Colt Defender Parts
We all know that the nature of man is to have fun with things. And having fun with handguns can have 2 extents. The first is the obvious, you take your pew to the range and shoot and shoot and repeat. The second part of having fun with a handgun is customisation of your Colt Defender with the help of gun parts. And thankfully the aftermarket handgun market is as versatile as can be. There are many companies that specialise in gun upgrades and maybe even more single gun enthusiasts that temper with their firearms to a safe extent.
The Colt Defender represents a pinnacle of versatility and reliability in the realm of semi-automatic pistols. Understanding its maintenance needs and the array of available parts and upgrades is essential for every owner. This guide delves into how enhancements can significantly boost the performance and longevity of your Colt Defender, ensuring it meets your exacting standards whether for personal defense, competitive shooting, or recreational use.
TYPES OF HANDGUN PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
There are several parts and accessories such as handgun sights, grips or magazines which will be mentioned in this article briefly and you can find detailed information in articles about them here: sights, grips or magazines. And without further ado let’s get onto it.
Custom Handgun Sights
The simplest and one of the most useful part upgrades is a sight upgrade. Although this is not a specialised article about it, the basis stays the same - there are numerous options and the best place to find them is here. The pros of custom night sights are self explanatory, improved aim and faster target acquisition will never be useless and it’s always good to be faster than the bad guy.
Many handguns offer the option to have their sights exchanged either for night sights or red dot sights. Night sights can be divided into photoluminescent sights, tritium sights and fiber optic sights. Red dot sights, on the other hand differ from manufacturer to manufacturer but the basis is that they offer a stabilised point of aim.
Custom Handgun Grips
This is a great choice if you are looking for two things, more comfort and an outstanding look. Custom grips will improve your shooting because they will let your hand grip be more tight and secure and custom grips will improve your gun looks. Grip modifications will definitely improve your grip (no pun intended).
There are several types of grips that you can utilise. There are exchangable grips that come with the firearm from the manufacturer or you can invest in grip tapes, finger groove grips and many more. Check the options below.
Extra Tip: Holsters
While not a part of the firearm itself, the handgun holster is one of the more important features of your carry. A properly retaining and safe holster will improve one of the most important parts of your carry - the speed of the draw and the safety of your firearm. Remember, always choose custom holsters. Find more info below.
ARE CUSTOM PARTS FOR YOUR HANDGUN A GOOD IDEA?
You might ask if it’s good to modify a handgun that was sent to you from a producer. Or better, why to modify it when it’s 100% made by Colt. Well the obvious reason is that no two shooters are the same and what is perfect for one might be not so perfect for the other. We strongly recommend visiting a trusty gunsmith even with the smallest modifications as that person has years of experience and a transparent portfolio of work done. But as always, it’s up to you. If you are skilled enough then just delve into modifications for your Colt Defender. The variety of the market is as wide as the variety of the gun market.
There are modifications available that not only upgrade how the gun works, which is the main aim of the market, there are numerous part modifications that also make your Colt Defender look better. And the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder may be true, but let's be honest, when you protect and defend the life of you or the ones around you, you might just do it with a gun that looks better than the average one. All thanks to gun parts.
THE BASICS OF GUNSMITHING
You might ask if it’s good to modify a handgun that was sent to you from a producer. Or better, why to modify it when it’s 100% made by Colt. Well the obvious reason is that no two shooters are the same and what is perfect for one might be not so perfect for the other. If you are able to do the change yourself go for it, but always remember that a small failure in your gunsmithing endeavour may result in tragedy. Most, if not all, handguns can be enhanced through services of gunsmiths. What can they do?
As we mentioned before, the several types of available custom parts let you upgrade your performance. There are also upgrades that improve the aesthetics of your firearm. The first type of upgrades - mechanical upgrades - have a little bit of warning packed with them. While you or your local gunsmith are making upgrades to any part of your firearm please consider that changing the trigger pull or pull weights will directly affect your performance.
Adrenalin doesn’t know the difference between two pounds or six pounds. And making your firearm lighter also changes the recoil so for the sake of disclaiming this, please consult a professional before doing any mechanical changes to your firearm. The latter category of upgrades - aesthetic ones - come without any warnings. Just please have one thing in mind - taste. Let’s not turn your prized firearm into a jokingly looking tool.
