Handguns, Reviews Due to wear and tear of the MEU(SOC) pistols and increasing numbers of Marine personnel in Force Recon and MARSOC, the U.S. Marines are looking commercially for replacements. The USMC is about double the price and if I understand correctly, its a production gun from Colt whereas the civilian version goes through the custom shop - is that correct? The finish is a bit slick which is offset by the rather deep cocking serrations both front and rear on the slide. Nonetheless, the Marines had been eagerly waiting for the new .45s, and they were going directly into operational use, so there was little patience for a learning curve, and many of the Marines demanded a change. Following some stop-gap and interim solutions, in 2012 the United States Marine Corps adopted an upgraded variant of the Colt CCU Rail Gun for its special operations capable units aptly dubbed the M45A1 CQBP Close Quarters Battle Pistol. Representative five-shot group (25 yds. 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Shooting theM45A1feels different than shooting other 1911s. Allrightsreserved. We have put a few rounds through the Decomm & it shoots and handles great. I've been looking for holsters for mine. An identical version coming off the same assembly line was sold to the civilian market. The Picatinny rail on the bottom of the frame is a full-size Mil Standard 1913 rail which holds accessories nice and tight as compared to its competitors with smaller lower rails. The Custom Shop price list indicates theyll checker the front strap at either 20 or 25 lpi for $260. Colt M45A1 Custom Shop (O1070CQB) $2,149.95 Colt Out of stock Quick view Out of stock Colt Government Model With Rail - (O1980RG) $1,154.95 Colt Quick view Add to Cart COLT LE6920 $1,349.95 Sale Out of stock Quick view Out of stock Colt Government Model Stainless With Rail - (O1070RG) $1,198.00 $1,079.95 $1,198.00 Outside of the mentioned ambidextrous manual safety, the controls configuration is the same as on any other 1911 variant. I had left the Marines as a Sergeant and was starting civilian life as a full time college student and worked part time at a gun dealer. Despite the planned purchase of the commercial pistols, Marine Corps Systems Command has continued to solicit parts to build additional MEU(SOC) pistols. [9], However, as the U.S. Marine Corps began its process of hand selecting members from its Force Recon to be submitted to USSOCOM as Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Detachment One (MCSOCOM Det-1), the selection of a .45 ACP M1911A1-based pistol meant roughly 150 units would be needed, more quickly than the PWS could produce them, as PWS were already backlogged with producing DMRs, USMC SAM-Rs, and updating M40A1s to M40A3s, so DET-1 began the search for COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) surrogates to use. The only factory parts Ill typically use are the receiver and bolt assembly, everything else is upgraded. An MEU(SOC) 1911 pistol, built by PWS at Quantico, Virginia. I fired representative groups from a rest with several loads rather than the full five-group protocol typically used in product reviews in order to minimize the rounds and wear on the Colt. The only other USMC-marked pistols on the market are the real ones that had been returned to Colt and then re-sold to the civilian market. Not bad- but not great. This is important in a gun meant to endure nearly as many rounds in the weeks-long Marine Raider training regimen as the original M1911 was intended to see throughout its entire service life. I still like my M45A1 (not the Custom Shop or USMC Issue gun) with it's matching knife by Ohio Knife Maker, Mickey Yurco: Dave I use a Galco Model Number FL212. Clearly I had no clue. Colt's crown jewel is sold at a little less than 3000 in Europe; and while the current MSRP in the United States is set at $1,699.00, the suggested retail price for the early models was way above the $2,000 threshold. Pistol, Model of 1911 to the Marine Corps. SWC 1.49" Hornady 200-gr. External enhanced hammer, automatic firing pin safety, Ambidextrous frame-mounted manual safety, extended beavertail grip safety, 127 mm / 5" National Match barrel My opinion is that both of these were likely due to Colt learning the quirks of a new coating process. ) Black Hills 200-gr. The coarse checkering on the multi-colored G10 panels does assist in anchoring the handgun, and the Marine pistol has an undercut trigger guard to allow a high hand hold. pistols to be offered on the civilian market since the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) stopped handgun sales over 50 years ago. Davids