Colt New Agent -vs- Colt Defender

[MonnieRock]

Hello Everyone,


If you were going to choose from these two sub-compact models, which would it be? Please give detailed reasons why. Pro & cons of both.


1) Colt New Agent

or

2) Colt Defender


Thank you,
Monnie

[clughog]

I have both and love both. For concealed carry, I prefer the New Agent because of its thinner grips and trench sights. I do like the stainless slide on the Defender, though, and the Hogue grips give me a little added control. That said, the New Agent gets carried, and the Defender sits on the nightstand. Can't go wrong with either. Come down to whether or not you like the finish and the sights better on one than the other. :)

[Hunter]

Tough question. I have never shot a Defender so my opinion is somewhat one sided. With that said I really like the New Agent.

[MonnieRock]

Thanks guys for the quick replies !!!

Do the two share the same internal componets?

Thank you,
Monnie

[Substance-P]

I just picked up a Defender today. They also had an Agent available and I compared the two side by side for a while. For me it came down to the finish on the Defender and the idea that it was maybe a little more versatile than the Agent because it has more typical sights. If I wanted a dedicated carry piece for close altercations, I might lean more towards the Agent. I wanted a carry piece that would be significantly smaller than my commander while still being a little more versatile than the Agent so I went with the Defender.

Both looked great by the way.

[clughog]

Monnie, as far as I know they're exactly the same internally.

[Hunter]

I will agree the New Agent is not as versatile as the Defender, it lends itself as more of a dedicated save your bacon type of pistol. The Defender will serve the same purpose but does have the more traditional sights.

[Sarge45]

Defender for certain due to the stainless finish and standard sights. No trench for me.

[Rio Vista Slim]

For concealed carry, I prefer the New Agent because of its thinner grips and trench sights.
Monnie,

For me, clughog's statement nails my preference. I had the choice to buy either of the pistols at the time I purchased the New Agent. I don't like the issued finger-groove grips on the Defender (easily changed out, though). The New Agent has replaced my Commanders as a carry weapon. The trench sights, having been gotten accustomed to, have become a non-issue.

Because of the thinner stocks, the New Agent is one of the best "feeling" handguns I've ever owned.

[John]

The New Agent has replaced my Commanders as a carry weapon.

WHAT?!?!?!?! COME AGAIN!?!?!?!?!?!

[Rich-D]

I have the both, the New Agent and the Defender. Which like Steve, replaced my commander as a carry gun. I prefer the New Agent over the Defender. I appreciate the trench sights, especially when I slip the Agent in my back pocket to answer the door, walk the dog or go to the corner store. I am not a fan of the duck bill grip safety on the Defender. Also, back pocket carry is much faster then a holstered gun when wearing a buttoned up or zippered coat. And, I prefer the thin grips and high gloss blue finish of the New Agent.


Rich

[Rio Vista Slim]

WHAT?!?!?!?! COME AGAIN!?!?!?!?!?!
John,

If I can ever get you over to this side of the pond, and down here to the RVS Ponderosa, I'll let you experience, firsthand, how really sweet the Colt New Agent is! :)

[MonnieRock]

Hello Everyone,

Excellent feedback and responses. I appreciate taking the time to explain why or why not you made your selection(s).

I really like features both models offer so the decision process is difficult.

From a concealled stand point the New Agent is a plus coming factory with a thinner presence, nice finish, traditional look. Such a beauty.

The Defender can offer the same with or without changing the grips, stainless finish that will not get damaged from concealment or adverse weather conditions.

Same price for both in my area $800-$850. In all reality, how many times in your life will you actually need to draw,aim,and use your weapon for personal defense situation. Maybe never, Maybe 2 times in one week. Who knows. Either would serve this purpose wonderfully as well as last you the rest of your life. Sights are not a big deal to me for such a weapon because anyone should practice with their weapon. Not like you are going to take the time to check your stance or sight picture. It will be most likely a center-mass shot. But, I respect a person's personal preference.

Then coltitis sets in, and this is where you stop thinking about reality and say " Just get both and enjoy the features of both in a concealed situation and range situation." Change which you carry like your favorite clothes,jewelry,etc.


Well, for me, reality does not overcome coltitis. My first sub-compact will be the Defender and then then New Agent after I recover from getting my full sized platform. Once I saw that Stainless Gold Cup Trophy, the Pony bit me in the butt. I feel I will fire the Defender more with the factory grips because I have big hands, has a nice feel, and will shoot it more at the range rather than only as a carry weapon. Then, purchase a New Agent for a dedicated carry weapon. One benefit is, I can have one caliber of ammo to worry about. Plan to get into relaoding my own. This site has caused a center mass shot directly into my wallet. Arrggh My wallet !!

