joey93turbo
Member
What do you guys think about the Colt Defender as an all around .45 and carry gun? I'm thinking I might get one of these and a Bersa .380.
Opinions on Colt Defender?
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Andrew Wyatt
Member
a commander makes a better all around .45 than a defender, since it has a longer sight radius.
IMHO, the defender makes a pretty decent back up gun, though.
IMHO, the defender makes a pretty decent back up gun, though.
joey93turbo
Member
Wow just one opinion 
Isn't the commander a bit larger?
Isn't the commander a bit larger?
Tamara
Senior Member
It's slightly longer in the barrel, but the same size in the grip. Kinda backwards if you're trying to make an uberIWB CCW gun.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
uuh, commanders are larger in both directions, being a government model frame with a 4.something inch barrel.
defenders are basically officers models.
defenders are basically officers models.
Hi there!!
The Defender from all accounts is a sweet piece of machinery!! I was ready to get one(and a CCO), but ran into financial challenges. My LW Officer's was/is doing a real good job anyway!!
I think that it would make a GREAT carry piece!
I friend has the Kimber version....the Ultra carry CDP and loves his.
When you use an IWB holster, the barrel and slide length do not matter as much as the grip length! And that is why I like the Officer's frame! A little shorter...it can be concealed under a Polo/T-shirt with ease(cut alittle larger for sure).
My pair of Officer's, my ParaOrd LDA Companion and the Kimber ALL shot very well!! The accuracy at 15 years and beyond is adequate for 95 percent of all real defense applications. The reliablity of mine has been VERY good!
But you gotta give your's a work out to see how it performs, and get a good IWB(and belt). I think your will find it very nice!!
I carried a Commander for quite awhile too...they are a nice slide length, and the lightness was hard to beat...until the shorter grip frame came out!
IMHO the CCO or the Kimber Compact...both using an Officer's frame and 4-4.25 inch barrel/slide...represent one of the best balanced carry pistols made!
Thin, light and 8 rounds of Thump in a hideable package!!!
Enjoy!
Jercamp45
The Defender from all accounts is a sweet piece of machinery!! I was ready to get one(and a CCO), but ran into financial challenges. My LW Officer's was/is doing a real good job anyway!!
I think that it would make a GREAT carry piece!
I friend has the Kimber version....the Ultra carry CDP and loves his.
When you use an IWB holster, the barrel and slide length do not matter as much as the grip length! And that is why I like the Officer's frame! A little shorter...it can be concealed under a Polo/T-shirt with ease(cut alittle larger for sure).
My pair of Officer's, my ParaOrd LDA Companion and the Kimber ALL shot very well!! The accuracy at 15 years and beyond is adequate for 95 percent of all real defense applications. The reliablity of mine has been VERY good!
But you gotta give your's a work out to see how it performs, and get a good IWB(and belt). I think your will find it very nice!!
I carried a Commander for quite awhile too...they are a nice slide length, and the lightness was hard to beat...until the shorter grip frame came out!
IMHO the CCO or the Kimber Compact...both using an Officer's frame and 4-4.25 inch barrel/slide...represent one of the best balanced carry pistols made!
Thin, light and 8 rounds of Thump in a hideable package!!!
Enjoy!
Jercamp45
Tamara
Senior Member
Andrew wyatt,
You're right, I was thinking of the last Offen... er, Defender I'd seen, which was a "Defender Plus" with the standard length 1911 grip. I remember thinking "An eight-round frame with a 3" upper? That makes about as much sense as a kickstand on a tank..."
You're right, I was thinking of the last Offen... er, Defender I'd seen, which was a "Defender Plus" with the standard length 1911 grip. I remember thinking "An eight-round frame with a 3" upper? That makes about as much sense as a kickstand on a tank..."
Cthulhu
Member
Good post jercamp!
Said pretty much everything I was too lazy to type when I read this thread at 4am.
So long as said Defender was shown to be reliable, it sounds fine for CCW. For an all around .45, its a bit on the small side for me. My all around might vary from yours though. 5" does everything a .45 needs to do well, with the possible exception of concealment (though the rig really determines this last one).
Do remember that chopped 1911s have less slide travel than the full size guns, so everything must function quicker for the gun to be reliable. Good maintanence and regular inspection of the magazine and recoil springs are a must.
Said pretty much everything I was too lazy to type when I read this thread at 4am.
So long as said Defender was shown to be reliable, it sounds fine for CCW. For an all around .45, its a bit on the small side for me. My all around might vary from yours though. 5" does everything a .45 needs to do well, with the possible exception of concealment (though the rig really determines this last one).
Do remember that chopped 1911s have less slide travel than the full size guns, so everything must function quicker for the gun to be reliable. Good maintanence and regular inspection of the magazine and recoil springs are a must.
I think you are correct on ability to hide and the balance. I have a Kimber Compact. I was surprised how balanced the front end is. I suppose it is the bull barrel set up. Mine is a tight shooter too. Even for a small package, this gun does not recoil that much, and is actually fun to shoot. I have the all steel version.
