Colt Mustang

[gus3836]

Have been having trouble with my mustang not extracting. Took it apart cleaned the extractor and chamber through cleaning several times. Still no joy. Sent back to Colt 8 weeks ago got it back today and it works perfect! Paper work said adjusted extractor no charge and I feel fast turnaround. Great little pistol now was very frustrated for quite awhile.

[Aguila Blanca]

I'm glad they got it tuned up for you. The Mustang is a great little pistol.

[Ibmikey]

Mustang, Kimber Micro, Star DK, FI Mod D and Sig P 238 are one happy family and boatloads of fun to shoot. The design took a few years to truly catch on but then it hit and has remained popular for many years. A pocket pistol of diminutive size yet decent protection if needed has appealed to many as a carry or backup pistol.
I have a couple of dozen representing each of the brands listed and carry and shoot them often.

[LBussy]

I have the P238 and love it when I need a small carry. With the extended mag on there it's quite comfortable to shoot.

[Charlie98]

If your pistol has a plastic trigger, there was a fellow that sold SS triggers for the Mustang/.380 Govt. It has to be fitted, of course, but it's a nice improvement.

[Lexspeed]

"I have a couple of dozen representing each of the brands listed and carry and shoot them often." - Ibmikey

Whoa, now that is a collection of Colt Mustang siblings! I have two: a Kimber Micro and a Sig P238. Well, ok, I sold the Kimber. So I have only one now. :D

Great pocket pistols and fun shooters.

[Ibmikey]

Lexspeed, Yeah sometimes I go a little overboard, have two drawers completely full of Micro size .380’s in my safe..come to think of it I like assembling AR’s in many different ways also, but after giving a bunch away I still have 38 of them in the racks:p
I have one safe that has a cabinet built to go inside and twenty drawers all hold pistols.

[smee78]

The Colt Mustang and Pony designs were ahead of their time. The Mustang II and Pony I have were great for CC and were solid performers at the range, I stopped carrying mine when the prices kept creeping up and up. I also bought the stainless guide rod and trigger from Scott/McDougall and they were welcome upgrades. I had Cylinder and Slide do the trigger install if I recall correctly.

[Charlie98]

The Colt Mustang and Pony designs were ahead of their time.

...now, let's not forget the granddaddy of the Mustang... the original Colt's Government .380! (on bottom, under the Kimber.) Essentially, it was a mini-1911 minus the grip safety, of course, but the basic design begat the Mustang, et al.

https://i.imgur.com/vID7zCO.jpg

I seriously considered sending it off to Cylinder and Slide, but the turnaround was something like 6 months. The cost was a bit steep considering the actual value of the pistol itself.

[Ibmikey]

Charlie, The Colt Government .380 is a blatant copy of the Star Model S introduced in about 1940 with the grip angle changed ever so slightly. By the time the Colt was released the Star S series was numbered at about 150,000 and in use with Spanish military and police units since about 1945.
Both the Colt Gov mag and the Star S will operate just fine in a Mustang, I do not have a Gov or I would check interchangeability with the S which I have no doubt will work.
Of course they all owe Mr. JB for their success.

[Charlie98]

One of the hot setups, when the Mustang was released, was to fit a short Mustang slide on to the Gov't frame... sort of a .380 Commander.

[dgludwig]

Curious if you were the original purchaser of a new Mustang or whether the pistol was bought used and, if you are the original owner, whether Colt charged you for the cost of shipping. Eight weeks seems like a reasonable turn around time.

[Ibmikey]

Dgludwig, When I sent one of my SAA’s to Colt to be restored hey required I pay postage both ways, it took about three months. The trigger guard portion of the frame turned purple quickly and Colt paid for the return of the guard only, after eight months and a few upset moments on my part the guard was returned and correct.
I love my Colts and will not let this experience pit me against the company. The incident was about three years ago, perhaps they are quicker now.

[gus3836]

Bought it new. And there was no charge of any type shipping etc. I thought it was pretty good turnaround time. Shot about 5 magazines through it will need to do a few more before carrying it. But initial shooting went well. Have a DS that was sent to Colt a couple of years ago had to send it back didn’t lock up tight on a couple of chambers and felt a little gritty. Will be curious to see if they charge me again.

[James K]

"380 is a blatant copy of the Star Model S"

Nothing "blatant" there. At first, Colt sold the Star pistols (marked with the Colt name); then when CGA 68 went into effect, Colt had the receivers made in the US with the other parts still made in Spain until Star went out of business. I am not sure as of today, whether Colt is now making the guns in-house or not..

Jim

[Geezerbiker]

It's too bad they don't make the .380 Government model any more. I find the Mustang just a bit too small...

Tony

[Ibmikey]

James K. Your Star history is very very incorrect..Colt never manufactured a single part for the never released Pony...everything but the roll marks came from FI...frames contracted by FI and parts kits imported from Star. The Colt Pony idea was dropped before the project went too far and FI released it as the Model D. Go to Gunboards forum, Spanish pistols and find a very long dissertation on this very subject.

