I've gone from no Colts to two in the past couple of months. Got this one out of lay-a-way jail today. Colt Defender Lightweight, Talo edition in .45ACP. Talo did some limited runs on the Defenders using different colors of Cerakote on the frame and different grip panels. This is 1 of 100 they did in brown. Normally not a fan of "colored" pistols (was that racist?), but this one I like. It's different but subtle and the same price as the standard Defender and this one came with VZ thin grips.

I originally went in looking for a Springfield EMP. They had both the original 3" and 4" in stock. My sales guy asked me to consider the Colt Defender instead. According to him they have had numerous EMP's sent back to have ejectors fixed and pinned back into place. The factory glues them in initially. They've had several customers purchase Defenders with no issues at all. In addition it's pretty much standard 1911 parts and not the proprietary parts of the Springfield. So if something goes wrong, chances are they already have the parts and don't need to order anything from the lower 48.

So I'm trying a 3" 1911 again. Had a Kimber CDP years ago that I liked but it would not reliably feed Federal 230gr Hydrashoks which has been my goto load in 45 ACP. That was even after my gunsmith changed out the 9mm extractor that my .45ACP pistol came with from the factory for a .45 ACP extractor. Also looking to standardize in my carry rotation. After trying just about everything on the planet; buying guns, buying holsters, buying ammo; then selling gun, giving away holster and finding another gun to use the same ammo in. I'm doing something different and stating with a gun I already know how to shoot well, the 1911.

So they had the Standard defender, this one and a Talo in blue. While nice, the blue was a little over the top. Hoping it shoots as goods it looks.

The label on the box.


Right side.


Left side.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 2000Z-71,

Wow that is handsome. I was not familiar with this model and now must do some digging. Thanks a lot hahaha my wife thanks you too !!!

I saw one with a blue frame the other day as well.

Bob

Good call.

Nice pistol

That's a handsome pistol and no mistake.

My Defender, my very first Colt, ever, discussed at some length in So I Ended-Up With A Colt Defender. Update: Range Report Added. shot very well for me right out of the gate. Now that the sights are right, it's right on the money for me.

It was a little banged up, complete with idiot mark, from the PO. The first gunsmith to try to fix the sights for me banged it up a bit more. But it shoots like the dickens for me and feeds everything reliably, so I don't care. Relieves me of the worry over banging it up - or the cops doing so should I ever have the bad fortune of having to use it.

Looks very nice, take it out and shoot it and let us know how it runs. It's recommended to change the recoil spring on the 3" 1911's every 1000 rounds.

Heck you are going to need a bigger trailer when you leave AK than when you arrived!

Nice gun! Thanks for sharing.

Fine looking pistol you got there.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
Heck you are going to need a bigger trailer when you leave AK than when you arrived!

HaHa.

Unfortunately this one will need to be in checked luggage on a plane or in the truck if I take the ferry down. Canada prohibits anything with less than a 4.1" barrel from being transported in their country.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 2000Z-71,

Those grips really make it pop. Nice score.

Looks good 71.