COLT MUSTANG POCKETLITE
Posted May 19, 2023
The Colt Mustang Pocketlite—slim and lightweight, a perfect EDC (everyday carry) handgun. This is an iconic revolver, as impressive in style and design as it is in performance. The variant I will be reviewing is the Colt Mustang Pocketlite XP, in .380 ACP caliber.
The Colt Mustang Pocketlite XP is an evolution of the original Colt Mustang. First introduced in 1985, this firearm was marketed as a contemporary of the more traditional .25 ACP caliber handgun, but with more substantial utilitarian features such as an aluminum alloy frame and a removable stainless steel slide. Over the years, the Colt Mustang has been released in various formats such as the Colt Defender (with a 3” barrel and spurless hammer), the Mustang Lite (with a composite frame instead of aluminum and a stainless steel slide as well as a 6+1 capacity magazine and an adjustable rear sight) and the Mustang Plus II (with a 5” barrel, Pachmayr wraparound finger-groove grips and fully ambidextrous controls).
The Colt Mustang Pocketlite XP is the most modern incarnation of the Mustang series. The Pocketlite XP weighs 12.0 ounces (empty) and is 7.2” long, 4.8” tall and 0.9” wide. This size makes it the perfect weapon to carry and conceal. It is chambered for the .380 ACP cartridges, with a 6+1 capacity magazine. The Pocketlite is a single action only (SAO) semi-auto, with a spurless hammer, a external thumb safety, a manual slide stop and a mechanical firing pin security system. As with the other Mustangs, the Pocketlite has a fixed barrel-slide lock-up and a linkless barrel generally believed to provide improved accuracy. Additionally, the Pocketlite features a three-dot sight pattern and an aluminum, anodized slide with engraved windows and the Colt logo.
The Pocketlite boasts an impressive list of features that make it an ideal EDC concealed carry option. The lightweight construction makes it perfect for wearing day and night under any type of clothing. The external manual safety, located on the left side of the frame above the thumb, allows for a safe and easy “thumb safety” operation while the slide stop and magazine release are both intuitively located behind the trigger and easy to reach. Furthermore, the external slide serrations provide a surer grip when operating the slide than the internal slide serrations that are usually found on similar handguns. The ergonomics of the Pocketlite are also impressive. The XP model has Pachmayr wraparound signature grip panels, which are both comfortable and stylish, and the relief cuts on the frame provide a secure grip when drawing or putting the Colt Mustang away. Additionally, the rear sight is adjustable to help you maintain an accurate shooting.
The Colt Mustang Pocketlite XP has also proven its performance in a variety of tests. In the accuracy test, the Pocketlite’s fixed barrel provided excellent accuracy with no flyers. The trigger was tested for accuracy at a distance of 7 yards, with an impressive score of 1.3”, although this is slightly higher than the Colt Mustang Plus II (which scored 1.0”). When testing the reliability of the Pocketlite, no problems were encountered in firing various types of .380 ACP ammunition. It operated reliably with no malfunctions in all of the 500 rounds of test ammunition. Furthermore, the Mustang Pocketlite XP has shown extremely low levels of felt recoil.
Overall, the Colt Mustang Pocketlite XP is an excellent choice for EDC concealed carry. The lightweight construction makes it discreet to carry and its external features and ergonomics make operation safe and easy. The certification tests show that the Pocketlite is an accurate and reliable handgun and its adjustable sight ensures that pinpoint accuracy. With all these features, the Colt Mustang Pocketlite XP is a complete EDC package.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry
-High capacity magazine makes it capable of using different ammunition
-Excellent accuracy due to the adjustable trigger
-Reliable and durable
-Good reputation for quality
Cons:
-High cost of the gun
-Limited ammunition selection available for this model
-Reports of excessive muzzle rise and kickback with certain ammunition
-Larger calibers can be uncomfortable to fire due to its small size
Who Should Buy
Those looking for an affordable self-defense weapon should purchase the Colt Mustang Pocketlite. This compact pistol is easily concealed and has very manageable recoil.
Those looking for a weapon for hunting or competition shooting should not purchase the Colt Mustang Pocketlite. This is due to its small size and meager stopping power.
Comparisons
| Product | Caliber | Action | Barrel | Overall Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colt Mustang Pocketlite | .380Auto | Single Action | 2.75" | 5.5" | 12 ounces |
| Kel-Tec P-3AT | .380Auto | Double Action | 2.7" | 5.2" | 6.6 ounces |
| Sig Sauer P238 | .380Auto | Single Action | 2.7" | 5.5" | 15.2 ounces |
| Taurus TCP 738 | .380 Auto | Double Action | 2.84" | 5.25" | 10.2 ounces |
| Ruger LCP II | .380Auto | Double Action | 2.75" | 5.17" | 10.6 ounces |
Features / Specs
• Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Dimensions: 5.53.981.06 inches (LWH)
• Barrel Length: 2.75 inches
• Capacity: 6 rounds (9mm)
• Made from stainless steel
• Textured grip
• Ambidextrous safety
• Manual frame mounted safety
• Single action
• White 3-dot sight
Popular Accessories
?
The most popular accessories for the Colt Mustang Pocketlite are extra magazines, laser sights, extended slide releases, grip extensions, combination holsters, and trigger locks.
Accuracy
The COLT Mustang Pocketlite is capable of extreme accuracy in experienced users hands. The downsized-all-metal pistol has an 8-round capacity with a 3.3” barrel that is finely heat-treated and honed to give it greater precision. Colt also made sure to include their precise sights, which have a low-profile fixed Novak style rear sight and U-notch blade front sight that makes sighting quick and easy. With that combination, the Mustang Pocketlite is capable of consistent groupings at distances up to 25 yards, making it excellent for self-defense or target shooting.
