In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Colt New Agent 9MM
peddler
Member Posts: 881 ✭✭✭✭
I assume all 1911 type pistols are safe to carry "cocked and locked" with thr proper holster, but instructions from Colt says always carry empty with hammer down. Any comments?
Comments
I am thanking about buying a Colt New Agent, anyone know much about this new pistol? Why would a 45 ACP be cheaper than a 9MM in this same gun?
Why would the .45 version be cheaper? One potential reason is that there are much better available parts selections available for stock 45ACP 1911 guns and that might reduce costs a bit compared to a 9mm gun. Also, Colt probably anticipates higher demand for .45ACP guns, leading to somewhat of an increased economy of scale in production. Several other makers offer 3" .45s and price competition could be a factor too (see below).
See here for the ad copy:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/ColtNewAgentSeries.aspx
I note that Colt conspicuously omits the specs on its website but you can find them in this NRA Shooting illustrated review:
http://www.nrapublications.org/si/ColtNA.html
In short, this is just a really small (3" bbl) alloy frame 1911 with "gutter" type sights (which Colt calls "trench" sites, as the word trench is a lot nicer-sounding than "gutter"!).
Gutter sights are not that easy to aim precisely with, but they are "good enough" for close work (which is the point of a gun like this) and snag resistant. If the no-snag sights aren't a selling point for you, there are other guns with conventional sights similar to this one that might make more sense (including the Colt "Defender" which is basically the same exact gun with normal sights).
In *general* small 1911s can be ammo picky and not that reliable, but that's up to the ammo used, individual gun, and individual shooter. As mentioned, getting one that doesn't run right to run right can be a bit annoying, as you may need to try different loads, springs, and/or both. The typical dual-coil recoil spring arrangement can also wear out faster than ordinary springs, requiring more frequent changing if you practice a lot.
Kimber, Smith and Wesson, and Springfield also offer 3" 1911s, and if this sort of thing appeals to you, you might check those out too.
Anything else you need to know?
In my area of Mississippi the Kimber is $200.00 higher than the colt. Don't know if they are that much better.
The standard Kimber Ultra Carry is way cheaper than the Colt, you might have been comparing the fancier Kimber 9mm, the Aegis.