| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| fcolins357 |
Posted - 04/15/2012 : 08:57:48
OK,
So, I got the EMP's and I love them! The 9mm is easy to shoot and the .40 is a snappy little number to boot!
And that's what's got me to wondering about the Colt New Agent in a .45 acp. I didn't look at anything bigger than a .40 s&w for ccw because of the recoil thing and returning the arm back to fire position. But after shooting the .40 EMP I'm wondering if the .45 is really out of the question again?
I'm looking at a Colt New Agent in a .45 acp for CCW. I know it is small and it has trench sights. So there are no night sights or anything at all. Nothing more than just looking down the top of the gun for target practice. But this gun is going to be for self defense. I'm not shooting beyond 12 feet or so! So, all I'm doing is pulling it from the holster and leveling it at the bad guy and pulling the trigger! I believe the term is, "Point of aim" shooting.
I'm figuring I need a good sized bullet in the meat of a dude bent on killing me or my wife. A dude who's made up his mind and running at me, that he's going to get me come hell or high water may or may not be stopped by a 9mm in his belly.
The navy and marine corp guys figured that out during the war with the Fillipino's who got stoned out of their gord before they attacked.
So, for ccw and quick no aim shooting, I think the New Agent in a .45 may just be the ticket!
The problem is, I don't know ANYONE who has even held one! I know they're available cause I've seen them on the internet gun stores. Does anyone know of the New Agent? I know most people have it in the 9mm and there's a HUGE difference between the 9mm and the .45 acp. Those are two TOTALLY different calibers.
But I'm just wondering if they're reliable? I know they're "Colts" That says a lot!! But do they shoot where you aim it? Would a .45 really hurt that much for practice and a good break in period?
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| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| fcolins357 |
Posted - 04/17/2012 : 15:20:57
THANK YOU GUYS!!
I appreciate all of your replies. And a very special thank you for those that proivided pics of your gals and their rigs. Beautiful! 
I'm probably going to go for the Agent as soon as I get back home!
I can hardly wait! |
| robalo23 |
Posted - 04/17/2012 : 10:49:28
quote:
Originally posted by gunslinger
My Commander length SIG C3--after breakin, has been 100% reliable. I am buying a SA Loaded Champion with an even shorter barrel, 4 vice 4.25". I don't see a problem with that length. 3.5" may well--and is thought by many to be, another story. Specific to the Colt, I shot the 9mm version and found it to be a very good gun at the close ranges it's designed for, once you get used to gutter rear sights. Not my choice in a PD weapon, but shot accurately and with no problems. Can't speak to the larger calibers, but both the EMP in .40 and SIG compact in .45 shoot well. I put SIG and Springer above Colt in quality currently, but Colt has made large improvements over the past 2 years. Colt Commander is still one of my wish list guns.
Just to clarify, I own and carry a 1971 colt combat commander that is my daily carry. This gun went thru several modifications before I felt it was carry worthy. As for accuracy, I shoot the steel challenge matches at my range every month with it and do very well.
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| gunslinger |
Posted - 04/17/2012 : 10:11:55
My Commander length SIG C3--after breakin, has been 100% reliable. I am buying a SA Loaded Champion with an even shorter barrel, 4 vice 4.25". I don't see a problem with that length. 3.5" may well--and is thought by many to be, another story. Specific to the Colt, I shot the 9mm version and found it to be a very good gun at the close ranges it's designed for, once you get used to gutter rear sights. Not my choice in a PD weapon, but shot accurately and with no problems. Can't speak to the larger calibers, but both the EMP in .40 and SIG compact in .45 shoot well. I put SIG and Springer above Colt in quality currently, but Colt has made large improvements over the past 2 years. Colt Commander is still one of my wish list guns. |
| 1813Anschutz |
Posted - 04/17/2012 : 06:53:10
Please DO NOT tell my Colt Officer's Model and Commander that they are inaccurate and inferior!! I cannot have them feeling bad about things.....
Randy |
| robalo23 |
Posted - 04/16/2012 : 20:56:54
OK, Im one of those guys that will tell you that ant 1911 of less than 4.25in barrel length is a bad idea. Why is this? If you examine the design of a 1911 you will find that the angle of barrel drop down when the slide is in the rear most position is critical to the feeding of the next round.There is simply no way to get the angle correct in less than 4.25in. what gun manufactures such as colt and others have done is to change the design. the first thing they did is to add a ramp connected to the barrel instead of the frame. This way they could establish their own feed ramp angle. To do this they had to relieve the frame of metal where the ramp drops. Removing metal from the frame is never a good idea as it weakens the structural integrity of the gun. The second idea they had is to remove the barrel bushing from the front of the gun and go to a bull barrel with a fixed slide diameter. By doing this they induced 2 problems. 1. they increased the gap between the barrel and the slide, reducing the inherent accuracy of the gun and reducing the positive lockup of the rear lugs of the barrel. Hence a less accurate gun. But in my opinion the worst thing this does is remove the ability to replace a worn barrel bushing, cost $30. Now when the gap becomes excessive you have to replace the slide, cost $300+. How many rounds will the gun last before you start to have problems, I honestly dont know. But I'll bet its a lot less than JMB's original design. In the world of concealed carry Im not sure how much you gain by shortening the barrel by 1". In the case of the Officers model you also give up round capacity. A commander model 1911 has none of the above changes and still packs 8+1. I'll stick to that. As to the series 80 fireing pin block, I wont even go there. nor did JMB. |
| kingcrabbercurrry |
Posted - 04/16/2012 : 09:10:59
My comments are based on lessons imparted to me by Larry Vickers, American Pistolsmith's Guild member and former head of small arms training for SFOD-D, during his "1911 Operator's Course". His advice was, "If you want a 1911 in a length other than 5" and a caliber other than .45 ACP, look at a different gun." 300-500 rounds was his recommended interval for changing springs on a 3" gun, 5" guns can go 3000 rounds before needing a change. |
| Smurf |
Posted - 04/16/2012 : 05:55:23
My Officers' model, series 80, is a number of years old, ran a unknown number of various rds thru it without a problem. It may blow up tomorrow, but so far it is reliable. |
| 1813Anschutz |
Posted - 04/16/2012 : 02:07:04
I have not found the reliability of a less than 5" barrel on a 1911 to be problematic at all. My Officer's Model and Commander run with anything I put in them and are quite accurate as well.
