Compact 1911 For Carry

[armed85]

I stand corrected. I forgot that the Defender has an aluminum frame.

I have an M&P Compact .40 S&W that I'm on the fence with. I've been trying to sell it because I don't like the felt recoil. The felt recoil from my all-steel 5" 1911 is not a problem at all, so I'm starting to think that I wont like the felt recoil from any compact gun that fires a .40 or .45 caliber bullet.

I should have pointed out that all the guns I recommended, with the exception of the EMP, are "cut down" or "chopped" variations of full size guns. The Glock 26 is a chopped Glock 17. The Springfield XD Compact is a chopped XD and my M&P Compact is a chopped M&P.

Thinking about it more the Defender should, in theory, be just as capable of the same reliability as other compact guns. With the exception of guns like the EMP, most of the compacts are chopped full size guns.

I might pick up a Defender myself in my ongoing, perhaps never ending, search for the perfect CCW.

How does the felt recoil from the lighter weight bullets (160 to 185 gr.) feel in the Defender or equivalent chopped aluminum framed 1911? Standard pressure 185 gr. Golden Sabers and standard pressure Cor-Bon DPX 160 gr. seem interesting.

 

[Dustinthewind]

Ragsdale45

I usually shoot 230 grainers in my .45's, I carry 230 gr Gold Dot's in mine all the time. 160 or 180 grainers kick less of course. I can understand your complaint on the .40 S&W especially in a polymer framed gun. The .40 kicks like a .45 with the snappiness of a 9mm. There seems to be an abundance of small .40 cal polymer framed guns that are slightly used and up for sale. My friend has an XD micro .40 that he is wanting to part with because of the recoil. He has shot my mini .45's on numerous occasions an likes them.

 

[Lonestar49]

Adapting

Quote: The .40 kicks like a .45 with the snappiness of a 9mm. There seems to be an abundance of small .40 cal polymer framed guns that are slightly used and up for sale.
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I have to agree, as IMHO, it's all in "The Grips" and 40cal demands the best, IMHO, and is the least forgiving of either 9mm or 45cal.

Having shot a SC (IIRC) HK 45 with a double stack mag load of 10+1 and very small grips, yet, very comfy IMO, to shoot, along with accuracy with quick follow-up shots. And this same person, who wanted to see my Colt Defender, and of course, I returned the favor of letting him have 2 mags of 7 rounds to shoot, with it, took 2 slow shots to find home, then proceeded to shoot it as it is, a tack driver, and he then shot the last mag at distance, 64ft and just enlarged a 3" bulls eye from the center out.. And that was with 230gr Winchester wb new ammo.

IMHO, each, any gun, is a matter of adaption for the shooter, and some can adapt to various guns, calibers, sizes, etc., and some are more limited.

I found, from the beginning, with the Defender, to be a very comfy, accurate, shooter, along with, the lighter weight being no different in recoil than a 4" heavier Commander, or my full size Sig P220 IMHO.

IMHO, again, it's in the guns grip, and the shooters grip, how a gun will work, feel, or not work, along with from what I have experienced, shooting heavier weight bullets produce less snap, than the 180gr JHP's, but that difference to me is minimal, and feels so close to 230gr FMJ ammo, as opposed to both the 165gr and lighter 45 JHP's I have tried and found, felt, with more V, more snap, less accuracy, with quick follow-up shots.

But, that is just me, and as mentioned, each gun, each grip, each ammo, one uses, will have good or bad effects and the balance between what range ammo one uses, with accuracy, should be somewhat close in weight and V, as one's HD/SD JHP ammo, to remain what I deem, staying current with ones guns and his or her, HD/SD ammo choices.

That's what each gun I own has taught me, along with the owners manuals, saying you can use +P ammo, or Not too, (if you want your gun to last) along with, a lot of "great advise" from many, far more experienced shooters, within this forum, have "shared" with me and so many others, as opposed to the many "lectures" of "only this, or only that gun, ammo," etc., for myself, and many others, to make a far better, more educated, decision, or path, to try.

Variety and adaptation, and knowing ones limits, is a beautiful thing.


Ls