I really haven't shot the Colt, but I can highly recommend the Kimber Compact.
Yes, Tamara, I AGREE!!
Whoever thought up the 3 inch slide-barrel and full sized frame at Colt was obviously smoking something funny. If I recall correctly they tried it with the 1991A1, a solid steel Recon something or another. It was soon dropped from the line. The Defender Plus? Wel, I see no reason to bother, it is a silly idea.
I like the five inchers to, and have two Government models. But Once the Officer's came out, that became my carry gun(I bought a Commander in 1979, and experimented with the Detonic's Combat Master and Star PD in 80-82). I can and sometimes do carry a Government concealed, but since I have two Officer's and a ParaOrd LDA Companion(duty gun...no cocked and locked....blah!)...I DO NOT want to get my mags mixed up, AND I prefer the feel of the Officer's frame in my hand.
So my next .45 will be a 4incher with Officers frame!!
But, the beauty of this country AND the 1911, is we get ta pick what we like!!!
DVC,
Jercamp45
Whoever thought up the 3 inch slide-barrel and full sized frame at Colt was obviously smoking something funny. If I recall correctly they tried it with the 1991A1, a solid steel Recon something or another. It was soon dropped from the line. The Defender Plus? Wel, I see no reason to bother, it is a silly idea.
I like the five inchers to, and have two Government models. But Once the Officer's came out, that became my carry gun(I bought a Commander in 1979, and experimented with the Detonic's Combat Master and Star PD in 80-82). I can and sometimes do carry a Government concealed, but since I have two Officer's and a ParaOrd LDA Companion(duty gun...no cocked and locked....blah!)...I DO NOT want to get my mags mixed up, AND I prefer the feel of the Officer's frame in my hand.
So my next .45 will be a 4incher with Officers frame!!
But, the beauty of this country AND the 1911, is we get ta pick what we like!!!
DVC,
Jercamp45
Keith
Member
I've never found overall length of grip or barrel to be key issue with concealment.
I have more of an issue with width and weight. One of these days I'll break down and get one of those thin STI guns - do they make those with an aluminum frame?
Keith
I have more of an issue with width and weight. One of these days I'll break down and get one of those thin STI guns - do they make those with an aluminum frame?
Keith
Lightsped
Member
When did the Defedner comes out? When did Colt change the sights on the Defender?
Lightsped- can't remember what year the Defender was introduced, but was several maybe 3-4 years ago? Bought the first one seen, and it has been extremely reliable, but not a target or gaming pistol. The later version, maybe brought out last year?, has some distinct differences. Haven't seen one of the new ones in person, but pictures show the older version of the beavertail (kinda downswept) and standard sights. The original has snagfree sights and upswept beavertail. Mine came with 2 mags, both seven rounders with an orange plastic follower.
Many seem to be able to carry a 4 or 5 in pistol just fine, gotta believe the 3 in is easyier to conceal, especially for those of us with smaller frames and paunches.
Many seem to be able to carry a 4 or 5 in pistol just fine, gotta believe the 3 in is easyier to conceal, especially for those of us with smaller frames and paunches.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
1911s with 3.5-inch barrels...
..can be a little persnickety. I've seen some hit the ground runnin' and
go haywire with a recoil spring change or even after a few hundred rounds
fired.
Engineer's Rule 1:
Whenever one aspect of a successful design is altered, at least three other changes will be necessary. The original was a 7 round pistol with a 5-inch barrel and slide with a 16.5-pound recoil spring. When you stray too far from the original slide mass and spring rate, things are bound to crop up sooner or later. The lighter slide and higher spring rate causes
higher slide speeds...Especially critical is the speed of the slide after
it hits the impact surface in the frame and begins the feeding/return to
battery cycle. The lighter pistol will also generate higher inertial forces.
The problems generally show up on the first round in a full magazine
due to maximum drag on the slide, and on the last round in the magazine
due to minimum tension on the follower.
Just a little food for thought...
Tuner
..can be a little persnickety. I've seen some hit the ground runnin' and
go haywire with a recoil spring change or even after a few hundred rounds
fired.
Engineer's Rule 1:
Whenever one aspect of a successful design is altered, at least three other changes will be necessary. The original was a 7 round pistol with a 5-inch barrel and slide with a 16.5-pound recoil spring. When you stray too far from the original slide mass and spring rate, things are bound to crop up sooner or later. The lighter slide and higher spring rate causes
higher slide speeds...Especially critical is the speed of the slide after
it hits the impact surface in the frame and begins the feeding/return to
battery cycle. The lighter pistol will also generate higher inertial forces.
The problems generally show up on the first round in a full magazine
due to maximum drag on the slide, and on the last round in the magazine
due to minimum tension on the follower.
Just a little food for thought...
