Defender or Colt Gunsite CCO

[jdamach1]

First, I just wanted to thank everyone for a great forum, I have learned a lot here already.

I do have a dilemma that I would like some advice on. I want to get a new Colt 1911 in .45ACP as my new CCW in the next couple of weeks. I have been looking at a Defender for a year now and love this pistol. I have researched this forum extensively on the Defender and learned a lot about it. The dilemma is that my local gun shop has a NIB Defender and a NIB blued Colt Gunsite CCO. The Defender is $830 and the Gunsite is $1,200. The Gunsite seems to be a fabulous CCW too. I would love to get both, but unfortunately I can only afford to get one. I would like to get advice from those who may own both or who have had range/carry time with them. Is the Gunsite really worth the premium over the Defender? Thanks in advance for any and all advice that you can provide.

[Depmur]

Me personally would go for the Gunsite, but then I love Commanders. If it would help you decision some, PM me the info on the shop and I might be able to arrange to take the temptation of the Gunsite away. While I have thought about buying a Defender it seems that something else always comes along. Good luck in your decision and I wouldn't wait long to make a decision or you may have to continue your quest.

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
My choice would be the Gunsite model.

[Rich-D]

I have a Defender and A Colt New Agent, both are very easily concealed guns, that have been totally reliable. Of the two, I prefer the New Agent. The Commaders are also very fine guns, especially the Colt Gunsite CCO.
It's a tough choice, but I would go for the CCO over the Defender. However, not over my favored New Agent! :)


Rich

[d90king]

It's not even close. Stop typing and go buy the Gunsite before someone else does. It is a Series 70 pistol on a great platform(officers frame/Commander slide) that you cant find. 1200 is a very fair price for a NIB example. I have seen more than one sell for more than that. It is a great gun that you wont regret buying.

[Hawkmoon]

Go with the CCO. Colt is still making Defenders, you can buy one next year. The Gunsite CCO is out of production and was a premium pistol when it was being produced. Yes, it is worth the extra money.

[daveohno]

I have a Gunsite CCO. It is the pistol I use for off duty type shooting matches. It isn't as small as a Defender, but I am happy with it. I suppose the Defender is a series 80 pistol while the Gunsite is a Series 70. I would vote to buy the Gunsite if you can only buy 1.

[wichaka]

Gunsite CCO. You have your orders.......now go forth and purchase! :D

...And don't forget to post pics when you have it!

[IZinterrogator]

Get the Gunsite while you can, or PM me the phone number of the shop. I already have one and would drop the cash for another in a heartbeat. Usually they go for the same price or more used. Just to give you some idea of how desirable they are, the last one that was on Gunbroker was bought with Buy Now only 10 minutes and two seconds after it was posted for sale.

[Frank]

The Gunsite, without question. Not only is it "out of print", but I think you'll find it an especially useful size. While many folks have perfectly reliable 3 inch guns, the shorter 1911s tend to be more finicky. IMHO, the CCO is pretty much the perfect size for concealed carry. And as Hawkmoon says, you'll be able to get a Defender (or New Agent) next year.

Go get it first thing in the morning before someone else snaps it up.

DVC

[dogdollar]

Don't walk.......RUN and go get that Gunsite. Best CCW 1911 pistol there ever was, in my opinion. Plus, that is a much better than average price.
DD

[paul45]

OMG...allow me to also chime and say you will be sorry if you don't get then Gunsite. It is worth more than 1200 if indeed NIB.

[jdamach1]

I want to thank everybody who took the time to respond and help me on this decision. Based on your expertise, I went today at lunch and put the NIB Gunsite CCO on lay-a-way and I hope to pick it up in a couple of weeks. I still love the Defender, but Hawkmoon is correct, they do not make the Gunsite CCO anymore and I can always pick a Defender later on. I’ll post some pics of it after I pick it up. Thanks again for the welcome and the generous help.

