Our man Grant’s assembling a full TTAG review of the Colt New Agent. Meanwhile, he decided to go all auteur on us, putting together this video. So . . . SPOILER ALERT. If you don’t want to know how much he likes the 1911 pocket rocket then leave this YouTubery for later.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

42 COMMENTS

    • I don’t know about outsourcing reviews but I enjoyed watching a woman who is very fit enjoy her sport. Being a workout guy I am amazed at how many people just let themselves go and look like south park cartoon characters. Anyway I enjoyed the review. thx.

    • Why? Not everybody’s in love with Glocks. I prefer the Colt design to the Glock.

      But it’s called the COLT AGENT. Shouldn’t a new model be called NEW COLT AGENT, rather than COLT NEW AGENT, since, presumably, its name isn’t “New Agent”?

      I can see it both ways, but I’m pretty sure it should be New Colt Agent, Robert.

        • Yeah let’s never diversify or try anything new!! 😀 Glocks are great but there’s plenty of room for competition.

        • While I admit Glocks are reliable, in my experience they are not as accurate as other handguns. I used to own a Glock 22 until I went shooting with my brother and he was always more accurate with his Springfield XDM. I thought maybe he was just a better shot, until I used his XDM. The accuracy was night and day between the two. I quickly sold my Glock and purchased a Springfield. While I prefer Springfield pistols I know that there is no such thing as a perfect gun. What’s great for me may be the worse option for someone else. What’s great as a conceal gun may suck for home defense. So saying to just get a Glock 26 doesn’t work for everyone.

        • Really? Let see: 2013-1911 = how about 102 years to your 26. Also, there are more colt 1911 copies than any other handgun in existence. Also, lets keep in mind that some of us don’t like plastic guns (yes i’m going to bring this up) -gun manufacturers like to call them “polymer” because it sounds much better than the low quality word “plastic.” In my opinion, a all metal gun will always be of higher quality than a plastic gun. It may or may not be as reliable, but it will be of higher quality, because inherently more steps and higher costs are associated to cut and mill a metal frame than using glass impregnated plastic injection casting (which probably takes only a few seconds) to make a plastic frame. It has a better feel to me, has a lower center of gravity and better recoil due to the increased weight. I’m sorry – there, I’ve said it.

        • > Glocks are great but there’s plenty of room for competition.

          Nobody yet has created a reliable sub-compact 1911-based firearm. Maybe Colt did something remarkable and improved the design significantly, but it looks like they just did the same thing that always yielded a expensive and unreliable gun.

          There are lots of competition to Glock and many of them are great guns, but so far the sub-compact 1911 isn’t one of them. It’s going to take a lot to get past the negative and deserved stigma that this platform has created for itself.

          > In my opinion, a all metal gun will always be of higher quality than a plastic gun. It may or may not be as reliable, but it will be of higher quality,

          If it’s not as reliable then it’s below in quality.

        • I was speaking in terms of quality of manufacture. Quality of manufacture does not equal reliability. Reliability does not equal quality of manufacture. If a person makes a 22LR pistol out of wood glue and barrel it may be made of pitiful materials but may be perfectly reliable. Either way, everyone is different and has their own preference – and to each his own.

    • Can’t have a non Glock related conversation without someone asking why you don’t just buy a Glock…

      C’mon, we ALL are aware of Glock and their reputation… Yet for whatever reason we still choose other guns…

      So leave us alone!

      Proud Colt New Agent owner.

  3. I prefer my reviewers to sound like they’ve actually shot the gun and to—you know—actually review the gun.
    Also, I’d have more faith in this review if the people didn’t sound like they were reading from a teleprompter.
    • What are the guns features?
    • What are the guns dimensions?
    • What kind of options does Colt offer in this version?
    • Why is this demonstrably better than say a commander (which is supposed to be less prone to timing issues anyway?)
    • How did the gun group and with which brands of ammunition?
    • What holsters are available and which ones are recommended?
    • How feasible is it to use 8 round magazines in this gun and does one need or want finger extension grips?
    • Is the New Agent offered in any other calibers?
    • Who provided the test gun(s)?
    • What kind of safeties does the gun come with?
    • What are the “trench sights” and why are they that different or more desirable than standard adjustable sights which citizens have been carrying for over a century?

    I know the answers to some of this, but I still expect a good review to cover most of it anyway—especially since I’ve already researched this 1911 before seeing the review and not everyone has that benefit.

