About that time, the Custom Shop was downsized and no more of the Custom Shop M45A1s were made. Manufactured by Colt and available for commercial and professional sales alike, the M45A1 CQBP has been available to civilian shooters in the United States for quite some time; nowit is available to European gun enthusiasts as well. When I sat down to write this story, I did my best to research the quantities of each type of pistol made and to get an idea of what might be available. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A close-up of the rear portion of the gun with its hammer cocked. GUNSweek.com is a new online platform dedicated to the diffusion of technical knowledge in the gun world. [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. Tan cerakote finish. I have a DECOMM and an unfired NIB Pelican case Custom Shop USMC. 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). One thing that makes this particularpistolso much more than a normal Colt Rail Gunor similarly railed 1911 is the absence of MIM (or Metal Injection Molding) parts anywhere in the gun. The dual springs have a noticeable slap-back during firing, and the flared and lowered ejection port help to eject spent shells out and to the right of thepistoland not back into your face. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. See also [ edit] CCS M45A1 is really a good deal @ $2k price point (MSRP). 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. After a rigorous selection process, the United States Marine Corps selected this Colt Rail Gun as their Close Quarters Battle Pistol (CQBP). [2], The pistol's components are hand-fitted and are not interchangeable. 2.939,00(Europe). The M45A1 feels heavy compared to other full-size 1911s. The grip safety features an extended beavertail. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. This pistol utilizes the Series 80 fire control system which means it has an internal firing pin safety. when unloaded. Among its key improvements over its predecessors is the use of Colt's patented Dual Recoil Spring System, which heavily mitigates the recoil impulse of the powerful .45 ACP caliber allowing faster target re-acquisition and quicker follow-up shots, potentially a key factor in gunfighting and boosts the recoil springs' own service life. Corporal Gravenese demonstrates the power of the pistol as shown as above. So, while it costs less than the custom shop version and doesnt have the USMC roll mark; it is more like the pistol the Marines bought, because it is off the production line and not hand fitted (I confirmed this). Weight of the gun, empty, is listed at 40 ounces. Colt also offers a custom shop civilian model to achieve higher accuracy; but the Marine issue model is the production grade pistol. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. The FDE Cerakote finish was average at best, but it still looked cool. Based on the classic 1911, which has served the United States since 1911, the M45A1 CQBP continues the tradition of having John Brownings. [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. 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. Description: COLT USMC MARKED M45A1, Cerakote blue box edition, slide has the very rare USMC rollmark. They were certainly the genuine article, with the exception that Colt had marked through the large USMC on the slide with a laser-etched X to signify the decommissioning. By the time my gun came back from Wayne, years had passed since the original purchase date. [6][7], In 2002, an article in American Handgunner stated that "Marine armorers from the Precision Weapons Section, MCBQ" are making 789 MEU (SOC) 1911's. used but great shape. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); S&W CSX Is it Really the New ChiefsSpecial? 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? (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. (LogOut/ 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. [2], In 2012, the Marine Corps awarded Colt a contract for up to 12,000 M45A1 pistols with an initial order of 4036 pistols. What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? Comes with the original box, paperwork, and two magazines. In February 2015, the Marine Corps approved the Glock 19 for MARSOC units. great shape, this is not the decom model either. June 4, 2015 Get your piece of American history before is gone. This handgun has never been fired! Springfield Armory entered a variant of the full-sized Loaded MC Operator M1911A1 pistol with a military-standard 1913 rail, tritium night sights and finished with a two-tone black slide with an olive-drab green frame. Shooting two handed, strong side only and weak side only it functioned flawlessly. The Colt M45A1 is the new USMC service pistol. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association. ) I believe there was also a run of grey M45s with front strap checkering that were not CS guns.. And for those concerned, I've found that a good set of G10 grips are sufficiently inherently grippy to significantly mitigate against the need for front strap checkering on a 1911 (although it certainly doesn't hurt). Unique and very rare COLT 1911 USMC ROLLMARK COLT 1911 USMC ROLLMARK U.S. MARINES M45A1 SEMPER FI FDE, Colt M45A1 USMC Close Quarter Battle Pistol, Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Model 29 S&W CLASSICS 6 1/2 Blue Revolver, Colt AR-15 A2 HBAR Gov Model in .223 Z-COTE Limited Edition of 250 Pre-ban. Related Products. Not bad- but not great. Here are the features to watch out for. The gun ran like a top. The M45A1 proved exceptionally stable and accurate at the range. In other cases on specific guns, the finish was not wearing as durably as expected. You will hear different stories, but the simplest is that the M45A1 was Colts first large-scale run of Cerakoted pistols. