Colt 1903 question...

[bzh362]

So I have 2 colt 1903's. One is in fairly good condition, and the other it in poor condition.

I have taken both to the range, and both of them bulge the cases. I have tried a couple of different types of ammo (American Eagle, PMC and Aguila), all with the same result, though the American eagle was not as bad.

I took the barrel out, and holding it upright, put a round in it, and shook it, there was no rattle.

I have replaced the recoil springs with wolff springs, what else can I do to fix this? Anyone have any experience with these guns?

Thanks!

[klewan]

Where is the bulge? Like a Glock? Or is the whole case expanded? .380? or .32?

Glock style is either no support at the feed ramp or it's unlocking early while the pressure is still up. Do you have any small hole gauges of telescoping gauges and a mic? Then you could actually measure the chamber, tho your "Okie" shake test is interesting....

[bzh362]

I don't know about "like a Glock" (don't really do the Glock thing) but the cases are bulged a little more than half way down. I've attached a picture.

It seems odd to me that two pistols would have the same problem. They were manufactured 4 years apart... The chambers looked "normal" to me, but I am by no means an expert.

These are .32 acp rounds. I don't have the gauges you were talking about.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm hoping to get to the bottom of this...

[klewan]

Oversize chamber will let them bulge like that. But you need to measure it and see how much bigger than the unfired brass it actually is. Also measure before and after brass diameter.

I just thought of a way to measure the chamber; scotch tape around the brass! Put a layer on and see how it fits; loose, put another layer on. Guessing scotch is about .002" thick, this is done to the unfired brass. You could also do the same to the fired. I'd get over to the local Harbor Freight and buy one of the 6" dial calipers, everybody messing with guns needs one of those. Don't get the electronic one, they eat batteries.

I like to use the tape trick to check headspace, but that makes AR15 Barrel's and kcstott's heads explode. I think they might agree with this one.

[bzh362]

I actually just bought a caliper earlier today.

Unfired round is: .3335 at the neck, .3315 in the middle, .332 at the back

Fired brass is: .339 at neck .343 in the middle, .332 at the back

Any idea what the safe range is on the .32 ACP?

These are not +p rounds. Normal powder load 71gr. FMJ.

Thanks for the input guys!

[bzh362]

If my chamber is well and truly buggered I'm considering trying to find a way to convert to .32 naa. Any opinions on going that route?

[sealocan]

I don't know enough to give you opinions on doing conversion.

but you could get a barrel (of the early or the later model barrels) from gun parts Corporation for less than $80.
& if you shopped around you could probably find someone that that has new barrel in stock for a little bit more.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/AutoPistols-35748/1903Pocket32Hammerless-34909.htm

and that's the route I would go if I thought my current barrel was unsafe.

[klewan]

I measured some of my .32 fired brass; .335" at the mouth and midpoint. .332" at the extraction groove. So you definitely have an oversize barrel with how big your brass is. Buying a new one is the only fix. Forget the rechambering to NAA, the Colts have value as a stock gun....

[bzh362]

I'm relatively certain that my gun has little or no collector value. The bluing was amaturely removed by the previous owner, and the original stocks were cracked. That's the reason I was considering the conversion.

I'm looking at getting a replacement from Numrich, but the only barrel that they have in stock that might work doesn't have a picture, or specify if it is the bushingless variety... which makes me hesitant to order it...

Thanks for the help!

[sealocan]

a smaller parts store I know might be able to help you with just a phone call.
Jack first gun store South Dakota.

look of them up online give & them a call. I think both the women and the men answering the phones know their stuff and can help.

and because they're smaller they might be able to hand select you a better barrel or even have "new old stock" ones for sale.

good luck and even if it doesn't have high cash value,

if it works ...keep it working.

[bzh362]

Finally tracked down a decent barrel on ebay of all places, hoping it works better.