Happy Fathers Day: Colt Government 380

Nathan · June 17, 2018, 06:24 AM

Well, just picked one of these up on Gunbroker.....in blue.

What do I need to know about these? Any issues?

Anybody know a custom grip maker for these? I know Altamont makes something, but was hoping to go slightly higher end.

BTW, this is not a carry gun or even really a shooter for me. This is a shoot it a couple times a year pistol...just to have. I could carry it, but mostly, I'm owning history.

Charlie98 · June 17, 2018, 08:41 AM

I don't know about grips, but there is or was a guy that makes a stainless trigger for it to replace the plastic one.

My big complaint about mine is the weak thumb safety detent spring... I don't trust it enough to carry it cocked and locked (although I understand you aren't planning on doing that, just be aware it might have a weak safety.)

Aside from it being a '80's era Colt (with a pretty 'loose' fit, if you know what I mean...) it's a fun little pistol to shoot, and far easier to shoot than a PPK/s or other similar pistols.

tallball · June 17, 2018, 10:00 AM

I like mine a LOT. The steel frame and locked breech combine for extremely minimal recoil. My daughter was shooting it when she was eight years old. It has pretty decent sights. The trigger is good. It has never malfunctioned. I can shoot it quite well at seven yards. When I shot it at 15 yards recently the results were less impressive - my aging eyes and the short sight radius don't work for me at that distance. I bought it about five years ago so that I would have a 380 that my daughter could shoot easily. It's been one of my favorite handguns ever since. Everyone who shoots it likes it.

Nathan · June 17, 2018, 11:45 AM

Picture of it still on Gunbroker!

I think maybe grab a couple mags and give it a shot. Mag price looks good now....in 2025, probably be $100 a mag!

Armybrat · June 17, 2018, 11:58 AM

Bought mine new 30 years ago. It tended to jam up the first two range sessions, then I found out the model had a factory problem. Called Colt and they immediately sent me a new spring clip with DIY installation instructions, or a Colt dealer would install it free of charge.
Being a procrastinatin' type, I never got around to putting it in. I recently was looking through an old shoe box and found the Colt envelope with the part still taped to the instructions. Guess I had better get off my duff & do it before one of my heirs loses it.

Nice little gun, by the way (yeah, it's been sitting in my safe for 30 years - LNIB with maybe 30 rounds through it).

The little spring clip is still taped in the upper left corner of the instruction sheet:

Charlie98 · June 17, 2018, 12:06 PM

Personally, I think the Gov't .380 is the perfect training pistol for someone with small hands. I just wish the sights were a bit better.

Here's mine, posing with it's carry mate...

thickstrings · June 17, 2018, 06:54 PM

Here is a article that addresses some of those questions.... http://www.cylinder-slide.com/colt380.shtml

Charlie98 · June 18, 2018, 08:31 AM

I was actually going to send my Colt in to C&S to have them spiff it up, particularly the sights, but then I saw the price tag and decided not to... it just didn't make sense on a .380.

June 17, 2018, 06:24 AM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Happy Fathers Day: Colt Government 380 Well, just picked one of these up on Gunbroker.....in blue. What do I need to know about these? Any issues? Anybody know a custom grip maker for these? I know Altamont makes something, but was hoping to go slightly higher end. BTW, this is not a carry gun or even really a shooter for me. This is a shoot it a couple times a year pistol...just to have. I could carry it, but mostly, I'm owning history.

June 17, 2018, 08:41 AM	#2
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I don't know about grips, but there is or was a guy that makes a stainless trigger for it to replace the plastic one. My big complaint about mine is the weak thumb safety detent spring... I don't trust it enough to carry it cocked and locked (although I understand you aren't planning on doing that, just be aware it might have a weak safety.) Aside from it being a '80's era Colt (with a pretty 'loose' fit, if you know what I mean...) it's a fun little pistol to shoot, and far easier to shoot than a PPK/s or other similar pistols. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

June 17, 2018, 11:58 AM	#5
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	Bought mine new 30 years ago. It tended to jam up the first two range sessions, then I found out the model had a factory problem. Called Colt and they immediately sent me a new spring clip with DIY installation instructions, or a Colt dealer would install it free of charge. Being a procrastinatin' type, I never got around to putting it in. I recently was looking through an old shoe box and found the Colt envelope with the part still taped to the instructions. Guess I had better get off my duff & do it before one of my heirs loses it. Nice little gun, by the way (yeah, it's been sitting in my safe for 30 years - LNIB with maybe 30 rounds through it). The little spring clip is still taped in the upper left corner of the instruction sheet: Last edited by Armybrat; June 17, 2018 at 01:43 PM.

June 17, 2018, 12:06 PM	#6
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	Personally, I think the Gov't .380 is the perfect training pistol for someone with small hands. I just wish the sights were a bit better. Here's mine, posing with it's carry mate... __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

June 17, 2018, 06:54 PM	#7
thickstrings Member Join Date: July 28, 2006 Posts: 57	Here is a article that addresses some of those questions.... http://www.cylinder-slide.com/colt380.shtml __________________ In times of universal deceit, those who speak the truth are revolutionaries.

June 17, 2018, 10:00 AM	#3
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I like mine a LOT. The steel frame and locked breech combine for extremely minimal recoil. My daughter was shooting it when she was eight years old. It has pretty decent sights. The trigger is good. It has never malfunctioned. I can shoot it quite well at seven yards. When I shot it at 15 yards recently the results were less impressive - my aging eyes and the short sight radius don't work for me at that distance. I bought it about five years ago so that I would have a 380 that my daughter could shoot easily. It's been one of my favorite handguns ever since. Everyone who shoots it likes it.

June 17, 2018, 11:45 AM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Picture of it still on Gunbroker! I think maybe grab a couple mags and give it a shot. Mag price looks good now....in 2025, probably be $100 a mag!

June 18, 2018, 08:31 AM	#8
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I was actually going to send my Colt in to C&S to have them spiff it up, particularly the sights, but then I saw the price tag and decided not to... it just didn't make sense on a .380. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."