Talk me out of a Colt New Agent Talo Edition

[Magoo]

The title pretty much says it. I'm looking for a 3-inch 1911 in .45. The LGS has one of these in stock and finances will currently allow it.

All comments of "a 1911 cannot operate well at less than a 4.25-inch barrel" will be ignored. I will be purchasing a 3-inch .45 caliber 1911 at some point.

If it helps quell arguments, I'm perfectly happy with hardball .45 for this pistol, I don't care how it handles SWC or the latest, bestest SD round.

Comments I will put a lot of thought into would come from owners of 3-inch Colt 1911s that have insight into their experiences. Glowing reports would be nice, but stories of customer service would be even better. I recognize I may be buying a pistol that might not run perfectly out of the box. I'm interested to hear stories of how Colt addressed the issues.

If anyone wants to suggest an alternative pistol [still a 3-ich barrel, single stack 1911 in .45] I'm all ears. I'll say though, that the big dot triji front sight is a big winner for me. And the price point of ~$1000 is about as far as I can go for this piece of gear.

 

[MICHAEL T]

1 why spend extra on a Talo Edition If going to buy Agent buy regular
2, Get the Defender I have both Agent and Defender I can't get used to the gutter sight. .
Both of mine have worked great I have no relieabilty problems with either I wanted to like the sight but just can't really get comfortable with it.

I carry these with Corbon 185GrDPX +P

 

[Alberforth]

I have the Colt New Agent and I like it a lot. I have had no problems with it after a couple early FTFs. I have about 900 rounds through it at this point. I just used it to qualify for my CCW so the trench site's working for me, FWIW.

I too like the idea of the sights they put on for the Talo. I don't like the grips though. But you could buy a set of proper New Agent grips if you wanted.

I am one of those who got bit by the spur grip safety, so I put in a Wilson 'drop-in' and it's been fine (although I wish it was a better fit).

FWIW I ended up getting a Kahr for pocket carry for faster presentation, and I am thinking of selling one of my 1911s (I have a full-size Colt as well) and getting a Glock 26 or M&P9c for my 'slower but more serious' CCW. The latter is due to my changing ideas about caliber and capacity, and concerns about carrying two weapons with very different manuals of arms.

 

[G27RR]

I have a Defender I used to carry. It has about 1K through it without any problems, including both FMJ and JHP. I can't comment on service because it never needed any. The Talo Agent is about the same as the Defender.



I now carry an STI Shadow for its extra features (night sights set into a channel in the slide for a very low profile, front strap stippling, more refined in general). You can get an STI Escort, which is close to the Shadow for $1K. It just has a different finish and different sights (not set in a channel). The Shadow was designed at the request of undercover officers working for the Texas DPS. The sight channel came about because they originally wanted no sights, but department policy mandated them. Thus, STI inset them into a sight channel to maintain a very low profile.

Both are American made in Texas and have lifetime warranties. I have previously posted reviews on them here and neither one has ever needed service. The Shadow has about 3K through it with about 500 of that from JHP, and the Escort has about 1K with about 100 of that JHP.

Escort about $1000


Shadow about $1300

 

[Magoo]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

I think I agree about the grip panels on the Talo. I'd have to shoot it a bunch to see if the handle better in use than they feel/look at the counter. An easy enough change though as you say.

The sights on the Talo edition are what make me like it over the standard (trench sighted) New Agents and the Defenders. And I like the big dot front over what I see STI offering.

I've never had any issues with hammer bite on any 1911 I've shot. That said, I'd prefer the lower profile grip safety for carry. While the extra bump (whatever vairous folks call it) seems like a "why not" feature, I've never failed to engage the GS without one (granted, I've never been in a SD shooting either).

I do like the front strap treatment you can get with a comparably priced STI. If I get the Talo I'll just have to make do with the "skateboard tape treatment" until I send it off for front strap texturing and whatever else 1000+ rounds tells me I "need" . I know I'll ultimately get it refinished (with something ending in "ite" or "fer") because I seem to be able to even get cardboard to rust around here.

Part of my sentimental soul just feels like before I get too much deeper into 1911s I need a pony in the stable. Certainly a silly consideration for what I intend to be a carry weapon, I'll concede. But I'm having a hard time finding any more bashing of the Colt over any other 3"er as far as reliability.

I'm still hemming and hawing, but I picked up an extra 250 rounds of .45 today just in case a new pistol follows me home shortly and needs a warm(ing) welcome .

 

[G27RR]

I don't think you'd be disappointed in the Colt. I like the Talo version of the Agent, too. If that's the one that appeals to you, that's the one you should probably get. Colt's 3" 1911s have one of the best reliability reputations out there for that size pistol.