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. 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. Reviews (0) After a rigorous selection process, the United States Marine Corps selected this Colt Rail Gun as their Close Quarters Battle Pistol (CQBP). Sold WALTHER PPK RARE EAGLE F DURALUMINUM, Pre98 Antiques Military Firearms Collecting Outlook for 2020. The low number of malfunctions also proves the reliability of a handgun system that was built to save lives. A round indexed in the chambering position on feeding ramp of the M45A1, The M45A1 skips the mainstream Cerakote finish for a more resistant IonBond Decobond coating. Customer experience was, and still is, the primary focus, a key to the firms longevity and success. I couldnt say no and bought the gun (Id buy a broken toaster with USMC stamped on it). Nearly 20 years to the day that I first brought my original Colt 1911 to the range, I prepared to head out with my new M45A1. NEW IN THE BOX, WE HAVE A COLT USMC CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE PISTOL M45A1. These pistols are the first U.S.G.I. There were only 20 of these made and this one is the 17th of the series. The Marine Corps objected to Colt doing that so they had to change the rollmark on commercial pistols to "M45A1" instead. MSRP comes in at $1,699. Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear. Even more so considering these guns were largely expected to be the last government-issue M1911s and, further, models specific to Marine Raiders and Force Reconnaissance. That was me who snagged. 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. All rights reserved. [9] The frame is inspected and reused if it is still within military specifications. $ 1,649.00. It was largely (maybe entirely) unannounced and seemed odd, or even suspect, but there was a factory letter from Colt to guarantee authenticity. Not all civilian M45s go through the Custom Shop. Just over 100 years separated the issue of the M1911A1-based Marine M45A1 Colts from the Corps initial shipment of the M1911. Davids Articles at GUNS, American Handgunner & Shooting Industry Magazines. Colt AR15A4. 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 was not the question, rather, it was how tightly I could group the splatter marks. Wayne is one of the premier pistol smiths in the country. [9][10] There are frames in the USMC inventory that have had as many as 500,000 rounds fired through them. 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 bought a used Generation 2 Glock 19 to shoot the rest of the time I was home, before heading back to my duty station in MCAGCC, 29 Palms, CA, a few thousand miles away. [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. A huge proponent of the system, he has been lecturing me about the benefits of the 1911 platform for nearly two decades. Based on the classic 1911, which has served the United States since 1911, the M45A1 CQBP continues the tradition of having John Brownings classic pistol filling the holsters of our nations finest weapons.The jacket worn is a Tru-Spec 24/7 softshell available on Amazon or at Gander Mountain.PLEASE SUPPORT MAC ON PATREON: http://www.patreon.com/militaryarms-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-Please watch: \"BCM Mk12 with AEM5 Silencer and some cool winter rigging!\" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf1bGpc0aHo-~-~~-~~~-~~-~- The pistol functioned well for the first three rounds, but then I couldnt find my front sight- literally- it flew off! Therefore, almost all of these pistols are marked M45A1 and only a small percentage have the USMC rollmark. Many of the issued pistols that came to market have the tells of service life: paint pen or spray paint stenciled rack numbers, holster wear, dings or gouges from rough use. Cycling the pistols revealed the fit to be smooth but clearly tighter than a typical commercial M1911. Trying to see if the USMC needs to find a home. I finally got my .45 10 years after I retired. Many small parts, including the hammer and trigger, are manufactured out of aluminum, but both the slide and frame are machined in solid stainless steel and Decobond-finished in desert tan color. This is very unique and very rare COLT 1911 USMC ROLLMARK U.S. MARINES M45A1 SEMPER FI FDE. I figured I needed some professional intervention so I sent the pistol off to Wayne Novak. Colt offered a modified version of their O1980RG (Rail Gun) pistol, which is derived from their existing XSE line of 1911-style pistols with a desert sand-colored surface treatment and Novak night sights. 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 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. Colt. This is very unique and very rare COLT 1911 USMC ROLLMARK U.S. MARINES M45A1 SEMPER FI FDE. [8], A Marine operator may shoot as many as 80,000 rounds from this pistol during a training-cycle and subsequent deployment. Not all civilian M45s go through the Custom Shop. Dec 1, 2014 (Edited) It's kinda tricky, commercial sale frames were pulled right from the contract gun production line. These particular pistols only had the USMC rollmark during the early production. Hello - I am looking at 2 Colts - one is the Colt M45A1 (custom shop w/ green pelican case) and the other is the Colt M45A1 with the USMC roll marks. I am very interested in the pricey but very cool looking new Colt 1911 M45A1 Marine Close Quarters Battle Pistol. My old unit carried them on special operations missions around the world for a couple of years and then completed the en masse switch to the Glock 19 that had been occurring gradually even before the Colts adoption. I didnt think much on it at the time, but as we received those first tan Colts and issued them out to our Raiders it was just a few months more than 100 years since Colt had delivered its initial