Colt Defender/FTE - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Joeywhat · 04-28-2008, 01:59 PM

My dad has a Colt defender, and I was hinting at buy it...or maybe trying to get him to give it to me

So we took it to the the range the other day. I had my P22 and a rental, he had his Defender, among other guns. When I went to fire it, after the second round the brass failed to eject. It wasn't really stuck...I could pull it out by hand without much hassle, but it apparently stopped the next round from being chambered. The slide had cycled fully, and when it cam back to grab the next round the bullet was stopped by the empty case.

What's weird is that this happened RIGHT when I started using it. To my knowledge my dad had put a couple mags through it without any trouble. I tried to finish the magazine, but it happened again with the next round so I emptied it and gave it back. He tried firing it....and same thing.

So what causes this? I find it odd that it would happen so suddenly. He keeps all his weapons good and clean (and lubed) so I don't think there's build up anywhere. It also doesn't get a whole lot of range time, either. I'm fairly certain I was using Blazer 230gr FMJ, and my dad was using Fiocchi FMJ, unsure of bullet weight. Probably 230 as well.

So...before I throw down for it, what's up with it?

Warbirds · 05-06-2008, 05:00 AM

One question, do you know if this is one of the series 90 Defenders or an older model?

Joeywhat · 05-06-2008, 05:29 AM

Not sure...how can I tell?

KenW. · 05-06-2008, 06:04 AM

I've had my Defender quite a few years. This is a new thing I've not heard of.

Failed to extract, or eject? There's a difference. If the casing is being pulled from the chamber, sounds like your ejector may be messed up.

Quote:

Not sure...how can I tell?

My series 90 has it roll marked on the slide below Colt Defender.

Joeywhat · 05-06-2008, 06:52 AM

I'll check it out tonight.

IIRC they empty brass was getting stuck while still partially in the chamber. It was as if the extractor came loose half way and just stopped pulling it out. Then when the slide came back the new round would get stuck on the empty brass still in there.

KenW. · 05-06-2008, 06:59 AM

Sounds like the tension is not grat enough to keep the extractor engaged to the rim of the casing. If it were me, I'd lay my hands on a new extractor. Wison makes some good ones.

1911 gunsmiths aren't hard to find; though you can change an extractor yourself easily.

tully_mars · 05-07-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeywhat

What's weird is that this happened RIGHT when I started using it. To my knowledge my dad had put a couple mags through it without any trouble. I tried to finish the magazine, but it happened again with the next round so I emptied it and gave it back. He tried firing it....and same thing.

Sounds like limp wristing to me. Short barrelled 1911's can be snappy, may have to work on your grip with such a pistol. Since it seemed to be symptomatic with the change in shooters.

Recoil spring change could also be, but then it should have FTE with both of you.

Best of luck

TM

Joeywhat · 05-07-2008, 09:05 PM

I doubt it's limp wristing as it happened with my dad as well...he's probably put at least 1000 rounds through it with no problems. The problem only started with me...after it started he wasn't able to get through a mag without the issue either.

I'll have to take it apart and see if anything is noticeably awry, or take it to a gunsmith.

**mvician** · 05-07-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warbirds

One question, do you know if this is one of the series 90 Defenders or an older model?

All the Defenders are marked 90 series, but they are really 80 series

tully_mars · 05-08-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeywhat

I doubt it's limp wristing as it happened with my dad as well...he's probably put at least 1000 rounds through it with no problems. The problem only started with me...after it started he wasn't able to get through a mag without the issue either.

I'll have to take it apart and see if anything is noticeably awry, or take it to a gunsmith.

Ok, then it is probably the recoil spring. These should be changed every 500rnds on the 3" 1911s.

TM

04-28-2008, 01:59 PM	#1
Joeywhat XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 1,081	Colt Defender/FTE My dad has a Colt defender, and I was hinting at buy it...or maybe trying to get him to give it to me So we took it to the the range the other day. I had my P22 and a rental, he had his Defender, among other guns. When I went to fire it, after the second round the brass failed to eject. It wasn't really stuck...I could pull it out by hand without much hassle, but it apparently stopped the next round from being chambered. The slide had cycled fully, and when it cam back to grab the next round the bullet was stopped by the empty case. What's weird is that this happened RIGHT when I started using it. To my knowledge my dad had put a couple mags through it without any trouble. I tried to finish the magazine, but it happened again with the next round so I emptied it and gave it back. He tried firing it....and same thing. So what causes this? I find it odd that it would happen so suddenly. He keeps all his weapons good and clean (and lubed) so I don't think there's build up anywhere. It also doesn't get a whole lot of range time, either. I'm fairly certain I was using Blazer 230gr FMJ, and my dad was using Fiocchi FMJ, unsure of bullet weight. Probably 230 as well. So...before I throw down for it, what's up with it? Last edited by Joeywhat : 04-28-2008 at 02:02 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-06-2008, 05:00 AM	#2
Warbirds XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5	One question, do you know if this is one of the series 90 Defenders or an older model?

05-06-2008, 05:29 AM	#3
Joeywhat XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 1,081	Not sure...how can I tell?

05-06-2008, 06:52 AM	#5
Joeywhat XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 1,081	I'll check it out tonight. IIRC they empty brass was getting stuck while still partially in the chamber. It was as if the extractor came loose half way and just stopped pulling it out. Then when the slide came back the new round would get stuck on the empty brass still in there.

05-06-2008, 06:59 AM	#6
KenW. XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 89	Sounds like the tension is not grat enough to keep the extractor engaged to the rim of the casing. If it were me, I'd lay my hands on a new extractor. Wison makes some good ones. 1911 gunsmiths aren't hard to find; though you can change an extractor yourself easily.

05-07-2008, 09:05 PM	#8
Joeywhat XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 1,081	I doubt it's limp wristing as it happened with my dad as well...he's probably put at least 1000 rounds through it with no problems. The problem only started with me...after it started he wasn't able to get through a mag without the issue either. I'll have to take it apart and see if anything is noticeably awry, or take it to a gunsmith.