Colt Defender 9mm

Rjeezie · May 30, 2013, 04:07 PM

Anybody own one? Thoughts? What about some alternatives?

whippoorwill · May 30, 2013, 05:24 PM

Haven't had a Defender, but had a New Agent. Nive pistols. An alternative worth considering would be the Springfield EMP in 9mm. Sweet little pistol.

Caz83 · May 30, 2013, 05:36 PM

Para Ordnance carry 9

I own one and it is extremely accurate. I put groups better than my Dan Wesson guardian in 9mm. It is essentially a 3" 1911 "style" pistol with a Light Double Action Trigger which is IMO the best DA trigger I've ever felt.

Spec's are:
Novak style rear sight w/ FO front, ramped Bull barrel, FLat hammer, a grip safety but no beaver tail 25 LPI MSH checkering, single sided thumb safety.

Looks like they're bringing it back but with a beaver tail grip safety and wood grips. Doesn't need the tail with the flat hammer but I do like the "palm feel" of the memory groove style BTGS versus the kimber style flat w/o the tail that's on mine.

I will say as a final thought that I have both SA 1911's and the LDA carry 9 and the carry 9 is far more comfortable to carry w/o the tail jabbing me in the sides when I'm carrying IWB and sitting. Just my .02 cents.

RickB · May 30, 2013, 06:38 PM

Why carry a .45 chambered in 9mm? I'm a Colt guy, a 1911 guy, but I'd look at the SIG P938 for a compact, single action 9mm carry gun, as it's proportional to the relatively small cartridge.
The STI LS9 is another single action, "9mm sized" gun worth looking into.

k511 · May 30, 2013, 06:56 PM

i have a defender in .45acp....i carry it almost evry day, trust my life with it...i have not tried the 9mm verson...my wife carries my EMP 9mm and she loves it, a little spendy but worth it, sweet trigger, very accurate, very reliable

ThatBeardedGuy · May 30, 2013, 07:00 PM

Got the .45ACP version. Assuming all else the same but chambering, the magazine release stud is a little hard to get good pressure on sometimes, and you've gotta make sure the magazine is well-seated.

Other than that, I love mine to death. Won't ever get rid of it.

**Tom Servo** · May 30, 2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Why carry a .45 chambered in 9mm?

Less recoil, cheaper ammunition, and better reliability. I have one, and it blissfully feeds everything but the 147gr loads. That's more than I can say for .45's in the same platform.

k511 · May 30, 2013, 09:00 PM

My defender .45acp feeds everything, including the cheapest of the cheap steel cased garbage....when deciding between the two for myself I asked "do I trust my life to the 45acp? Yes....do I trust my life to the 9mm? Maybe? Not do much...if my wife could handle the 45, she would carry one aswell

Rjeezie · May 30, 2013, 11:10 PM

Already carry a XD-s .45.... just looking for a small 9mm now.

Thanks, I'm going to look into some of these suggestions

GLI45 · May 31, 2013, 03:11 AM

While I'm admittedly an STI fan I do own two of their smaller 9mm 1911s that I would recommend without hesitation. The Guardian is outstanding and has been my primary EDC for several years. At 4" and all steel it weighs in at around 32 ounces. Recently I picked up a 9mm Escort for my wife and at a little over 3" with an aluminum alloy frame it's a very light 22 ounces. These are just two of several 3-4" options available. STI is a excellent company that specializes in 1911/2011 pistols. High quality pistols made a couple of hours south of you in Georgetown, Texas.

loose_holster_dan · May 31, 2013, 08:05 AM

i had it in 45 stainless for awhile. it was a very pretty gun once the grips were swapped out. even with slim grips, it felt a little wide for my tastes. i couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it either. i would imagine the 9mm would be easier to handle, but i still think there are better 9mm carry pieces.

if you own the xds and like it, why not try the walther pps 9mm. you'll swear you're holding the same gun.

Rjeezie · May 31, 2013, 08:53 AM

Had a Walther PPS and sold it... Like it, but couldn't get use to that mag release... I know I'm nitpicking there, but it really bothered me

loose_holster_dan · May 31, 2013, 09:05 AM

makes sense. it's a self defense weapon. you have to be comfortable with it. if you don't like that mag release, you really won't like the hk p7 psp. that was going to be my next suggestion.

i'd probably look at one of the higher end kahrs then.

k511 · May 31, 2013, 11:01 AM

Kahr K9 elite maybe?

