glockky
Member
I am looking to get a compact 1911 and have heard so many good things and bad things about the 3 in models, and was wandering if someone could give me some insite on the colt defender.
reliability and accuracy of colt defender
- Thread starter glockky
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ColtPythonElite
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All of my research has usually yielded that Defender is the better of the 3" guns out there. With that said, a used Defender is on my short list. I mistakenly let a nice used on in the box pass me by priced at $650 a couple of months ago.
ZeBool
Member
If you get a Defender make sure that it has had the warranty part installed. The guide rod recoil pad shattered in mine after about 200 rounds. Call Colt, and if it hasn't been replaced they will send you the part. Other than that the gun has been flawless, even if it does occasionally throw brass at my forehead.
sig228
Member
100% reliable from the beginning for well over 1,000 rounds now. Got rid of my other 3" 1911's. Will never get rid of the Colt. You won't be disappointed.
critter
Member
I have a Colt New Agent similar to that. More accurate than it has a right to be and NEVER a bobble. Very easy carrying piece.
Toforo
Member
Defender - good to go out of the box...
one of the reasons the Defender is more dependable and functions better than the other brands, is that the Defender was designed from the bottom UP by the gunsmiths at the Colt Custom shop.
I got mine last September and have +3000 rounds through it without a single failure of ANY kind.
I did a slow/progressive "break-in" on the gun starting with 230gr hardball (200rounds) working my way up to JHP's all the way to "flying ashtrays" - it shoots anything I feed it.
It's become my favorite shooter as well as my favorite (and everyday) carry piece.
one of the reasons the Defender is more dependable and functions better than the other brands, is that the Defender was designed from the bottom UP by the gunsmiths at the Colt Custom shop.
I got mine last September and have +3000 rounds through it without a single failure of ANY kind.
I did a slow/progressive "break-in" on the gun starting with 230gr hardball (200rounds) working my way up to JHP's all the way to "flying ashtrays" - it shoots anything I feed it.
It's become my favorite shooter as well as my favorite (and everyday) carry piece.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Time was...and not too long ago...that I didn't recommend any of the chopped-slide 1911 variants for anything except range duty. I hadn't seen very many that were reliable enough to trust my life to, and passed that along. The recent popularity of the Defender has forced me to admit that the engineers have made strides in that area, and based on the ones that I've handled, fired, and heard from the people who own the little beasties...they appear to have ferreted out all the bugs and squashed them in proper fashion.
Accuracy varies a little from one to the next, but so far, none have failed to meet the standard for savin' one's skinny at reasonable distances...which is basically what the Defender class of pistols is all about.
They're not target pistols. They're strictly business and they have a singular purpose...that being close range emergency life-saving when we suddenly find ourselves up to our cracks in crocodiles.
I assume that Colt still builds Gold Cups for the purpose of punching holes in targets. The right tool for the job and all...
Accuracy varies a little from one to the next, but so far, none have failed to meet the standard for savin' one's skinny at reasonable distances...which is basically what the Defender class of pistols is all about.
They're not target pistols. They're strictly business and they have a singular purpose...that being close range emergency life-saving when we suddenly find ourselves up to our cracks in crocodiles.
I assume that Colt still builds Gold Cups for the purpose of punching holes in targets. The right tool for the job and all...
OP
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glockky
Member
yeah i understand its not going to be a bullseye pistol. i have been spoiled by glocks which i have had great accuracy results with even in the subcompacts but i just cant get away from the look and feel of the 1911
cardinalfan
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- Feb 24, 2011
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I have a Defender in 45 and 9mm. Out of the box, the 45 has been flawless. The 9mm has taken awhile, about 400 rounds to break in. From the conversations I have had with Colt, this is due to the heavy springs used, really designed for 45's not 9mm's. But now the 9mm shoots as well as the 45.
I've had my defender four just over two years and it functions like a champ with everything I've fed it, from milsurp 230 gr, hardball to miscellaneous reloads. Mine has not experienced any feed ramp peening whatsoever. I did order the replacement recoil spring assembly (free from Colt) which I installed with no problems to date. There were reports of some hiccups with the original iterations, but virtually everyone I know (including myself) has been very happy with the newer models. Just keep an on the the spring assembly and keep the rails clean and wet and you should not experience any problems....just a great EDC. Colt got it right on this one!
zero_chances
Member
does anyone have any pics of this warranty replacement part? I need to see if mine has had it installed or not
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glockky
Member
thanks for the insight guys i know its not gonna be bullseye accurate but can i expect under a 3" group at 25 yards or would that we asking to much. I mean i know a carry piece does not have to be that accurate i just cant enjoy a pistol unless it shoots pretty good
texas bulldog
Member
Only one comment on the New Agent above. Do the comments on the Defender generally apply to the New Agent as well. I'm planning to get one this year...hopefully by the summer.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Can't say, tex. I've only seen one and haven't shot it. Since the guns are pretty much the same, other than the ergonomics, I'd have to say that it's a safe bet that it'll run.
