Colt Defender .45 ACP
Model: O7000D
Colt Defender .45 ACP
Model: O7000D
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Colt Defender crams a .45 ACP into a 6.75" frame that weighs 24 oz. That is Officer-model territory, and the aluminum alloy frame is doing most of the weight reduction work. The stainless steel slide and 3-inch barrel give it a front-heavy balance that reviewers note helps manage the snap of a short-barreled .45. Novak Low Mount sights are a real upgrade over the GI-style blades found on many compact 1911s, giving a clean sight picture that does not snag on a draw.
Three inches of barrel in .45 ACP costs velocity. Expect about 50-75 fps less than a 5-inch gun with the same ammunition, which puts some hollow point loads right at the edge of reliable expansion. The community consensus is to run proven short-barrel loads like Federal HST 230gr or Speer Gold Dot 230gr, which are designed to expand at the lower velocities a 3-inch barrel produces. The Kimber Pro Carry II at 28 oz and 7.7" overall offers an extra inch of barrel and 4 oz more weight if the Defender feels too snappy.
What the Defender does better than any other compact .45 ACP 1911: it carries light. At 24 oz, it is 4 oz less than the Kimber Pro Carry II and a full 15 oz lighter than the all-steel Springfield Garrison. For people who want a 1911 in .45 ACP that they will actually wear every day, the weight alone makes it worth considering.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Lightest .45 ACP 1911 in the group at 24 oz. The aluminum alloy frame shaves 4 oz off the Kimber Pro Carry II and 11 oz off the Colt Government, making it genuinely comfortable for all-day carry.
- Novak Low Mount sights are the best factory sights on any compact 1911 at this level. They sit low enough to clear clothing on the draw and provide a clean, fast sight picture.
- Hogue rubber wrap-around grips fill the hand well and absorb some recoil vibration. Most compact 1911 grips are thin wood or plastic that transmit every bit of snap to the palm.
- The 3-inch barrel produces noticeably more muzzle flip than 4-inch and 5-inch models. Getting back on target between shots takes longer, and reviewers report that 24 oz is simply not enough mass to tame .45 ACP comfortably past 100 rounds.
- Ships with 1 magazine. For a carry gun, having at least one spare is standard practice, so you are buying an extra magazine on day one.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .45 ACP ammunition.
.45 ACP Ballistics →Where to Buy
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Frequently Asked Questions
What defensive ammo works best in a 3-inch .45 ACP barrel?
The shorter barrel reduces velocity by 50-75 fps compared to a 5-inch gun. Federal HST 230gr and Speer Gold Dot 230gr are the most commonly recommended loads on forums because they are engineered to expand reliably at the lower velocities a 3-inch barrel produces. Lighter 185gr loads at higher velocity also work, but the 230gr options have the most published short-barrel gel test data.
Does the Colt Defender accept standard 1911 magazines?
It takes Officer-model (compact) 1911 magazines, not full-size Government magazines. The grip is shorter than a Government or Commander frame. Wilson Combat ETM Officer magazines and Chip McCormick Officer Shooting Star magazines are the most popular aftermarket options. Capacity is 7 rounds regardless of magazine brand.