Colt Defender Down!

[Havok7416]

I was taking my Colt Defender apart today for routine cleaning when I discovered part of my recoil spring assembly was missing! In the picture below you can see where the face of the assembly sheared off. I called Colt's customer service and they asked to send it to them. This recoil assembly was sent to me by them as part of a recall with the Defender and New Agent pistols. Needless to say it's a bit disconcerting to find your gun missing parts!

 

[el Godfather]

Like a missing front tooth.

 

[Havok7416]

All fixed with a new recoil spring assembly sent by Colt! Considering I didn't get it in the mail until a few days after I started this thread, I'd say that's a pretty good turnaround on their end! As a bonus, the inner spring is anodized blue and the outer spring is dark red.

 

[Hometeached1]

Glad you got it fixed.

 

[sig228]

So, this was previously replaced under their prior Defender recall and the **replacement** part failed?? Is that correct?

 

[Havok7416]

Yes that is correct. It took several years to break. As I recall, I got the part in 2009 or 2010.

 

[M1key]

A not uncommon problem with this model....


M

 

[Havok7416]

M1, can you elaborate on this? That is the first I've heard or seen of this problem. I bought the gun new in 2009 and I have shot a moderate amount of ammo through it in that time.

 

[tipoc]

Some years back Colt changed the assembly. It was easier to change the springs yourself on the Defender some time back.

Get another recoil spring assembly to have on hand.

Interesting that the gun continued to function despite the chipped part. There was no catastrophic failure, you only noticed it while cleaning the gun.

It's also the first time I've heard of this particular problem.

I'll have to ask about it at one of the 1911 forums.

tipoc

 

[Havok7416]

Yes, that's the (now-broken) part they sent me. The New Agent pistols, if I recall correctly, had to be sent in for the recall although I don't remember why. At $50 per assembly - the cheapest I have so far found - a spare recoil assembly may not be the best investment.

 

[tipoc]

Go here for information on Colt recalls...

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/RepairRefinish/RecallRequest.aspx

You can also go here for springs:

http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto Pistols/COLT/DEFENDER/cID1/mID1/dID66

And here for any particular parts you may need.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/ShopOnline/tabid/62/CatID/8/Defender.aspx

Looks like all that is needed is under $50. I believe that the $50. is what Colt charges for the complete assembly with springs but you can still get the springs alone as needed.

tipoc

 

[Havok7416]

Go here for information on Colt recalls...

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/RepairRefinish/RecallRequest.aspx

tipoc

It looks like the same recall is in effect with nothing new added for the Defender/New Agent. Looking at the serial number list though, it appears my gun is within the last 300 with the defect (just under 2,400 Defenders were affected). If only I had waited a few months to buy mine!:banghead:

Oh well, it's back in one piece now.