Of course, there are always occasional lemons...so you'll just have to lay down your hard-earned green and see if the gods are smiling on you.
Of course, there are always occasional lemons...so you'll just have to lay down your hard-earned green and see if the gods are smiling on you.
zero_chances
Member
man, i need to keep practicing with mine. I was able to get a group at 15 yards, but could barely hit paper at 25. Im new to handguns and need to keep working on it. I just cant get my eye focused on the front sight hardly at all.
Madcap_Magician
Member
One mistake in practicing with handguns, especially short-barreled CCW guns, is practicing at long distance.
There's no need to practice at 25 yards with a 3" gun. For one, the odds are strongly against you ever needing to defend yourself at that range, and if you did need to defend yourself at that range, you'd probably already be hosed.
You should practice at a distance that you can get good groups at, and gradually increase the distance until you're shooting at the range you want to be shooting at.
So if you can group at 15 yards, but want to shoot at 25, try shooting at 18 or 20, then 22, then 25. Don't just jump 10 yards.
I have new shooters start shooting at 10 feet.
There's no need to practice at 25 yards with a 3" gun. For one, the odds are strongly against you ever needing to defend yourself at that range, and if you did need to defend yourself at that range, you'd probably already be hosed.
You should practice at a distance that you can get good groups at, and gradually increase the distance until you're shooting at the range you want to be shooting at.
So if you can group at 15 yards, but want to shoot at 25, try shooting at 18 or 20, then 22, then 25. Don't just jump 10 yards.
I have new shooters start shooting at 10 feet.
After selling my EMP 9mm I had a void in my sub-compact 1911 slot so I just went through this process.
I'm not a Kimber fan so they weren't on the list so I was looking at all of the other main player's but really leaning toward the STI's based on positive feedback and having never owned one.
I went to the local shop that has the best stock of 1911's and got to handle 2 STI's, 3 Colt's & 1 Springfield in the sub-compact range.
The Colt's were the New Agent, Talo New Agent and Defender.
I was fairly disappointed in the STI's as both of them had safeties that would engage and lock the slide with the hammer down, one of my biggest pet-peeves. (Arguably not a funtional issue but a sign of poor fit and finish) One of them wouldn't lock the slide back on anything but a Wilson Mag.
The New Agent's and the Springfield had the the best overal fit, finish & QC with the Defender a close fourth.
I ended up buying the Talo New Agent because I like the sight system weight and it was overall a great looking gun. Given that only 500 of them will be made and it's a Colt it won't ever go down in value and I think it was the best of the bunch.
The Springfield was next closest but it was about $150 more and I just didn't see the value there.
I'm not a Kimber fan so they weren't on the list so I was looking at all of the other main player's but really leaning toward the STI's based on positive feedback and having never owned one.
I went to the local shop that has the best stock of 1911's and got to handle 2 STI's, 3 Colt's & 1 Springfield in the sub-compact range.
The Colt's were the New Agent, Talo New Agent and Defender.
I was fairly disappointed in the STI's as both of them had safeties that would engage and lock the slide with the hammer down, one of my biggest pet-peeves. (Arguably not a funtional issue but a sign of poor fit and finish) One of them wouldn't lock the slide back on anything but a Wilson Mag.
The New Agent's and the Springfield had the the best overal fit, finish & QC with the Defender a close fourth.
I ended up buying the Talo New Agent because I like the sight system weight and it was overall a great looking gun. Given that only 500 of them will be made and it's a Colt it won't ever go down in value and I think it was the best of the bunch.
The Springfield was next closest but it was about $150 more and I just didn't see the value there.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
I can agree in theory, and have said on more than one occasion that being concerned with target accuracy at 25 yards is a waste of worry time...especially with pistols and revolvers that weren't meant to perform that duty...and most especially because a defensive shooting will more likely be measured in feet than in yards.
