First up of the day, clocking in at 110 years young, the FN 1900. 100 rounds of Fiocchi 32 Auto were fired, with ZERO malfunctions. Sights are adequate, Grip is ok, the pistol feels solid, and the barrel sitting so low (under the slide), coupled with the ample weight and relatively low power of the 32 auto round make the 1900 easy to get and stay on target. The trigger is interesting, no take up, no gradual increase in pressure, you just pull until the striker in the slide is released. Nothing smooth, buttery, or glamorous about it, just as the FN 1900 as a whole...it just works. Group was at approx 5 yards. The old pistol is still capable of delivering the goods, if you are up to it. Side Note: all 3 of the pistols had their recoil springs changed and, in the case of the 1910, striker spring changed. There are videos on how to take down the 1903 and 1910, and change the springs, the 1900, not so much. I will just say that it is not designed to be taken apart all the time, and changing the big recoil/striker spring is a PAIN.

 

Next up, the Colt 1903. Much more of a pleasure to hold in the hand, the trigger on the 1903 is much better than the 1900, and a step above the 1910. The 1903 was the only pistol to malfunction, 2 FTFs due to a weak Magazine spring. Still, a joy to shoot at 100 years old, and the easiest on the eye of the bunch, as well as having the best feel in the hand. Not of no importance, the 1903 has the easiest slide to rack of the bunch- easier by a mile than 1900 with it’s massive, foot long spring, and easier than the 1910, with it’s concentric spring and small purchase at the rear of the slide. Sights are adequate, slightly less visible than the 1900. Accuracy at 5 yards is more than acceptable. The 1903 is simply a joy to shoot at the range.

 

Last, the FN 1910. The sights are nearly non existent. This pistol feels really good in the hand, comfortable to hold. Not as nice and well balanced as the 1903, but much better than the bigger 1900 it replaces. The trigger is surprisingly really good. Before I had shot the 1910, I had read reviews knocking the trigger. The trigger is very nice, were a trigger this good introduced on a new Polymer framed pistol, it would be hailed as the best one in the market. Not as good as the hammer fired 1903, or the much more complicated (and expensive) Mauser 1914 of the same era, it is nonetheless a massive improvement over the 1900s, and a night and day difference compared to the Savage 1907 of the day. Accuracy was excellent, IF YOU CAN FIND THE SIGHTS, and the 1910 is really a pleasure at the range. This particular example was manufactured circa 1937. All in all, an excellent pocket 32 auto for the range-in 1910, 1937, or 2017. Taken into context for its intended purpose and for the time period, the 1910 simply rocks.

 

650931...Thanks for your reviews of these wonderful pistols. My experience is limited to the Colt 1903 but I am always impressed how great they shoot and how well they are made. I just got myself a Colt 1903 Type 2 (made in 1910) that I am going to range test this week and hope to put some pictures up. I am impressed at how well you shoot with these guns. Those are some great targets! The sights for me can be quite a challenge with my aging eyes.

 

Thank you you for the kind words, I appreciate it.

 

Which Browning is the “best”? Judging by sales, the 1900. Judging by prices today, the 1903. Judging by number of World Wars started, the 1910. Each of these has their own unique personality, you could tell them apart in your hand blindfolded (metaphorically speaking, the author does not recommend handling any firearm with your eyes closed). The 1900 is relatively rare in this country, and has little following. A shame, really, considering it’s place in Firearms history. The 1903, is a Colt, of course, albeit one with FN lineage. A sexy, timeless classic, with a beautiful trigger pull, the mere sight of one conjures up images of the Roaring 20’s Prohibition Era. The 1910, Browning’s final evolution, is no slouch in the innovation department. A sleek, state of the art example of personal protection when it was released, it remained in production for 65 years. Handy, easy to conceal, and with fewer parts and lower production cost than either the 1900 or 1903, the 1910’s resume more than stands the test of time. This is one of those times where there truly is no cut and dry “right” answer. No 32 auto collection is complete without an example of each, and each one is reliable and fun to shoot at the range, with a ton of history, a great name on the slide, and fantastic, pre war build quality. That being said, the author has his favorites:

1. FN 1910. The whole package. You won’t understand until you take one out. From an ease of production, and how well it does it’s intended job standpoint, and from an engineering one, the 1910 has it all. Yeah, the sights are terrible even by WW1 standards, but taken as a whole package, the author feels John Moses Browning’s final 32 auto design was his finest.

