My 1911 New Project Part 1

["DoubleAction"]

Colt's Defender

The reason I like the 1911's , is interchangeable parts. This also holds true with the Defender. The frame is identical to the Colt's Officer's ACP, which shares a lot parts with the Colt's Commander, Colt's Government model, and the Colt's full size 1911 models.

What sets The Defender apart from the Officer's ACP, is barrel length and the length of the slide; Grips and Mainspring Housings remain the same. The Thumb Safety, Grip Safety, Grip Screw Bushings, Grip Screws, Slide Stop, Trigger, Sear, Disconnector, Mainspring, Magazine Catch, Magazine Catch Lock,and the safety levers also remains same as the full size 1911s pistols.

It will be a week two before I am ready to begin posting pictures of my new project; I hope it's well worth the wait.

[TMan]

DA, it is really good to see you active again.

["DoubleAction"]

Thanks TMan; I still seemed to have a weakness for Colts. Because this one has a "Coltalloy" aluminum alloy frame and a 3" barrel, I look at it as being more of a carry pistol. The .45 acp with the ramped frame, has a lot to do with my decision of making it a strictly carry pistol as it's meant to be.

["DoubleAction"]

There are kinds of two Defenders made over the past few years; One is made with the up swept grip safety and extended thumb safety, and other one is with the duck bill grip safety. Mine is like the top version.

[TA]

I look forward to your follow-up DA!

[MLB]

Very nice. What are your plans for it?

["DoubleAction"]

Mar 27, 2009 14:41:59 GMT -5 MLB said:

Very nice. What are your plans for it?

First off; I replaced the cheap plastic trigger with one by made Nowlin, with the overtravel and take up adjustments. I also replaced the grip screw bushings and grips.

I acquired this pistol from my younger brother, just my Colt Combat Commander from years ago. Two weeks ago I installed the trigger, grips, and grip screw bushings prior working a deal on the pistol.

The next step will involving refinishing the surface scratches on the frame. The aluminum alloy frame is coated from the factory in a Teflon coating, which might create a problem. I ordered a epoxy based coating from Brownell's, with a low curing rate.

Another "El Cheapo" feature, I feel, that's go it's the Plastic Mainspring Housing. The rest are springs and eventually the sear, disconnector, and hammer if I find they are made from MIM parts.

Because the pistol is made to carry; the extended thumb safety will not work in level two holsters with the thumb snap releases. This creates problems with shoulder rigs and some level two belt holsters.

The grip safety is a plus, as is the ejection port flaring, the dovetailed front site, barrel chamber throat, and beveled magazine mouth.

The most important thing about this pistol, is been carried a lot and shot very little, if any. The pulled the firing pin out, the extractor, and found no signs any fouling. The breech face looked brand new.

[MLB]

Sounds like a satisfying project. Are the wraparound grips to stay?








Edited : MLB; "I pushed the wrong button" I meant to push the "Quote". "DoubleAction".

["DoubleAction"]

MLB; Those grips are history ;D.

I also forgot mention this pistol uses the magazines as my Wilson CBQ Compact.

[MLB]

Glad to hear it. Wraparound plastic/rubber grips are like minivans to me; entirely practical and useful, but I wouldn't want to be seen with one. ;D

["DoubleAction"]

Mar 30, 2009 8:11:53 GMT -5 MLB said:

Glad to hear it. Wraparound plastic/rubber grips are like minivans to me; entirely practical and useful, but I wouldn't want to be seen with one. ;D

Packmayer Presentation grips are fine, the finger groove Hogues don't work so good on the 1911s.

["DoubleAction"]

My Defender is coming along; I have been working on the refinishing frame for a couple weeks now. Every time I spray a coat, I have wait four days to re-sand it. Since the frame is made of aluminum, I use Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II.

As soon I get the frame ready, I will install the Nowlin Hammer, EGW Sear, Wolff Mainspring, The Nowlin Sear Spring, The Disconnector, and the Nowlin Trigger.

[5ontarget]

Looking Good!!