Firearm Recalls & Warnings Index
This Colt is a latter model Mustang. The pistol's serial number is RC 81163. The barrel is the 2 3/4 inch barrel. The original bluing is the black finish. Workman at the range with a Colt Mustang Pocketlite in.380 ACP. That target was set at 15 yards from the firing line. Few people say they hate the little round, especially after it was written about in the Nosler Reloading Guide No. Look Up Colt Mustang 380 Serial Numbers The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless (not to be confused with the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer or the M1903 Springfield rifle) is a.32 ACP caliber, self-loading, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and built by Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut.
BROWNING
MODEL BUCK MARK,
22 CALIBER, PISTOL BOX
RECALL: Browning is recalling all Buck Mark 22 Pistol boxes sold between January of 1992 to present.
THIS RECALL IS FOR THE BOX ONLY. DO NOT SEND YOUR BUCK MARK PISTOL. RETURN ONLY THE BOX FOR REPLACEMENT.
DO NOT PLACE YOUR BUCK MARK 22 PISTOL IN A BOX TO BE RECALLED.
NEVER PLACE ANY LOADED GUN IN ANY CASE. THIS IS A BASIC RULE OF SAFETY.
Do not use the box until it has been replaced by Browning. Failure to follow these instructions could result in injury or death to yourself or others.
Colt Mustang 380 Serial Numbers List
In all cases, only the original Buck Mark box is to be returned. Please call our office and inform us which box you own.
When we receive your call we will verify and record which box you own. If you have a box to be recalled, you will be sent a special Buck Mark Box Recall Kit to expedite the return and replacement of your Buck Mark box.
We apologize for this inconvenience. There will be no charge for the replacement and all shipping costs will be prepaid by Browning.
Source:
- Guns & Ammo, July 1997; page 36
- Handguns, July 1997; page 20
- Shooting Times, August 1997; page 57
BRYCO ARMS
MODEL 38,
380 AUTO CALIBER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL
WARNING: These pistols may create an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION and a POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY by firing when dropped.
This model pistol trigger/disconnector bar and sear level may have too small a gap between them such that a sharp movement of the slide rearward could cause the weapon to discharge without the trigger being pulled.
The discharge is created by the moving slide impacting the disconnector and driving the trigger bar/disconnector rearward into the cam lever before it can pivot downward and out of alignment.
Source:
- AFTE Journal, Winter, 2001; Volume 33, Number 1:48-49
BRYCO ARMS
MODEL 59,
9MM LUGER CALIBER, SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL
WARNING: The Bryco Arms, model 59, 9mm Luger caliber, semiautomatic pistol is subject to misfeeding and jamming during the loading of cartridges into the chamber from the magazine. If the primer of a cartridge comes in contact with internal parts, such as the tip of the ejector, an unintentional discharge may result. This occurs while the port is open and without the trigger being pulled. This situation is extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury.
Source:
- AFTE Journal, Summer 1999; Volume 31, Number 3:379-381
BRYCO ARMS
MODEL JENNINGS NINE,
9MM LUGER CALIBER, SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL
Colt Mustang 380 Serial Numbers 162069s
WARNING: The Bryco Arms, model Jennings Nine, 9mm Luger caliber, semiautomatic pistol is subject to accidental discharge. The pistol MAGAZINE SAFETY is subject to FAILURE when the trigger is pulled and the magazine release button is depressed simultaneously. When this occurs the pistol will fire even though the magazine has been removed from the pistol.
Source:
- AFTE Journal, Summer 1999; Volume 31, Number 3:379-381
BRYCO ARMS
Model Jennings Nine,
9mm LUGER caliber Semiautomatic Pistol
WARNING: These pistols may create an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION and a POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY by firing without pulling the trigger.
During the testing of a Bryco Arms, Jennings Nine pistol by a forensic firearms examiner it was noted that it would fire upon release of the thumb safety and spontaneously fire in a FULL AUTO MODE on an inconsistent bases. When loaded with the manual thumb safety in the “safe” position, if the trigger of the submitted firearm has been pulled stiffly a few times, the firearm will discharge when the thumb safety is moved to the “fire” position.
Disassembly of the pistol revealed some wear/damage to the sear which allows slight downward movement when the trigger is pulled. It appears due to the wear/damage the sear/striker engagement is reduced allowing the striker to override the sear after the thumb safety is released.
MANUALLY UNLOADING THIS PISTOL MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD DISCHARGE DURING THIS PROCEDURE.
Source:
- AFTE Journal, Spring 2001; Volume 33, Number 2:145-147
- Illinois State Police Laboratory, Springfield - Notice, December 7, 2000
CALICO
MODEL M-100 RIFLE/M-100P PISTOL,
22 LONG RIFLE CALIBER
WARNING: These make and model rifles/pistols may have the potential for “SLAM FIRE” UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGE.
The Calico M-100 and M-100P will consistently SLAM FIRE when live cartridges are manually loaded directly into the chamber and the bolt is allowed to go forward under its own spring tension. At no time during this process does the trigger need to be pulled for discharge. These SLAM FIRES occur with the safety in the ON or OFF positions.
The SLAM FIRES described only occur when a cartridge is placed directly into the chamber and the bolt released forward under its own spring tension.
Calico Light Weapons Systems
1489 Greg Street
Sparks, NV 89431
(702) 358-6000
Source:
- AFTE Journal, Summer 1998; Volume 30, Number 3:527-530
Early in 2002 while living in Boise, ID, I began a search for a Walther PPKS in .380 ACP. I already had a Walther PPK and a PPKS in .32 ACP I’d bought new several years earlier and yearned for the .380. I couldn’t find anything new that I could afford but stumbled on a newspaper ad for a not-so-new PPKS.