[Joni Lynn]

Congrats on your choice.
Remember, we really like pics here so.............allow me.............http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/Uselesswithoutpics.jpg

[jdamach1]

Congrats on your choice.
Remember, we really like pics here so.............allow me.............http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/Uselesswithoutpics.jpg
LOL I wish that I could. But, as soon as get it out of lay-a-way in a couple of weeks, I'll post up some pics. I know from my research in this forum on the Gunsite models, that you have at least two Gunsites, one in blue and the other in stainless, so your opinion was valuable to me. Thanks for taking your time to help.

[dogdollar]

Where are you in Texas, anyway?

Oh, and here's a little eye candy for you...........
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/CCOs.jpg

DD

[jdamach1]

Dogdollar, I'm in Tyler. I lived in Friendswood for a little while back in '78-'79, but Tyler has always been my home except for that short time. Your "eyecandy" is killin' me. :) Mine looks like that except it being a CCO. I can't wait to get it out of hock and clean it up and get some range time in. Thanks for your help too.

[jjShnabadu]

Congratulations on your purchase -- I think you made the right choice. Can't wait to see pictures!!!

As for next year when you get a 3-incher ;), I'd suggest you take a good look at the New Agent. Have carried one daily since June and absolutely love it. The discussion thread for Hunter's review should give you a good 40+ pages of input!

Cheers,

JJ

[jdamach1]

JJ, thanks, I think that the forum members steered me in the right direction on this purchase. I have checked out the New Agent as well and it is a great gun too. I would love to shoot one sometime to check out the trench sites. I'll check out the review that you mentioned on the New Agent. Thanks

[dogdollar]

Mine looks like that except it being a CCO. I can't wait to get it out of hock and clean it up and get some range time in. Thanks for your help too.

All three of these jewels are Gunsite CCO's !!!!
Enjoy !!
Oh, and welcome to the forum; great to have yet another fellow Texan onboard.
DD

[jdamach1]

All three of these jewels are Gunsite CCO's !!!!
Enjoy !!
Oh, and welcome to the forum; great to have yet another fellow Texan onboard.
DD
Well, you are right, my bad! I was at work and in a hurry typing the reply. You are a very lucky guy indeed to have three Gunsite CCOs and thanks for the warm welcome.

[daveohno]

Congrats on the Gunsite!

[d90king]

Where are you in Texas, anyway?

Oh, and here's a little eye candy for you...........
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/CCOs.jpg

DD


Those sure are purdy Tim! Is the one in the back the one that John worked his magic on?

[steve bliek]

GO FOR THE CCO!!! You can't go wrong with this pistol.

[dogdollar]

Those sure are purdy Tim! Is the one in the back the one that John worked his magic on?

Good eye, Patrick.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/JH_grips_rt.jpg
DD

[d90king]

Good eye, Patrick.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/JH_grips_rt.jpg
DD



I picked up a Browning today that I am going to send him someday. :eb:

[Joni Lynn]

Nice Colt's Doggie. You have a superbly nice family of 1911's.

[IZinterrogator]

Nice eye candy, DD, but now you need to work on collecting the whole family. Here's mine (plus a Series 70 Repro cousin). ;)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/IZinterrogator/IMG_1095.jpg

[daveohno]

Here's the Smith. I'd post pics of my others, but they somehow look just like IZinterrogator's.


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/daveohno/SWDSCN0387.jpg

[dogdollar]

Nice Colt's Doggie. You have a superbly nice family of 1911's.
Coming from you, Lynnie, that might even be more compliment than I deserve.
I'm just a doofus that knows a bunch of smart people, yourself included.
DD

[javichin1991]

Congrats for the Gunsite CCO, you have made the right choice!

I am the proud owner of a full size Gunsite stainless and I really think that Colt Gunsites are the best production 1911s!

Regards,

PD

I think that it is time for Colt to hear from us the Colt fans and reintroduce a series 70 Commander. I have no doubt that a Gunsite Commander would be a big seller.

