Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Gunnie Claus Works in Mysterious Ways...

So I posted my gunnie Christmas list earlier this week. I've already had two folks contact me about different items on my wish list, including this beaut:

Mustang!

Yep. Colt Mustang. The mini-1911. Introduced as the .380 Government in the early 1980s, the Mustang came about a few years later sporting a few changes and a slightly smaller (and lighter) size. I had a chance to pick up a Mustang at a very reasonable price at a gun show a few years back, but didn't jump on the opportunity when I first saw it and wound up losing the gun to another eagle-eyed attendee.

There's really no reason to want the Mustang, really. It's completely impractical as a concealed carry piece, being about twice the weight of a P3AT with the same capacity. It's also single action, not the best for pocket carry by any measure. And the Sig P238 is a modern version that's lighter and has higher capacity even if I wanted a 1911-style pocket 380.

But boy, that Mustang sure is tempting...

That is all.

13 comments:

Jon Quint said...

You sound like my kind of guy. From a far right wing second amendment guy, life member of the NRA, NRA certified handgun instructor, survivalist from neighboring People's Republic of Connecticut. http://quint-essentialconservativeramblings.blogspot.com/

Weer'd Beard said...

Yeah, the Colt Mustang is really a gun that has been passed by history.

That being said it is an amazing mark in history as it was the first pocket-sized pistol (in the modern sense...yeah we all saw Elisha Cook haul that pair of M1911s out of his jacket pockets in The Maltese Falcon, and I'm sure many a Colt 1903 rode in a gentleman's overcoat to trouser pockets) that used a locked breech. It also, if my research is correct it introduced the short-recoil action that uses a kidney-shaped hole that the slide-stop pivots on. This action is also used in the CZ-75 linage, as well as the Kahr Pistols.

So while its underpowered, heavy, and overly complex, you could say this gun is the grandfather of the Kahr PM9 which is in every way superior, and also impossible without the steps taken by Colt.

...plus its a little baby 1911 (kinda), what's not to like?

Keads said...

They are handsome guns. I have several and glad to see the Pocketlite come back, I can get parts now.

My wholesaler has it on their Web site, but no quantity in stock.

Mopar said...

Hey Jon, you need to add something to your list: member of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League. Go check em out. www.CCDL.us

Mopar (Another well prepared conservative leaning NRA life member and handgun instructor from CT)

Jon Quint said...

I am a member of CCDL, and numerous other groups. I was just pressed for time when I commented, so I couldn't list them all.

TIM said...

Very Nice Looking Guns.

AdaM said...

I would think a single action pocket gun with a manual safety would be more ideal than a DAO plastic fantastic from Ruger or Kel-Tec. If both are in a holster, it shouldn't matter, right?

Skul said...

I owned one around 90 or 91.
Very nice handgun, except it proved to be a big problem child.
Seems the guide rod was made from plastic at the time.
After fabricating a new one from steel, most of the probs went away.
Traded it for a Walther PPK.

Matthew said...

Pocketlite version solves the weight issue and it shoots just as smoothly and controllably as the all-steel.

Far better than the blowback polymer ones I've tried.

Keads said...

Jay,

What Skul said about the guide rods. Wolff has all the springs and a metal guide rod for it.

Here's mine.

If in a holster, I would carry any of them in a heartbeat.

Ed said...

Seeing all the business that SIG was getting with their P238, Colt relaunched their Mustang Pocketlite, but using more modern manufacturing such as CNC technology for a tighter weapon.
You want a real cool pocket pistol? Forget about .380 AUTO. Go for a 9mm Luger.
Boberg Arms XR-9S Shorty.
http://www.bobergarms.com/
Check out the fps and muzzle-energy this thing produces.

Ed said...

To be fair:

http://www.coltsmfg.com/

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2011/11/09/colt-introduces-380-mustang-pocketlite/

http://www.gunblast.com/Colt-MustangPocketLite.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOh5g5mbyaM

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