Thoughts on colt defender?

[postal]

A friend found one for $1,100.

He wants it to apply for a ccw permit.

Whats the good bad and ugly on the defender?

Thanks

[xfile]

Following, a buddy wants to pick one up also. Looks like a solid gun but I'm biased...love 1911's especially colt 11911's

[Mossy Man]

it's good for carry if you must have a 1911 in .45

It's not terribly pleasant to shoot, and it's reliability is okay but not like a full size.

[cannon]

Have one in 9mm. Pleasant to shoot and reliable.

[epwegmann]

^
Agreed. I had one for a bit, VERY snappy compared to any of the other 1911 offerings.
Don't get me wrong, it is still a very nice gun, but I'd say something along the CCO idea is better for carry.

[epwegmann]

Have one in 9mm. Pleasant to shoot and reliable.

Did not know they came in 9mm; I'd imagine that would be a pretty neat package then.

[cannon]

Did not know they came in 9mm; I'd imagine that would be a pretty neat package then.

It is. Same frame as the 45 so ordering a slide, mag and ejector from Colt makes for a conversion.

[Mossy Man]

9mm isn't on the roster so it might be challenging to acquire

i'd look at the EMP instead

[IVC]

The main question is whether your friend wants to carry a 1911. If yes, Defender is a beauty (I have it in .45 ACP) and a pleasure to shoot. If not, there is nothing about Defender that would make it jump ahead of non-1911 competition.

[Mossy Man]

my dad carried one for two years and now he has an EMP and likes the EMP much better

[jonzer77]

^
Agreed. I had one for a bit, VERY snappy compared to any of the other 1911 offerings.
Don't get me wrong, it is still a very nice gun, but I'd say something along the CCO idea is better for carry.

If I could carry, a CCO would be at the top of my list. I didn't find the defender challenging to shoot although it is a bit snappier then a government model.


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[FlyingPen]

That price is a bad deal.

[FlyingPen]

It is. Same frame as the 45 so ordering a slide, mag and ejector from Colt makes for a conversion.

Any more info? It would seem youll actually need to replace frame internals as well.

[jonzer77]

Any more info? It would seem youll actually need to replace frame internals as well.

You wouldn't need to replace the internals. You could also send the frame to colt and have the custom shop fit a 9mm slide, ejector, and barrel to it.

I inquired a few years ago about sending in my series 70 frame and having them fit a 10mm slide and the cost was around $400.


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[FlyingPen]

If it's just a slide, ejector, and barrel swap, this has moved to the top of the buy list. Anyone know how much the parts are?