Marine Corps places ID/IQ Order for Colt 1911A1 .45 Rail Gun

[allingeneral]

On Friday it was announced that the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) would be placing an order for up to 12,000 .45 caliber Colt 1911A1 Rail Guns to be the new M45 MEU(SOC) pistol. Below is the official announcement from Colt Defense LLC (via the Dalton Agency).

Colt Defense LLC has been awarded an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity contract by the U.S. Marine Corps for up to 12,000 M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spares and logistical support. The new CQBP is a direct descendant of the iconic Colt M1911 adopted by the U.S. military in 1911 and carried as the primary sidearm through all the major conflicts of the 20th century.

The CQBP contract is for a five-year period and has a potential value of up to $22.5 million. The CQBP expands on a long history of MARCORSYSCOM re-building original Government-issue 1911s, primarily for use by Force Recon and MARSOC units.

“This is a truly gratifying contract award,” said Gerry Dinkel, President and CEO of Colt Defense. “To have the 1911 selected again for U.S. Forces 101 years after its initial introduction is just an incredible testament to the timeless design and effectiveness of the Colt 1911. Colt Defense looks forward to another great partnership with the Marine Corps as we renew industry production of the military 1911.”

The initial Delivery Order on the contract is for 4036 CQBP, plus spares. Deliveries will begin later this year.

[Rich]

Great news.

[OakRidgeStars]

John Browning would be proud

[dorminWS]

It is great news. I know there's a reason to have it there, but that damned ugly-@ss rail they've got hanging under it sort of tarnishes the guild on the lilly, though.

[Jamie]

Heh. Coyote tan. I guess the Marines are expecting to be sent to another sandbox before they get sent to China.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Well personally I would rather see like a m&p on 45. But at least it's a 45.

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[rromeo]

Well personally I would rather see like a m&p on 45. But at least it's a 45.

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I think they wanted another 1911 so everything was familiar and current holsters could be retained.

[Diomed]

I think they wanted another 1911 so everything was familiar and current holsters could be retained.

.mil has to have a manual safety and an exposed hammer. There's no chance of a striker-fired pistol being adopted without a major cultural shift at the Pentagon.

[scrubber3]

Heh. Coyote tan. I guess the Marines are expecting to be sent to another sandbox before they get sent to China.

There is more brown in the woods than black... Just saying. I'm just happy they aren't ordering the POS M9. It'd be great to see all of our military combat MOSs carrying a .45. Leave the M9s for the supply clerks. (keep in mind that all ammo has to be ball type) at least for regular force guys.

[AlanM]

Unfortunately there are some problems with product life.

Test Article Photos of MARSOC Winning Colt Rail Guns

It looks to me that the slide and frame (receiver) are investment cast rather than machined from billets.
I've never seen, or know how/why, the dust shield section of a 1911 receiver crack.

Here's another, more informative article:
USMC orders 4036 M45 CQBP pistols from Colt

Here's the other side:

Ambi safety.
I'm surprised Colt didn't open up the ejection port to better preclude smoke stacking.
They seem to have added all of the other "tweeks" that have been made pretty much standard in the last 35 years. Memory bump beaver tail palm safety, skeletonized burr hammer, night sights, accessory rail, ambi safety etc.

Other than the accessory rail, ejection port, ambi safety, and "baby's first summer" color that thing looks a lot like my 1986 hand built SS Caspian Arms framed 1911.
My frame has 20 lpi checkering on the front of the grip and on the curved mainspring housing for a MUCH better grip.

[scrubber3]

Holy wow. Looks like bad metal to me. Better change their sourcing or switch to a better weapon. I'd hate to qualify with a 1911, ship out and have a secondary weapon failure when you need it the most.

Not to stir anything up, but there are better military platforms out there. Just saying.... Lighter, more reliable, easier to maintain, and carry more rounds in the magazine. Ahem, Glock... HK.... Sig...