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Thread: New 1911 .45 ACP Defender ?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    29th December 2013
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    New 1911 .45 ACP Defender ?

    I just saw the Springfield Defender series for less than $500 and am curious about the quality / value as a potential first 1911 .45ACP ? Currently on my short list is a RIA Rock Series 1911 .45ACP which is close in price . For a similar price I am inclined to give serious consideration to the Defender if the quality / value is present ... Your thoughts ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    3rd June 2009
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    Go with the Springfield. Xlnt quality, made in USA and great warranty.
    Likes (2) :
    Ric4509 (28th October 2019), troutslayer (17th November 2020)


  3. #3
    Join Date
    29th December 2013
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    If I bought the Defender - sights , trigger and hammer would plan to be updated (not a fan of three dot sights - so Heinie or 10-8 combat sights) . Would it be better cost wise to look at a Range Officer instead and swap out bullseye sights for combat sights ?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    2nd June 2004
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    Terra
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisD46 View Post
    If I bought the Defender - sights , trigger and hammer would plan to be updated ...
    Why?
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
    Likes (3) :
    Ric4509 (5th January 2020), Rick McC. (16th January 2020), slohunter (3rd August 2020)


  5. #5
    Join Date
    29th December 2013
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    I "perceive" a skelontized hammer to offer advantages (according to others comments) while a different (longer) trigger may fit better . Just thinking optimal optimizations is all not so much functionality . I will explore 1911 hammer differences and trigger differences to see what I can learn ?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    3rd September 2018
    Location
    Modesto, Ca.
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    I bought a 1911A1 Mil-Spec some months back, which is very similar in appearance, and comes with 3-dot sights. It was just over $700 with sales tax and California fee. Supposedly the gun is similar to the Defender, but made of higher quality steel.

    I found the GI style short trigger not to my liking. My gunsmith replaced it with a "Colt" brand long trigger that works great. . I weighed the trigger pull after 200 rounds fired, and was quite happy with the consistency. i prefer the parkerized finish because it looks great over the decades as it ages.

    Aside from the supposed difference in steel quality I have no idea what corners were cut to get to the lower price for the Defender. But, as a point of reference I can share that I am quite happy with what my $700 bought for me.
    i sold all my handguns. . . . . . . . . . except for the 1911 style pistols in .45 ACP.
    Likes (1) :
    Ric4509 (28th October 2019)

    Last edited by MuyModesto; 28th October 2019 at 08:49.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    18th June 2012
    Location
    North Carolina
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    Great pistols and great customer service, IMO.
    I have had two Springfield 45ACP pistols, currently keeping just a Range Officer Compact Elite. Both have been excellent weapons. The first pistol did have the lower barrel lug break after a couple thousand rounds, but Springfield actually sent me a complete new pistol instead of just replacing the barrel--all at no cost to me.
    FWIW, I had a custom Hi Power barrel sustain a similar barrel lug breakage. Who knows why? Same story for big name, expensive, lifetime "bar stock" slide stop/releases. I've had a couple of those break also. If you shoot enough for long enough, things break.
    I don't know anything about RIA, but I can state that I am very pleased with Springfield products.
    Likes (3) :
    MuyModesto (28th October 2019), Ric4509 (28th October 2019), USMC-FO (24th November 2019)


  8. #8
    Join Date
    18th May 2015
    Location
    Southeast Georgia
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    I got one as well. See my range review with pics.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    18th March 2012
    Location
    Missouri
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    My local Gun Shop has the Defender for $479, excellent starting base for those like me who can't leave well enough alone!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    12th February 2016
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    I just purchased mine last week. So far no issues. 100 rounds and no hiccups.




    81365968_10220225612901509_7365056558230667264_n.jpg
    Last edited by Shart1971; 30th December 2019 at 16:45.


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