2. Colt 1903. Let the hate begin! The Colt did not win on the Colt Forum! An excellent, sexy pistol with a sweet, buttery trigger pull, the Colt is hurt by its extra parts, and added production cost compared to the 1910, as well as added bulk and weight. A joy to shoot at the range, and one of the better single action 32 autos made anywhere pre-war.

3. FN 1900. A truly revolutionary pistol, that changed what personal protection could be, a massive sales success that gave FN the boost it needed at the time it needed it. A solid, well built pistol that just worked, 100 years ago and yesterday afternoon, the 1900 is nonetheless outclassed by the 1903 and 1910 at the range and at the cleaning/recoil spring changing station. Still, an essential piece for any serious firearms collector, the old 1900 is likely to keep chugging along for another 100 years.

 

A few final thoughts:

1. All pistols fired 100 rounds of Fiocchi 73 Grain 7.65 mm (32 auto). Groups shown are my best group with the pistol achieved with a two handed, thumbs forward grip using an Isoceles stance and the pistol’s sights at approx 5 yards. The Colt was the only pistol to malfunction, most likely due to weak Magazine spring.

2. The information in this thread is intended to be basic, enthusiast geared information. If you see something that you know is a mistake, please MESSAGE me and I will correct it. The information in the thread is obtained from personal experience, and Anthony Vanderlinden’s book “FN Browning Pistols: Sidearms that shaped World History”, and Donald Bady’s “Colt Automatic Pistols”.

3. All pistols were cleaned, oiled, and had fresh recoil springs installed (and striker in the case of the 1910) and dry fired with snap caps and hand cycled to test for function before making the trip to the range.

4. Targets used were “Easyshot Fluorescent Orange”. These are dirt cheap ($6.99 for a 10 pack) on Amazon, and the bright background is extremely helpful in picking up the sights on antique firearms.

5. Safety: Could you or should you carry any of these pistols as a concealed carry weapon today? In a word, no. None of these pistols feature a firing pin block or equivalent method of making the pistol drop safe. The only way to carry any of these truly safely is with an empty chamber. The 1903 is especially vulnerable with the firing pin in the slide held back from contacting the primer only by the firing pin return spring in the slide, and there is one relatively recent, well documented case of a Colt 1903 being dropped and killing the user, the case of Steve Malloy, a writer for SWAT magazine. To quote the editor of said magazine:

“Longtime S.W.A.T. Magazine Contributing Staff Member Steve Malloy was killed in a tragic shooting accident at his home on April 16.

As best as can be determined, Steve had a 1903 Colt pistol in his waistband and when he bent over to tie his shoes, the pistol fell onto the floor and discharged—the bullet struck Steve in the chest. He was found in the garage, apparently trying to leave the home to summon aid.

Hi wife Rhonda, daughter Stacey and son Ross survive him. Second Amendment proponents have lost a valuable ally. The firearms industry has lost an excellent writer. We have lost a friend. Rest in peace, Brother.

-Denny Hansen
-S.W.A.T. Magazine”.

 

dkay62, an excellent presentation of three classic pocket pistols, and I read every word from your comparisons, and for me, that's unusual when a lot is written. I have all three of the pistols mentioned, ...but we're still not sure (positive) which 1910 was used to start WWI......32 or the 380? Also, For some reason, the Browning 1900 has come into its own....try buying one, in excellent condition, for less than a grand.
Thank you for your well written comparisons,
Joe