FN/Browning Model 1900 - any experiences?

[Olle]

Here's my 1900, all original except for the grip panels:

Got it in a trade for about $200 as it didn't work properly, but come to find out it was just a $6 spring missing so I guess I did pretty good. I was actually thinking about refinishing it, but after a complete disassembly and a good clean-up I found that it was way to nice to screw around with so I just lubed and assembled it again.

This is a nice little shooter, the barrel sits very low in the frame so the recoil doesn't feel as snappy as in other straight blowback .32s. It's a bit cumbersome to disassemble due to the design, but the craftsmanship is outstanding. You just gotta love the fit and finish on these, makes you wonder how much it would cost to produce it today...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

Here's my 1900, all original except for the grip panels...it didn't work properly, but come to find out it was just a $6 spring missing...

Looks pretty nice!!! I'm hoping to find one in as good condition as yours!!!

Why do you say the grip panels aren't original??? I know there were two different types (I call them wide vs narrow); I like the narrow ones like on yours...

Which spring was it that was missing (or broke)???

[Olle]

Originally Posted by postino

Why do you say the grip panels aren't original??? I know there were two different types (I call them wide vs narrow); I like the narrow ones like on yours...

They are reproductions. The old ones were deteriorated and had those funky "worm holes" you can find in some early hard rubber grip panels, but the previous owner had already bought repros and included them in the deal. He had also tried to put them on, and managed to put a big dent in the magazine in the process by not checking the depth of the screw hole. I have fixed the dent, but if anybody has a spare mag, I'd like to buy it. BTW, while tinkering with some other guns, I found that this mag also fits 1907 Dreyse. I suspect that smaller manufacturers saved some money by building their guns around larger brand mags, so the FN 1900 mag could possibly fit other pistols as well.

I have tried repros from http://www.vintagegungrips.com and http://www.gungrip.com, and they are both like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. Some grips have been so-so, some have been excellent but in their defense, their products can only be as good as the master they use. If they only have worn and scuffed grips to make molds from, their repros will also look worn and scuffed. They do have good pictures on their web site though, so you'll know what they'll look like before you order. The grips are cheap and their S&H is very reasonable, so I think it's a very good alternative to overpriced originals (or while you're looking for originals). The ones I have used required some fitting, but it was fairly easy to do. In short, they are a very good resource when you want to get a gun up and running without breaking the bank.

I know that the repros Numrich sells are from Vintage Gun Grips, but I'm not sure about Sarco. The only manufacturers I have found are the ones mentioned above, but it would be really interesting to know if there are other sources.

Originally Posted by postino

Which spring was it that was missing (or broke)???

The flat trigger bar/mag catch spring. Not sure how it could go missing like that, but I suspect that it just broke right at the pin and fell out through the magazine well. I just looked it up on Numrich's web site, and it was obviously $8.25, not $6. Still ain't a bad price, especially when it's right there at the time you need it.