Colt Defender Help

[vashooter]

I have been looking for an officers 1911 to carry and shoot the snout off the barrell. I have pretty much narrowed it down to 3 choices maybe 4. Is it real hard to install an ambi -safety in one of these little pony's ? Left handed here and I love the SS defender. It is it's only drawback besides the aluminum frame. Unless Colt comes out with a steel framed one I am in for the aluminum one possibly. Thanks In Advance Guys Floyd :D

[44 Man]

That's a tough question. It depends on your skill level. Occasionally a thumb safety will drop right in with no fitting necessary, but usually there is some filing/fitting necessary. Not difficult to do, you just have to know where to take metal off the tab on the left safety and go slow until everything locks up properly. Maybe tuner or one of those guys can tell you exactally where the metal needs to come off from. At any rate, it is not a difficult thing to do and you should not limit which model you would like because of not having an ambi safety. 44 Man

[vashooter]

Thanks 44man I guess the next question will be to find a ambi-safety that will fit the new defender? Can not see em on brownells or midway or anywhere for that matter.

[wichaka]

As long as it's not for a wide frame, any of those listed will fit.

[44 Man]

True, anything listed for a 1911, except a wide body, will fit. It doesn't matter if it is listed for a Gov't, Commander, or Officers. There's not anything listed separatly for a Defender. Midway has several just look under 1911, then Gov't then thumb safety. This is a picture of a one sided Chip McCormick on my Defender, but is the same as their ambi. It took about 20 minutes to fit. 44 Man The grip safety is a Wilson 'drop in' for an enhanced gun or Commander. That took another 20 minutes to fit.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b15/clare44man/defendera.jpg

[vashooter]

Outstanding , Now where did you get that nice Beavertail on that defender from? Or did it come that way. With all this help I am one step closer to my first Pony.... :cool: Thanks guys...... Floyd

[John]

As long as it's not for a wide frame, any of those listed will fit.

Why did I think that wide bodies (Para, STI etc) use standard thumb safeties???

[vashooter]

its ok John you have more than answered my questions... :p Floyd

[44 Man]

Va Shooter, that's a Wilson 'drop in' for an enhanced gun or a Commander.

John, the thumb safety may also fit the wide body guns. I have small hands and have never given them a second look. The wide part may not include the safety, I really don't know. 44 Man

[vashooter]

Good to know ....how come Colt does not say whether it is a flared and lowered ejection port on it? It looks lowered to me. They do not give to many details on it on the site?? Floyd

[larry starling]

Good to know ....how come Colt does not say whether it is a flared and lowered ejection port on it? It looks lowered to me. They do not give to many details on it on the site?? Floyd
The defender has a lowered and flared ejection port. It also has all the other features of a enhanced model. Here is a picture of my wifes carry gun. Mine is in the safe....
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project110.png
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n202/larry0810/Project109.png

[vashooter]

Thank you Larry , those are some fantastic grips versus those ughhhhh rubber ones on the stock one. Where and what did they come from??? Floyd

[larry starling]

Thank you Larry , those are some fantastic grips versus those ughhhhh rubber ones on the stock one. Where and what did they come from??? Floyd
Got them from here....
http://www.hogueauction.com/
Great deals go look..... :geek:

[vashooter]

Thanks Again larry , I for one if I am going to carry a pistol can not stand a rubber grip . To many things get snagged on them when you have to pull it. Even if you do not have to pull it it still snags on your shirts, undershirt etc. I will go look :) Floyd

[daveohno]

Larry, I've had the rubber stocks with finger grooves. How do the wooden ones compare? Outside of looks, becasue the rubber is always uglier.