  4. Tactical critique:
    Move laterally (outside the line of attack) while drawing.
    Keep your eyes on the threat while reloading.
    Don’t crowd your cover. Moving back gives a larger field of view with less exposure.

    • Noted – I’ll keep that in mind and Kay & I will discuss it further in the Burst Review After Thoughts (BRAT) video in a few days.

  5. Pretty good timing. I’ve been eyeballing a Colt Defender the last few months and I’m considering pulling the trigger. My Government is great for most occassions but sometimes I need something a little smaller. While this isn’t a review of the Defender they are virtually the same firearm so I’ll be interested to see what he has to say.

    • In California, I can buy a Defender but not a New Agent. Go figure. I thought one in 9mm would be pretty nifty, but no such luck. (Can’t get a Mustang either, for that matter.)

      • I’m sure if either of us were to snort enough Hollywood coke it would make sense. Maybe it has to do with the name, Colt Defender sounds less scary?

        • I assume it has something to do with the stupid approved roster of handguns in CA. I used to live in MA and the AG h could freeze any model or sub model based on nothing and was never held accountable.

  7. I am a 1911 fanboy but from the looks of it I would rather go with an XD-S if I wanted a subcompact 45. Personally, I don’t like a 45 in anything less than a 4″ barrel. 45 is just too much for a small gun

  8. I’ve got a Talo version of the .45 New Agent, which has my favorite sight config (night in front, wide no dots rear).

    The only operating issue I’ve had was shooting it with too much frog lube in sub 20 degree weather. The lube heats up, cools down, then congeals with spent powder to slow down the action (I was using the OEM Colt mags). I had a FTF from that, and that was my fault for gooping up the gun.

  9. I’ve owned a New Agent for a few years now, aside from the lack of traditional sights it’s really not different (aside from minor features) from the Colt Defender. And believe it or not, Colt manages to make some pretty reliable 3 inch 1911s.

    The “trench/gutter” sight works a lot better than you might think, no you won’t be shooting bullseye competitions with it but within 15 or so yards I’ve never had a problem shooting with it.

    I love the classic blued steel and wood grip look, that’s why I chose it over the Defender. It’s been great to me, though my recent Colt CCO purchase means it doesn’t get carried much anymore.

  10. Have them do another review after they take the gun through a 2-3 day pistol class shooting 500 to 1000 rounds.

    • Hey if you can get someone to donate a thousand rounds I will gladly do so. Hell I’ll run 10,000 if someone else will fund it.

  11. Been carrying a Colt New Agent for a few years now. Fantastic carry gun. I don’t think I will ever carry anything else on a day to day basis. Looking forward to the review, as this gun doesn’t get a lot of spotlight.

  12. I’ll have to watch this again and listen. I got caught up with Kay’s shooting stance.

  13. The Colt review that is needed is a review of their new manufacturing facilities in a non gungrabber state. Otherwise nyet Colt.

  14. I dont trust anyone with a combover. Just buzz your head already! Trust me…bald aint that bad but trying to hide the obvious is lol 🙂 girl is cute though!

  15. Colt New Agent NIB, no night sights with questionable reliability and accuracy about $1000 on Gunbroker

    vs

    SIG p220 Compact SAO, night sights with SIG P220 reliability and accuracy about $600 at CDNN

    A good example of that old adage that you don’t always get what you pay for.

    • Possibly, but comparing a wholesale company – CDNN to an auction site – Gunbroker – is pretty disingenuous.

      I’d say the New Agent goes for about 775-825. No small sum, but compared to what other companies want for officer’s 1911 that’s a very fair price.

      • Personally I think that all Colts are overpriced, as the price is primarily based on the mystique of the name. Look at what they want for their 1873 models–which is a simple handgun compared to a 1911 to produce. $1000 or more. The Defender MSRP is over $900. And the second and third gen black powder pistols (which are indeed beautiful) were made in Italy but still go for double what a new Pietta or Uberti sells for. Doesn’t mean I find them any less desireable though, just not affordable.

  16. I can’t believe some of the morons slamming the Colt New Agent as unreliable ? Bullshit ! That only tells me you have never owned one but probably just can’t afford one ! I can get two Glocks for the price of a CNA ! Colt quality,Colt reliability ! PS,I own 4 Glocks too, and they are fantastic weapons !

Comments are closed.