Articles at GUNS, American Handgunner & Shooting Industry Magazines. The M45A1 CQBP pistol is issued with Wilson black metal single-stack magazines, holding 7+1 rounds. My friend, a 1911 aficionado accompanied me to the range. Comes with the original box, paperwork, and two magazines. The rollmark changed around 006700EGA as far as I can tell. COLT MFG CO INC Marine M45-A1 Colt CCS O1070M45 M45-A1 SA 45ACP 5" 7+1 HAS USMC ROLLMARK on slide PRODUCT INFORMATION Slide Material: Stainless Steel Frame Material: Stainless Steel Slide Finish: Cerakote Brown Coating Frame Finish: Cerakote Brown Coating Model Name: GOVERNMENT Left Slide Mark: COLT*** USMC Right Slide Mark: Colt Government Model This pistol utilizes the Series 80 fire control system which means it has an internal firing pin safety. The contract was said to be worth $22.5M to Colt. It is assigned NATO Stock Number 1005-01-370-7353. Fit and finish were OK, but the Marines use it, so that is worth the premium. When Remington offered a [], 1911 Rear sight installation (Novak style cut) Aftermarket sights are a common upgrade on 1911 pistols. And despite the price, the M45A1 CQB is definitely going to become a must-have for dedicated collectors and die-hard aficionados of John Moses Browning's quintessential workhorse on this side of the Big Pond. This full-size lower rail adds some of the noticeable heft to the gun,but that heft seems to balance out thepistolso that the gundoesnt feel nose heavy. While Maj. Butler might be taken aback by the tritium capsules in the M45A1s sights or perhaps a mounted SureFire light, it is likely that he could operate and fieldstrip the new USMC Colt with no difficulty. Cold-hammer forged, polished stainless steel barrel What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? COLT M45A1 MARINE PISTOL. We decided to install Heine Ledge sights on our Series 80 Stainless Officers ACP. The solid, medium-long trigger broke at 4 lbs., 4 ozs., of pressure after a short bit of take-up to release the hammer. This is very unique and very rare COLT 1911 USMC ROLLMARK U.S. MARINES M45A1 SEMPER FI FDE. The Marine Corps is aware of this yet opted for steel, so consequently the CQBP does not use any MIM parts. FMJ 1.65". I ran a series of 6-dot and 5-circle drills with my Colt M45A1. The Marine Corps had chosen the tan Colts, official designation M45A1, as a commercial replacement for the legendary, custom, Quantico-built M1911s issued to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Marine Raiders and the Corps Force Reconnaissance Marines. With the exception of the overtly poor, reloaded cartridge, the Colt M45A1 was 100% reliable and the front sight didnt fly off. This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. I have other Colt 1911s with smooth front straps, so I guess its just not something thats in Colts playbook for their stock pistols. The Colt M45A1 is the new USMC service pistol. The Colt M45A1 CQBP comes with a cold-hammer forged, polished stainless steel 5" National Match barrel and a NM bushing. Fast forward twenty years and Im at the same dealer, picking up some transfers and he shows me a Colt M45A1. I've picked up used cerakote M45A1 rollmark guns for $1200. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The USMC-marked pistol is from one of the early runs when Colt was using the same rollmark that they applied to the actual USMC guns. My only experience with a military .45 was at AFROTC summer training. On July 20, 2012, the Colt 1911 Rail Gun was selected and won a contract to initially deliver 4,000 pistols for MARSOC and Force Recon. When this holster is brand new it will be a "snug" fit. [2], The pistol's components are hand-fitted and are not interchangeable. Every piece of steel in theM45A1is machined to specific tolerances and tested to the specifications put forth by the United States Marine Corps. The only thing I would change about it would be to checker the front strap. You may have read our first reviewhere, or our second here. [9] However, it is more common for a Marine to return the pistol to the PWS at Quantico for a rebuild after 10,000 rounds have been fired. Three versions ofM45A1were made. In the hand, that level of precision translated to straightforward hits on tough and distant targets. IT12346351005. Southeast Guns 2023. News, Handguns, Semi-Auto Handguns. The MEU(SOC) pistol, ("Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC))") officially designated the M45 MEUSOC,[5] is a magazine-fed, recoil-operated, single-action, semiautomatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. (2003)"Marines New SOCOM