Looking at Colt Defender - Recoil/Muzzle Flip?

[jcal0820]

I've been looking at the 3" barrel lineup, and its coming down to Colt Defender or New Agent series. To confirm, is the Defender available in stainless, or blued, Steel?? I hear the New Agent only comes in lightweight aluminum/alloy, and I prefer steel, especially for a .45 w/ such a short barrel.

From my research, it sounds like 3" really doesn't have the reliability/feeding problems so prevalent in the rumor mill, especially Colt models. Anyone with longterm experience with a Defender or New Agent model have any insight? And how is the recoil and muzzle flip?? With the reduced weight and size, how much of an impact does it make compared to a regular 5" barrel model?

[Frank]

I've not shot the Defender or New Agent, but I have shot alloy frame, 3 inch Kimbers. While recoil is more noticeable than with a steel Government model, and there is a corresponding increase in muzzle rise, I found them to be quite manageable. I think it comes down to a matter of good shooting technique.

AFAIK, none of the Colt 3 inch guns are available in all steel. You may be able to find a Colt Officers ACP or 1991A1 Compact in all steel. They haven't been made for a while, but they show up on the market from time to time. Both models have a 3.5 inch barrel.

DVC

[Rich-D]

I have both the Defender and New Agent. I have not experienced a problem with either. Being a regular in here, I would venture to say that one would be hard pressed to find a theme of unreliability in either model.

In so far as recoil, it is more a matter of the Colt 3" pushing back a bit harder than muzzle flip for me. However, I find it quite manageable. My daughter in law shoots my guns, and she loves the 3". I changed out the wrap around grip on the Defender to wood panels, and bought Tripp seven round mags with an extended floor plate, which assists in maintaining a better grip on the stock.

Best of Luck!
Rich

[jjShnabadu]

As I'm always eager to post, I absolutely love my New Agent! I've put about 1500 rounds through it of varying brands and strength without issue. I've even fired full magazines at a time both upside down and sideways (left and right) without failure to feed or eject.

Being my first and only .45 (so far!), I have nothing to compare it to, but I will tell you that it's a pleasure to shoot in my opinion. There were no 3" 1911 pistols to try at any of the ranges near me, so I was a bit hesitant about recoil (and the trench site), but based on others' input, I bought one anyway. Let's just say it took quite a while to get the grin off my face after shooting the first magazine load.

Bottom line:

Recoil turned out to be a non-issue for me (and I'm a pretty small guy at 5' 10", 155 lbs). My range sessions are usually anywhere from 100-250 rounds at a time.
The trench site was easy to adapt to -- in fact I now prefer it for carry.
It's light, comfortable and easy to conceal (carried daily since June).
For my hands, the slim grips can't be beat.
I'd buy the New Agent again in a heartbeat!


Your preferences could be totally different, but I thought I'd chime in with my experience so far.

Cheers,

JJ

[Hunter]

I wrote the review on the Colt New Agent for the ezine and it was a reliable pistol and controllability was not bad.
Recoil was a little more than a full size for sure.
My mom (who is 65, 5' tall and about a 100 pounds) had no trouble controlling the little Colt.

[Rio Vista Slim]

I hear the New Agent only comes in lightweight aluminum/alloy, and I prefer steel, especially for a .45 w/ such a short barrel.
And how is the recoil and muzzle flip?? With the reduced weight and size, how much of an impact does it make compared to a regular 5" barrel model?
I will address your questions in reference to the Colt New Agent.

Some of the primary reasons for the existence of short-barreled 1911 type pistols is the light weight, small profile, and concealable nature of these types of weapons. The Colt New Agent has a blued aluminum alloy Officer-size frame and a blue steel slide. While the recoil of this gun is realistically more than that of a full-size 1911, I have never found that recoil to be so drastic as to be painful or flinch inducing.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_2696.jpg

If one is comfortable shooting a 5" barreled 1911, the transition to a shorter barreled pistol (with aluminum alloy frame) is quite easy, in my opinion. If your primary purpose in owning such a weapon is self-defense, then I can think of no better pistol than either the Colt New Agent or Colt Defender.

[DENDEN]

Nice photo Slim.

[Billy Sparks]

I own a Defender and it is my summer carry gun. With hot ammo recoil is noticeable but not unmanagable or painful. I have had no reliablity issues with mine and as a matter of fact ran 250 rounds of Golden Sabre because I had heard so many horror stories.

[Rick_W]

Glad of this post as I'm looking to add to my .45 collection.

Thanks for all of you experienced with the New Agent for posting.

[ACR]

I own a Defender and agree with the other here who say that the 3" guns kick a little bit more than the 5" ones, but the recoil/flip is not that bad.

[Rick_W]

What magazines do the New Agents use?

I am guessing that the standard Gov't model magazines will not fit.

[rdhrt]

Six rd. but kimber makes 7 rd. they work in my gun!Probably others that make them also.

[jjShnabadu]

My New Agent came with two factory Colt 7-round magazines.

Picked up a 15-round (yes, 15!) at the gun show last month. It fits just fine and manually cycles without issue, but I'll test it out at the range soon to be sure.

If all goes well, it will be my "two-reloads-in-one-EOTW-magazine" that rides in my laptop bag...

:D