Colt 1908 Vest Pocket - Range Report

Dino. · August 8, 2011, 05:36 AM

I finally had a chance to shoot my Colt 1908 Vest Pocket over the weekend.
The gun was manufactured in 1909 and shows a lot of signs of wear, but it proved very reliable and surprisingly accurate!

The following grouping was at 10 yards.
I attribute the "flyer", on the bottom left, to human error as I was too conscience of the grip safety on this little gun and the first shot sorta got away from me.
However, once I discovered that no special manipulation was needed for the grip safety, my groupings tightened up pretty nice.

Not bad for a gun that's over 100 years old!

**Mike Irwin** · August 8, 2011, 06:06 AM

My Uncle has one of those that he bought back in the 1960s for $10 from a guy who needed gas money.

It's in the original box, with papers, and is in about as close to 100% condition as anything I've ever seen.

He just won't part with it...

That's a great 10 yard group for one of these. The times I've fired a VP my groups could only be, at best, called patterns...

madcratebuilder · August 8, 2011, 08:10 AM

I've had my VP for thirty years, I replaced the firing pin spring about twenty years ago. Shoots much as your VP, it's been a totally reliable pistol since the spring was replaced. I CC it when dressed lightly, sometimes a Walther model 9. The 9 shoots very similar and it's even smaller.

Colt

Walther

mavracer · August 8, 2011, 08:46 AM

I've got one I inherated from my step grandfather made in 1911 it was largely neglected until I got ahold of it and the barrel is heavily pitted. however it shoots amazingly well if you can see well enough to use the sights.

Dino. · August 8, 2011, 09:05 AM

They really are great guns, IMO.

For those of you who carry em, do you carry em in "condition one"?
If so, do you use a holster? Or pocket carry?

The safety on mine works just fine but I'm always a little more hesitant when carrying firearms with strikers as opposed to hammers. I don't know why ... I just am.

Jim Watson · August 8, 2011, 09:40 AM

I remember an old Gun Digest article about target shooting with pocket and vest pocket pistols in Europe; after laws got to where you had to state a purpose to get a gun licensed and self defense was not acceptable.
The author said the pre WW II guns were nicer made but that the newer ones were more likely to shoot to the sights. He showed a strange looking night sight based on radium paint.

noelf2 · August 8, 2011, 11:28 AM

My father has one. Was made in the 30's I think, and he's had it since the early 1960's. I just can't get him to part with it no matter what I offer in trade. His is also in excellent condition, bluing and all, probably only had a couple hundred rounds through it.

mavracer · August 8, 2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

For those of you who carry em, do you carry em in "condition one"?
If so, do you use a holster? Or pocket carry?

The only time I've ever carried mine was to the movies to see Public Enemys I carried it condition 1 in the DeSantis nemasis for my Beretta Tomcat. I was a little concerned about thumb safety as my detent is warn and doesn't hold it very good. I figured that between the good holster that covers the trigger and the grip safety it's a pretty safe method. I'd also add my trigger is about 8#.

madcratebuilder · August 9, 2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

For those of you who carry em, do you carry em in "condition one"?
If so, do you use a holster? Or pocket carry?

I pocket carry in condition one, no holster. I also make sure I have nothing else in that pocket

If I was to carry more often I would make a pocket holster for it, it is safer.

August 8, 2011, 05:36 AM	#1
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	Colt 1908 Vest Pocket - Range Report I finally had a chance to shoot my Colt 1908 Vest Pocket over the weekend. The gun was manufactured in 1909 and shows a lot of signs of wear, but it proved very reliable and surprisingly accurate! The following grouping was at 10 yards. I attribute the "flyer", on the bottom left, to human error as I was too conscience of the grip safety on this little gun and the first shot sorta got away from me. However, once I discovered that no special manipulation was needed for the grip safety, my groupings tightened up pretty nice. Not bad for a gun that's over 100 years old!

August 8, 2011, 06:06 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	My Uncle has one of those that he bought back in the 1960s for $10 from a guy who needed gas money. It's in the original box, with papers, and is in about as close to 100% condition as anything I've ever seen. He just won't part with it... That's a great 10 yard group for one of these. The times I've fired a VP my groups could only be, at best, called patterns... __________________ "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.

August 8, 2011, 11:28 AM	#7
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	My father has one. Was made in the 30's I think, and he's had it since the early 1960's. I just can't get him to part with it no matter what I offer in trade. His is also in excellent condition, bluing and all, probably only had a couple hundred rounds through it. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

August 8, 2011, 08:10 AM	#3
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	I've had my VP for thirty years, I replaced the firing pin spring about twenty years ago. Shoots much as your VP, it's been a totally reliable pistol since the spring was replaced. I CC it when dressed lightly, sometimes a Walther model 9. The 9 shoots very similar and it's even smaller. Colt Walther

August 8, 2011, 09:05 AM	#5
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	They really are great guns, IMO. For those of you who carry em, do you carry em in "condition one"? If so, do you use a holster? Or pocket carry? The safety on mine works just fine but I'm always a little more hesitant when carrying firearms with strikers as opposed to hammers. I don't know why ... I just am.

August 8, 2011, 09:40 AM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I remember an old Gun Digest article about target shooting with pocket and vest pocket pistols in Europe; after laws got to where you had to state a purpose to get a gun licensed and self defense was not acceptable. The author said the pre WW II guns were nicer made but that the newer ones were more likely to shoot to the sights. He showed a strange looking night sight based on radium paint.