Any Colt Defender owners?

[AZAndy]

I'm thinking about getting myself a Defender (in .45) for my next birthday. The reviews and tests I've seen seem to be positive, but I have more faith in folks here than the usual magazines and blogs and such. Would any owners care to share their impressions?

Thanks!

 

[CNobbe]

Many of the Defender owners from other Forums claim they are boringly reliable.

 

[bannockburn]

No Defender but still have an Officers Model and had a New Agent. As CNobbe alluded to: both are boringly reliable.

 

[critter]

I have a New Agent which is the same as the defender sans sights if I remember correctly. I do not believe mine has EVER had a glitch. ALWAYS works and surprisingly accurate for a very stubby gun with only the trench atop it for sighting.

 

[No Quarter]

I have a Defender as well as a New Agent. Both are reliable and easy to carry firearms. I tend to carry the New Agent more often as it works so well as a dedicated carry gun and has that well worn look that a Colt should have.

IMO, the Colt short-barreled .45s are among the most reliable compact 1911s on the market.

Both of my guns have had everything from 165gr +p rounds to standard 230gr harball with nary a bobble. I don't even clean them that often, maybe once every 500 rounds or so.

 

[bannockburn]

Should have mentioned also that my short barrel Colts mainly get fed a diet of 185 to 200 gr. handloads with the occasional 185 gr. Winchester Silvertips in the mix.

 

[MICHAEL T]

You will likely get tire of reloading mags waiting for a problem . Mine is a 2005 and going strong I have a old Colt Officer enhanced from 1995 still going I did replace the recoil spring last year.

 

[Taroman]

Another Defender
Zero issues, ever.
Have shot everything form 165 to 230 Grain loads.
Threw away those awful Hogue grips.
Colt or Checkmate mags only.

 

[Dframe]

I have a 40 and a 45. Love them both. NO issues with either.

 

[AZAndy]

Thanks, all-- looks like this one is a "go." I'll keep my eye on Davidson's warehouse to see if they get any in (all out of stock at the moment).

 

[bannockburn]

Taroman

Great looking double diamond grips on your Defender! Makes the gun look a lot better than those original Hogue grips.

 

[Havok7416]

I had one and sold it. Some trouble was had intermittently with stovepipes, but it never bothered me much. I sold mine during a caliber consolidation and now the friend i sold it to loves it.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I agree toss them ugly Hogue grips.
. They distract form the looks and 1st thing I replaced when got home.

 

[bannockburn]

MICHAEL T

I had a set of Pachmayrs on my Officers Model but never cared for the way they felt; sort of made the grip frame feel like it was a lot bulkier than it really was. Switched back to the original factory walnut grips and the overall handling was greatly improved. Now I'm thinking a nice double diamond set of grips like Taroman has on his Defender would look really sweet as well!