I am trying to decide between two guns . . . new shooter, looking for a defensive gun

[BullfrogKen]

Lonestar, the post was in the "Introduce yourself" thread in GGD . . . about 50 pages, and 1200 posts deep. Bumping it will do no good. Its a sticky that really doesn't get checked by our visitors.


If Mom isn't a strong internet user, she's going to have a tough time here. That's just the way life goes. I've done all I can to try to help her. But if she doesn't have the basic skills required to navigate through a bulletin board she's not going to have much success getting answers here.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Nice looking defender pogo2

 

[pogo2]

Thanks

oo7 said:

Nice looking defender pogo2

Thank you.

 

[rde]

Of the 2 I would also recommend the CS45....based on a very good experience with my CS9.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Thank you.

You're welcome.



Hmm .. still no Mom ...

 

[sholling]

Mom,

Mom: Best thing to do is to test fire what you're thinking about buying and determining what is confortable for you.

This is great advice. Let's skip the condecensing sexist stuff and go right to the chase - if you're comfortable with 45s then you should look at 45s. My hat is off to you. I'm a 45 fan myself.

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry, the Kimber version/predecessor of the Colt Defender. Here are my honest gender neutral observations. Because of the aluminum frame recoil tends to be stout but very manageable with a little practice. On the other hand the aluminum frame makes for a light load when you're hauling the thing around, and the small size makes it very concealable. The downsides are the the fact they they need a good 250 round break in and good quality magazines to assure reliability - but once broken in they are reliable. The 3" barrel also cuts way down on the hitting power. Consider using Speer's pricey 230gr short barrel cartridge as your self defense cartridge of choice.

If you are willing to look at full sized pistols then I will second the S&W M&P45. I put my money where my mouth is and ordered one for myself. For both home defense and competition. If you need something concealable then the S&W M&P 40 Compact bares looking at. It's light and small but the 40S&W hits hard out of a 3.5" barrel and it holds 10 rounds in a small package. Once again Speer's pricey 180gr short barrel round would be my defensive cartridge of choice. Also note that S&W just brought back their 2 additional free magazines by mail promotion.

Finally the most bang from the tiniest packages are from Kahr. But they are finicky beasts until you get the bugs worked out and the smaller ones kick like a mule.

 

[Alan Fud]

Well, since "Mom" narrowed it down to two guns, I'm not going to recommend anything other than one of those two guns.

That said, I would say that it depends on your plans for the gun. If it's mostly going to be carried concealed, I'd go with the S&W. Otherwise, go with the Colt.

 

[Baba Louie]

I really don't think Mom can go wrong with either. The CS gives up a little weight (2 oz) and a round (6+1) and has a DA/SA trigger while Colts Defender has a 1/4" shorter barrel (3"), 7+1 rds and a SA trigger.

Both companies have excellent Customer Service.

My S&W autos tend to point lower in my hands while the Colts seem to be made for my hand size and point naturally. But I don't own a CS45 and they do have a bit more butt in the grip than the 457 and 3913 I own.

I've had at least three females of small stature shoot my Defender and 457. Most prefer the Defender. Maybe due to the rubber finger grooved grips.

So to me it boils down to the trigger and how they feel in the hand before and during shooting exercises, knowing that a 3" barrel gives up a little velocity from the .45acp round.

So, good hunting Mom. Both for your post/thread and your little .45.

 

[Ala Dan]

Welcome Mom to The High Road-

If you have any 1911 type experience at all, I would say go with the Colt
Defender; just make sure that with a loaded chamber and full magazine
with the hammer cocked and locked (Condition 1), that your brain is in
gear before handling the firearm~!

 

[Trebor]

I think MOM is M.I.A. Unless the mods can e-mail her or something I don't think any of our advice is going to matter much at this point.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Mom hasn't been back to THR since the day she posted. She's not following up on her questions.


That's the way things go sometimes . . . the Staff is too busy to follow up on each new member who posts a question, then leaves, never to return.



But, hey . . . don't let it stop anyone from not reading through the thread, realizing that, and suggesting their advice. It hasn't before . . .

 

[jahwarrior]

my dad bought the colt defender when they first came out, and has never, ever had a problem with it. it gets my vote.