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. 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. The one-of-a-kind markings are all there. sidearm was the Beretta M9 (92FS) chambered in 9mm Luger. I suspect it will only be worth more as time marches on. Desert tan Decobond finish, $1,699.00 (MSRP U.S.A.) When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. It actually protected the Colt M45A1 on the way too and from the range. Cycling the pistols revealed the fit to be smooth but clearly tighter than a typical commercial M1911. Colt also offers a custom shop civilian model to achieve higher accuracy; but the Marine issue model is the production grade pistol. The pistols shipped in the original cardboard container with the contract-correct black Wilson Combat seven-round magazine. There were only 20 of these made and this one is the 17th of the series. 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Apparently it wasnt staked right at the factory. It also has 3-dot tritium night sights, a 5-inch national match barrel, ambidextrous safety, picatinny rail, and a desert tan Cerakote finish.[19]. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. My opinion is that both of these were likely due to Colt learning the quirks of a new coating process. The M45A1 serves still today, but it will almost certainly be the final chapter in the U.S. military service life of the M1911. 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. great shape, this is not the decom model either. Colt CR6940. The trigger was eminently usable and a good match for a combat pistol intended for highly trained special operations forces. 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. Here are the features to watch out for. (LogOut/ With the exception of the overtly poor, reloaded cartridge, the Colt M45A1 was 100% reliable and the front sight didnt fly off. The Colt incorporates the dual recoil spring assembly of the firms recent commercial models, which seemed to dampen recoil somewhat. Colt AR15A4. The only thing I would change about it would be to checker the front strap. 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. 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. These particular pistols only had the USMC rollmark during the early production. 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. Each knotted tight groups that would do a custom pistol proud, averaging 1.48" for five separate loads. 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. 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. Normally his 1911 lectures are held during downtime at the range when he is repairing his 1911. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Outside of the mentioned ambidextrous manual safety, the controls configuration is the same as on any other 1911 variant. Sweet! 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. I overlooked that the fit for a gun, that cost me $1,600 plus tax ($1,748 total), was similar to a $800 gun. [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. And yet, it is still to completely abandon the battlefield, being a favourite of many special operation forces. If youre interested in a unique, firearm with a military history at around $1600, go for it. External enhanced hammer, automatic firing pin safety, Ambidextrous frame-mounted manual safety, extended beavertail grip safety, 127 mm / 5" National Match barrel which was officially adopted in 1986. Description: COLT USMC MARKED M45A1, Cerakote blue box edition, slide has the very rare USMC rollmark. 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). 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. What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? 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. JavaScript is disabled. The pistol wears bilateral thumb safeties, which have somewhat oversize, though low-profile, ledges designed to be easily disengaged while not interfering with the non-firing hands grasp. $ 6,900 This is very unique and very rare COLT 1911 USMC ROLLMARK U.S. MARINES M45A1 SEMPER FI FDE. The finish on the pistol is a brown Decobond designed to hold up through hard use. 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. In the hand, that level of precision translated to straightforward hits on tough and distant targets. He told me the extractor and ammunition were bad. Quick view Out of stock. All three versions have serial numbers ending in 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 gun ran like a top. The rear sight we ordered [], Weve been using Parabellum Armaments AKARS for 9 months. We decided to install Heine Ledge sights on our Series 80 Stainless Officers ACP. Trying to see if the USMC needs to find a home. The decommissioned pistols and the custom shop pistols all appear to be in the hands of collectors. Before word could even circulate in casual conversation, the pistols were snapped up at prices that were lower than comparable commercial Colts. News, Handguns, Semi-Auto Handguns. The Picatinny-railed 1911s were officially adopted by the elite troops in 2012, and featured all the special touches required by those operating on or behind the front lines in the global war on terrorism. Never miss a post! I was able to lay my hands on one of the decommissioned M45A1s to examine and evaluate it. In other cases on specific guns, the finish was not wearing as durably as expected. [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. 4. The Colt incorporates a slightly beveled magazine well to facilitate reloads. This added weight, in addition to the dual spring slap back, provide for noticeably less recoil. Colt M45A1 CQB Marine Pistol. THE GUN IS MATHCHING, IN 90% ORIGINAL CONDITION, WE HAVE A VERY RARE AND HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER POLICE EAGLE F MARKED WALTHER PPK WITH, IN 96% ORIGINAL UNMESSED WITH CONDITION, WE HAVE A VERY NICE EXAMPLE OF A 1944 PROUDCTION FN HIGH POWER PROUDCUED, IN 90% CONDITION, NICE BLUE BUT ALOT OF PITTING, WE HAVE A FANTASTICALLY RARE WALTHER MODEL 6 PISTOL IN 9MM, Colt General Officer & Rare US Property Pistols, SOLD GERMAN G43 ORIGINAL MOUNT AND ZF4 SCOPE EARLY DUV CODE, SOLD RARE ORIGINAL SIMSON EAGLE 6 LUGER TOOL, sold 1913 DWM LUGER VERY NICE AND HARD TO FIND, Sold RUSSIAN TT 33 TOKAREV 1942 WITH MATCHING MAG. The Civilian Model M45A1 Ships in a Colt Blue Plastic Box Originally the Colt Custom Shop pistols had the Marine USMC roll marks on the slide, but the United States Marine Corps filed a cease & desist letter with Colt Manufacturing regarding the use of USMC on pistols not actually going to the Marines.