Colt Defender: is it reliable with JHPs?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Colt Defender: is it reliable with JHPs?

Posted: 6/7/2018 7:40:10 PM EDT

I've bought a few newer Colt 1911s lately and I've been impressed. I was thinking of adding a defender as a backup or CCW gun.

It has to run off 230 gr federal HST.

What do you guys think ? Is it going to work ?

Posted: 6/7/2018 8:16:27 PM EDT

[#1]

I've owned and carried mine for more than ten years.

It's had a steady diet of 230gr. Gold Dots.

The only thing to remember is that on the very small platforms, springs don't have same longevity, I change mine each year regardless of round count.

Posted: 6/7/2018 8:18:37 PM EDT

[#2]

each gun is different you have to test yours. should be but test it.

Posted: 6/7/2018 8:30:56 PM EDT

[#3]

I have the new agent and it eats 230 gold dots well.

Posted: 6/7/2018 8:40:14 PM EDT

[#4]

Mine has done great.

Posted: 6/7/2018 11:59:04 PM EDT

[#5]

Mine loves speer gold dot 200gr +P,230Gr GD,it shoots federal HST 230gr well too.With the 200gr GD +p it is at about 400rnd with no failures.

It is free of FTF etc on everything except occasional FTF with 200gr SWC reloads

I'm very happy with it.....Had it 4yrs now.

Posted: 6/8/2018 12:06:17 AM EDT

[#6]

Mine runs perfect with standard pressure HST.

Posted: 6/8/2018 7:22:24 AM EDT

[#7]

Replace recoil springs often, but it should be fine. New Colts are exceptionally reliable guns.

Posted: 6/9/2018 4:01:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have the new agent and it eats 230 gold dots well.

View Quote

Same here, the N.A. with a variety of JHPs. It's the same as the Defender but with a 'trench' sight instead of Novak's ski-jump sights.

Posted: 7/28/2018 11:40:04 AM EDT

[#9]

This is relevant to my interests.
I am looking into getting a 3” 1911.
Colt defender is where I started looking.
Pricey and very little on the used market.
Also good things said about the defender.
I am still looking, but there are not that many offerings out there.

Posted: 7/28/2018 8:45:56 PM EDT

[#10]

I find a lot more of the gutter-snipe new agents for sale than the defenders. For the distance I'm using it, I don't mind the gutter sight, I got used to it with my Desantis Pocket 9.

But I did add a set of Crimson Trace grips, so the sight is largely unused right now.

Posted: 7/29/2018 12:27:04 AM EDT

[#11]

230gr HST is probably the hardest to feed HP on the market. They got a HUGE mouth.

Posted: 7/29/2018 12:37:17 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
230gr HST is probably the hardest to feed HP on the market. They got a HUGE mouth.

View Quote

Gold dots. They're even bigger. No 1911 of mine can cycle just one whole mag of them problem free, but my HST's feed non-stop and no problems in all of my 1911's.

Posted: 7/29/2018 11:55:43 AM EDT

[#13]

I've had good luck with the Gold Dot 200 Gr. JHP in my defender. This in a Desantis owb pancake holster is easily my favorite carry as its small and very close to body. Takes a decent belt still due to weight.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Colt Defender: is it reliable with JHPs?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

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