Classic Colt Cutaways and a new Python?–SHOT Show 2016

in Authors, Sam Trisler, SHOT Show 2016

Updated: January 24, 2016 BY Sam Trisler

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As pedestrian as the 1903 is, this is one very nice build. But what if you want to see how it works?

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Read more about the Colt Custom Shop: https://www.colt.com/CustomerServices/ColtCustom/DesignYourOwn.aspx

Buy a 1903 on GunsAmerica: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=colt%201903

Last year when we dropped by the Colt booth, we were blown away by what we saw. It wasn’t what we expected from a company that often seems to consider its historic guns as part of its past. What we found was a new production 1903 Pocket Hammerless built by US Armament. The old John Browning design was back for a limited run in the configuration that was issued to officers during WWII. These guns are now shipping and will slowly trickle out over this year.

The cutaway versions are even more interesting for the collectors.

But that is not the end of the story for the 1903. Colt had an awesome cutaway version at the show and they are making some of them for sale as well. What’s the appeal of a cutaway? If you’re anything like me (and odds on that are pretty good if you clicked on this link in the first place) you like to look at guns. Some of us like to look at them and manipulate them and study them almost as much as we like to actually shoot them. They’re intricate mechanical marvels. So we’ve included a massive photo-set below so you can marvel, too.

After the run of 1903s are done, they are going to retool and start making the 1908. If you are unfamiliar, the 1908 is the same pistol as the 1903 but in .380 instead of .32. This will not be a limited run, either. These will be in production and we can’t wait to get our hands on one.

And that is not all. The folks at Colt were blown away (and admittedly surprised) about how much buzz and excitement came from the announcement of the 1903 at last years SHOT Show. We were told that the excitement was so great that the Colt Custom Shop has been told to start building Pythons. That is right, Colt is building Pythons. Apparently there are walls full of original parts, and all of the original tooling is still warehoused. But it is more complicated than just dusting off the old equipment. This is antiquated stuff compared to today’s CNC machines. Also, Pythons were all hand fitted and tuned in a labor-intensive process. Our source said the Custom Shop is working on the Python build now. As of this writing, there is nothing official about the announcement, and no target delivery dates or any information on how many they’ll make. After looking at the 1903, we feel confident in saying they are taking the time to learn how to build them right.

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