Adk.IBO
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Yea or nay? Gotta let my LGS know by Friday for an order he's putting in. Fair price, and I like him. Thanks.
Stay safe, John
Stay safe, John
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Colt Defender....(Got it!)
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Watchdog
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The only negative thing I've heard about the Defender is that disassembly for cleaning might be a bit tricky. I actually had one, but never even fired it, never disassembled it. Sold it last year. Keep thinking of getting another one and actually using it now and then. Don't know what you mean when you say a fair price or a good price, but if it's reasonable, why not? Or do you have an alternative pistol in mind if you don't get the Defender?
5-Shot
Member
Had one for a number of years. It was very accurate and totally reliable. Only problem was that it wasn't a revolver.
Ed
Ed
It was very accurate and totally reliable. Only problem was that it wasn't a revolver.
Ed[/QUOTE]
The only way I'm going to know if I like a non-revolver is if I try one, and I do like accurate and reliable (and metal)
.
No alternatives anymore, except the 640 Pro which I have on order.
Stay safe, John
Ed[/QUOTE]
The only way I'm going to know if I like a non-revolver is if I try one, and I do like accurate and reliable (and metal)
.No alternatives anymore, except the 640 Pro which I have on order.
Stay safe, John
If I'm not mistaken the Colt Defender is an aluminum alloy frame and it is realatively light. I've shot one and while it was OK, I didn't think I would like it well enough to put in the range time to be proficient enough for carry. Be aware it is somewhat light, around 21 oz, I think.
24oz. actually. Can't be worse than a Kimber aluminum framed ultra, which I have shot, and of the eight handguns I fired that day I liked the Kimber best. And my groups were the best with the Kimber also. From what I've read the Kimber is a copy of the Colt, and an expensive one at that. The Defender is not an inexpensive handgun either. If I was to have a range/ home defense gun it would be steel and have a longer barrel, but the purpose of this gun has to include CC.
Stay safe, John
Stay safe, John
shawn mccarver
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Nay. Requires replacement of recoil spring far too often, and in addition, remember the universally taught 1911 lesson: Never go shorter than 4 1/4 inch (Commander length) for complete reliability and reasonable spring replacement intervals. This was preached often by Jeff Cooper, and is still preached by Clint Smith and Larry Vickers, among others. I think Vickers does not even fully trust the Commander length. He usually says if you want something shorter than a 5 inch Government Model, go to another make and model of pistol. A really cool plan for concealment is the Commander length upper with Officer's lower, known as the CCO or Concealed Carry Officer, I think.
Shorty 45 MK2
Member
Don't own one, but you might fine this write up helpful.
Bill Wilson: Compact 1911's Can Be Reliable - The Truth About Guns
Bill Wilson: Compact 1911's Can Be Reliable - The Truth About Guns
Won a lightly used colt defender as a prize gun in a shooting match.It sat unused in safe for years.Last year drove across to trade it for 3 inch 629.After arriving there man backed out of trade.I decided to take it to range and shot so well it is now in carry rotation.My defender is more accurate than I am a joy to carry and has not choked on anything I have fed it.
whittsailor
Member
Yay. I bought one used and had to spend some money to get it reliable but no regrets, and I carry it a lot now that it's fixed. No tool required for disassembly either. A friend bought one new and it's been 100% reliable.
What did you have to do to it to get it reliable? It was probably like that from the beginning with the first owner. Just a guess. I can't/won't spend the "Wilson" ($3500?) kind of money for one of their compact 1911s. A few parts from them is a different story.
Massad Ayoob had a very favorable article in Personal Defence World on October 16, 2014 on the Defender. Seemed very thorough and from a knowledgeable guy. If S&W would get my 640 Pro to my LGS we wouldn't be having this conversation...yet...or ever if I like it well enough. My old eyes need sights that my 640 38spl don't give me. Maybe a Gunbroker 640 Pro is in order? Then a Defender. The saga continues.., at least until tomorrow
.I'd really rather be able to look a gun over before committing, unlike a Gunbroker option, unless it was a 1/2 priced used gun (a really good deal, and pretty non existent). I don't care to risk losing the original purchaser lifetime warranty over $100-200, $400-500? yup. Then you have some wiggle room. Sorry for the rambling on..
Stay safe, John
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whittsailor
Member
You're probably right that the problem existed with the previous owner because the gun didn't look as though it had been shot much. I had 1911 gunsmith Ken Crawley of East Texas perform a reliable package of throating the barrel, polishing the chamber, checking extractor tension, etc. Now it runs 100% and carry it often.
My Defender has been my go-to carry gun for 6-7 years now. Great gun, 100% reliable with everything I've fed it, including my reloads. The gun is also very accurate and soft shooting. I've got a bunch of Colt 1911s, and I think the Defender shoots softer than my all steel Commanders... I shoot the thing very well, and it's really just fun to shoot it.
The only mod I've done to it was to take off the bulky Goodyears, and put on a nice set of slim VZ stocks. Great carry piece, .45 ACP goodness in a very concealable package. I carry mine in a Sparks VMII.
So, I say yea.
The only mod I've done to it was to take off the bulky Goodyears, and put on a nice set of slim VZ stocks. Great carry piece, .45 ACP goodness in a very concealable package. I carry mine in a Sparks VMII.
So, I say yea.
whittsailor
Member
Same here. I replaced the stock grips with a cheap set of Pearce rubber grips bought on Amazon for less than $20.00. This and some grip tape makes it more comfortable to carry for me.
JJEH
Member
Had one in 9mm. Ran good after sending it to Colt. Only problem was that the ejected casings landed in my face... sold it.
9mm Defender
I have a Colt LW Defender in 9mm and like it. It's well made and has good attention to detail in its finish. It has handled a variety of ball and SD ammo without a hiccup. It is the first Officers Model Colt that I've been happy with, after a rather poor showing from their Series 80's design. I also have a couple Kimbers in this size (though 45ACP) and feel this gun is on a par - certainly no worse to take down for cleaning. I did, however, replace the OEM grips with a set of VZ's.
I have a Colt LW Defender in 9mm and like it. It's well made and has good attention to detail in its finish. It has handled a variety of ball and SD ammo without a hiccup. It is the first Officers Model Colt that I've been happy with, after a rather poor showing from their Series 80's design. I also have a couple Kimbers in this size (though 45ACP) and feel this gun is on a par - certainly no worse to take down for cleaning. I did, however, replace the OEM grips with a set of VZ's.
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mc5aw
Member
I owned a TALO New Agent in 9mm and thought it was a wonderful gun. I would have preferred it in .45, but later went with the XDs for a compact ACP. I would consider a Defender for the right price.
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If you are willing to master the recoil of full power loads from the shorter Colt it's a great gun. I do not own one but have shot a few of my friends - very accurate, well made, reliable and efficient.
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