Well I am talking about a new model that would make a lot of dollars for the Colt company.

A series 70 Government /Commander with the same features of the Gunsite model but with nicer roll marks on slide would be a great success.

[jdamach1]

Thanks Javichin1991, I think I made the right choice as well and how could I go wrong after getting such great advice from this forum? Like I said earlier, I can't wait to get it out of lay-a-way and get to the range.

[jdamach1]

Nice eye candy, DD, but now you need to work on collecting the whole family. Here's mine (plus a Series 70 Repro cousin). ;)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/IZinterrogator/IMG_1095.jpg
All I can say is, wow, what a fabulous collection. :)

[javichin1991]

Nice eye candy, DD, but now you need to work on collecting the whole family. Here's mine (plus a Series 70 Repro cousin). ;)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/IZinterrogator/IMG_1095.jpg

IZinterrogator,

Congrats for your impressive collection of fine Colts!

Have a question, Where did you buy the cocobolo slim line grips on COO and blue Gunsite? woodgrips.com?

Regards,

Javi

[dogdollar]

Nice eye candy, DD, but now you need to work on collecting the whole family. Here's mine (plus a Series 70 Repro cousin). ;)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/IZinterrogator/IMG_1095.jpg

My bad!!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/Collection-3.jpg
:D
DD

[d90king]

My bad!!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/Collection-3.jpg
:D
DD



Care to tell me a little bit about the pistol in the front right? :D

[dogdollar]

Care to tell me a little bit about the pistol in the front right? :D

Briley Limited Edition Advantage.
Hand fit and built by Paul Liebenberg at Pistol Dynaimics from a conglomeration of premium parts, mostly from Briley Manufacturing in Houston. Paul and Claudio Salassa (Briley) have been pretty good buddies since their South Africa days. It is an amazing pistol.....in my top two.......


New Briley / Pistol Dynamics Project
Claudio Salassa of Briley MFG. and Paul Liebenberg have collaborated on the introduction of a new 1911 pistol; the first 40 of which will be offered through Briley in Texas and hand built by Paul and team in the Pistol Dynamics model shop. The handguns will utilize Briley’s new forged and machined 1911 frame, slide and barrel. The project will showcase a blend of Briley and Pistol Dynamics 1911 components and innovations. Features will include a match grade barrel, custom sights, machined beavertail grip safety, hand checkering, PD ignition system and many other traditional custom nuances. A custom mag well and various finish options will be available to produce an extremely logical and desirable handgun. The guns will include a hand fired test target and authenticity document signed by both Claudio Salassa and Paul Liebenberg. Keep checking here and our web site for more information.

posted by Pistol Dynamics Blog at Wednesday, January 24, 2007

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/RTSd.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/HP2.jpg


DD
P.S. - This one was the very first one sold.

[IZinterrogator]

IZinterrogator,

Congrats for your impressive collection of fine Colts!

Have a question, Where did you buy the cocobolo slim line grips on COO and blue Gunsite? woodgrips.com?

Regards,

Javi
For the life of me, I cannot find the e-mailed receipt, but I'm pretty sure it was woodgrips.com IIRC.

[IZinterrogator]

My bad!!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/Collection-3.jpg
:D
DD
I actually meant the whole Colt Gunsite family, but nice collection nonetheless! ;)

[Pokem]

Good job, as you know by now, the Gunsite is a major score.

Your next duty in life is to obtain a Defender. I have the stainless over black CCO and a Defender. I now can't live without either. I carry the Defender much more due to the weight and to a lesser extent the slide length. They are both fun to shoot but the CCO is more fun to me. You definitely made the correct choice though, without any doubt.

[lj973gm]

Looks like I am a gunsite owner as well.

Managed to scoop up a NIB CCO Gunsite as well.

Should be able to see it Friday and then wait my three days. Will put up some pics for ya all then.


Only waited about a year to find one.

[Pokem]

How much, may I ask?

[BPL]

I wish I had a Gunsite CCO!!

