m/07 SWEDISH PISTOL

I have been collecting and shooting now for probably 35 years or so, but it was only early in 2001 that I acquired my first Swedish m/07 pistol. My particular gun was made by Husqvarna, and was rechambered to .380 ACP when it was imported into the U.S. My gun did not function well with .380 ACP cartridges, but a clever gunsmith was able to successfully modify two Makarov magazines to fit my pistol, and feed .380 ACP cartridges perfectly. The only modification made necessary to the pistol itself (so that it would function properly with the modified magazines) was to remove the slide catch -- so the slide is not held open now by an empty magazine. Small price to pay, in my opinion.

My pistol fits well in my hand, feels good, and shoots where you aim it. It's a great pistol, and has become one of my favorite guns. So far, I have only fired .380 ACP factory loads in it. My plans are to carefully work up some handloads that approach the power of the original 9MM Browning Long cartridge for which this gun was originally designed and manufactured:

If you should happen to have one of these m/07 pistols still in its original 9 MM Browning Long chambering, surplus ammo is currently available from Samco Global Arms, Inc.

Update: I was recently able to obtain a 9MM Browning Long barrel for this pistol from Gun Parts Corp. The barrel was a little pricey, but was brand new, unused, and still in cosmoline -- complete with a Swedish crown marking. This barrel is a drop-in replacement -- so now I have a pistol that can shoot both .380 ACP and 9MM Browning Long cartridges. Just like having a revolver with two different cylinders! I have some surplus 9MM Browning Long ammo on order from Samco and from Empire Arms -- so should have some fun range time ahead!

As I move ahead with this project, I'll post my results, and will add additional relevant links and images as I come across them.

RELOADING INFO

Original barrel in 9MM Browning Long chambering

Here's what I do (may not be right for you or your gun):

1.) I start with fired .38 Super brass (which I can usually pick up CHEAP at local gun shows)

2.) I resize in an RCBS .38 Super sizing die, and trim to .80" (I use a Forster case trimming rig and a cordless drill)

3.) I clean up the trimmed case mouth with a deburring tool

4.) I prime the cases and charge with 2.5 to 3.0 grains of IMR "Hi-Skor" 700-X (a mild, comfortable load)

5.) Using an RCBS .38 Super seating die, I seat a 115-grain, 9MM (.355") bullet to an overall cartridge length of 1.09". No crimp is likely needed, but I apply a LIGHT taper crimp using a Redding .380 Auto taper crimp die.

TECHNICAL INFO

The links below will open pages from an early Browning "Model 1903" pistol manual -- written in English! The manual is well-illustrated, and full of interesting information. These page files have been created as .pdf files in Adobe Acrobat. I'm an admitted rookie with the Adobe software, and some of these page images turned out to be pretty large -- so my apologies in advance for the long download time. On the plus side, however, they seem to print out really well...

You can also view pages from a 1989 Swedish Army Manual on the m/07 Pistol through this link:

Swedish Army Manuals

Here are links to two additional websites with information on the Swedish m/07 pistol (with images):

Here is a good link covering the 9 MM Browning Long cartridge:

9 MM Browning Long Cartridge Info

HOLSTERS

Surplus Swedish military holsters are available for these pistols from Sarco -- they are belt holsters. If you have a carry permit, and occasionally want to take your pistol along when fishing, camping, hunting or hiking, a belt holster just doesn't cut it -- at least not for me. Without a Sam Brown-type rig, complete with shoulder straps, the holstered m/07 tends to drag your jeans down. I found a top-notch holster maker right here in Pennsylvania, and he made me up a custom M-3 military shoulder holster for my m/07. The M-3 was originally developed during World War II for the M1911 Colt .45, and Joshua Bulman makes a nice copy. I had him size the holster down to fit my m/03, and leave the embossed "US" logo off. Fits great, and is just what I wanted.