Colt announces that the M45 will have a commercial model.
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In a press release today, Colt Defense said the Marine Corps placed an initial order for 4036 M45 Close Quarters Combat Pistols, plus spares. Deliveries on the five-year contract will begin later this year.
Yesterday, Barb Hamby of Marine Corps System Command told us, “After a detailed and thorough source selection, a contract was awarded last night.“
In the email to Marine Corps Times, the MARCORSYSCOM spokeperson says, “Colt Defense LLC, West Hartford, Conn., was awarded a $22,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract July 18, 2012 for production, delivery and logistical support of the Close Quarter Battle Pistol. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn., and is expected to be completed by July 2017. No contract funds will expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition with three offers received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.”
Piggybacking on a few things we previously reported about the winning pistol, we’ve learned Colt developed a dual recoil system for the CQBP that’s based on the recoil system found in their 10mm models. The modification was made to reduce stresses on the frame and slide and enable the pistol to complete the Corps’ required shooting schedule. Sources tell us the pistol had to survive a 20,000 round shooting schedule. The .45 caliber pistol also has a series 80 firing pin safety, is entirely Cerakoted tan and has a lanyard loop and night sights.
The original solicitation outlines some of the features the Corps stipulated, such as a single-stack, 7+ round magazine, drop in parts replacement and accuracy guidelines. It remains to be seen how many of these points made it into the requirements document and the actual pistol, however. For example, drop-in parts on a 1911 pattern pistol is widely regarded as an unrealistic requirement.
The Close Quarter Battle Pistol is modeled after earlier versions of the semi-automatic 1911 pistol used since the 1980s by Force Reconnaissance units. The contract is for 400 to 12,000 pistols as part of a contract worth up to $22.5 million, according to Marine Corps Systems Command. That means the price per pistol is $1,875. Sources tell us the Marine Corps is ordering 4000 pistols.
Background:
Colt Defense of Hartford, Conn., and Springfield Armory of Geneseo, Ill., sent samples of their latest 1911 pistols to acquisition officers in the fall of 2010, company officials said Jan. 18, 2011 during the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference, known as SHOT Show, in Las Vegas. The third competitor, Karl Lippard Design, submitted documents but was unable to produce version of his 1911A2 NCO pistol that met the USMC requirements in time for the selection process deadline.
Earlier versions of the pistol were called the MEU (SOC) pistol, short for Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable). Weapons experts at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., have hand-assembled 1911 pistols chambered for .45-caliber Automatic Colt Pistol ammo for years, fielding them primarily to Force Recon and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
With both communities growing, however, the Corps has sought out an off-the-shelf option.
Force Recon was brought back in 2008 after a two-year hiatus designed to help the Corps stand up and round out MARSOC. The Corps’ special operations command was activated in 2006, and is working to grow to about 2,700 personnel by 2014.
Colt tweaked its 01070RG M1911A1 Rail Gun pistol and sent 10 prototypes to Quantico in the fall of 2010, said Greg Rozon, a product development engineering manager at Colt.
The civilian 1911 rail gun usually has a stainless or carbon steel finish and rosewood grips, but Colt’s prototypes for the Corps have a desert-color Cercoat finish, eliminating glare on the weapon and making it less identifiable at a distance. As the name suggests, this model has a section of 1913 Picatinny rail under the barrel to mount accessories such as a light or laser aiming device. They also have more stainless steel internal components to afford the pistol more corrosion protection since it will be carried in a maritime environment. They’re equipped with a tritium night sight made by Novak of Parkersburg, W.Va..
Springfield Armory sent the Corps six copies of its PX9105ML pistol for evaluation, said Larry Collinson, a production manager with the company. The company calls it the Full-Sized MC Operator, with the “MC” standing for Marine Corps. The pistol has a black slide with a green frame. It also includes tritium night sights and has been sold to the Corps in small quantities before. The Corps also has bought Springfield Armory 1911 slides in the past to use on pistols assembled at Quantico, Collinson said.
