I was originally trained on 1911s. The first gun I carried for serious purpose was a Colt 1911. Till I had enough money to buy something else.

Over the years I had multiple bad experiences with 1911s, all of them new Kimbers. I stayed with more reliable platforms.

But these days, disgusted with a sea of striker fired plastic, I find myself tempted by Colts new Defender. I have shot a stainless model and it has been reliable in my hands for about 350 rounds of mixed ammo. I am debating buying it.

So to the Owners of Colt Defenders here, what is your opinion of them? Reliable? Accurate? Thanks for your time! Regards 18DAI

What caliber? (45 I'm guessing?)
I've had 2 Defenders in 45. Both were reliable with fmj and hit or miss with jhp's. I've since sold them all and just have Commander size as my smallest 1911 in 45.
If you're looking at the 9mm I do have a new Defender and it has been pretty good with all ammo however, I just picked up a Springfield EMP4 9mm and like it far better that the Colt. In fact the Colt will be put up in the classifieds this weekend.

Chris

The defenders are about as reliable as officer's sized 1911s get. But you are not getting a platform that will run like a 5" or even 4.25" 1911. You'd have to test out carry ammo carefully with it to make sure it will run.

I would look at other platforms for 45 acp compacts. Although slightly larger and thicker than an officer's size 1911, getting a Sig p220 compact SAS or P220 COR BSS may be the ticket. I had a P220 compact with decocker in the past that ran with any hp ammo I tried. Keep in mind that the 220 compact has a 3.9" barrel and only holds 6+1 rounds with flush fitting magazines. It can also be used with 8 and 10 Rd p220 mags with adapter sleeves.



I found myself carrying a g26 or a g29sf most of the time. I sold my p220 compact and a basically unfired p220 compact sao here years ago.

Yes! The 45 caliber version of the Defender. Sorry!

I have a S&W CS9 that covers all my 9mm needs. Regards 18DAI

Have you given any consideration to the Sig 1911 Ultra. It has a very high success rating from owners. Mine has been 100%, feeds, shoots and extracts everything ive tried. Superb carry weapon. Available in Two tone and black nitron.

I've had Defenders in both 45 and 9mm. They're accurate and reliable. Actually I've had 3" 1911s by Colt, Kimber, Sig and a couple of others. All have been great!!!!

This is brand spanking new, but I figured I'd put it out there. Apparently Ruger is coming out with an Officer-ish model. I say -ish, because it's a 3.6" barrel, between a true 3" officer and a 4.25" commander (should we call this a Lt Commander, maybe?).

https://www.thefirearmblog.com...uger-sr1911-officer/

Remington recently released something like this, which I posted. I was quickly reminded it was a Remington. This one isn't. For rack grade 1911s, isn't Ruger pretty well regarded? Of course it's a brand new gun. If someone doesn't want to be the guinea pig, they can be forgiven. But it is a new option.

Of course this post needs a pic...

I have owned my two Colt Defenders for some time now. I have run a fair amount of ammo through both, and I have never considered selling them......if that tells you anything.

I have had the 9mm Defender for a number of years. Runs like a top. It is flawless with Colt mags...hiccups some with Wilsons....so I just run it with the Colt mags and its off and going. Only thing I have done to it is to add some VZ Predator Green grips.

I suggest the SIG Ultra Compact 1911. Mine is beautifully made and perfectly reliable with any ammo that I feed it.

I have carried a factory brown cerakote defender for a couple of years in an owb holster. It’s .45 caliber and will accept mec-gar full sized mags with an adapter, giving me extra capacity ( available from Greg cote).

The fact that I trust my life with it says it all.

I had a 45 Defender. It's was reliable with hardball. It was selective about which hollow point loads it would feed though.

I have the New Agent version in .45. It works flawlessly. It’s my last 1911 but its a sweet gun for carry and dependability..

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
This is brand spanking new, but I figured I'd put it out there. Apparently Ruger is coming out with an Officer-ish model. I say -ish, because it's a 3.6" barrel, between a true 3" officer and a 4.25" commander (should we call this a Lt Commander, maybe?).

Actually, the OACP has a 3.5” barrel. Every time I’m tempted to try a Defender, I can’t convince myself why it would be better than an Officer’s. Given the value of Colts these days, that Ruger looks like a fairly attractive deal.

I have both .45 and 9mm Defenders and have carried both. Both love HSTs 124gr, my normal defensive round.

Have the new model Colt .45 Defender. Very reliable and accurate. Be sure to get the latest improved model. It has the bevel cuts on the front of he slide kind of like a Browning High power. Feeds 100%.

Thanks to all for the opinions, options and reports! Much appreciated! Regards 18DAI

The new defenders are reliable. They do recommend changing the recoil spring every 1000 rounds on the short 1911's.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
This is brand spanking new, but I figured I'd put it out there. Apparently Ruger is coming out with an Officer-ish model. I say -ish, because it's a 3.6" barrel, between a true 3" officer and a 4.25" commander (should we call this a Lt Commander, maybe?).

A commander would be a full length grip, whereas the traditional officer length frame with the commander slide is a CCO; sounds like Ruger's is a compromise between an officer size and CCO.