Pistol", Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable), "Some MEU's Still Carry Proven M1911 .45's", "10--Parts for M-45, MEUSOC Pistol - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities", "Strong Men Armed: The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company Part III Section 2", "MEU 1911 .45: the Legend Lives in the Hands of Today's Marines", "SNOTE - 10 - MEU(SOC) 45 caliber pistols - 17-Feb-05 - FBO#1179", "SRCSGT - 10 - MEUSOC .45 PISTOL - 09-Nov-08 - FBO#2540", "Corps considers 2 guns for new MARSOC .45", "Colt Defense LLC Announces Award of Marine Corps M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP) Contract", Why the Marines adopted the M45 Colt 1911, "Reconnaissance Marines train with Close-Quarters Battle Pistol", M45A1: A New Colt .45 for the 21st Century, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MEU(SOC)_pistol&oldid=1136083215, Trained Weapons Training Battalion armorers, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 17:30. In Oct. 2016 the U.S. Marine Corps announced Glock 19s would replace the .45 ACP-chambered Colt M45A1s carried by members . Model O1070CQB is the Custom Shop version with tuned trigger and oversized fitted barrel, green Pelican case, Otis cleaning kit, test target, and two Wilson 7-round magazines. This added weight, in addition to the dual spring slap back, provide for noticeably less recoil. of weight, with a very short 0.1"/2mm reset. [13] This is the same pistol used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation SWAT and Hostage Rescue Teams; however, it had previously been rejected for adoption as the ICQB. Each knotted tight groups that would do a custom pistol proud, averaging 1.48" for five separate loads. Here are the features to watch out for. Copyright2016-2023 DigitoolmediaSrls VATNo. Maybe they are worried theyll run out of hand grenades? It is bug enough - yet snug enough to retain the M45A1 and other railed 5" 1911s. Whether or not Colt had the time to honor the contract, is unknown: on September 30, 2016, the United States Marine Corps announced that all 1911 type pistols still used by its special operation units would be replaced by the Glock 19 and it seemingly included the new Colt M45A1 CQBP. Having read quite a bit of gun rags (this was the in mid 1990s during the pre internet days), I knew I needed a 1911 chambered in a mans cartridge, 45 ACP. Just four short years after the M45A1s were initially issued to the Marines, on September 30th, 2016, the USMC announced that all 1911 type pistols still used by its special operation units would be replaced by the Glock 19. The Colt incorporates a slightly beveled magazine well to facilitate reloads. I overlooked that fact that whoever coated it, missed some spots. Maintaining the simple recoil assembly, 5-inch barrel (though using a stainless steel match grade barrel), and internal extractor, the ICQB is not much different from Browning's original design. XTP 1.47" Nosler 185-gr. Now before you could even buy one you had to sign up for the Gunbroker Gold program. The FDE Cerakote finish was average at best, but it still looked cool. Six right-handed grooves, 1 twist in 16", Novak LoMount or Trijicon high-visibility sights with Tritium dots, Machined stainless steel frame and slide While the Colt Model 601 was the first AR-15 to be mass-produced, there were several design variations that came before during the platform's development. Quick view Add to Cart. The Colt M45A1 CQBP pistol is based on the tried and true Series 80 platform: it comes with a single-action trigger, a skeletonized enhanced hammer, an automatic firing pin safety, an ambidextrous frame-mounted manual safety, and an improved and crisp trigger pull - about two kilos or just under 6 lbs. If you would like to make an offer for this gun please send an email to southeastgunshots@gmail.com. The pistols shipped in the original cardboard container with the contract-correct black Wilson Combat seven-round magazine. $ 1,649.00. Hitting an 8" plate at 50 yds. By clicking the "OK" button, you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. Colt decided to employ a National Match barrel in theM45A1instead of their normal barrel option. Out of stock. [1][2][7][11], The trigger-pull weight is specified at between 4.5 and 5.0 pounds-force (20 and 22 newtons). The coarse checkering on the multi-colored G10 panels assists in anchoring the handgun, as does an undercut trigger guard which allows a high hand hold. The first version is one that went to the military, stamped USMC on the slide and delivered in a cardboard box with two Wilson 7-round magazines. Hes only had one run away