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I was looking into replacing the standard Hogue grips of my Colt Defender with something a little thinner for concealed carry purposes. Does anyone have any recommendations? I was looking at some Wilson Combat Slim grips, but I am a little leery because apparently you need to change the grip screw bushings and that sounds like it might be more effort than I would like.

Also, a dumb question. Is the Colt Defender is an "Officer" model? I believe it is, but I want to be sure I get grips that actually fit the gun.

Katygunnut wrote:I was looking into replacing the standard Hogue grips of my Colt Defender with something a little thinner for concealed carry purposes. Does anyone have any recommendations? I was looking at some Wilson Combat Slim grips, but I am a little leery because apparently you need to change the grip screw bushings and that sounds like it might be more effort than I would like.

Also, a dumb question. Is the Colt Defender is an "Officer" model? I believe it is, but I want to be sure I get grips that actually fit the gun.

Not at all dumb. The accepted answer to your valid and meaningful question is "Yes." Some manufacturers of accessories call the Defender an officer model, and some skirt the issue. I reckon it depends on what they are selling, and it is always smart to check when you have a particular purchase in mind. Having waffled on that, I am confident that grips from a reputable manufacturer fitting the Colt officer model should go on your Defender with no modification.

Having never been accused of being humble, considered solely as a self-defense carry handgun, I truly think it is hard to beat my Defender .45 ACP with Crimson Trace laser grip and XS Sight Systems Big Dot Tritium sights, and I have owned a bunch and carried each one. While I no longer have the Hogue grips my recollection is that, even with the laser built in, the CT grip is thinner. I of course realize that the question of the best self-defense handgun, when one considers all the many needs and wants, is a very subjective one.

I just put the micrometer to the Defender with CT, measuring 1.20 in. wide. My Springfield Micro Compact with Hogue grip is 1.25 in. wide. Unless I am comparing apples with oranges the difference is very little, but conforms with my recollection.

Elmo

I concur with b322da. I carry my Colt Defender w/the Hogue grips both IWB and OWB, and have not trouble with the width of the gun. I love the rubber grips as they stick to your hand like glue. I had a set of the same type grips on my Springfield Ultra Compact, but took them off for fancy wood grips. Not smart. The gun was harder to control, felt slippery, and my grip was not as secure. You'd only be gaining a very tiny width reduction, if any, and you may sacrifice accuracy when you need it most. Just MHO.

Thanks all for the advice and answers. I'm new to 1911's and am still learning the terminology.

I have the Defender and love it. I replaced the Hogue grips (I didn't like them) with Alumagrips. Very satisfied.

http://www.alumagrips.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What I like about them is the flat checkering. It is traditional looking but smoothed off. Easier on the skin and clothes.

It doesn't look as good as nice wood but I think the black grips compliment the satin finish nicely. Not that looks mean a lot to me.

Lots of options on the "Build a Grip" page. I just went with the standard grips. Pretty boring I guess.

Good luck!

I have the Deluxe Tactical Checkered alumagrips on my Kimber Ultra CDP II in black anodized, and I love them: http://www.alumagrips.com/main.taf?p=2,1,3,4,2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There is a very noticeable reduction in grip size v. the standard rosewood grips that came with the weapon. They provide good grip even when my hands are wet, and they look pretty slick as well. If you go this route, I'd highly recommend buying the compact size frame savers on this page to protect the finish of your Defender: http://www.alumagrips.com/main.taf?p=2,1,5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


For my full-size 1911, I went with VZ's Operator II in slimline version: http://vzgrips.com/gun-grips/1911-pisto ... t-sand-g10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The folks at VZ are very helpful, and willing in many cases to build grips to your specifications (within reasonable limitations) if you don't see exactly what you are looking for.