[lj973gm]

To much that I am selling my kimber to help offset the cost. Kinda hard to pass up NIB. Over 1,000 under 1,500

[jdamach1]

Well, I was able to finally get the Gunsite CCO out of lay-a-way yesterday. She’ll get a good cleaning tonight and I’m hitting the range tomorrow afternoon. I can’t wait! Per the board's request, I’ll post some pics up after the range time and the second cleaning. Thanks again to everyone for helping with this decision, great advice.

For those who own a Gunsite CCO, what magazines do you prefer; stock Colt, Wilson, etc.? Also, it was my understanding that the Gunsite pistols all came with slim-line chekered grips. Mine has the checkered grips, but are the standard thickness. I questioned the gun store owner about it, but he pleads ignorance. Have any of you had any experience with this? I’m going to call Colt and ask them about it. Thanks for any help that you can offer.

[Joni Lynn]

You have the right grip panels. The slim ones were on the full size model.
Congrats on this one!

[jdamach1]

You have the right grip panels. The slim ones were on the full size model.
Congrats on this one!
Thanks Joni Lynn, that's good to know. I called Colt and they basically said "tough luck". I'll probably change them out to the slim grip panels as the stock ones are a bit thick for me.

[Joni Lynn]

Removing the standard grip screw bushings on Colt's is sometimes difficult. You'll need slim line bushings and probably a driver for them.
The ones on your Colt may be staked in place and resist being divorced from that nice Gunsite.

[jdamach1]

Yes, you are correct. I went through this last year when I purchased a Lightweight Commander and put a set of slim-line Alumagrips on. The bushings were staked in and I had a local gunsmith take them out as I do not have the bushing removal tool that you mentioned.

[dogdollar]

For those who own a Gunsite CCO, what magazines do you prefer; stock Colt, Wilson, etc.?

There have been incidents where magazines using a steel follower have had the follower "follow" the last round of the mag and ding the feed ramp. In an alloy frame gun, this is bad news. In a lot of cases, it means having to machine a slot down through where the original ramp was and loctite in a new, steel ramp.

While this is most certainly not a common or typical occurrence, it does happen, and a lot of folks use a magazine with a plastic follower to eliminate the possibility. I personally use Wilson OXC 7 rd magazines for this reason alone.

Wilson magazines aren't my number one favorite in the world, but they're nothing to sneeze at, either. Tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of shooters love them and will use nothing else. My results with them to date have been perfect, but I keep them dinner-plate clean and change the springs often.

Good luck and hurry up with the pics.
DD

[lj973gm]

Here is one for sale on Gunbroker

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=118238841

[lj973gm]

That did not last too long on gunbroker.

As for the grips being slim grips on the gunsite colts site states they should be.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/Gunsite.asp

See what mine has once I pick it up on Tuesday hoping for the slim grips truthfully.

[daveohno]

Unless the stocks were changed, the stocks will be slim on a Gunsite Pistol.

[Frank]

Unless the stocks were changed, the stocks will be slim on a Gunsite Pistol.
It looks like they may have come both way. The one on Gunbroker referred to in lj973gm's post, above, appears to have regular grips, and the dealer claims it's all original.

DVC

[IZinterrogator]

As for the grips being slim grips on the gunsite colts site states they should be.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/Gunsite.asp

See what mine has once I pick it up on Tuesday hoping for the slim grips truthfully.If it is truly NIB, the grips will be regular thickness. Colt had to omit the slim grips to get below a certain price point on the CCO. To tell you the truth, I bought some slim grips to go on mine and I ended up taking them off. They provided no support whatsoever for the plunger tube, so I switched back to the original ones since that CCO is my CCW and I don't want the plunger tube to come loose while I'm carrying.

[Pokem]

jdamach1:

I prefer Colt and then Wilson magazines. I replaced all of the springs and followers with the kits from Tripp Research. Solved all reliability issues in my Officers length frames (mostly Defender issues) and gives you followers that work in aluminum frames. Gives you a six round mag which doesn't bother me.