Thanks to James Sanborn and Dan Lamothe from Marine Corps Times for helping put the pieces together.
Yesterday, Barb Hamby of Marine Corps System Command told us, “After a detailed and thorough source selection, a contract was awarded last night.“
In the email to Marine Corps Times, the MARCORSYSCOM spokeperson says, “Colt Defense LLC, West Hartford, Conn., was awarded a $22,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract July 18, 2012 for production, delivery and logistical support of the Close Quarter Battle Pistol. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn., and is expected to be completed by July 2017. No contract funds will expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition with three offers received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.”
Piggybacking on a few things we previously reported about the winning pistol, we’ve learned Colt developed a dual recoil system for the CQBP that’s based on the recoil system found in their 10mm models. The modification was made to reduce stresses on the frame and slide and enable the pistol to complete the Corps’ required shooting schedule. Sources tell us the pistol had to survive a 20,000 round shooting schedule. The .45 caliber pistol also has a series 80 firing pin safety, is entirely Cerakoted tan and has a lanyard loop and night sights.
The original solicitation outlines some of the features the Corps stipulated, such as a single-stack, 7+ round magazine, drop in parts replacement and accuracy guidelines. It remains to be seen how many of these points made it into the requirements document and the actual pistol, however. For example, drop-in parts on a 1911 pattern pistol is widely regarded as an unrealistic requirement.
The Close Quarter Battle Pistol is modeled after earlier versions of the semi-automatic 1911 pistol used since the 1980s by Force Reconnaissance units. The contract is for 400 to 12,000 pistols as part of a contract worth up to $22.5 million, according to Marine Corps Systems Command. That means the price per pistol is $1,875. Sources tell us the Marine Corps is ordering 4000 pistols.
Background:
Colt Defense of Hartford, Conn., and Springfield Armory of Geneseo, Ill., sent samples of their latest 1911 pistols to acquisition officers in the fall of 2010, company officials said Jan. 18, 2011 during the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference, known as SHOT Show, in Las Vegas. The third competitor, Karl Lippard Design, submitted documents but was unable to produce version of his 1911A2 NCO pistol that met the USMC requirements in time for the selection process deadline.
Earlier versions of the pistol were called the MEU (SOC) pistol, short for Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable). Weapons experts at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., have hand-assembled 1911 pistols chambered for .45-caliber Automatic Colt Pistol ammo for years, fielding them primarily to Force Recon and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
With both communities growing, however, the Corps has sought out an off-the-shelf option.
Force Recon was brought back in 2008 after a two-year hiatus designed to help the Corps stand up and round out MARSOC. The Corps’ special operations command was activated in 2006, and is working to grow to about 2,700 personnel by 2014.
Colt tweaked its 01070RG M1911A1 Rail Gun pistol and sent 10 prototypes to Quantico in the fall of 2010, said Greg Rozon, a product development engineering manager at Colt.
The civilian 1911 rail gun usually has a stainless or carbon steel finish and rosewood grips, but Colt’s prototypes for the Corps have a desert-color Cercoat finish, eliminating glare on the weapon and making it less identifiable at a distance. As the name suggests, this model has a section of 1913 Picatinny rail under the barrel to mount accessories such as a light or laser aiming device. They also have more stainless steel internal components to afford the pistol more corrosion protection since it will be carried in a maritime environment. They’re equipped with a tritium night sight made by Novak of Parkersburg, W.Va..
Springfield Armory sent the Corps six copies of its PX9105ML pistol for evaluation, said Larry Collinson, a production manager with the company. The company calls it the Full-Sized MC Operator, with the “MC” standing for Marine Corps. The pistol has a black slide with a green frame. It also includes tritium night sights and has been sold to the Corps in small quantities before. The Corps also has bought Springfield Armory 1911 slides in the past to use on pistols assembled at Quantico, Collinson said.
Thanks to James Sanborn and Dan Lamothe from Marine Corps Times for helping put the pieces together.
My thought exactly.
