When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Marine Corps HQ demanded that Colt stop using the USMC rollmark, so all subsequent pistols were marked M45A1. Particularly for specialized 1911 collectors, a pistol with the history and background of the Colt M45A1 CQBP is a must-have. Thats because at 40 oz., it is heavy. 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. Fit and finish were OK, but the Marines use it, so that is worth the premium. Quick view Out of stock. And after all, the ongoing XM17 MHS (Modular Handgun System) program which is slated to lead to the replacement of the Beretta M9 as the standard service pistol for the U.S. Armed Forces seems to have narrowed down its entrants to a number of strictly striker-fired, polymer frame pistols. The one-of-a-kind markings are all there. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Two Wilson Combat magazines. JavaScript is disabled. Jun 21, 2013 1911, 45 Auto, Colt .45, Colt 1911, Colt M45, Colt Marine Corps 1911, Colt O1017CQB, feature, Marine Corps pistol. IT12346351005. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. I've picked up used cerakote M45A1 rollmark guns for $1200. great shape, this is not the decom model either. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I cleared the pistol, engaged the safety, and couldnt take it off safe. Dual Recoil spring system reduces felt . 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. When Remington offered a [], 1911 Rear sight installation (Novak style cut) Aftermarket sights are a common upgrade on 1911 pistols. I have a local company that can make a kydex holster but I dont like kydex. The decision had been anticipated in February 2015, when the USMC first officially authorized its special operation units to carry Glock pistols in lieu of the 1911, at the operator's will. Interestingly, many of these very same pistols recently hit the civilian market in a way that took military enthusiasts and collectors completely by surprise. The decoms will always be worth a premium. Brand new IonBond blue box can be had for less than $1500. See also [ edit] The firearm felt like it had close tolerances, with everything locking up firmly, but without that hand-fitted exactness one can feel in a custom M1911. Under normal circumstances, yes too much by $400, assuming it is a M45A1 rollmark. Bill Marr Fit and finish were OK, but the Marines use it, so that is worth the premium. 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 [12] The rollmark has now changed to "COLT***M45A1" for both Custom Shop and regular production guns. Years later, my father-in-law bought it from me for about 40% of what I paid for it, to this day I consider it an act of mercy. Colt also offers a custom shop civilian model to achieve higher accuracy; but the Marine issue model is the production grade 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. [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. The M45A1 CQBP pistol is issued with Wilson black metal single-stack magazines, holding 7+1 rounds. I was looking at the first shipment from that contract, and my Marines would be the first to be issued the .45s. Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. Should you buy one? 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 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. I was at my local gun shop when a Marine was picking up two that he had won. [9][10] There are frames in the USMC inventory that have had as many as 500,000 rounds fired through them. It was the kind of day that a gun guy can never forget. He told me this happens all the time with Colts and sent it back for repair. The improved M45A1 CQBP features several changes to the original M1911A1 design. Any assistance is much appreciated. Quick view Add to Cart. 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. By clicking the "OK" button, you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. I figured I needed some professional intervention so I sent the pistol off to Wayne Novak. The M45A1 feels heavy compared to other full-size 1911s. 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. [15] The pistol was redesignated the M45A1 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP) and up to 12,000 will be delivered. (LogOut/ Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. GUNSweek.com is a new online platform dedicated to the diffusion of technical knowledge in the gun world. A slight bevel at the magazine well enhances reload speed and the thumb safety is ambidextrous. Barrel length is 5 inches, dual recoil springs reduce perceived recoil and magazine capacity is seven rounds. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. My M45A1 has had hundreds of rounds put through it, both ball and JHP, and has not experienced any type of failure. Get your piece of American history before is gone. We are fortunate that they found their way onto the public market. When it was first launched, the Colt M45A1 was described as "a highly enhanced version of an already excellent combat weapon" by William F. Keys a retired Lieutenant General of the United States Marine Corps who was also Colt's President and CEO back then. Just over 100 years separated the issue of the M1911A1-based Marine M45A1 Colts from the Corps initial shipment of the M1911. It turns out the rear stake of the safety plunger tube broke off causing the safety lock detent to move over the bottom edge of the factory safety. VERY RARE AND VERY COLLECTIBLE! [2], In 2012, the Marine Corps awarded Colt a contract for up to 12,000 M45A1 pistols with an initial order of 4036 pistols. (camp). View all posts by David Freeman. How about that? And if you are looking for a 1911 derivative that can reasonably be called "the best 1911 on the market" at least when it comes to non-luxury, field-ready variants then look no further. 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. M45A1 - Colt custom shop vs Production version.which should I buy? 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 decommissioned with the X is and will remain to be worth more. Not all civilian M45s go through the Custom Shop. 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. I scored a 92-20X. Shooting two handed, strong side only and weak side only it functioned flawlessly. Im thinking having that done would make my pistol less valuable as a collector item, plus its not a gun Ill shoot very often so my front strap will remain smooth. 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. [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. In the hand, that level of precision translated to straightforward hits on tough and distant targets. 3. Quantico began exhaustive testing on other finishes to specify a modification to the contract. Never miss a post! 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. One feature is the dual recoil spring system that spreads out the recoil force of the .45 ACP round by lowering the peak force of the recoil pulse. The silence was deafening, though, when they became available and Colt continued to produce a civilian variant. Here are the features to watch out for. 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. Marine Corps Systems Command announced February 17, 2005, that it was going to purchase 150 Springfield Armory Professional Model pistols for use as MEU(SOC) pistols. It is bug enough - yet snug enough to retain the M45A1 and other railed 5" 1911s. For the pure sake of being worth more money down the line, no question about it. By far, the most common of the USMC rollmarks is the Custom Shop Pelican cased version, and is very likely to be the one anyone encounters. It . described as decommissioned USMC 1911 M45A1s. I've been looking for holsters for mine. That was me who snagged. Dave I use a Galco Model Number FL212. 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.