Finally got to take my new Colt Defender, 3" 1911, 45 ACP to the range. Put 100 rnds of Federal American Eagle 230 Gr. FMJ without any problems. Only had 2 ejected brass hit me in the head, which has been a reported problem with the Colt in particular. But I think they even bounced off the side wall and didn't eject directly onto/into my head/face.
I have never shot a 1911 before, nor a 45 ACP. I was nervous and my hands were shaking a bit thinking about how bad the recoil was going to be with this little 3" piece (I shoot a P229 357 Sig often and it has a bit of a recoil to it). I started off the day shooting my Glock 26 to get warmed up then moved to the Colt. First shot was dead center and my first thought was that the round must have been a dud or something; it didn't seem much more of a kick than my Glock 26. Continued shooting and couldn't believe how manageable and nice the recoil was. I moved back to shooting the G26, switching back and forth to the Colt to compare recoil. In my opinion anyway, the recoil was only slightly more than the G26 and certainly not as bad as my P229 in either 357Sig or 40S&W.
I am very happy with the Colt so far. Only 100 rnds down the pipe so far but I'm more hopeful now that the issues you hear about with the 3" 1911s aren't going to be an issue with this little Colt Defender.
As for accuracy I was keeping most shots within a 5" group at about 10 yards - thats me not the gun and nothing to brag about I know. But I'm a newbie so I've still got some learnin' to do. Certainly better than with my G26.
So far so good. Money well spent in my opinion. I've got the 1911 bug now and looking for a Kimber or SA in maybe 4 to 5"
Thanks.
I have never shot a 1911 before, nor a 45 ACP. I was nervous and my hands were shaking a bit thinking about how bad the recoil was going to be with this little 3" piece (I shoot a P229 357 Sig often and it has a bit of a recoil to it). I started off the day shooting my Glock 26 to get warmed up then moved to the Colt. First shot was dead center and my first thought was that the round must have been a dud or something; it didn't seem much more of a kick than my Glock 26. Continued shooting and couldn't believe how manageable and nice the recoil was. I moved back to shooting the G26, switching back and forth to the Colt to compare recoil. In my opinion anyway, the recoil was only slightly more than the G26 and certainly not as bad as my P229 in either 357Sig or 40S&W.
I am very happy with the Colt so far. Only 100 rnds down the pipe so far but I'm more hopeful now that the issues you hear about with the 3" 1911s aren't going to be an issue with this little Colt Defender.
As for accuracy I was keeping most shots within a 5" group at about 10 yards - thats me not the gun and nothing to brag about I know. But I'm a newbie so I've still got some learnin' to do. Certainly better than with my G26.
So far so good. Money well spent in my opinion. I've got the 1911 bug now and looking for a Kimber or SA in maybe 4 to 5"
Thanks.