TacticalDefense1911 · May 31, 2013, 03:08 PM

A small, 9mm 1911 would not be at the top of my list as a defensive weapon. Shortening the weapon from its original 5" length presents its own reliability issues by shortening cycle dwell time. Add in a caliber that the platform was never intended to shoot and everything has to be running perfectly and maintained perfectly to remain reliable. Not that it can't be done it just takes a good knowledge and understanding of the platform to be successful. If you are a 1911 newbie and/or don't care to learn the 1911 platform in and out, then I wouldn't suggest it as a gun for you.

If you absolutely must have a small, 9mm 1911 then try stepping up to something with a longer barrel like the STI Guardian. It has an Officers frame and a "Commander" length slide (actually 3.9"). STI does some hand-fitting on their guns and they do nice work.

gpjoe · June 2, 2013, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Less recoil, cheaper ammunition, and better reliability. I have one, and it blissfully feeds everything but the 147gr loads. That's more than I can say for .45's in the same platform.

I'll add higher capacity to the above advantages.

Quote:

A small, 9mm 1911 would not be at the top of my list as a defensive weapon. Shortening the weapon from its original 5" length presents its own reliability issues by shortening cycle dwell time. Add in a caliber that the platform was never intended to shoot and everything has to be running perfectly and maintained perfectly to remain reliable. Not that it can't be done it just takes a good knowledge and understanding of the platform to be successful. If you are a 1911 newbie and/or don't care to learn the 1911 platform in and out, then I wouldn't suggest it as a gun for you.

If you absolutely must have a small, 9mm 1911 then try stepping up to something with a longer barrel like the STI Guardian. It has an Officers frame and a "Commander" length slide (actually 3.9"). STI does some hand-fitting on their guns and they do nice work.

I've read and heard this before, and must disagree. There are plenty of small 1911 pistols chambered in 9mm that function just fine. You don't need to be some kind of 1991 guru to own, maintain, or operate one. There is no 1911 mystique that mandates that you "learn the 1911 platform" any more than any other semi-auto pistol.

I would never discourage anyone from owning a 1911, in any caliber or barrel length. Just do the necessary research on various brands, as you would (hopefully) do with any firearm purchase, and you should be fine.

I have a Springfield EMP in 9mm that I would bet my life on.

TacticalDefense1911 · June 3, 2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

I have a Springfield EMP in 9mm that I would bet my life on.

The EMP was designed from the ground up to fire the 9mm cartridge. There are very few parts that are interchangeable with an actual 1911 so this is not a fair example or comparison.

Quote:

I've read and heard this before, and must disagree. There are plenty of small 1911 pistols chambered in 9mm that function just fine. You don't need to be some kind of 1991 guru to own, maintain, or operate one. There is no 1911 mystique that mandates that you "learn the 1911 platform" any more than any other semi-auto pistol.

I would never discourage anyone from owning a 1911, in any caliber or barrel length. Just do the necessary research on various brands, as you would (hopefully) do with any firearm purchase, and you should be fine.

That's fine, but I doubt that you will find many people worth their salt with the 1911 that will agree with you. Your comment about not needing to understand the 1911 any more then a modern day semi-auto pistol shows how little you actually know about the 1911 platform.

RickB · June 3, 2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Shortening the weapon from its original 5" length presents its own reliability issues by shortening cycle dwell time. Add in a caliber that the platform was never intended to shoot and everything has to be running perfectly and maintained perfectly to remain reliable.

Actually, the Commander was originally a 9mm, when submitted to the army as a replacement for the M1911A1. While you can argue that the M1911 was not intended to shoot 9mm, if you consider the Commander a distinct design, with its shorter slide stroke, etc., adapted specifically to the 9mm cartridge? The Defender is a shortened Commander, and shares most of its internal differences from Government Model/M1911/A1.
In my experience, no 9mm "1911" can be expected to run as reliablly as any of the other common chamberings (Super, 10mm, .45).

May 30, 2013, 04:07 PM	#1
Rjeezie Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 235	Colt Defender 9mm Anybody own one? Thoughts? What about some alternatives?

May 30, 2013, 05:36 PM	#3
Caz83 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 125	Para Ordnance carry 9 I own one and it is extremely accurate. I put groups better than my Dan Wesson guardian in 9mm. It is essentially a 3" 1911 "style" pistol with a Light Double Action Trigger which is IMO the best DA trigger I've ever felt. Spec's are: Novak style rear sight w/ FO front, ramped Bull barrel, FLat hammer, a grip safety but no beaver tail 25 LPI MSH checkering, single sided thumb safety. Looks like they're bringing it back but with a beaver tail grip safety and wood grips. Doesn't need the tail with the flat hammer but I do like the "palm feel" of the memory groove style BTGS versus the kimber style flat w/o the tail that's on mine. I will say as a final thought that I have both SA 1911's and the LDA carry 9 and the carry 9 is far more comfortable to carry w/o the tail jabbing me in the sides when I'm carrying IWB and sitting. Just my .02 cents. Last edited by Caz83; May 30, 2013 at 05:47 PM.

