Summary: The manufacturer’s description and specs, and the average user rating for the Colt Defender pistols.
Manufacturer’s Description
The Colt Defender pistols are chambered in .45 ACP and 9mm, and built on an aluminum alloy frame with a stainless steel slide and a Teflon-coated receiver. Features include:
rear serrations;
white-dot carry front and rear sights;
wraparound rubber grips;
a black skeletonized aluminum trigger;
a beveled magazine well;
the Series 80 firing system; and
beavertail grip and standard thumb safety.
MSRP: $885
The Specs
Caliber
Capacity
OAL
BBL
.45 ACP
7+1
6.75″
3″
9mm
7+1
6.75″
3″
3 comments
I have found the Colt Defender .45 ACP to be reliable, shoots and groups well, sights are very good with 3 dot white sights. Carry’s well in belt-slide holstser. Fits full .45 ACP Mags.
Would like to get slim wood grips rather than the rubber wrap-around. Priced fairly.
I have been shooting for 40+ years, former FFL and smithing work; and competitive Conventional, Combat and Silouette shooter, as well as handgun hunter. This is fast becoming one of my favorites for personal concealed carry.
I know many comments on the internet are very positive about the Colt Defender, and others are not. I was unfortunately one of those who had a bad experience with the Defender. I bought a pre-owned Defender and had an issue with consistent reliability with all the ammo I tried from ball to hollow points. I sent the gun to Colt twice, and they said it was fine, but of course they didn’t shoot it enough to see the problems. I took the gun to a competent 1911 smith, and he also didn’t shoot the gun enough to identify an issue. It was a hard issue to pick up because it would only have a FTF once or twice out of a box of 50. That didn’t meet my criteria for carry reliability so I got rid of the gun. I think the Defender is a good reliable gun in many cases, but the three inchers, in my opinion, can be finicky in some cases. There’s just not a lot of room for error in the design. I really liked the gun, and wish it would have worked out for me, but it didn’t so I bought a SA compact 4″ 45 that has been 100% and is my edc. To repeat, I know many Defenders are good reliable guns, but some are not. It seems to be a roll of the dice with this size 1911.
I have found the Colt Defender .45 ACP to be reliable, shoots and groups well, sights are very good with 3 dot white sights. Carry’s well in belt-slide holstser. Fits full .45 ACP Mags.
Would like to get slim wood grips rather than the rubber wrap-around. Priced fairly.
I have been shooting for 40+ years, former FFL and smithing work; and competitive Conventional, Combat and Silouette shooter, as well as handgun hunter. This is fast becoming one of my favorites for personal concealed carry.
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I know many comments on the internet are very positive about the Colt Defender, and others are not. I was unfortunately one of those who had a bad experience with the Defender. I bought a pre-owned Defender and had an issue with consistent reliability with all the ammo I tried from ball to hollow points. I sent the gun to Colt twice, and they said it was fine, but of course they didn’t shoot it enough to see the problems. I took the gun to a competent 1911 smith, and he also didn’t shoot the gun enough to identify an issue. It was a hard issue to pick up because it would only have a FTF once or twice out of a box of 50. That didn’t meet my criteria for carry reliability so I got rid of the gun. I think the Defender is a good reliable gun in many cases, but the three inchers, in my opinion, can be finicky in some cases. There’s just not a lot of room for error in the design. I really liked the gun, and wish it would have worked out for me, but it didn’t so I bought a SA compact 4″ 45 that has been 100% and is my edc. To repeat, I know many Defenders are good reliable guns, but some are not. It seems to be a roll of the dice with this size 1911.