show,,,
If you can't find it there,,,
It was never made.

Aarond

.

BlueTrain · September 5, 2012, 03:19 PM

Actually, what he used in the movies probably doesn't prove what Bogart's favorite gun was, or even if he had one.

I used to think the Savage had to be hammer fired, because after all, it has a hammer. But there's no hammer spring, at least not in the schematic drawing I looked at. One version had a smaller hammer, another a larger hammer. Obviously, "hammerless" doesn't mean it doesn't have a hammer (which the Colt 1903 does) and having a hammer (no matter what it's called) doesn't mean it's hammer fired. Odd design, come to think of it, but it strips down in a very slick way.

Misssissippi Dave · September 5, 2012, 03:59 PM

FN Browning 1922 in .32 auto (7.65 mm). All metal fairly small single stack. Shoot well too.

September 4, 2012, 03:06 PM	#1
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I love older semi-auto pistols,,, I love older semi-auto pistols. Or let me clarify by saying,,, I love the looks and style of older semi-auto pistols. I like the Colt 1903 pocket hammerless,,, It's a beautiful slender waif of a gun. I think the early 1900's Savage pistols are truly lovely in design,,, They have this wonderful Art Deco look to them. My question is this,,, If I were going to buy one for actual carry,,, What are some makes and models I should be looking for? I would like to stay with .32 ACP or maybe larger,,, This is just a pipe-dream thing for now,,, But as I learn more about the guns,,, I want to purchase one to shoot. So if you can recommend any pistols to me,,, I would surely appreciate your learned suggestions. Pics would be nice as well. Thanks gentlemen. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 5, 2012, 12:52 AM	#8
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	I collect 32 autos And of all of them, I like the Remington 51 best. I've had them in both cals. In most of these older guns, the 32 is more common but with a Remington 51 the 32 is much more uncommon. I have a bunch of 32s. Many different types. I have a couple of .380s, but like the Wehrmacht, I prefer 7.65 browning aka 32 acp :P Here a few of my 32s. Many different designs. Fascinating IMO. Out of all them, I like the Remington 51 best for carry and its one of my favorites in general. Manual with grip safety, very flat, well made and designed, and a natural pointer. Ortgies big brother 32 and lil brother 25 - bad for carry though as they have a problem with accidental discharge Heres the 32 that started it all, the FN 1900...a great gun, esp for its time. Although, one of the older Walther designs is great as well. PPs bite me, no other gun ever did. Walther Model 4 The bottom left, Sauer 38H, is another well designed 32. Bottom right is a wartime Mauser HSc also in 32. WWI Langenhan Sebstlader - left with WWI Imperial marked Sauer 1913 - center. (1917 Navy Luger 9mm of course, right) __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

September 5, 2012, 07:47 AM	#10
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Wow!,,, Thanks for all the pictures and very good information. So far I've seen three that I like,,, They should be within my price range. Thanks gentlemen,,, Keep the posts and pics coming. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 5, 2012, 08:42 AM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Is none of the above a viable answer? No? OK, then it would be a Remington 51. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 5, 2012, 09:02 AM	#13
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	A .32 auto was Humphrey Bogart's favorite pistol? I doubt it. More like a Colt .45 automatic. He even had to shoot someone with his issued .45 auto when he was in the Navy in WWI. "Remember, my gun's bigger than yours." __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

September 4, 2012, 03:44 PM	#2
Sid Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2009 Posts: 362	I would recommend the 1903 Colt in .32 ACP. It is built like a tank and is absolutely reliable. I have shot thousands of handloads through mine without any problems. Besides, it was Humphrey Bogart's favorite pistol. What better recommendation can there be?

September 4, 2012, 03:45 PM	#3
micromontenegro Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2010 Posts: 647	I'd have no qualms about carrying a Colt 1903/1908.

September 4, 2012, 08:31 PM	#6
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	I would choose the Colt, better ergonomics IMHO.

September 4, 2012, 10:24 PM	#7
magmax Member Join Date: July 17, 2012 Posts: 51	Aarond, As a start. The Savage, Colt, and Remington can be had in either .32acp or .380acp. Appearances of the Colt and Remington are identical in either caliber while with the Savage .380 differs from the .32 with the barrel being larger. It is alittle subtle, But really neat in that it more closely resembles the proportions of the Savage .45cal that competed with the Colt .45cal for the military. Pictures are of the 1907 .32acp and the 1907 .380acp. David

September 5, 2012, 08:05 AM	#11
walts Member Join Date: July 14, 2012 Posts: 29	Very cool pics. I love the simplicity and toolishness of old school pistols.

September 5, 2012, 10:15 AM	#14
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"More like a Colt .45 automatic. He even had to shoot someone with his issued .45 auto when he was in the Navy in WWI." How does that make the case for that being his favorite handgun? __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 5, 2012, 12:11 PM	#15
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	Beats me. Make a case for it not being. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

September 5, 2012, 12:17 PM	#16
magnumPi Member Join Date: July 26, 2010 Posts: 66	Bogart used the Colt 1903 .32 in the majority of his films. He didn't want to use the 1911 because he was a smaller guy, and the gun looked huge in his hands. So he generally preferred the smaller .32

September 5, 2012, 12:38 PM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Thats what is called a logic flaw and you know it. You made the claim so it it's up to you to prove it, not for me top do your due diligence for you. Bogie used a Detective Special in Key Largo, I believe. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 5, 2012, 01:16 PM	#18
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	IIRC Bogie had a Glock 19 in the Treasure of the Sierra Madre - great movie btw. Bogie thought to the future, and so he didn't need the obsolete 1911 platform. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

September 5, 2012, 02:26 PM	#20
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	About Bogie's favorite pistol,,, I have no idea what his favorite pistol actually was,,, But according to this page on imfdb.org,,, He used a Colt 1903 in 4 movies,,, And a Colt 1911 in 5 movies. Personally I'm not a big fan of the 1911 at all,,, But the 1903 is just one sexy little pistola Man, ya just hasta luv the Interwebs,,, Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 5, 2012, 02:30 PM	#21
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	Correct Winchester_73, wondered if anyone would ID them correctly. Oh and the ACE was property of the Frankfort Arsenals officers pistol club/team during WW 2 and were sold to shooters if they wanted them at end of the war. Have the paper work around here somewhere and if my memory is working I think the sale price was some thing in the $30-40.00 range, may be wrong, bought the mans entire collection a number of years back and he had lots paper on his stuff. And you have a very, very impressive collection of .32's their.

September 5, 2012, 02:41 PM	#22
Sharpsdressed Man Junior member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,176	One of the biggest gun shows in the country is in Tulsa in Oct or Nov. If you can't find it there, it probably isn't available.

September 5, 2012, 02:55 PM	#23
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	That would be the Wanenmachers gun show,,, November 10-11 at the Tulsa fairgrounds. This is a never miss gun show,,, If you can't find it there,,, It was never made. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 5, 2012, 03:19 PM	#24
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	Actually, what he used in the movies probably doesn't prove what Bogart's favorite gun was, or even if he had one. I used to think the Savage had to be hammer fired, because after all, it has a hammer. But there's no hammer spring, at least not in the schematic drawing I looked at. One version had a smaller hammer, another a larger hammer. Obviously, "hammerless" doesn't mean it doesn't have a hammer (which the Colt 1903 does) and having a hammer (no matter what it's called) doesn't mean it's hammer fired. Odd design, come to think of it, but it strips down in a very slick way. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

September 5, 2012, 03:59 PM	#25
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	FN Browning 1922 in .32 auto (7.65 mm). All metal fairly small single stack. Shoot well too.