Opinions on Colt 45 Defender

[Lonestar49]

...

Put a deposit on one the other day, and yesterday they let my fire a box of ammo with it.

Loaded the 7 round mag and took first shots at target 15ft away. Seemed accurate and has a bit of a kick thru its 3 inch barrel.

But, 3 times I loaded the 7 round mag, chambered first round, removed mag and put another round in, for a total of 8 shots, it jammed, failed to feed after the first shot. This happened 3 times in a row, with 8 rounds.

Would appreciate anyone's thoughts on this gun, good or bad.

Also, what you think is a fair price for this gun NIB.


LS

 

[Sundles]

Been there with "short" 1911 designs, more than once.

The super short slides have too short a slide travel to be reliable WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF AMMO. Especially the +P type of ammo. You need more slide travel to give the magazine spring more time/room to push the next round into position. I dont like 1911 slides any shorter than the commander length. I've messed around with what you are messing with--did it over 15 years ago. Super short slides are NOT the way to go with 1911's.

 

[Rumble]

I am by no means an expert, but it sounds like the malfunction you had with doing a 7+1 load may have had something to do with the added pressure of the full magazine pushing up against the already chambered round.

For instance--and it depends on whether the FTF was that it just didn't pick up the next round, or that the next round jammed against the feed ramp--perhaps the small additional amount of pressure by putting a full mag in created enough drag on the slide during some part of its cycle that it lacked sufficient force to drive the next round up the ramp.

 

[rcellis]

Most autos need some 'break in' time. Doesn't sound like a 'short 1911' problem to me.

 

[Lonestar49]

I have to agree

...

Thanks S, as the range officer, who was an owner of such a gun, said, "you must use a 2-hand grip, with arms straight and tight. Well, I did that, and sure, it had some snap, but not that much to warrant that type of hold, so I used my natural grip, slightly bent arms, more relaxed type style I like, and I had no problems hitting COM, and with rapid shots.

But, it really bothered me both, in the jams with 8 rounds, and its snap, unlike my P220R, and have too much doubt that my wife could ever handle it, unlike my Sig P220R.

So, with what you said, and I felt, and experienced, I'm gonna pass on it and look for the new Sig Revolution Nitron Carry 45.


Thanks for your input



LS

 

[Sundles]

Since ther are a few doubters here please take a full size or commander length 1911 and pull the slide all the way back. Then LOOK and see how far the slide has traveled to the rear of the magazine. Then try the same thing with an officers model and you'll note that the officers model has perhaps 75% LESS slide travel than the longer 1911's. The problems become more exaserbated when you try using +P ammo in the tiny 1911's. Teeny tiny 1911's are problematic when chambered in 45 acp, but if you were to chamber them in 380 acp, I'm pretty sure things would work great.

 

[jdkelly]

I bought a used Defender several years ago. Although I seldom shoot it, pretty much only pulling it out for “Back Up Gun” shoots, it still has been a good dependable firearm. It shoots to point of aim, functions well and I have had no problems with the Wilson magazines I use. I think that Midway has Wilson magazines on sale for the Defender.

I would GUESS that your problem with the Defender is magazine related.

As it was a gun that can not be easily found in Massachusetts I think had to pay about $700 for it.


Respectfully,

jkelly

 

[tackleberi]

I had a Defender a while back, and although I prefer revolvers and Seecamps, it was an excellent gun that would make my short list of autoloaders to consider, should I decide to go that route again (joined by the Glock 19 and Sig 239).

Across several types of hollow-point ammo, I never ever had a problem with this gun-even when I tried to induce FTF's/FTE's/etc. by limp-wristing and mixing ammo. My only complaint was that it tended to throw Winchester Ranger ammo right back into my forehead, a problem I had with no other brand.

I also used Wilson Combat magazines exclusively (model 47OXC), for both their reputation for enhancing reliability and the fact that their plastic followers would not mar/gouge the feed ramp as has been noted by other Defender owners using magazines with metal followers. A search of this topic on this and other boards might explain the feed ramp/follower issue better than I could without hijacking your thread.

In short: great gun, would buy another if I didn't love my 640 and Seecamp so much, never had a problem with mine.

HTH

 

[gopguy]

I have a Defender and stick to 230 grain ball ammo in mine, no problems thus far with that. She is not fond of other stuff I have tried. So I stick to what works for sure. Defensive guns have to work every time.

 

[jehu]

Got one and never had any issues!

 

[Shipwreck]

Most stores I have ever bought from do not let U shoot a gun 1st - not a new one. In fact, I would frequent such a place, because when I buy a gun, I don't want it fired like that (except for the factory firing).

Now, MAYBE it isn't oiled correctly. You should always clean a new gun before firing - ESPECIALLY a 1911.

But, as others have said - small 1911 designs have issues more frequently.

As you were lucky enough to be given the chance to try it - now that U know there are issues, I personally would not buy it if I were you.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Mine on my hip at present. Ihad last round feed problem with mine. Was bought used.
I bought a chip Mc Cormick mag and all the problems went a way. Mine loves Corbon DPX either the 165 compact not +P or the 185 DPX +P . It replaced my Officer and LTW Commander as carry.
Try a different mag. I shoot mine 1 handed all the time Never a problem. I don't see in most SD shootings Time or space for proper stance and 2 handed hold . If you have distance OK but most shootings are close up