Anyone have hands on experience with the Colt Defender vs the Colt Combat Elite Defender? Biggest difference is SS frame on the Elite vs alloy frame on the basic model (plus two tone, night sights, ambi safety, etc). Wondering about the weight, recoil, etc.

Yes, it's not a CS 45 (still on the hunt for that) but I think I need a compact 1911 in .45.

Thanks!

I have a Defender. I carried it every day for over a year. Easy to conceal no problem with recoil.

I have a CS45 too, I carried it as well, but the Defender is thinner and holds more rounds.
Due to old age and infirmity I replaced it with a Sig P365, but if I had my druthers I would still be carrying it.

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Eccentric old coot

Defender is great. I’ve got an older 45 and a newer 9mm. Have carried and shot the 45 a lot. Accuracy is outstanding and recoil is not really any different than a commander size. The weight difference between standard and the elite is not much, but will be noticeable if carry is the main purpose. Of course a good holster will negate that difference.
In full disclosure I’ve only handled the Elite and not used one.

Thanks! I bought a P365X with the Romeo red dot for my wife figuring that the sight makes for a bit more purchase when racking the slide. It's a big help for women and as us old guys age. I have a P938 which is a great shooter. I thought the Defender would be a nice counter to the P938 (which is a mini 1911 9mm).

I guess I like the thought of a non-alloy frame (although I have more than a few) but not in love with the stainless/black look.

I have a Defender, a fine handgun, but have settled on a P365 for self preservation.

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Sure you did

I got an early Defender and being a Colt .45 fan forever I liked it. Well most of it.

I don’t like “plastic” so I changed out/improved a few things. I set it up the same as my other Colts with my favorite aftermarket parts. For me it’s now perfect.

The Defender is obviously thinner than the CS45 but otherwise about the same size.

I posted this image a couple years ago when the size comparison was asked.

Jim

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Love my Defender .45 ACP. The only things I changed on it was the plastic spring housing with a metal checkered one, hex head grip panel screws, captured recoil spring/guide rod, an extended mag release, and an extended thumb safety. I did have to adjust the extractor a little to keep the ejected brass from hitting me between the eyes. But that was an easy fix. The alloy frame makes it a tad lighter than steel for EDC purposes but doesn't increase the recoil any...that I can tell, anyway. I'm not a stainless or two-tone kinda guy.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

I've owned both. They were 100% reliable and great carry guns but frankly I've gone back to 5" 1911s and other small guns for carry in light clothing/warm weather.

If the size is good for you go for it!

I really like the all blue/black. I didn't know they used a plastic mainspring housing. I have a Kimber "gold cup" or whatever they call theirs and am always bothered that it has a plastic housing. Guess I'll be changing that when I get a defender.

Had the first version of the Defender, and it was a very reliable pistol after the recoil plug was changed out. Probably not a problem now adays. The slide to frame fit became excessively loose, but it learned me to check and smooth over the stainless rail edges on slides that go on a alloy frame. Am particularly fond of the 3 in alloyed frame 45's and now have a kimber with the ramped barrel (warm season carry). Another lesson learned from marred feed ramps on alloy frames.