shipment of the U.S. The mentioned non-captive, dual recoil spring solves cycling issues that 1911-type pistols usually experience due to spring strengths; a widened and flared ejection window and a polished and coated feeding ramp also address two other key design issues that are known to cause malfunctions on the 1911 pistol platform. If one looks closely at the trigger guard, Colt has the V-shaped proofmark that was present on earlier government handguns, such as the 1909 USMC revolver. Glocks uses MIM parts and a polymer frame yet are widely considered to be among the most reliable and durable firearms ever created. Under this point of view, the Colt M45A1 CQBP is definitely the 1911 of the 21st Century. [16] The Marine Corps issued the M45A1 to Force Reconnaissance companies, MARSOC and Special Reaction Teams from the Provost Marshals Office. Fit and finish were OK, but the Marines use it, so that is worth the premium. Handgun Hard Choices: Colt M1911 or S&W M1917? Jun 21, 2013 1911, 45 Auto, Colt .45, Colt 1911, Colt M45, Colt Marine Corps 1911, Colt O1017CQB, feature, Marine Corps pistol. [9][11] Tritium Novak LoMount sights replaced the originals which were made in-house by the Marines.[9][11]. all 1911 type pistols still used by its special operation units would be replaced by the Glock 19, eyeing the Glock 19 as the next standard service pistol, Extrema Ratio 25 years: Misericordia Desert, IWA OutdoorClassics 2023: highlights on a revolutionary edition, Chiappa Firearms M6 X-Caliber: the survival rifle coming from the sky, Safety recall for Smith & Wesson M&P-9 and M&P-380 Shield EZ pistols, Kel-Tec KSG410, the small-caliber bull-pup pump shotgun. In Oct. 2016 the U.S. Marine Corps announced Glock 19s would replace the .45 ACP-chambered Colt M45A1s carried by members . Every piece of steel in theM45A1is machined to specific tolerances and tested to the specifications put forth by the United States Marine Corps. The prices seemed to stabilize in the mid-$3,000s, and then the pistols largely stopped moving, presumably occupying prized places in safes across the country. The Marine Corps is aware of this yet opted for steel, so consequently the CQBP does not use any MIM parts. I suspect it will only be worth more as time marches on. It is $50/year and gives you access supposedly to some good deals. (camp). 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. Those should be Novak LoMount sights, according to the official technical specs, but some M45A1 CQBP samples ours included are issued with Trijicon sights. Two Wilson Combat magazines. The M45A1 CQBP pistol is issued with Wilson black metal single-stack magazines, holding 7+1 rounds. At any given time, one or two may show up on Gunbroker.com with prices that would only appeal to collectors. While not as corrosion resistant, it is far more durable of a finish. These were going right to work, and they looked promising. Before word could even circulate in casual conversation, the pistols were snapped up at prices that were lower than comparable commercial Colts. If you would like to make an offer for this gun please send an email to southeastgunshots@gmail.com. One thing is for sure: the M45A1 CQBP is not a handgun for everybody. Colt decided to employ a National Match barrel in theM45A1instead of their normal barrel option. A large batch, rumored to be nearly 1,000 pistols, hit the Gunbroker auction site (gunbroker.com) described as decommissioned USMC 1911 M45A1s. 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 Hitting an 8" plate at 50 yds. Back in March 2016, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, openly declared to be eyeing the Glock 19 as the next standard service pistol. 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. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. Should you buy one? The contract was said to be worth $22.5M to Colt. 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. The Colt M45A1 is the new USMC service pistol. The silence was deafening, though, when they became available and Colt continued to produce a civilian variant. Despite a host of refinements and enhancements, the new models method of operation and construction remain essentially unchanged from those of the John Browning-designed original. MIM parts are widely accepted as the standard in the industry. I have other Colt 1911s with smooth front straps, so I guess its just not something thats in Colts playbook for their stock pistols. Quick view Out of stock. It actually protected the Colt M45A1 on the way too and from the range. It is a Fletch High Rise OWB Holster. Since he edits this website, Ill pretend that I was there when one of them worked flawlessly. Since 2017, Colt has been offering a commercial variant of the M45A1 CQBP with either a Decobond FDE or a two-tone finish over a stainless steel receiver and slide. Maybe they are worried theyll run out of hand grenades? The M45A1 has a dual recoil spring assembly which seems to dampen recoil somewhat. When Remington offered a [], 1911 Rear sight installation (Novak style cut) Aftermarket sights are a common upgrade on 1911 pistols. To make an offer please complete the form below: Minimum price for the offer must be greater than or equal to $0. The ejection port was modified by widening it and flaring it out. Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE. I went through the boxes with the armorers, examining a few random Colts to get a sense of the pistols. I overlooked the fact that it was a Colt and my awful past with Colt. In the hand, that level of precision translated to straightforward hits on tough and distant targets. In Oct. 2016 the U.S. Marine Corps announced Glock 19s would replace the .45 ACP-chambered Colt M45A1s carried by members of its Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) teams.