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. Genuine Marine Corps M45A1 Coltsused by Marine Raiders and Force Reconnaissancewere decommissioned and became available on the civilian market complete with their original packaging and letters of authenticity. USMC Colt Custom Shop, Pelican case - might be as high as 800 made. Barrel length is 5 inches, dual recoil springs reduce perceived recoil and magazine capacity is seven rounds. The .45 maintains a traditional military lanyard loop in the flat, serrated mainspring housing. described as decommissioned USMC 1911 M45A1s. Cleaning kit. How about that? Just over 100 years separated the issue of the M1911A1-based Marine M45A1 Colts from the Corps initial shipment of the M1911. Those should be Novak LoMount sights, according to the official technical specs, but some M45A1 CQBP samples ours included are issued with Trijicon sights. What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? 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. However, the group all remarked that the pistols certainly seemed to be accurate using the government-issue hardball ammunition. 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. Was it hand held of benched? The pistols shipped in the original cardboard container with the contract-correct black Wilson Combat seven-round magazine. What do you get for spending the extra money for a custom shop version? A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. 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. The third version was the Colt Custom Shop edition, also known as the Civilian version. 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 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. I personally wont sell either but if I did, Id keep the Custom Shop gun simply because its unfired. This sample proved that sentiment. Two bigthings happened to me when I turned 18, I joined the Marines and I bought my first pistol (in the state I live in, you used to be able to obtain a handgun license at the age of 18). Weight of the gun, empty, is listed at 40 ounces. The Colt gobbled up a wide variety of bullet profiles, cycling smoothly and without hesitation, while grouping each in a cluster that fit within the space the front sight covered at any given distance. He switched over to a Dan Wesson 9mm 1911 with gamer sights on it. Sweet! [16] The Colt design is considered an upgrade of the previous pistol, not an entirely new design. 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. 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. 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. The trigger is smooth even by series 80 standards and breaks cleanly at 5 lbs. He refuses to touch a polymer gun, expect for the Springfield XD I sold him around 2000 (I think he sold it within days). The M45A1 has a dual recoil spring assembly which seems to dampen recoil somewhat. [16] The Marine Corps issued the M45A1 to Force Reconnaissance companies, MARSOC and Special Reaction Teams from the Provost Marshals Office. Out of stock. Colt also offers a custom shop civilian model to achieve higher accuracy; but the Marine issue model is the production grade pistol. [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. By clicking the "OK" button, you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. XTP 1.47" Nosler 185-gr. VERY RARE AND VERY COLLECTIBLE! All tests most notably those carried on by civilian and military experts in the U.S. with a wide variety of commercial and service-grade ammunition show an incredible and constant accuracy level, with an average group width of 10 cm at around 20 metres (4" groups at 25 yards). 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. The one-of-a-kind markings are all there. sidearm was the Beretta M9 (92FS) chambered in 9mm Luger. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. FMJ 1.65". The gun ran well. The silence was deafening, though, when they became available and Colt continued to produce a civilian variant. The M45A1 proved exceptionally stable and accurate at the range. A close-up of the rear portion of the gun with its hammer cocked. I was able to put five of eight shots onto my 3"-wide truth teller steel targeta task that is normally a tough slog at 25 yds. Is it just a collector mentality To have the USMC? The contract was said to be worth $22.5M to Colt. 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. Outside of the mentioned ambidextrous manual safety, the controls configuration is the same as on any other 1911 variant. At any given time, one or two may show up on Gunbroker.com with prices that would only appeal to collectors. He told me this happens all the time with Colts and sent it back for repair. It is $50/year and gives you access supposedly to some good deals. [10], The final units as issued to MCSOCOM Det-1 are the Kimber ICQBs with SureFire Integrated Military Pistol Light (IMPL), Dawson Precision rail, Gemtech TRL Tactical Retention Lanyards based upon the jury-rigged telephone cord versions, modified Safariland 6004 holsters, Simonich G-10 Gunner Grips manufactured by Simonich Knives and Strider Knives replaced the original Pachmayr rubber grips, and Wilson Combat's '47D' 8-round magazines. The Colt M45A1 CQBP semi-automatic pistol is the latest iteration of the .45 caliber 1911 pistol, as adopted in 2012 by the United States Marine Corps, The M45A1 was conceived for the USMC Special Operations Units. Which do you guys would think would be more desirable down the line.. The .45s had a number of features that jumped right out: the light rails, the aggressively checkered G10 stockswhich replaced the Pachmayrs we had used for so longtritium vials in the Novak sights, and unique markings on the frames and slides. THESE PISTOLS WERE BUILT FOR THE USMC BY NOVAK FOR COLT, AND THERE WERE NOT MANY MADE. The Colt incorporates a slightly beveled magazine well to facilitate reloads. An identical version coming off the same assembly line was sold to the civilian market. Representative five-shot group (25 yds. 