Sticking to their guns: Marines place $22.5M order for the Colt .45 M1911

**ShooterInPA1** · July 28th, 2012, 02:45 PM

It’s been called the greatest handgun ever made, and it has barely changed sine 1911, when the legendary John Browning designed it especially for the U.S. Military.

And now, the Colt .45 M1911 is making a big comeback, now that the U.S. Marines have placed a $22.5 million order for the Connecticut-made pistols.

The gun, which has been wielded on film by John Wayne and in real life by Sgt. Alvin York and Maj. Audie Murphy, was the standard-issue sidearm in the military for decades, until it was replaced by the Beretta M9 in 1985.

....

Some reports suggest Marines are not happy with their main Beretta M9s for their lack of accuracy and stopping power. With M1911's now supplying Special Ops, growing interest may lead to a better solution.

"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," Dinkel said. "This is truly a gratifying contract award."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/28...#ixzz21wd3AbPN

**zoanemesis** · July 28th, 2012, 04:19 PM

Awwww why can't the army do that! I want a 1911! For once in my life I am jealous of the marines.

**Preble Pro** · July 28th, 2012, 04:34 PM

I never realized the Marines replaced the 1911 in 1985.

We were still using them in the Navy in 1987.

**39flathead** · July 28th, 2012, 05:04 PM

From the article:

"You can’t beat a .45 cartridge," Jack Lewis, firearms director for Cowan's Auctions, told FoxNews.com. "Some things are hard to replace," he said.

This guy has never heard of the 10mm.

In other news, the Marines are dusting off 10,000 1942 Studebakers to be used for primary troop transport...

**gf45acp** · July 28th, 2012, 06:28 PM

Very, very cool. Go 1911!

**Big-O** · July 29th, 2012, 11:27 PM

Big bullet or no, don't you think there is a capacity issue?

**GeneralWashington** · July 29th, 2012, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Big-O

Big bullet or no, don't you think there is a capacity issue?

I'd prefer a Glock 21 if it's going to be a combat pistol like that, but that's just me. 13+1.

**fastfive0** · July 29th, 2012, 11:45 PM

The marines must need a reason to start practicing malfunction clearing and drills LOL, the 1911 is a great weapon...but really....there are better combat pistols available today in any caliber of your likeing. Go to ANY discipline of shooting event these days....yes when the 1911 runs correctly it is very accurate....but rarely have I seen even the Top of the line guns run 100% when pushed hard and fast in competitions. Not saying that ammo/springs/modifications cant also induce problems but I personally witness far more 1911's with issues then glocks/m&p's/HK/Sig.

Not a 1911 hater as I own a few and enjoy shooting them...but they are outclassed as a combat pistol these days.

**39flathead** · July 30th, 2012, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Big-O

Big bullet or no, don't you think there is a capacity issue?

In the other thread about this, the Colt guns appear to be highly modified.

I wonder if the approached Para Ord before jumping right on the Colt bandwagon.

If they were going to modify a gun, what is wrong with a Para? Plenty are used in USPSA and for that matter, did they look at STI?

15rnds of .45 would be an improvement.
But maybe smaller shooters might have a problem with the larger grip...

Sorry, after Colt decided to dump most of it's consumer line to cater to the govt years back, I don't have much time for them.

**39flathead** · July 30th, 2012, 07:55 AM

One other thing, if they were looking for a more potent cartridge, why not go with the Beretta 96A1?

Many parts they already have on hand would work, armorers would not need more training and all the holsters and mag pouches would still work.

The 22.5 million does not include all the other money now needing to be spent on support.