In fact, here's a pic of my Norc-in-stein with same kinda baked on finish:
-----------
NAA.
I think the two-tone Colt Rail Gun is one of the best looking 1911's. But then I own one.
The desert look is not great looking but is extremely functional for where the fighting is these days.
Pretty was not a Marine requirement! The video makes it look a lot nicer.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=InYPnIgzbdE&list=UUUSZRidRjkb9u2yhZISn_EA
Looks like the same M25/M11 BS sig cooked up.
Add a drop of seal team 6 sweat and.. sales! sales! sales!
What if you were a super socom seal and lost your gun in the sand...good luck!
Everyone knows a Black 1911 w/Tan grips is the real Osama slayer..
Shhkttt. Over
Add a drop of seal team 6 sweat and.. sales! sales! sales!
What if you were a super socom seal and lost your gun in the sand...good luck!
Everyone knows a Black 1911 w/Tan grips is the real Osama slayer..
Shhkttt. Over
Please tell me the Marine CQB version is not polymer ?......
Nope! It's all steel like a real gun should be.
Here's the specs on the current civilian rail gun:
History Meets Modern Era: THE COLT RAIL GUN®
Colt continues to take its battle and time proven M1911 pistol and adapt it to meet the changing requirements of its customers with its model O1970RG – The Colt Rail Gun® with Blackened Stainless Steel Receiver and Brushed Stainless Steel Slide.
Where quality and workmanship are demanded, Colt once again meets and exceeds the expectations of its customers. This handgun is outfitted with new and exciting features for the law enforcement community, the shooting enthusiast and the personal defense user.
The M1913 Picatinny Rail offers the versatility to adapt tactical lights and laser sights to the receiver of the Colt Rail Gun, making it a tactical pistol easily adaptable to any military or law enforcement need. The ability to attach a tactical light also makes the Colt Rail Gun an ideal candidate for a home/personal protection need.
The Colt Rail Gun features a mil standard rail, Colt Upswept Beavertail Grip Safety with Palm Swell, Colt’s Tactical Ambidextrous Thumb Safety, Novak Rear Sight, and other standard features of the XSE series.
Colt’s quality continues to be derived from its forged steel receiver, forged stainless steel barrel, forged steel slide, and forged slide stop. In today’s world of polymers, investment castings, short cuts, time and cost savings, Colt asks, “Show Me Your Rail Forging.”
Quality Makes It A Colt TM.
Colt 1911 A1 Stainless/Black Goverment Rail Gun Features:
.45ACP Caliber
Special Colt Blackened Stainless Steel Frame
Brushed Stainless Steel Slide
Colt Double Diamond Rosewood Grips
Novak White Dot Carry Front Sight
Novak White Dot Carry Rear Sight
5" NATIONAL MATCH "NM" Barrel
Integral Picatinny Style Rail for Accessories
Full Length Guide Rod
Skeletonized Aluminum 3-Hole Speed Trigger
Combat Enhanced Hammer with Elongated Slot
Smith & Alexander Upswept Beavertail with Palm Swell Grip Saftey
Ambidextrous Extended Thumb Saftey
8+1 Round Capacity
Includes (2) 8-Round Magazines
Single Action
Colt Model O1970RG
From: http://www.armseast.com/store/colts_mfg/colt_o1970rg_rail_gun_2_tone/
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- Location
- The Hammer, ON
I think it's going to differ from the standard rail gun by being hand fitted by the custom shop. We shall see though.
Here is the black version of the Colt Rail Gun.
What do you think of it?
Very nice.
- Location
- The Hammer, ON
both models have front cocking serrations...
do you mean front strap checkering? if so i agree, i like front strap checkering on my 1911's
Here is the black version of the Colt Rail Gun.
What do you think of it?
I much prefer that to the "sand" color.
If the price was reasonable, I'd consider buying one.
I see the only real differences between this and a tuned Norkie are the front cocking serrations (easily done by a machinist/gunsmith), the lower rail, and the long trigger (easily installed).