Tuner
popeye
Member
I had a Recon. It was a 3.5 in. barrel Officers top end on a full size with a matte finish. I wish I still had it. I also had a Tactical Officers, same conig. as Recon with stainless finish and LW frame. During the mid 90's Colt made many short runs of 500-1000 of special config guns.
I've had a few Officers and they all worked fine. The grip frame is too short on the Officers for me so I usually go with an S & A magwell on em. That said I've settled on a Kimber series one LW frame Pro Carry as my carry gun. I won't put a Colt in a holster and ruin the finish. The 4 inch is the shortest you should go.
I've had a few Officers and they all worked fine. The grip frame is too short on the Officers for me so I usually go with an S & A magwell on em. That said I've settled on a Kimber series one LW frame Pro Carry as my carry gun. I won't put a Colt in a holster and ruin the finish. The 4 inch is the shortest you should go.
FJC
Member
I've carried a Defender for about a year, though I'm now carrying a customized Colt Commander. Nothing wrong with the Defender, I just had the Commander worked on and now it's my "perfect carry gun."
By the way, the Defender Plus configuration (short slide, large grip) is popular with the shoulder holster crowd, I'm told. Works great in a horizontal shoulder holster.
By the way, the Defender Plus configuration (short slide, large grip) is popular with the shoulder holster crowd, I'm told. Works great in a horizontal shoulder holster.
Lightsped:
Don't know the exact timetable on the Defender, but here's the skinny on why they changed the sights and beavertail. Colt was getting the Novak type sight and fancy upswept 'tail from one aftermarket supplier or another, but kept "forgetting" to pay said contractor. (This was during one of their many periods of fiscal distress over the last 20 years.) So, the supplier cut 'em off, and Colt had to start using in-house parts. Thought you might find that interesting, it's amazing what insiders at SHOT will tell you over a martooni or two, eh?
Don't know the exact timetable on the Defender, but here's the skinny on why they changed the sights and beavertail. Colt was getting the Novak type sight and fancy upswept 'tail from one aftermarket supplier or another, but kept "forgetting" to pay said contractor. (This was during one of their many periods of fiscal distress over the last 20 years.) So, the supplier cut 'em off, and Colt had to start using in-house parts. Thought you might find that interesting, it's amazing what insiders at SHOT will tell you over a martooni or two, eh?
Tamara
Senior Member
Brian D.,
Heh.
My 'smith picked up the term "Offender" from a phone call to Novak...
Heh.
My 'smith picked up the term "Offender" from a phone call to Novak...
Fair and balanced:
Just to play the flip side here, might as well mention that there's a nice pre-owned Defender in my Colt stable. The thing has run so well, that when it's time to replace the recoil spring, I may just pay the asking price and get a whole new dual-spring-and-funky-guide-rod-system straight from the factory. Seems prudent not to monkey with a different, aftermarket setup in this case; I feel sorta blessed that this 3" 1911 has been so trouble free.
Just to play the flip side here, might as well mention that there's a nice pre-owned Defender in my Colt stable. The thing has run so well, that when it's time to replace the recoil spring, I may just pay the asking price and get a whole new dual-spring-and-funky-guide-rod-system straight from the factory. Seems prudent not to monkey with a different, aftermarket setup in this case; I feel sorta blessed that this 3" 1911 has been so trouble free.
The_Shootist
Member
Colt Defender
I've got one and am not overly impressed. Yes as a carry piece it is VERY concealable - its also VERY accurate, surprisingly.
But mine appears to be pretty finnicky with the ammo. In fact, instead of
the lighter weight 165-185 gr rounds in +P recommended for this barrel length I have mine stuffed with 230 JHP Winchester whitebox that I carry
in my full size 1911. Seems to like that stuff.
I reason that since it starts as .45 calibre in size, you don't need much expansion for practical effect for it to stop a fight. But lately I've become a bit concerned about overpenetration andI'm wondering if this should be considered.
I've got one and am not overly impressed. Yes as a carry piece it is VERY concealable - its also VERY accurate, surprisingly.
But mine appears to be pretty finnicky with the ammo. In fact, instead of
the lighter weight 165-185 gr rounds in +P recommended for this barrel length I have mine stuffed with 230 JHP Winchester whitebox that I carry
in my full size 1911. Seems to like that stuff.
I reason that since it starts as .45 calibre in size, you don't need much expansion for practical effect for it to stop a fight. But lately I've become a bit concerned about overpenetration andI'm wondering if this should be considered.
SodaPop
member
Do you mean the 4inch Colt 1991A1?
What No Gravy?
Member
I had a Defender a few years ago that I used for CCW. Great shooting gun and I dont remember it ever jamming. When I starting looking for a replacement recoil spring I could never find one so I contacted Colt and they told me they didn't know when they would have the part in stock but would contact me as soon as they did. Well I'm still waiting for the call.
Maybe some one does have that spring setup by now
Maybe some one does have that spring setup by now
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