Colt Defender range report

[Doc45]

Late yesterday afternoon I got out to the range with the new Colt Defender. I changed out the msh to a Wilson checkered stainless and also added a Talon grip strip to the front of the grip frame.


I started with 25 rounds, 5 shots at 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 yards each. The target started facing away then turned to me for 5 seconds. I used Winchester 230gr fmj white box ammo. These were fired from the low ready position.


After that I ran a series of Tueller drills all from the holster (my range has the ability to be programmed for that in addition to lots of other cool stuff lol) using Federal 230gr HST. On these I shot 2 center mass and 1 head. On the last run I went one handed and the head shot just missed-that was my fault.


After these I just ran a few more drills, all from the holster to finish out the box of ammo.


The gun was 100% reliable however using the ball ammo I had 4 rounds out of 100 come straight back into my face-this is why we wear eye protection right?! LOL. This did not happen with the Federal ammo-interesting. I really had no issues with recoil in this small light pistol. The recoil system Colt uses seems to work just fine. I did have one of the Wilson mags that didn't want to eject at slide lock initially but by the end of the session of 150 rounds total all was smooth.


My final analysis: I'm really happy I decided to get it. I may change out the thumb safety to an extended style (I'm partial to Ed Brown's design) but I see no reason to go to the standard width grips (too bad I already ordered a set from Altamont LOL).


And here are the pics:
The first 25 shots



The Tueller Drill (notice the miss on the right side of the target's head):

[Zombie Steve]

It's not my favorite design, but I've seen one run reliably for a long time. Short barrel 1911's aren't known for their reliability, but I believe Colt got that one right.

[mark4]

Wow, nice shooting. Looks like you got a better Defender than me. Mine chucks at least one empty per magazine straight back at my head. After a range session with that thing, I have several bleeding .45 circles cut into my forehead and the worlds nastiest flinch. Never have had an actual malfunction with it, though.

[Doc45]

Thanks, it's weird that the "bounce backs" I got were only with the Winchester ammo. I've had Officers ACPs in the past that were more finicky and recoiled harder. Two of them had improved recoil guides/spring set. Really like this pistol, adding a Brown thumb safety for sure.