Colt Defender

Why don't you care for it?
I follow a basic rule- If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Every Defender I have ever seen has been unbelievably reliable out of the box. I'd be careful before I started messing with the springs.

Just curious, what's the recoil like on the Defender?

The spring system is in place because of the short cycle time of the 3" barrel. It reduces recoil and is more reliable with a wider range of loads.

The Defender recoils about the same as a Commander IMO. Shorter sight radius and barrel of course, so less accuracy.

Ken, the Defender has the best setup currently known for short autos - I believe Seecamp developed it years ago and now many makers use it. It is more reliable and much easier to hand cycle than an equivalent single spring.

Also, as regards accuracy - my wife and I are very pleased with our two Defenders. Mechanically the gun seems as accurate as a full sized - but yes, the shorter sight radius is going to be less precise to align, Firearms Plus.

Warmly, Col. Colt

"Beware of Counterfeits and Patent Infringements"

Brownells lists stk #160-000-347 as a guide rod/spring assm. for a Defender. No picture, so you have to ask them what it be like.

Looks like I stirred something up and didnt mean to. I dont care for the dual spring system, that does not mean that it does not work, it does, but I still dont like it. The recoil is very manageable, I couldnt be happier in that respect. I know what each of you said is true but that dual spring system is just an annoyance to me.

So far its only digested about 150 rounds with a few more to come later next week but the preliminary report is quite good. But I still dont care for the dual recoil springs.

Thanks to all and popeye, I might just give that system a try, wont be the first time I paid and lost, bet its not the last either.

Originally posted by Col. Colt:
Ken, the Defender has the best setup currently known for short autos - I believe Seecamp developed it years ago and now many makers use it. It is more reliable and much easier to hand cycle than an equivalent single spring.

Click to expand...

Yeah, and some of them (Colt, Lasermax) actually licesned it.
From what I remember, Glock, Kahr (who's lawsuit vs Colt is a joke IMO) and Kimber are using it without acknowledgement of it's origins.
I'm not sure about Paraordnance and their P10.

Originally posted by popeye:
Brownells lists stk #160-000-347 as a guide rod/spring assm. for a Defender. No picture, so you have to ask them what it be like.

Click to expand...

That's the original Colt set-up, there is no replacement.

FirearmsPlus.FL,,,Youre right on top of this, thanks for the info, I do appreciate it. My curiousity is satisfied.

I just put some standard stock on the Defender and it feels much better to me. I dont like the rubber finger grips either.

At the risk of exposing my ignorance I've got a basic question or two about the Defender's. How many rounds does the mag hold? I've seen descriptions (on various auction sites) for Defenders w/ 6 and 7 round magazines - which is it? Was there a model change? And finally are they still in production?

Thanks for any info.

-- Chuck

ctc,,,
My only Defender mag holds seven rounds. This mag has an orange colored follower for what that is worth. I will be placing an order for some more mags via Brownells but I have not checked to see if they have 6 or 7 rounds ones.

.

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The Defender's originally came with a 7 rd mag, orange plastic follower, which was changed to an orange metal shooting star follower. Both are 7rd though.
I still prefer Wilson mags, since they're easier to clean.

Defender's are still being made, though they're not very available. The new ones (much like the XS/XSE thing) don't have the Novak-ish sights, nor the "speed bump" grip safety.