Defender Choice???

[VDM]

If given the oportunity to pick between the Defender or the Defender Plus, which would you choose and why???

[clughog]

Well, I personally like the Defender (and that's why I got one!). I wouldn't want the larger Commander frame for what I use it for, and don't think I need the eighth round that the Defender Plus has. I guess it depends on personal preference, but I really like my Defender!

[dakota1911]

I have a Defender and love it. Still, if I had a lot more money and was into collecting then I would get a Defender Plus also.

[jehu]

+1 Defender = smaller size for carry.

[44 Man]

Well for concealed carry, which is the Defender's primary role (and why I bought mine), it's the length of the butt that leaves the bump in the back of your shirt. The length of the barrel is of a much lesser concern, so I would have enjoyed having a C.C.O. but none was available at the time. I'm very pleased with my Defender. If I were going with a longer grip, a Commander would do nicely. 44 Man.
Here's my Defender.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b15/clare44man/defender1.jpg

[Elmo C]

A very good choice,I like my defender for it's size and easy to carry.

[clughog]

Nice Defender! Looks like you've done a lot of customizing on it, too. Makes mine look pretty plain--all I've done is put a Smith & Alexander arched mainspring housing on it.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f290/clughog/image002.jpg

[44 Man]

I haven't changed all that much really. I have small hands (that why a 1911 works so well!) and needed a short trigger, so that was first. I wanted the Wilson 'drop in' grip safety as I don't like the feel of the stock Colt one. The McCormick thumb safety I had lying around and thought I would try it, but the small stock one works fine for me. I did drop in a McCormick extended mag release again because of my small hands. And to have a better grip, I checkered the polymer mainspring housing. I was fortunate to have a checkering file that had the same spacing as the Colt groves, so that was pretty easy. I like the feel of the rubber grips, but not the look so I compromised with Hogue Kingwood grips and a Pearce fingergroove grip insert. I would love to have a checkered front strap but that's not likely to happen soon, so this works well. It does shoot well and I'm very happy with it.