But...Practicing at a longer range than you''ll probably never see in an emergency has its merits. It forces you to adhere to the basics and focus on the front sight and commits body position to muscle memory. Everything helps. As long as the practice regimen isn't devoted entirely to 25-yard target practice, it's all good. Just be sure to work on quick snap-shooting from different positions, and include one-handed point shooting.
Unless...
The guns is strictly a range queen and the shooter doesn't intend to carry it for serious purpose. If that's the case, it doesn't matter. Start from where you can shoot the good groups and increase the distance a little at a time.
But...Practicing at a longer range than you''ll probably never see in an emergency has its merits. It forces you to adhere to the basics and focus on the front sight and commits body position to muscle memory. Everything helps. As long as the practice regimen isn't devoted entirely to 25-yard target practice, it's all good. Just be sure to work on quick snap-shooting from different positions, and include one-handed point shooting.
Unless...
The guns is strictly a range queen and the shooter doesn't intend to carry it for serious purpose. If that's the case, it doesn't matter. Start from where you can shoot the good groups and increase the distance a little at a time.
Mad Magyar
Member
I remember those posts...Those of us that carried any slide length below a Commander size; you'd bring it up...I feel much better....
zero_chances
Member
Most of my pistol shooting is done at 10-25 feet, because I know that is a realistic distance for most situations where lethal force is necessary. I mainly just tried it because me and a buddy were sharing a lane, and we had 2 targets on the hanger and zeroed his .22 rifle in at 25 yards.
Also, at the particular range i was at, they have a fairly poor ventilation system, and only 4 lights per lane. One is right at the shooting booth, the other is at about 5 yards or so, the next is around 15, and the last one is at 25 yards. So anywhere between those places, your target is poorly lit.
Though, at these longer ranges I noticed a problem in my form. I kept shooting low, and I believe it was because I placed the pad of my finger at the bottom of the trigger and when pressing the trigger I pulled the gun down a bit. When I moved my finger to the top of the trigger my shot placement was on center level.
I have only had one experience with the Cold Defender and it was not a good one. My friend bought a Defender as his first pistol and that they was such a POS. He the pistol worked on and it never did shoot properly. He ended up selling it for a loss. This Defender did not group well at short ranges (under 10 yards) and it was one loud mofo.
I personally will never own a 1911 that is shorter than 4.25".
I personally will never own a 1911 that is shorter than 4.25".
Zerodefect
member
I practice at all ranges. Contact to 25 yards.
I try to push my limits further than I can shoot well. Groups at 10yards is way too easy. Nothing to learn there. It's weird that I don't see anyone shooting further than 10 yards at the local 25y indoor range. I think shooters may be afraid that someone will see them miss if they try challenging themselfs.
I'll try some rapid fire, draws, shooting form retention, malfs, etc, to keep my edge.
I push the target out to 25y just so that I'm aware how much harder it is to reach out to that range just incase I do have to defend someone else at a longer range.
Quality practice absolutely requires failure. If you passed all your tests last range trip.........then you learned nothing. Push harder to get to the next level.
As for the Colt Dfender topic, most have been fine. But a 3" 1911, even a good one, is going to be a little more picky towards mags, springs, and ammo. Once you get past that you'll be fine.
I try to push my limits further than I can shoot well. Groups at 10yards is way too easy. Nothing to learn there. It's weird that I don't see anyone shooting further than 10 yards at the local 25y indoor range. I think shooters may be afraid that someone will see them miss if they try challenging themselfs.
I'll try some rapid fire, draws, shooting form retention, malfs, etc, to keep my edge.
I push the target out to 25y just so that I'm aware how much harder it is to reach out to that range just incase I do have to defend someone else at a longer range.
Quality practice absolutely requires failure. If you passed all your tests last range trip.........then you learned nothing. Push harder to get to the next level.
As for the Colt Dfender topic, most have been fine. But a 3" 1911, even a good one, is going to be a little more picky towards mags, springs, and ammo. Once you get past that you'll be fine.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
aubie...Out of curiosity...What problems did that Defender have? Since they're becoming pretty commonplace around here, I'd like to keep a list of things that crop up so I can see if there's a trend.
So far, the only issues that have appeared have been last round feed issues, and they've all been caused by the magazines.
So far, the only issues that have appeared have been last round feed issues, and they've all been caused by the magazines.
zero_chances
Member
1911 tuner, the only thing I have really seen with them is the recoil spring. There was a batch of them made that had the wrong one in it and will be replaced for free. But all of them seem to need replacing around the 1000 round mark.
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