May 30, 2013, 05:24 PM	#2
whippoorwill Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Posts: 521	Haven't had a Defender, but had a New Agent. Nive pistols. An alternative worth considering would be the Springfield EMP in 9mm. Sweet little pistol.

May 30, 2013, 06:38 PM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,559	Why carry a .45 chambered in 9mm? I'm a Colt guy, a 1911 guy, but I'd look at the SIG P938 for a compact, single action 9mm carry gun, as it's proportional to the relatively small cartridge. The STI LS9 is another single action, "9mm sized" gun worth looking into.

May 30, 2013, 06:56 PM	#5
k511 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 461	i have a defender in .45acp....i carry it almost evry day, trust my life with it...i have not tried the 9mm verson...my wife carries my EMP 9mm and she loves it, a little spendy but worth it, sweet trigger, very accurate, very reliable

May 30, 2013, 07:00 PM	#6
ThatBeardedGuy Member Join Date: May 16, 2013 Posts: 86	Got the .45ACP version. Assuming all else the same but chambering, the magazine release stud is a little hard to get good pressure on sometimes, and you've gotta make sure the magazine is well-seated. Other than that, I love mine to death. Won't ever get rid of it.

May 30, 2013, 09:00 PM	#8
k511 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 461	My defender .45acp feeds everything, including the cheapest of the cheap steel cased garbage....when deciding between the two for myself I asked "do I trust my life to the 45acp? Yes....do I trust my life to the 9mm? Maybe? Not do much...if my wife could handle the 45, she would carry one aswell

May 30, 2013, 11:10 PM	#9
Rjeezie Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 235	Already carry a XD-s .45.... just looking for a small 9mm now. Thanks, I'm going to look into some of these suggestions

May 31, 2013, 03:11 AM	#10
GLI45 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 143	While I'm admittedly an STI fan I do own two of their smaller 9mm 1911s that I would recommend without hesitation. The Guardian is outstanding and has been my primary EDC for several years. At 4" and all steel it weighs in at around 32 ounces. Recently I picked up a 9mm Escort for my wife and at a little over 3" with an aluminum alloy frame it's a very light 22 ounces. These are just two of several 3-4" options available. STI is a excellent company that specializes in 1911/2011 pistols. High quality pistols made a couple of hours south of you in Georgetown, Texas.

May 31, 2013, 08:05 AM	#11
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	i had it in 45 stainless for awhile. it was a very pretty gun once the grips were swapped out. even with slim grips, it felt a little wide for my tastes. i couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it either. i would imagine the 9mm would be easier to handle, but i still think there are better 9mm carry pieces. if you own the xds and like it, why not try the walther pps 9mm. you'll swear you're holding the same gun.

May 31, 2013, 08:53 AM	#12
Rjeezie Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 235	Had a Walther PPS and sold it... Like it, but couldn't get use to that mag release... I know I'm nitpicking there, but it really bothered me

May 31, 2013, 09:05 AM	#13
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	makes sense. it's a self defense weapon. you have to be comfortable with it. if you don't like that mag release, you really won't like the hk p7 psp. that was going to be my next suggestion. i'd probably look at one of the higher end kahrs then.

May 31, 2013, 11:01 AM	#14
k511 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 461	Kahr K9 elite maybe?

May 31, 2013, 03:08 PM	#15
TacticalDefense1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,277	A small, 9mm 1911 would not be at the top of my list as a defensive weapon. Shortening the weapon from its original 5" length presents its own reliability issues by shortening cycle dwell time. Add in a caliber that the platform was never intended to shoot and everything has to be running perfectly and maintained perfectly to remain reliable. Not that it can't be done it just takes a good knowledge and understanding of the platform to be successful. If you are a 1911 newbie and/or don't care to learn the 1911 platform in and out, then I wouldn't suggest it as a gun for you. If you absolutely must have a small, 9mm 1911 then try stepping up to something with a longer barrel like the STI Guardian. It has an Officers frame and a "Commander" length slide (actually 3.9"). STI does some hand-fitting on their guns and they do nice work.