Essential Gunsmithing Tools for Colt Defender
As the popularity of DIY gunsmithing grows, understanding the essential tools required for working on your Colt Defender is more important than ever. From basic maintenance to advanced modifications, having the right tools at your disposal is key.
Brass Hammer & Plastic Mallet:These tools are gentle on your firearm's finish while providing the necessary force for disassembly and reassembly. Get Them On Amazon
Punches: Brass punches are ideal for driving out pins without damaging the firearm, crucial for disassembling your Colt Defender. Get Them On Amazon
Hex / Allen Key Wrench Set: Many firearm components are secured with hex screws, making this set indispensable for disassembly and customization. Get Them On Amazon
Screwdrivers: Multi-purpose and precision screwdrivers tailored for firearms prevent damage to screws and the gun itself.Get Them On Amazon
Threadlocker: Essential for keeping screws from loosening due to vibration and recoil, ensuring your upgrades remain secure.Get Them On Amazon
More Specialized Gunsmithing Tools
Torque Wrench: A Torque Wrench is an indispensable tool for any gun enthusiast, especially critical for precision tasks such as installing optics on firearms. It ensures that screws are tightened exactly to the manufacturer's specified torque settings, avoiding both under-tightening and over-tightening. Under-tightened screws can lead to a loose fit, potentially causing the optics to shift under recoil, while over-tightening may damage the firearm or the optics itself. Using a torque wrench helps in maintaining the perfect balance, securing your equipment properly without compromising its integrity or performance. For those looking to add this essential tool to their kit, it's available for purchase on Amazon, offering a wide selection of models to fit various needs and specifications. Get Them On Amazon
Fix It Sticks: Fix It Sticks represent a revolutionary approach to firearms maintenance, offering a compact and portable toolkit that caters specifically to the needs of gun enthusiasts and professionals alike. This toolkit is ingeniously designed to provide all the necessary tools in one easy-to-carry package, ensuring that you have the ability to perform a wide range of tasks on your Colt Defender no matter where you are. Whether you're at the range, in the field, or simply working at your bench, Fix It Sticks offers the convenience and versatility needed for effective gunsmithing. Get Them On Amazon
Trigger Pull Gauge: A Trigger Pull Gauge is a crucial tool for any firearm enthusiast who is keen on optimizing the performance of their weapon, particularly when it comes to customizing the trigger mechanism. This tool meticulously measures the force required to pull the trigger, a vital component in achieving a firearm's best operational efficiency. Correctly calibrated trigger pull can significantly enhance shooting accuracy by ensuring the trigger breaks at the desired weight. Too light a pull might lead to unintentional discharges, while too heavy a pull could affect shot precision and the shooter's comfort. Get Them On Amazon
Best Gunsmithing Books
1.Practical Gunsmithing (From $10.48)
An essential reference for everyone interested in guns, this complete reference shows how to repair, improve, customize, and alter firearms. Complete troubleshooting information about problems such as misfiring and feeding and extraction failures is provided, along with tips for mounting a scope, fitting grips, and more.
2. Professional Gunsmithing: A Textbook On The Repair And Alteration Of Firearms (From $14.31)
Professional Gunsmithing: A Textbook On The Repair And Alteration Of Firearms. With Detailed Notes And Suggestions Relative To The Equipment And Operation Of A Commercial Gunshop. Howe's book is intended as an inspirational source as well as a technical guide to the student who is anxious to study gunsmithing but has been led to believe it is a craft that can only be mastered by old world teaching methods. Howe's work remains a valuable teaching tool to this day. Profusely illustrated with over one hundred drawings and illustrations.
3. Advanced Gunsmithing: A Manual of Instruction in the Manufacture, Alteration, and Repair of Firearms (From $12.62)
This book is a classic in the gunsmithing world, and the edition presented here is a 2015, Skyhorse Publishing reprint of the original 1940 version. Many consider this volume to be a collector’s item as well as a practical learning tool. The book is a substantial read at 448 pages and will likely be used as a reference tool by most.
Parts for Colt Defender
Your Colt Defender can be dismantled to parts. These parts can be changed if you need to upgrade performance or just need to modify the handgun to your liking. Dismantling and assembling should be done with caution or by the hands of professionals to prevent a risk of malfunctions or accidents. Check article below about spare part options and upgrades for your Colt Defender.