Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    Got a new Colt Defender 45.

    Ran 70 rounds of FMJ 230 grain. Went bang every time. Zero malfunctions. This is my second Defender and it seems Colt knows how to make the 3 inch 1911 work well.

    One question: twice I got a brass to the face/head. Also a few times a shell hit my right ear muff. The extractor tension is on the looser side, but it will lightly hold a live round inside the slide. If I shake the slide the round will fall out.

    Is this something you would try to fix, or just leave it alone and carry it as long as it feeds reliably? I don't want to try and fix what isn't broken, and make things worse. Thoughts?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    I only fix problems that cause malfunctions. I am not good enough of a 1911 mechanic to fine tune one and MOST gunsmiths are in the same boot.
    Courage is being scared to death--but saddling up any way. John Wayne

  3. #3
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    I have a Detonics that does the same thing and seem to remember my Para P10 hitting me in the forehead on occasion. Probably pretty common with little 1911s and personally I wouldn't screw with the extractor as long as it's running 100%.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    Yeah, I'm thinking the same. My other Defender 45 had perfect ejection patterns. This one occasionally spits brass near or at me. But it worked 100 percent, and didn't jam or even bobble.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    Extractor tune is indicated.

    Either have a 1911-experienced 'smith do it, or buy an Ed Brown 1302 and install it yourself. The Ed Brown extractors sometimes need a tweak, but they have been the best plug and play aftermarket extractor for me in the commercial 1911s I've worked on.

    Noah
    Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    Quote Originally Posted by Noah_Zark View Post
    Extractor tune is indicated.

    Either have a 1911-experienced 'smith do it, or buy an Ed Brown 1302 and install it yourself. The Ed Brown extractors sometimes need a tweak, but they have been the best plug and play aftermarket extractor for me in the commercial 1911s I've worked on.

    Noah
    ^^^^This...

  7. #7
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    Thanks Noah Zark.

    This sounds like a simple thing to do. Right now the gun works, just the occasional brass to face. I think I'll order the extractor, then eventually try and install it myself.

    What I want to avoid is making the gun worse.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    Quote Originally Posted by American1776 View Post
    Thanks Noah Zark.

    This sounds like a simple thing to do. Right now the gun works, just the occasional brass to face. I think I'll order the extractor, then eventually try and install it myself.

    What I want to avoid is making the gun worse.
    Noah is of course right as to the issue. It's just that in my experience, things can go south on a 3" 1911 PDQ if you're not careful making "improvements".

  9. #9
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    The thing about replacing the original extractor with the $30 Ed Brown, it's entirely reversible to what you have now.

    Noah
    Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.

  10. #10
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    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: New Colt, and a question from 1911 folks

    I've seen this happen with not just small 1911s, but other pistols in .45ACP. You may try different poundage recoil springs and tune the extractor as previously mentioned.
    Those who dare.

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