Colt Defender Troubleshoot

[LopezEL]

I hope this is the correct place to ask for some troubleshooting tips. My Colt Defender has run flawlessly for about 2000 rounds but today at the range it failed to go into battery twice. I was shooting my own target reloads, 230 grain RN bullets with Bullseye powder. I am a bit concerned since this is my usual concealed carry weapon and I definitely do not want it doing that if for some reason I need to use in self defense. Also, the gun has always been pretty erratic about ejecting spent shells... its actually hit me in the forehead a few times.

My first thought was that maybe the recoil spring needs to be changed out, about how many rounds do they usually last?

My second thought was maybe it was my magazine since I have always heard that 1911's issues are 90% magazine induced. However, the magazines are the pushing the bullets up far enough, the slide just barely stops at about 1/8" before going fully into battery.

Lastly, could this be an ejector tension problem???

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well the pistol is about 2 inches shorter then Browning planed on...

It could be caused by weakened magazine and recoil springs, but before going too far the first thing you need it to do is really scrub out the barrel, and the chamber in perticular. This is especially so if those 230 grain bullets you've been shooting were cast lead.

 

[LopezEL]

That is the wierd part... the pistol was thoroughly cleaned and lubed. I had not shot it in about 3 weeks (just carried it and my xd45). The two times it failed to go into battery were in the first 30 rounds or so... after that, It didn't do it again. I actually shot about 200 rounds through it trying to get it to fail on me again but but it worked fine in the latter part of my range session... after it was no longer whistle clean.

Could it just have been a fluke? It just worries me since It had never happened and I had full confidence in the gun. Like I said before... it is my carry piece.

 

[Old Fuff]

The little sub-compact 1911's are cool but they can also be cranky. That’s because when you cut the slide and barrel back two inches it reduces the slide’s weight, and as a result it moves faster. To combat this the standard (and not good) procedure is to over spring it. This shortens the life of the springs, and also causes the lower barrel lug to batter on the slide stop pin.

Then of course we have to shorten the butt, but not substantially reduce the number of rounds in the box. To do this, the makers use funky followers and short but heavy springs that are also over sprung.

So the usual advise is to frequently replace the recoil springs and magazine springs.

If it makes you feel any better the Defender has a better reputation then most others in this class of pistol. But none of them will ever be remembered for flawless reliability. If the gun was clean it could be an ammunition issue, and I suggest you try a hundred rounds of commercial ball to see how it does. Also check the overall length of your reloads to be sure it’s correct. In any case at 2000 rounds I would change the magazine and recoil springs for extra insurance if I carried the piece – which I wouldn’t. A long time ago I decided that with this platform the Commander was short enough.

 

[sniper350]

Old Fuff is sure right about these compact 1911's being cranky ......... BUT

I think the well built ones get a bad rap from the cheaper experimantal versions.

The Colt Defender has a fairly good reputation ............. I am presently working on a S.A. Ultra Compact [ all steel ] that has surprised me in its fit and function. Even with problems to resolve, this little pistol just keeps on trucking .......not jamming once. But I shoot only factory ammo............and I suspect your problem "might" be related to your "target reloads"

If you haven't changed the recoil spring for 2000 rounds ........... lord what are you waiting for Like Old Fuff said these little guys take a hammering do to lose of weight do to size. That's the reason I like the Ultra Compact so much -- the all steel frame & slide makes for a heavy but well balanced weapon.

Time for you to give your Defender a minor tune-up .......... change the recoil spring, check the extractor tension ............ and make sure that firing pin stop is not allowing the extractor to clock inside its channel.

JF.

 

[MICHAEL T]

change the recoil spring, check the extractor tension ............ and make sure that firing pin stop is not allowing the extractor to clock inside its channel.

+1 on the above I never run a defender 2000 rounds on same springs New Agent either.

 

[Grizfire]

If it ran flawlessly for 2000 rounds, but now has failed, than it is obvious this is a maintenance issue. New springs, and try it again.