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 which was officially adopted in 1986. A huge proponent of the system, he has been lecturing me about the benefits of the 1911 platform for nearly two decades. They feature Novak three-dot night sights, M1913-spec Picatinny rail and Decabond brown coating with nicely matching Desert Tan G10 grips. GUNSweek.com is a new online platform dedicated to the diffusion of technical knowledge in the gun world. Reviews (0) After a rigorous selection process, the United States Marine Corps selected this Colt Rail Gun as their Close Quarters Battle Pistol (CQBP). The Marine Corps objected to Colt doing that so they had to change the rollmark on commercial pistols to "M45A1" instead. In July 2012, the United States Marine Corps System Command announced that Colt Defense LLC of Hartford, Connecticut, was the winner of the new CQBP pistol contract. Rogers, Patrick A. Despite the planned purchase of the commercial pistols, Marine Corps Systems Command has continued to solicit parts to build additional MEU(SOC) pistols. I was able to lay my hands on one of the decommissioned M45A1s to examine and evaluate it, one author for American Rifleman wrote two years ago. AS THIS IS A MODERN PEOPLE KILLING GUN, WE WILL NEED YOU TO PROVIDE AN FFL FOR TRANSFER. Never miss a post! You must enable JavaScript to remove this banner. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. THIS IS 1913 DATED DWM MADE, In 97% original unmessed with condition, we have an early war high polish Czech made CZ27 pistol. Southeast Guns 2023. (camp). I'll be content with mine in Ion Bond marked M45A1 in the blue box. This handgun has never been fired! I figured I needed some professional intervention so I sent the pistol off to Wayne Novak. It must have been a special single shot model. The M45A1 pistol is 21,6 cm / 8.5" long overall and weighs 1,7 kilograms / 40 oz. 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. Category: PISTOLS. Normally his 1911 lectures are held during downtime at the range when he is repairing his 1911. A source request was sent out to Springfield Armory and the Springfield Operator, based on the FBI's TRP pistol was built. You just need to be willing to spend the money it takes to grab a true jewel of firearm technology. Similar to the Custom Shop CQB pistol, this is a production line version of the pistol that the Marines bought for the MARSOC units. 3. I know what you are thinking, why carry a gun that holds twice as many rounds, weighs less, is more compact, more reliable and costs a third as much- I must be nuts? Allrightsreserved. All M45A1s are currently marked COLT***M45A1 and have a darker, flat dark earth Ion Bond type finish referred to by Colt as Decobond. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. We decided to install Heine Ledge sights on our Series 80 Stainless Officers ACP. Solid aluminum grip and hammer 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. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. The low number of malfunctions also proves the reliability of a handgun system that was built to save lives. Each time I handle the M45A1, though, I silently bemoan Colts decision to leave the frontstrap untextured, particularly in a .45 that is often fired while wearing gloves. AFTER THE MILITARY RUN COLT STARTED TO PRODUCE THESE FOR THE COMMERICIAL MARKET WITH THE USMC LOGO AND JUST A THOUSAND OR SO WERE MADE WHEN THE MARINE CORPS ASKED THEM TO STOP USING THE USMC ROLL MARK. 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. As an avid Glock shooter, digging through my holster box to find one that fit was a chore. Novak was contracted for rear sights, Wilson Combat provided extractors and mag release buttons, while King's Gun Works supplied ambidextrous thumb safeties. The decommissioned pistols and the custom shop pistols all appear to be in the hands of collectors. in the shooters hands was the measure of the pistols accuracy. Interestingly, many of these very same pistols recently hit the civilian market in a way that took military enthusiasts and collectors completely by surprise. Fit and finish were OK, but the Marines use it, so that is worth the premium. Whatever side you're on in the neverending "Metal Vs. Polymer" battle, the facts remain: back in the 1980s, the well known Austrian company paved the way for the future and still leads the market, but nonetheless the 1911 pistol is still a pillar of the firearms industry and given its enduring popularity among law enforcement professionals and civilian shooters worldwide, it's likely to hold its position for decades to come. MIM parts are widely accepted as the standard in the industry. Scarcely mentioning the soon-be-collectible kept demand low, and availability proportionately high. For the pure sake of being worth more money down the line, no question about it. The slide is correctly roll marked with the USMC marking that has been factory stuck with an X to signify it as being decommissioned from the U.S.M.C. (LogOut/ Over the years Ive built quite a few custom rifles on Remington 700 actions. Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE. Shooting two handed, strong side only and weak side only it functioned flawlessly. 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. These decommissioned Colts will continue to be a hot item among both shooters and collectors for the foreseeable future. I cleared the pistol, engaged the safety, and couldnt take it off safe. The ejection port was modified by widening it and flaring it out. Therefore, almost all of these pistols are marked M45A1 and only a small percentage have the USMC rollmark. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. I can clearly recall the day that I met up with our Close Quarters Battle instructors to try out the new M45A1s for the first time. That is quite a service legacy for any military firearm. Dual Recoil spring system reduces felt . 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. If youre interested in a unique, firearm with a military history at around $1600, go for it. The instructor basically told us the Air Force felt the Army .45 was too much gun for us. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. There is a production version or a custom shop version available. The early finish problems encountered by the Marines were all fixed by the time the first 1,000 units had been issued. With the exception of the overtly poor, reloaded cartridge, the Colt M45A1 was 100% reliable and the front sight didnt fly off. [11] Kimber shortly began producing a limited number of what would be later termed the Interim Close Quarters Battle pistol (ICQB). 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 Colt M45A1 CQBP comes with a cold-hammer forged, polished stainless steel 5" National Match barrel and a NM bushing. Particularly for specialized 1911 collectors, a pistol with the history and background of the Colt M45A1 CQBP is a must-have. I have a local company that can make a kydex holster but I dont like kydex.
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