Thank you everyone for your responses,
Monnie

[daveohno]

MonnieRock, sounds like you have a plan! You should like all of the Colt's you buy. :)

Don't forget to look at all the reloading presses, Dillon, Hornady, RCBS and Lee. Don't just go Dillon, look around, Dillon makes a good press, but there are other good presses out there that you should consider as well. If after you look around, if you decide to go Dillon, at least you considered the other presses. Your reloading equipment will cost as much as a new Colt, so don't get sticker shock, because it will be fairly expensive to get set up, scale, dies, brass, powder, primers and bullets. But once you take the initial hit, all you normally buy after that are powder, bullets and primers.

[Rick McC.]

I got a Dillon RL550B that I bought back in '94 that's still going strong today.

Rick

[chancellor]

This is my first post, so I didn't want to create a separate thread. I have a New Agent that I picked up new last Friday and had a chance to put 4 magazines through it today - felt really good.

I wanted to clean it and oil it, but the instructions manual doesn't cover the disassembly of New Agent. I read Hunter's review, but I'm a bit thickheaded and didn't understand very well. This is my first 1911. I can disassemble AK-47, AR-15 and my HKs with eyes closed, but this one looks a bit tricky. If someone would be kind enough to explain for dummies, I would be grateful. Many thanks.

[clughog]

This is my first post, so I didn't want to create a separate thread. I have a New Agent that I picked up new last Friday and had a chance to put 4 magazines through it today - felt really good.

I wanted to clean it and oil it, but the instructions manual doesn't cover the disassembly of New Agent. I read Hunter's review, but I'm a bit thickheaded and didn't understand very well. This is my first 1911. I can disassemble AK-47, AR-15 and my HKs with eyes closed, but this one looks a bit tricky. If someone would be kind enough to explain for dummies, I would be grateful. Many thanks.Welcome to the forum, chancellor. The moderators may want to move this to another area, but try this:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=33992

The New Agent and Defender are basically the same pistol. I'm sure there are other posts as well if you do a search. Good luck!

[chancellor]

clughog, thank you!

[bubbameat]

This is my first post, so I didn't want to create a separate thread. I have a New Agent that I picked up new last Friday and had a chance to put 4 magazines through it today - felt really good.

I wanted to clean it and oil it, but the instructions manual doesn't cover the disassembly of New Agent. I read Hunter's review, but I'm a bit thickheaded and didn't understand very well. This is my first 1911. I can disassemble AK-47, AR-15 and my HKs with eyes closed, but this one looks a bit tricky. If someone would be kind enough to explain for dummies, I would be grateful. Many thanks.

I'm a noviceand found the NA very easy to disassemble. Some parts were a little stiff as I remember (oiled it before I shot it so was tight). You won't have to worry about a bushing as it has a "bull" barrell.

[chancellor]

bubbameat, I guess I'm a sheep (your signature) when it comes to disassembling the gun :) Would you happen to have any photos of the process?

Thanks!

[txblumu]

I spent a lot of time at the dealers trying to make the same decision. I choose the New Agent for a couple of reasons. I liked the idea of the gutter sights as it was one last thing to snag on something. I did not like the stock fingerstyle grips on the Defender. I liked the darker finish on the Agent as it would conceal better in my opinion. I have put a little over 400 rounds through it without so much as a hiccup. It just fit wish list to a T.

[NEW_AGENT]

I have owned/own both guns plus one not in your original mix, a Kimber RCP. I used the Kimber for about a year and traded it for a Defender. Defender was everything it was supposed to be, but I hated grips and really missed the gutter sight system. (got used to it on Kimber), so I recently traded it for a New Agent. I like it the best of the three.

I only own and have guns for one reason, that being personal defense and so I train and practice with only that in mind. If I were a match shooter, the size of the group would mean more, but I only shoot a max of 10 yds or less and as long as I can cover them with my hand, it will get the job done.

I carry 24/7/365 so size and weight do matter and in a pocket at times so not having sights to snag is a plus...

For me, the Colt New Agent is the most perfect Colt ever made and my next favorite is the carbonia blue 1911 repro and the black army one after it. I also like the reissue 70 Series, but none carry as well as my NA. Any yes, I can hit a paper plate at 25 yards if I have to...

[chancellor]

New Agent, really like your New Agent review :D

[MoneyTree]

New Agent, really like your New Agent review :D Chancellor I like your review of New Agent's New Agent review and I like New Agent's New Agent review too , even if he is in Dark Shadows . :D :p :D I'd like to bring him into the light by welcoming him to the forum and you too Chancellor if no one has yet ( try saying all that rapidly three times ) . :D

[chancellor]

MoneyTree, thank you for a warm and humorous welcome! Thrilled to be here.

[NEW_AGENT]

And life is good in the Dark Shadows, no tan lines and no sun screen!