Thinking of selling my Defender

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I really want to like the Colt Defender I bought in January, but if you've been following my tales of woe, you know that I can't bring myself to completely trust it with my life. It's been slightly finicky from the start. It has a current failure rate of about 4%, which I don't think is nearly good enough for EDC. I know others have had no problems with their Defenders, and some would bet their life on 'em, but that hasn't been my experience - at least so far.

So I'm thinking of selling it and moving to a Commander, either lightweight or combat. The Commander is a proven model that's not much bigger than the Defender, which I can easily switch to without much adjustment. Ideally, I want a gun that I can use both at the range and for self defense, and I don't want to clutter my safe with guns I'm not shooting, or feel guilty about ignoring, or am angry at for disappointing me.

I haven't made up my mind completely on this yet. I still want to try and save my relationship with the Defender, but I find myself increasingly toying with the thought of moving on.

I know some of you will say "Why a 1911? Get something cheaper and more reliable!" -- I get it. I know there are great firearms out there designed and built within the last 50 years that have great reputations. But the sad truth is that I've decided I'm a 1911 guy, and .45 is my caliber of choice. Don't try to talk me out of it because you can't. I've met the girl for me; sure, she's 106 years old but I'm stickin' with her.

I'm looking at perhaps a Sig, but I do like the Colt Combat Commander. Should I stick with Colt even in the wake of my disappointment? I don't know.

Also, I need to keep it under $1000.

Anyway, I'm just ruminating here. Any thoughts and discussion is welcome.

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[Koda]

I know some of you will say "Why a 1911? Get something cheaper and more reliable!" -- I get it. I know there are great firearms out there designed and built within the last 50 years that have great reputations. But the sad truth is that I've decided I'm a 1911 guy, and .45 is my caliber of choice. Don't try to talk me out of it because you can't. I've met the girl for me; sure, she's 106 years old but I'm stickin' with her

I'm with you 100% on this. Same thing, I know there are new very reliable pistols out there for half the price of 1911s.... but I don't care. The 1911 melts in my hands and shoots the best.

a few questions for your dilemma.... did you buy the gun new and if so have you contacted Colt? I had a new Sig that was a jam-o-matic... took 2 trips to the factory under warranty, but now runs flawless. I also recall mulling what to do with it if it couldn't be fixed but Sig paid for everything so it worked out well (this wasn't a 1911...).

My suggestion is if Colts warranty wont fix it for you then take it to a gunsmith. The reason is that might be cheaper than selling and buying something else new.... depending on the repair. Consider, Ive never had a 1911 that didn't run flawlessly.... it might be something as simple as polishing the feed ramp or replacing an extractor or ejector.

 

[Flymph]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a sig 220 carry. It's a fairly proven platform. It's also a lot like a 1911, save for the safeties. The decocker is a pretty nice feature.
See you in the classifieds! LoL

 

[USMC1911]

My favorite handgun I own is my combat commander. Was my first 1911 and we will never part ways. Even sold a combat commander I got on a trade a few years ago and wish I could find that gun again. If it was a bit lighter for edc would be nice though. There's always the lightweight models though.

 

[Pops1911]

I run a Ruger lightweight Commander and it is a daisy! Also love the Sig P220. Sigmadog best wishes in your decisions. Welcome to our 1911 madness. LOL I got almost 1000 rounds of 45acp to reload to take back to the range. Yeah, we are having fun now!

 

[MrMillspecer]

If it's your ccw and you can't trust it I would either

Send it back
Take it to a Smith
Part ways. You have given it enough chances and selling it may be easier. There are many pistols from different manufacturers that will go bang every time.

 

[Stomper]

I think Glock makes a 1911....

 

[John Brown]

Glock.

The original point and shoot interface.

 

[MrMillspecer]

If you like a small .45 , there are better choices than Glock and Colt

 

[Stomper]

Whoa.... he got the "grip zone"!

