Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
The common wisdom among 1911 gurus is to avoid sub-4" 1911s, since they tend to have spotty reliability.
I must have lucked out with my latest addition, because I just got a LNIB Colt Defender that runs like a sewing machine.
We took it in on trade at the shop, and I caught myself playing with it during our idle times. I didn't want to like it, since all the warnings about the super-mini 1911s were echoing in my head. Every time I picked it up, however, I found myself thinking, "Wow...this is neat. This would make a great carry gun if it actually works."
Well, my recent desire for a 1911 with the prancing pony on the side finally caused me to throw caution to the wind and claim the little Defender. I was able to test it before I dropped the money on it, and it ate a mixed bag of FMJs and JHPs without a hiccup. The mags were filled with FMJ, SWC, and different JHP loads...everything from Remington Golden Saber to Federal HydraShok.
The ugly Hogue wraparounds have been replaced with McCormick rosewood grips already. I have a couple of good spare mags and a nice Galco SSS for it on order, and this weekend it'll be fitted with a new set of night sights. After that, it'll start sharing carry duties with the Kimber Compact.
I must have lucked out with my latest addition, because I just got a LNIB Colt Defender that runs like a sewing machine.
We took it in on trade at the shop, and I caught myself playing with it during our idle times. I didn't want to like it, since all the warnings about the super-mini 1911s were echoing in my head. Every time I picked it up, however, I found myself thinking, "Wow...this is neat. This would make a great carry gun if it actually works."
Well, my recent desire for a 1911 with the prancing pony on the side finally caused me to throw caution to the wind and claim the little Defender. I was able to test it before I dropped the money on it, and it ate a mixed bag of FMJs and JHPs without a hiccup. The mags were filled with FMJ, SWC, and different JHP loads...everything from Remington Golden Saber to Federal HydraShok.
The ugly Hogue wraparounds have been replaced with McCormick rosewood grips already. I have a couple of good spare mags and a nice Galco SSS for it on order, and this weekend it'll be fitted with a new set of night sights. After that, it'll start sharing carry duties with the Kimber Compact.