I called and set up an appointment for a look-see. On my arrival, the elderly gentleman was friendly and explained he was downsizing. He produced the blued Walther, no box or manual, and one magazine. A quick visual confirmed too much wear for my wants. He would not back down on the price, so I asked if he had anything else in a .380. He immediately brought out a blue plastic Colt factory box containing a practically new Colt Mustang Plus II in stainless. I
asked the price and he said “same as for the Walther.” I hefted the pistol, worked the action, removed the magazine and saw there was a second magazine in the box. I could see the pistol had been fired, but certainly not much, and showed a few minor mishandling scratches. A quickly written check sealed the deal.
Not being sure what I’d just bought, some online and publication research produced joyful results. I wondered if I’d bought a possible classic pistol and worth much more than what I paid, especially in such pristine condition. I had a box of FMJ shells and ventured out to some nearby Bureau of Land Management acreage, set up a cardboard box and a target.
The little Colt kicked harder than what I’d experienced with a used Sig 232 I’d bought earlier, but the size of the Mustang was ideal for concealed carry. I ran rounds through both magazines and no problems. Accuracy probably is much better than my field trial. I rapidly decided the Mustang deserved a thorough cleaning and would best find a forever home in my gun safe. I’ve never carried the little Colt, although the Bianchi Black Widow holster for my 232 secures the Colt if needed.
My Plus II has a 2.75-inch barrel. With seven rounds of Winchester Silvertips in the magazine and one in the pipe, the Colt scales at 22 ounces. The thumb safety is on the left side and the pistol is safe to carry cocked and locked. I’ve
never been fond of that option though. The overall length is 5.5 inches by 4.25 inches high, so small.
Some Wikipedia and Colt website research revealed that Colt engineer Hank Tatro designed the Mustang, introduced in 1983 as the Colt Mark IV/ Series '80 Government Model -.380 Auto. “This pocket pistol was similar in appearance, but not design, to the Colt M1911. The Government Model .380's obvious aesthetic difference being that it is scaled down to roughly 78 percent to that of a full-sized M1911 Government Model. From the factory, the .380 Government Model came with a capacity of 7+1. In 1986, Colt introduced a simplified version of their .380 with a shortened barrel, slide, and grip frame, holding two fewer rounds and sold it as the Mustang.
In 1987, the Pocket Light version was introduced boosting the popularity because of the reduced weight of the weapon. In 1988, the Mustang Plus II was introduced and it had the longer grip frame of the original government model. The Mustang Plus II derived its name from holding two more rounds in its magazine than the original Mustang. In a number of years, Colt changed their spring and follower in the Mustang magazine, increasing its capacity to 6. In 1993, the Night Light .380 was introduced with Bar Dot Tritium night sights. In 1996, Colt added a blued steel frame or stainless version. In 2011, Colt reintroduced the previously discontinued Mustang Pocketlite, along with the Colt Mustang XSP in 2013, a polymer frame version with an updated design.”
Checking the Colt website at https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup, I found my Mustang’s serial number shows a 1993 production date. New Mustangs, if you can find one and now listed as “Out of Stock” on the Colt website, run $600 to $700 MSRP. A recent search for a used Mustang Plus II in stainless, like mine in the original box with manual, runs anywhere from $800 to nearly $1,500. I more than tripled or quadrupled the value of what I paid 18 years ago. What a deal!
After buying the Mustang, I talked myself out of another Walther, a decision I don’t regret. But, if I found a PPKS in .380 for a good price, temptation would be there! Best I’ve found in a used PPKS on the WWW, in the box and two mags are about $600, again if available. The newer Walthers in .380 sure doesn’t resemble the classic PPKS.
With all that is going on with the COVID-19 pandemic and what could happen in society, cherish and defend our 2nd Amendment rights! Stay safe and be prepared. ~ Mike
Mike Sampson
Mike now calls Northwestern Arkansas home, but has lived and worked in several states. He has been an independent contractor and consultant since 2006 specializing in risk management, emergency management and training. In addition to work as a law-enforcement planner and technical writer with the Boise, Idaho, Police Department, he has experience in journalism, crop and animal agriculture, dryland farming for 20 years in western Kansas, plant and animal diseases, pandemic influenza, agroterrorism, bioterrorism, food safety and healthcare marketing.
Growing up in a Missouri fishing family, Mike’s in tune with the outdoors and enjoys camping, kayaking, canoeing, shooting, reloading and gardening. He has been a Hunter Safety Instructor in Wyoming and was an outfitter’s guide for two years in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton Wilderness in the Wind River Mountains.
As a rifle hunter, he’s taken mule and whitetail deer, elk and antelope with his .270 Winchester handloads. Mike has raised and trained Brittany spaniels and favors upland game and turkeys with his 20-gauge over and under. His main firearms hobby now focuses on handguns.
He has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and has newspaper and agency writing and editing experience. At Washington State University in Pullman, he earned a master’s degree emphasizing adult education and communications, with minors in mourning dove, chukar partridge, pheasant and mountain quail on the breaks of the Snake River.
While living in Lander, WY, Mike provided photographic coverage of the One Shot Antelope Hunt for three years, and got to meet and accompany folks such as Chuck Yeager, Carroll Shelby, Buzz Aldrin, Dale Robertson and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf on their hunts.
In addition, Mike is a Federal Emergency Management Agency certified instructor and has worked and taught for state and federal agencies. He has responded to seven presidentially declared disasters, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria when they struck Puerto Rico in 2017. He also has worked and taught in Africa and Southeast Asia. Check his website at www.sampsonrisk.com.