 

[P7M13]

Ignore the comments from the Tuppernutz Gallery.

I think pursuing the warranty coverage is a good idea. After that, gun smith, or dump it.
If you love the 1911 platform, why change. I know Sigs and CZs feel great, and personally, I would only go with all steel.
I have a Kimber ultra CDP. Dead nutz as long as I do my part, and runs flawlessly.

 

[Flymph]

Glock.

The original point and shoot interface.

Only if you have a bad crink in your neck that makes it so the sights line up horizontally...

 

[Stomper]

No worries.... it's a well known FACT that Glock haters have soft, pretty hands anyway.

 

[MrMillspecer]

Ignore the comments from the Tuppernutz Gallery.

I think pursuing the warranty coverage is a good idea. After that, gun smith, or dump it.
If you love the 1911 platform, why change. I know Sigs and CZs feel great, and personally, I would only go with all steel.
I have a Kimber ultra CDP. Dead nutz as long as I do my part, and runs flawlessly.

Tuppernutz ? Will my nuts last longer than usual ?

I don't get caught up in the brand game. If you shoot it well and it's reliable keep it.

The XD mod3s have pistol whip zone on the barrels.

 

[Alexx1401]

I really want to like the Colt Defender I bought in January, but if you've been following my tales of woe, you know that I can't bring myself to completely trust it with my life. It's been slightly finicky from the start. It has a current failure rate of about 4%, which I don't think is nearly good enough for EDC. I know others have had no problems with their Defenders, and some would bet their life on 'em, but that hasn't been my experience - at least so far.

So I'm thinking of selling it and moving to a Commander, either lightweight or combat. The Commander is a proven model that's not much bigger than the Defender, which I can easily switch to without much adjustment. Ideally, I want a gun that I can use both at the range and for self defense, and I don't want to clutter my safe with guns I'm not shooting, or feel guilty about ignoring, or am angry at for disappointing me.

I haven't made up my mind completely on this yet. I still want to try and save my relationship with the Defender, but I find myself increasingly toying with the thought of moving on.

I know some of you will say "Why a 1911? Get something cheaper and more reliable!" -- I get it. I know there are great firearms out there designed and built within the last 50 years that have great reputations. But the sad truth is that I've decided I'm a 1911 guy, and .45 is my caliber of choice. Don't try to talk me out of it because you can't. I've met the girl for me; sure, she's 106 years old but I'm stickin' with her.

I'm looking at perhaps a Sig, but I do like the Colt Combat Commander. Should I stick with Colt even in the wake of my disappointment? I don't know.

Also, I need to keep it under $1000.

Anyway, I'm just ruminating here. Any thoughts and discussion is welcome.

If you want to go with a Commander size I would go light weight. When you handle them there is a noticeable difference. I can feel it when I carried one. The same gun in steel feels to me like a full size. The tech has come a LONG way on 1911's and they have proven they can make 3inch slide versions work now. I understand how you feel about yours. It was why I ended up with several Detonics back in the day. I wanted SO VERY badly to love them. I just never could get one to work 100% and gave up. So if you want to stay in this size there are some that will work.

 

[Koda]

If you want to go with a Commander size I would go light weight. When you handle them there is a noticeable difference. I can feel it when I carried one. The same gun in steel feels to me like a full size.

this is true.

if one really wants a difference, get a CCO size...

 

[Kruel J]

Well just don't try and sell it here. This thread already has me looking out for, and NOT buying, your Colt.

 

[Kruel J]

Oh yeah, and Knibb High Football and Glocks rule!

 

[Stomper]

 

[11Charlie]

Take a look at the Ruger commander. A coworker just bought one for his son who is getting out of the Army. Said they took it to the range and put 100+ rounds down range and it was amazing. I have no first hand knowledge of it but it sounds like a great shooter. Price point is right as well if I remember right he only paid $850

Maybe @Myk357 can shed some more lite on it since its his son.