[jdamach1]

If it is truly NIB, the grips will be regular thickness. Colt had to omit the slim grips to get below a certain price point on the CCO. To tell you the truth, I bought some slim grips to go on mine and I ended up taking them off. They provided no support whatsoever for the plunger tube, so I switched back to the original ones since that CCO is my CCW and I don't want the plunger tube to come loose while I'm carrying.

Yes, this CCO that I purchased is NIB and the pics from the Gunboker auction looks exactly like my CCO with the regular thickness grips. The interesting thing is that the gun dealer had two NIB CCOs, one had the regular rosewood grips and the other had the slim mahogany grips. I actually put the one on lay-a-way that had the slim grips because that was what I wanted. When I got there to pick it up, the dealer had sold and shipped the one with the slim grips to a guy in IL. That is why I'm confused about the grips, because I physically saw the CCO both ways and both were NIB. I guess then Colt shipped them both ways.

IZinterrogator, thanks for the heads-up on the plunger problem with the thin grips. I'll take a look at that.

DD and Pokem, thanks for the magazine recommedations.

[IZinterrogator]

IZinterrogator, thanks for the heads-up on the plunger problem with the thin grips. I'll take a look at that.I'll help you out with that. First, here is the CCO (middle pistol) with thin grips. Plunger tube is completely exposed and would not be supported by the grips if knocked loose with these grips on.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/IZinterrogator/Guns/IMG_07122.jpg

Here is the CCO (front pistol) with the factory grips on. Plunger tube is fully supported and protected from damage.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/IZinterrogator/IMG_0534.jpg

[jdamach1]

IZinterrogator, great pics and thanks for taking the time to post them up. I understand completely as what you are talking about now. My CCO looks just like the one in the middle of the first pic. Thanks again.

[lj973gm]

Here are a couple more CCO's for sale on gunbroker

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=118239151
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=118030303

JDAMACH, if yours has the standard thickness grips it should look like the one in the second pic with the panels covering the plunger. The first pic is thin grip panels.

[jdamach1]

I finally got to go to the range and due to some circumstances beyond my control, I was only able to run 50 rounds of Magtech 230gr FMJ through the CCO, but it ran flawless and was an immense pleasure to shoot. Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped me through this thread. Here a couple of quick pics:
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp320/jdamach1/Gunsite%20CCO/GunsiteCCO-1.jpg
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp320/jdamach1/Gunsite%20CCO/GunsiteCCO-2.jpg

[DV52]

Fantastic,nice pictures,enjoy.

[d90king]

I finally got to go to the range and due to some circumstances beyond my control, I was only able to run 50 rounds of Magtech 230gr FMJ through the CCO, but it ran flawless and was an immense pleasure to shoot. Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped me through this thread. Here a couple of quick pics:
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp320/jdamach1/Gunsite%20CCO/GunsiteCCO-1.jpg
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp320/jdamach1/Gunsite%20CCO/GunsiteCCO-2.jpg



Nice pics, I am sure that it will give you a lifetime of service.

[daveohno]

The pics are very good! The Gunsite Pistols are among my favorite Colt pistols.

[spongebob]

Here a couple of quick pics:
That’s one great looking Colt.

Every time I decide to get a polished Colt I see one like yours and flip-flop!

I guess I'll just need to buy both. Thanks for your help with my dilemma.

Enjoy your Gunsite.

[jdamach1]

That’s one great looking Colt.

Every time I decide to get a polished Colt I see one like yours and flip-flop!

I guess I'll just need to buy both. Thanks for your help with my dilemma.

Enjoy your Gunsite.

LOL, I know exactly what you mean! I bought a Colt Lightweight Commander last year because I love stainless, but I just had to have a blued CCO. So you are correct, get both and the problem is solved!

And thanks for the compliments on the pics.

[oily_oink]

Very nice looking CCO! I'll be on the lookout for one of those, around these parts!!!