I view of defensive pistol as a carry pistol that a citizen is likely to have on or near their person in some manner or as a back-up.

To a primary weapon (if time allows). A recon rail maybe out of place only because of the extra size and weight. The weapons’ purpose is to answer a “surprise” threat quickly, so it might be called a quick response weapon. If, the size of the weapon, the caliber/gauge of the weapon is not the limiting factor, and if time allows, then a shotgun, etc. Might be a better choice for defense. The pistol then becomes the back-up to the primary weapon. If you are in your home and someone breaks in you are most likely in a defensive mode. You get into a defendable position if possible, call for back-up and wait (if possible) to confront the threat. You may not need a light attached to the weapon. If you leave your cover/defensive position, in my opinion, you have gone offensive in a defensive situation. You lose the advantage of being a surprise to the threat and may become surprised by the threat whose position you may not exactly know.

The offensive pistol is a tactical pistol, basically, a hunting pistol. You know that you are going in harms’ way and for whatever the reason, the pistol is your choice of weapons. You are in a search and defend/destroy mode. You may need to light-up your target or the surroundings. You may need to reload quickly and often. Tactics (hunting skills) are used to help insure your survivial and to complete your task. For the tactical pistol, it may be good to have a light (recon) rail and an integral magazine well because it serves a purpose for many tactical or offensive situations.

For the carry pistol, the brown bobtail may be a good option if the “print” of the gun is a factor.

Shorter 1911 pistols [officers model, etc.] Have a place, as a back-up to a better pistol.

About the marvel defensive and offensive pistols

Six models of defensive or tactical pistols

Defense 1 Government length slide – bull barrel

Defense 2 Government length slide – bushing barrel

Defense 3 Commander length slide – bull barrel

Tactical 1 Government length slide – bull barrel – integral recon rail and integral magazine well

Tactical 2 Government length slide – bushing barrel – intergral recon rail and integral magazine well

Tactical 3 Commander length slide – bull barrel – integral recon rail and integral magazine well

Although we do not usually ransom rest the carry pistols, when we have, the typical 10 shot group size is sub 1.9” at 50 yards with ball ammo and better groups with wadcutter rounds. The most important quality is that it is reliable, the accuracy is the bonus. The weapon is designed for hard use in the field for people in the military and for serious defense-minded private citizens. Users who own this type of weapon and other independent sources claim that there have not been any failures in the field with any of my pistols to date.

The pistols with a bull barrel [d-1 d-3 t-1 t-3] : the bull barrel is dressed flush with the end of the slide. The front of the slide, the barrel, and the spring plug are bull-nosed or curved downward. A bevel is then cut all along this “sweep” or bull nose, with the bevel softened [light or heavy blend].

The commander length pistols are government model slides that are cut down to government length. The government length barrel is 4.9” long. The commander length barrel is 4.2”.

The reason for cutting down the government model slide to commander length instead of using a true commander slide is reliability. There is a .200” plus increase in the distance the slide travels to the rear with the government slide over the true commander slide. This distance allows the slide to build up speed on the returning cycle before it has to pick up the next round to be fed into the chamber. The added distance also allows more time for the next round in the magazine to be pushed up into position to be picked up by the slide. All of this allows for a more consistant and reliable pick-up and feeding of the round.

It is the customer’s choice if they want a standard guide rod with a closed front end plug or a full length guide rod. At this time, my opinion is that the shorter standard rod is better in the event of a bad round is stuck in the chamber. The lower front end of the slide can be pushed against something to free the stuck round [the most common problem is not in the gun but, in a poorly made reload]. The second reason is for an easier field take-down of the slide, the rod and the bull barrel without the use of tools. A bushing barrel would require a bushing wrench.

The extended rod doesn’t allow as much movement of the spring because it is fully guided by the rod, keeping the spring “in line”. The down side is that a small pin is required to retain the spring and plug before you can remove the barrel. At this time, there is no firm data to show that an extended guide rod increases the life of the recoil spring.