Changing springs every 300 rounds is quite excessive in my book. I change springs when there is a problem.
My Springfield Armory 1911 National Match has over 5000 rounds without a spring change and still runs flawlessly in matches which is quite demanding on the gun...would a new recoil spring make run even more flawlessly?
Randy
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| medic68 |
Posted - 04/16/2012 : 01:26:59
quote:
Originally posted by kingcrabbercurrry
1911's in lengths shorter than 5" are fraught with problems. I would look at other, more reliable compact weapons. If you do go through with it, I would recommend changing recoil springs every 300 rounds.
Sir, I assume you suggest this from owning one. I have not found this practice necessary with my own Agent but like everything else proper maintenance of each individual weapon is prudent. |
| kingcrabbercurrry |
Posted - 04/15/2012 : 20:30:57
1911's in lengths shorter than 5" are fraught with problems. I would look at other, more reliable compact weapons. If you do go through with it, I would recommend changing recoil springs every 300 rounds. |
| Tigershack |
Posted - 04/15/2012 : 12:56:30
If you are already shooting an EMP .40, the New Agent won't be a big deal. Generally speaking, the .40 is hotter and a bit 'snappier' and, yes, the .45 is more of a shove. I think my Glock 36 (.45ACP) is as comfy as my Glock 22 (.40S&W), but that's not really apples to oranges...... the G22 is a full size pistol and the G36 is a single stack pistol made for carry. However, the fact that the G36 is no worse w/r to recoil and target reacquisition speaks volumes to me. Of course, my full size Colt 1911 is a joy to shoot.
Having said that, I'd go with hkguy and get a Commander just for the longer barrel. OTOH, the New Agents are easier to find and buy.
While Colts don't get the love for reasons warranted or unwarranted, rest assured you will be able to sell it for what you paid if you decide you don't like it later.
P.S. I love my Colt....I had to choose between the Colt, SA, another SA, S&W, and a few cheapies. Like my grandpappy said, just shake 'em all and take the one that rattles the loudest . Worked for me....no problems. |
| medic68 |
Posted - 04/15/2012 : 12:32:23
I purchased the first Colt New Agent that my local gun shop got a month after their introduction. I was looking for something that was better "fitting" then a Glock. I have several 1911's but wanted something in more of a "belly gun". The Agent fit the bill. There are a number of members, Nathan included, that are not fans of 1911's with anything shorter than a 4" barrel, but like anything else in automatics, it's a crap shoot sometimes with reliability and "did I get a good one"? Nathan's Kimber experience is a great example. Having carried the PPS and Kahr CM9 the Agent, to me carries more like the PPS. The sight rail is something that, while interesting in concept, I do not use when lining up the weapon for sighting. The Agent isn't gonna be used for anything "match" by any means, it's an up close, "I got something for your ass" critical moment defense weapon packing all the punch of the .45 ACP. I carry mine in two specific rigs. One is (of course) a Milt Sparks VM II the other is an antique speed rig by a Utah holster maker (whose name escapes me at the moment)and is now long out of business taking a dirt nap. I have put over 2,000 rounds of FMJ surplus and 2,500+ rounds of various vendor ammo in various configurations through this weapon an have had ZERO FTE's and FTF's. It, so far, has digested everything I have fed it....... something only my Glocks have emulated. My PPS's WERE in the same league but after hitting the 3,000+ round mark my 9mm's experenced their first FTF's so they no longer get to ride with Big Daddy, they are safe queens now. The Agent is your basic Defender sans the sights. I like my Agent, it's been reliable and is easily concealed. Hope this helps. Here's some pics:
Comparison of Agent and Walther PPS, Agent in Sparks leather, Walther PPS in High Noon leather
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| hkguy |
Posted - 04/15/2012 : 10:19:28
They are not "bad" guns be i could never get past the series 80 lock work that colt likes to use. Out of the three calibers listed, IMHO 9mm has a mild snap, .40 has the snappiest recoil and .45 is more of a rearward push.
I have played with a few at my lgs and fit and finish seem to be good, but again the trench sights and the heavy mushy trigger are a huge turn off to me along with it having a 3 in barrel. Personally i would get a commander sized 1911 over the new agent. (there are some members that like and carry their 3" 1911's but they are not for me) YMMV |
| 1813Anschutz |
Posted - 04/15/2012 : 10:13:19
I own and use the Colt Officer's Model and it does everything I ask of it and does it with any ammo I put into it. If it floats your boat and fits you well....go for it!
Randy |
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