[Bill DeShivs]

Mikey is correct, AND the Colt project was in the mid 1970s-long after GCA '68 went into effect.

You may be thinking of the Astra "Cub"/ Colt "Junior" .25 & .22S pistols.

[HisSoldier]

I believe it was the Star D series they copied, started to under license. There was even a slick advertisement for the Colt Pony in Guns and Ammo or one of those gun magazines.
Colt contracted the manufacture of 50, and the story I read said they were not happy with the fit and finish and destroyed all but two, both are extremely collectable now.

The frame of the Star D model is the same exact dimensions as the aborted Pony, and the ignition train is the same I believe. The safety on the Star D looks different externally than the Mustang and Colt .380 Gov't model but internally it is a dead ringer.

BTW, there were two of the FI and or FIE models made, some say with Star made frames, I don't know. The one I had had a weird Zamak magazine bottom that made me want to vomit, I sold it right away.

I found photos today of an FI model D with the standard type magazine receptacle and magazine, it's hard to tell which one if any were made partially in Spain.

[Ibmikey]

His soldier, FI provided Colt with just over 100 pistols and using the roll stamp provided by Colt, FI engraved approximately 1000 slides with Colt info. When the project was cancelled by Colt most of the pistols were returned to FI, all of the extra slides were scrubbed of Colt info and re rolled with simple block letter FI info very unlike the later production models. I have one of those early “scrubbed” pistols that I purchased directly from FI way back in the seventies.
A few of the Colt marked pistols did survive and have been on GB auction in past years. When I got my first pistol I talked with FI and garnered a lot of info on those early days, however, I did not have the foresight to record and preserve that information and must rely on memory.

[smee78]

Mikey I'm not sure why you say the Colt Pony was never produced, the DA Colt Pony 380 was verry much in production.

Charlie 98 I also own a Colt Mustang II and it is a government frame with a Mustang slide, I consider it the Commander of the line.

[AirForceShooter]

How long id the Colt warranty?
I have the same extraction problem on my XSP

AFS

[Ibmikey]

Smee, All much later releases by Colt.....we are talking about the original Firearms International version of the Star DK which could no longer be imported. Colt was of a mind to have it produced under their name using the FI steel frame ( DK’s were aluminum) and parts kits imported from Spain. The Colt Pistol was to have the name “PONY”. FI started the Serial numbers at CPA 0001001 and when Colt backed out of the deal FI (soon to be acquired by Garcia)continued Serial numbers with the same prefix. Some years later Garcia sold the Model D rights to Iver Johnson and they manufactured the pistol as the “Pony” once again.

[Charlie98]

Charlie 98 I also own a Colt Mustang II and it is a government frame with a Mustang slide, I consider it the Commander of the line.

Sweet! I wasn't aware that it was an actual production gun.

I think Colt (or SIG, et al) could reintroduce the Gov't .380, put some decent low-profile sights on it, and have a winner on their hands.

[Ibmikey]

Charlie, Except for the sights that is what you have in a Star Model S (or SS).…this is a thin 380 with a great feeling grip that points just right. Some have an exaggerated thumb rest on the left side to meet import regulations but repo grips or aftermarket wood spruce it up just fine.

[Charlie98]

Is the Star currently imported?

[Ibmikey]

No company went out of business ( as did most all Spanish firearms manufacturers) in the nineties but there are tons of their firearms available that have been imported to the US.

[Charlie98]

No... we want sparkly new guns!

[Ibmikey]

I just bought a like “sparkly new” Model S With Police markings for $300.
Colt no longer makes the .380 Government and used ones are astronomically priced. Smaller Mustangs are expensive and not near as nice as the Sig P 238 which comes with night sights. You have many choices in the Micro Pistol field.

[jocala]

I'm considering the Mustang Lite (polymer) for pocket carry. Is the currently shipping polymer Lite model the same as XSP?

[Old Stony]

There are a few things I can argue with Ibmikey ...I think somewhat successfully, but Star pistols and the variants thereof is not one of them.

[Charlie98]

That's also one of the reasons I started looking for an alternate carry piece... the cost to replace the Colt .380 if I lost it... means I probably wouldn't.

[otasan]

Is this Mustang model a fastback or square back?

[Ibmikey]

Stony, Well how about hunting bow legged camels on the Alaskan tundra ? Bet you would be at a loss for words on that one too!:eek:

[Jazzgun]

I'm ready to upgrade from my Raven. My hands are just not very strong and I need a pistol I can rack the slide easily on. I have the Taurus P22 with the tip up so I don't have to rack the slide but I want to be able to.

Does anyone know how hard it is to rack the slide on these guns? And which is your preference. I want small and lightweight with accuracy and dependability.

The guns in the running are:

1. Colt Mustang
2. Sig Saur P238
3. LWS Seecamp .380

TIA

~ Jazz :)

[jocala]

I have the poly Mustang with dovetail sights and the slide is very smooth and easy to rack. It's now my wife's edc, she has bad arthritis in hands, has no problems with this pistol. I haven't used a Sig 238, but my edc is the Sig 938, very easy to rack as well.