gun and a hand full of hammer follow situations Ive witnessed- normally they dont function well enough to get that worn (keep in mind this is over the course of decades, during which time he has owned scores of 1911 pistols). There is the EGA serial suffix (for the Corps iconic eagle, globe and anchor insignia), the U.S. markings, and the small set of numbers and CQBP denoting the official description of Close Quarters Battle Pistol. The inboard side of the handgun has a rather large COLT***USMC marking that struck me at the time of issue as gaudy and a blatant attempt by Colt to mark the government-contract pistols in such a way as to facilitate marketing the look-alike commercial version. I found a Don Hume 715 MC IWB holster that it fit-good enough. The first contract, as published on July 20, 2012, bound Colt to deliver 4,000 samples initially, and up to 12,000 samples in the following years; the contract was said to be worth $22.5 million to Colt. Colt released these original Marine Corps pistols to the public. Was it hand held of benched? The Marines bought it and I had to have one. My pistol is the commercial, non-custom shop version and I wouldnt own it had I not been a gun shop owner who could buy wholesale when these became available. These pistols are the first U.S.G.I. More importantly, this feature was intended to decrease the battering the pistol takes on recoil. If the highest accuracy and best trigger is your goal, get a custom shop model. Not all civilian M45s go through the Custom Shop. EU Gun Ban: a new Call to Action from Firearms United! The gun ran like a top. When the enemy breaches the position, any of them will do. At more than 100 years old, theres undeniable attraction to the John Moses Browning design, even brand new ones with elegant upgrades that enhance performance without compromising his vision. USMC Colt Custom Shop, Pelican case - might be as high as 800 made. [2], In the late 1980s, USMC Colonel Robert Young laid out a series of specifications and improvements to make Browning's design ready for 21st century combat, many of which have been included in MEU(SOC) pistol designs. I headed to the range with my 1911, a case of Winchester 230 grain ball and a couple hundred rounds of Cor-Bon 185 grain JHP (the gun rags of that day told you to shoot 200 rounds of your defensive load of choice). The Marine Colt pistol was designated the M45A1. The decoms will always be worth a premium. At the time, he even sighted in the gun at the range using the ammunition choice you wanted, I selected 10 yards with Cor Bon 185 JHP. Manufacturer: Colt Model: M45A1 Marine Government Width: 1.25" Height: 5.5" Accessories: Manual, Lock Action: Single Barrel Finish: Polished Barrel Length: 5" Barrel Twist: 1:16 Barrel Type: Match Caliber: 45 ACP Capacity: 7 # of Magazines: 1 Frame Color: FDE Frame Finish: Decobond Frame Material: Steel Front Sight: Novak Night Sight Fans of the 1911 expressed their disgust as nearly 4,000 of the handguns were de-commissioned. It was largely (maybe entirely) unannounced and seemed odd, or even suspect, but there was a factory letter from Colt to guarantee authenticity. And yet, a lot of gun enthusiasts andcollectors have been happy to wait to get one. The one-of-a-kind markings are all there. In addition to the desert tan color, the forward slide serrations and the section of M1913 Picatinny accessory rail immediately stand out and separate the pistol from the typical service M1911. [7] They were then assembled with after-market grip safeties, a rounded hammer, ambidextrous thumb safeties, lighter triggers made by Videcki, improved high-visibility sights, accurized match-grade barrels made by Bar-Sto, Pachmayr rubber grips, front cocking-serrations, and improved stainless steel magazines made by Wilson Combat. That short resurrection of the M45A1 as the primary sidearm for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Marine Raiders and the Corps Force Reconnaissance Marines resulted in some fine hardware becoming available to those of us who appreciate fine shooting gear and others who have the resources and desire to collect unusual and limited issue guns. In an effort to makegunsthat are traditionally built with steel more affordable, gunmanufacturers have created a process to mold low impact gunparts rather than forge or mill each one. [2] The last four digits of the weapon's serial number are stamped on the top of the barrel, on the right-side of slide assembly, inside of the beavertail grip safety, on each side of the ambidextrous thumb safety, and on the inside face of the mainspring housing group. Match 1.60" Winchester 230-gr.