Like most on this forum I lean towards S&W auto/revolver carry firearms. However, I handled and fired a stainless .45 Colt Defender and immediately purchased it. In a side-by-side comparison, it's actually slightly shorter and slimmer than my 3913. Plus it's a step up to .45 caliber. I'm searching for a holster, but I was curious if any "Smith" owners carry the little Colt concealed. I will admit however, it takes an adjustment to carry 'cocked and locked' compared to using a decocker.

I don't carry mine all the time,but when I do....this works for me for front pocket carry

Attached Images

Smith & Wesson SW1911 Sub-Compact W:Holster Holster.jpg (51.8 KB, 97 views)

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JR

I do not carry a Colt, but carry a KAHR PM 45acp. IMO the most

compact 45 acp made. Also I have a Sig 220 Carry DAK .

8th

I have had a Colt defender for about 5-6 years and it has been quite satisfactory in both reliability and accuracy. It can hold its own with my 5" Kimber Raptor in both areas. If you like .45 acp and cocked and locked carry, it is an excellent pistol. I usually carry mine in an IWB holster for maximum concealment. Make sure to invest in top quality magazines. I have Wilson's for mine. Its a fine pistol and you should be pleased with it I believe. It does require some work to master and you should stick with the cocked and locked mode of carry and not switch back and forth with DA pistols. The cocked SA auto is most unforgiving of sloppy handling and poor trigger dicipline.

Yep,
Almost 10 years now...



Su Amigo,
Dave

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I've got a lot of Smith revolvers and a S&W ASP 9mm, but tend to carry a 1911 most of the time, and a J-frame rarely.

The Colt Defender I owned a few years ago had very sharp edges, especially the front of the slide. It was reliable and not difficult to shoot.

Currently my choice in little guns has been a Kimber Ultra Carry II. Good sights, excellent trigger, smooth edges, easy to shoot well. Rides in a Milt Sparks 55BN OWB very comfortably.

I carry a Kimber Ultra CDP II on a daily basis. As much as I love my Smiths this Kimber is hard to beat for a carry piece. In the summer I use a Kramer horsehide IWB #2, in the winter a Kramer Vertical Scabbard. Cocked and locked did take a little adjustment to get used too but I've been carrying this for a couple years and now don't think anything of it.

Very, very nice pistols and pic, Keith44SPL!! May I ask who made your leather?

For the OP, I heartily recommend a Milt Sparks Versa-Max II for IWB carry, if you want to be able to tuck your shirt in over it, or if you will be practicing a lot of draws. It is extremely high quality, conceals well, is very, very comfortable, and has a spring steel insert at the mouth that keeps it open when the pistol's out.

Otherwise, Sparks' "Watch Six" is very similar, made of horsehide and durable, but is thinner as it doesn't have the steel insert. It is somewhat less expensive, and as with the VM2, very, very comfortable. Currently, there is a 6-7 month wait on VM2's due to their extreme popularity, but some retailers (Lightning Arms Sports, and a couple of others) stock them at a reasonable markup. On the used market, they tend to bring a whole lot more than retail for those who don't want to wait. In either one, a lightweight Commander just seems to fall off the radar -- you never even really notice you have it on, and a full steel 5" 1911 isn't uncomfortable.

I cut my teeth on carrying 1911's cocked and locked in IPSC matches back in the 80's, and have never had a problem with it.

If "Condition 1" makes you a bit nervous, you can practice by carrying around the house w/an empty chamber, just to reassure yourself that the safety won't somehow work itself off, before carrying in public. Getting some good professional instruction, such as Thunder Ranch or Gunsite, is always a good idea when starting out with the 1911, if it's do-able. Otherwise, learning the proper basics and practicing them should work out fine.

Hope this helps,
John

Thanks everyone for the advice and photo's. I just received my stock grips from Colt. Much thinner then those Goodyear rubber that came with the gun. Better for concealment IMO. I too, believe the little Colt Defender model is a sleeper. In fact, had my brother not introduced me to it, I can't say I've heard much about them. It's smaller, thinner and a larger caliber than my 3913...maybe the 3913 will be spending more time in the dark.

Here she is:

I often carry a a different compact Colt auto.

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