[Jazzgun]

I have the poly Mustang with dovetail sights and the slide is very smooth and easy to rack. It's now my wife's edc, she has bad arthritis in hands, has no problems with this pistol. I haven't used a Sig 238, but my edc is the Sig 938, very easy to rack as well.

Thanks so much for the info. I have a touch of arthritis as well and when I rack the slide on my Raven it feels rough and I have a hard time getting it back far enough. Some of the other pistols...well, there's no way I could rack the slide if my life depended on it.

I'm really leaning toward the Mustang because I love Colt! I really do like Sigs too though. Tough decision. Your reply was very helpful and appreciated.

:)

[jocala]

If you get the Colt you will love it. I got the model O6790ST and added Novak tritium sights. My wife shot it and told me that I'd have to buy another for myself, that this one was hers! I decided on the Sig instead, but the Mustang is the more comfortable pistol to shoot. I don't really notice a difference between it and my Beretta Tomcat .22. Good luck!

[Jazzgun]

Jocala....thank you VERY much! I think you just made my mind up for me. And tell your wife thank you too. I want the sights too. :)

[Jazzgun]

This is the Colt I want: The Mustang Pocketlite. But I want to put White Pearl grips on it.

https://large.shootingsportsmedia.com/349763.jpg

[Charlie98]

Generically speaking, a locked-breech pistol will have an easier slide to manipulate than a blowback pistol... the blowback pistol requiring a heavier spring to operate properly (with a heavier slide.)

I don't think you can go wrong with the Colt .380s, I have a Government model (the Mustang's bigger brother...) and it's a fun pistol to shoot. My brother's Walther PPK/s... not so much, mainly because of the SA/DA trigger and the sharp recoil.

[jocala]

https://i.imgur.com/6fUr8ZU.png

This is mine. I went with the poly frame to save an ounce, and you'll notice the dovetail sights, not the fixed front blade. If you go with dovetail and want to replace them with Novaks, your slide will need to be cut for the fit. $100 locally, $90.00 by Novak.

[HisSoldier]

Except for the sights that is what you have in a Star Model S (or SS).…this is a thin 380 with a great feeling grip that points just right.

I agree about the ergonomics of the S (and SS) model Stars, however, a big difference most shooters might not notice is that the "hand" of everything behind the trigger is different, except the hammer. The trigger bar, sear and disconnector are on the right hand in the Star, but on the LH side on all the rest.

I also believe the Star had no firing pin block, which all the current US copies have.

Though the Star designed safety is extra secure compared to a 1911 (Which has redundancy in the grip safety to make up the difference) because it lifts the sear off the hammer hooks and blocks it, still carrying a current copy does feel more secure with the FP block to me, especially since I tend to toss a gun in my pocket instead of carrying in a holster.
The model SS has a mag safety, but that adds nothing to carry safety, only to negligent handling and (It's said) scuffles with bad guys after the gun is drawn. It's said that a police officer struggling with a "perp" can pop the mag, pretty amazing pistol work it seems to me, and why not just shoot the perp if he's trying to grab the gun?

[Aguila Blanca]

One of the hot setups, when the Mustang was released, was to fit a short Mustang slide on to the Gov't frame... sort of a .380 Commander.
Or a Mustang +2 -- which Colt sold as a model for awile.

[Aguila Blanca]

That's also one of the reasons I started looking for an alternate carry piece... the cost to replace the Colt .380 if I lost it... means I probably wouldn't.
Have you considered the Browning 1911-380 Black Label? There's a "Commander" version that's very close in size to the Colt Government 380. I bought one for Summer carry, because I couldn't afford a Colt Government 380, and because I wouldn't want to have a Colt end up in a police evidence locker if I ever had to use it for its intended purpose.

M1911.ORG reviewed the Browning awhile back. The review included a table comparing the dimensions to the Government 380.
https://ezine.m1911.org//showthread.php?229-Browning-1911-22-and-1911-380-Black-Label

[thickstrings]

There is a auction for 2 Colt Ponies on Gunbroker .... consecutive ser. #'s Yes, the ones that don't exist.....In case if any one wants to look....bidding is starting just under 10 k. Dead ringer for the FI mod. D except it says Colt...

[Ibmikey]

As I said many months ago the serial numbers started at CPA 001000 and this pair bear that out (my earliest pistol is a scrubbed Colt slide in the 300 range) if you look at the photos the pistols have the FI (not FIE a different company) steel frame with a lanyard loop and extended over the mag floorplate unlike the flush Star DK. All parts in the Colt pistols were Star kits except the US made (by FI) frames, Colt provided emblems for the grip panels and roll dies for slide markings.

[Charlie98]

Have you considered the Browning 1911-380 Black Label? There's a "Commander" version that's very close in size to the Colt Government 380. I bought one for Summer carry, because I couldn't afford a Colt Government 380, and because I wouldn't want to have a Colt end up in a police evidence locker if I ever had to use it for its intended purpose.


I replaced it with a Kahr CW9... :)