Lwt New Agent Or Lwt Officers Model??

[MCMIX]

Contemplating purchasing a lightweight concealable, out of the box, Colt .45 1911 and have narrowed it down to these two.Already own a steel officers model but I would like something lighter for concealment carry.I would appreciate any inputs, good and bad, on carrying and shooting them from those in the know.

[Mickey D]

Wow, tough question. I too have an all steel OACP and have desired to get a lightweight . I really like the looks of the New Agent. I'd really like to try them both to see how the handle, but I might lean toward the New Agent for concealability.

[Hunter]

I am a big fan of the Colt New Agent.

[PaulM]

I was in the local gunshop a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that I'm really leaning to the New Agent. After reading the review on this site and holding both the New Agent and officer's model, I really like the feel of the New Agent. I just need to find some money. Xmas cleaned me out.

Paul

[Rich-D]

Contemplating purchasing a lightweight concealable, out of the box, Colt .45 1911 and have narrowed it down to these two.Already own a steel officers model but I would like something lighter for concealment carry.I would appreciate any inputs, good and bad, on carrying and shooting them from those in the know.

I just ordered a New Agent yesterday. I based my decision on Hunter's Review, http://ezine.m1911.org/contents.htm the discussion thread, http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=37255&highlight=Colt+Agent and firing one that a friend recently acquired.


Rich

[Ric4509]

Go for the New Agent. It's got a great slide to frame fit and excellent carry.

[PakWaan]

+1 on the New Agent. I LOVE mine, and it carries really well.

[44 Man]

I would guess my answer to that would be based more on how you use the gun. They are both made for concealed carry. But I use my Defender also as an 'all around' gun. While I'm sure you can do some excellent shooting with the Agent with practice, I appreciate the sights on the Defender. It will shoot 3" at 40 yds. That is the distance from my porch rail to the back of our country lot. That allows me to pop a bunny or feral cat that might be sneaking through the back. We have seen coyotes come through here also but I have never had an opportunity to take a shot at one. So I lean towards the Defender because of it's excellent sights. If I were carrying only for defensive purposes, an Agent would do fine. 44 Man

[paul45]

For me, we are talking about sights or no sights.....3 inch or 3.5 inch.....used or NIB.

It really doesn't matter in my mind.

Both would be an excellent choice.

[Hill]

I'm in this hunt too. I've never had a .45 caliber pistol that I could find a comfortable way to carry well concealed but the New Agent catches my eye as possibly the one.

Something else that has stalled me is about trust. Seems like most shortened up 1911's have reliability issues and I include the Officer's model amongst those, but I'm sensing a change in the Colt corporate interest in us small fry single sale folks. When I see them come with the WW1 and WW2 replicas, and toss all thought of babysitter guns into the wind by recreating models that precede the firing pin stop it makes me think that maybe they've come to care about us a little.

I'm seeing, or rather hoping to see the New Agent model as Colt's best effort to give is a heavy caliber belly gun that will work when it really needs to work.

[PakWaan]

So far, 600 rounds through my New Agent without a single FTE or FTF, and it's accurate.

[Hawkmoon]

Something else that has stalled me is about trust. Seems like most shortened up 1911's have reliability issues and I include the Officer's model amongst those,
Curiously, a good friend has a Colt Mark IV Officers as well as a couple of full-size 1911s. He says he has put thousands of rounds through the Officers and it has been 100 percent reliable -- unlike the other pistols. After shooting it and falling in lust with it, I found a used M1991A1 Compact (same package, different rollmark) in a nearby gun shop. I have put several hundred rounds through mine and it has also been 100 percent reliable.

Other makes may have reliability issues with the short barrel guns, but that hasn't been my experience with Colts.

[Hill]

That's good news, Hawkmoon.

You're right in guessing that my experience with sawed-off 1911's HAS been contained to the one by Springfield, EMP wasn't it?, an example of which I used to own, and a small Kimber that a range buddy owned. Both of them were problematic unless used with hardball ammo only.

I know that two examples is not enough to condemn an entire breed or brandname but insofar as my own decisions about what to carry they had to suffice.

I do like to think that Colt did it first and continues to do it best - not placing problematic merchandise into the marketplace for the sole sake of having an entry in a class.

So, I'm at the point of ordering a New Agent to try. As soon as I can get used to it's stubby looks.....LOL!

[clughog]

I would guess my answer to that would be based more on how you use the gun. They are both made for concealed carry. But I use my Defender also as an 'all around' gun. While I'm sure you can do some excellent shooting with the Agent with practice, I appreciate the sights on the Defender. It will shoot 3" at 40 yds. That is the distance from my porch rail to the back of our country lot. That allows me to pop a bunny or feral cat that might be sneaking through the back. We have seen coyotes come through here also but I have never had an opportunity to take a shot at one. So I lean towards the Defender because of it's excellent sights. If I were carrying only for defensive purposes, an Agent would do fine. 44 ManI have both and love 'em! Here in the "big city" I find that the New Agent is about perfect for what I use it for. Would certainly be different if I lived in your environment (and I'm envious!). Curiously, I'm told by a couple of dealer friends that they sell five of the Defenders to one of the New Agents. And one guy I know is not going to carry the New Agent so he can inventory more Defenders! I wouldn't give up either of mine. :)

[Phil U]

New Agent, had mine about 2 weeks, love it, carries well and very reliable so far. Put 150 rounds of 230FMJ thru it so far, no problems. Trench sights are a bit weird but easily keep shots on CM out to 7 yards. In closer, 10 feet it's dead center. Still getting use to the sights (?). Bought a Galco Avenger strong side for it and it conceals well under a sweat shirt. Buy one you will like it.
Phil