Having Multiple Calibers

I thought long and hard before buying my first non rimfire pistol and finally decided to buy the .40 caliber. Since then I've added a few others and except for an older 686 S&W 357 all have been .40 caliber. Recently I looked at a Colt Defender and it really has captured my eye but I don't think it comes in anything but 9mm and .45. My reasoning behind trying to stay pretty much with one caliber was ammunition. If most of your guns shoot the same bullets it's easier to stock up on them. Before I sure enough get serious about the Defender has anybody here had any experience with them. I haven't shot a .45 pistol so is there much difference in recoil. Also any pistol I buy is probably going to be toted so would it be much harder to conceal than say my Taursus PT140.

Recoil isn't really a problem. I'm a decent sized guy so I guess it's just a curosity thing because I haven't actually fired one. I'm going to have to do a lot of thinking because it is a lot of money for a gun that I just want. I have a few carry guns already. My main carry gun is a PT 140 and the Defender is probably a little slimmer. May have to put it on the wish list while I save my pennies.

jakeg823 wrote:i know the feeling....thats the only reason i havent bought one...i liked the Talo edition Night Defender the best anyway though, the New Agent is cool as well, except that i dont think i could use the trench sights

Fusion Firearms will add sights to the New Agent for you.

I think having multiple calibers is great if you have the resources to fund the ammo, but in my personal opinion I think that the majority of the caliber guns you own would be smart to match up with NATO calibers because of the abundance of ammunition should things get crazy one day. 9mm/45acp/556mm/762mm/30-06/12ga/22lr(Can't go wrong!) I'm just sayin!

g2072 wrote:Before I sure enough get serious about the Defender has anybody here had any experience with them.

I use a Defender as my everyday carry gun. I haven't had a problem with it in the two years that I have owned it. The recoil isn't as bad as you might think. My wife and daughter can shoot it accurately with no problems. The concussion from firing .45 ACP from a short barrel is probably the most intimidating thing for a new shooter. It will make you a believer in hearing protection when you practice.

I agree with the guys 100%. My Kimber Ultra Carry II is an aluminum framed .45, and comparing it to the .40 Glock 27 I once owned, I highly favor the .45. The .40 definitely had more of a snappy recoil to it, not to my liking. The Defender will be easier to conceal than just about any other small gun, except maybe the Glock 36, in which case the Defender holds more rounds....

Depending on where in the state you are, there's likely to be one of us nearby willing to let you squeeze off a round or three in ours. I'm in NW area; if you live nearby, drop me an email!

Jt, if you don't mind what kind of holster are you using to conceal your Defender and Slabsides I appreciate the offer. I'm actually more in the center of the state in the Carthage area.

I have a Colt Officers 45 ACP. It does not kick excessively nor did I notice much difference in shooting it or a 40 cal Smith that I have. I guess if you were shooting hot ammo, it could make a difference. It is a good idea to start off with one caliber or stay with one caliber. One thing about it, the 45 acp has been around for 100 years, that is a lot of proving itself. Good luck.

g2072 wrote:Jt, if you don't mind what kind of holster are you using to conceal your Defender...

When I conceal I normally use either a Desantis "Insider" or Crossbreed Super Tuck. I have tried several holsters for concealment and to be honest I haven't come up with one that doesn't have some drawbacks. A belly band has actually been the most versatile and lowest profile means of concealment but it gets pretty uncomfortable after several hours.

I carry a G23 70% of the time, and the kel-tec p11 the other 30% (when im in work clothes).