Colt is making the M45 available for civilian purchase. According to Fraher, it’s Colt’s goal to ramp up production to 80 pistols per month to start making the M45 accessible for non-military consumers.
The Colt M45 marketed to the general public is, essentially, the same model being manufactured for MARSOC. The pistol’s features include a mil-spec 1913 Picatinny rail and Novak sights. The slim grip has an upswept beavertail and textured G10 panels. The Colt M45 holds 7+1 rounds of .45 ACP. While the capacity and feel of the M45 is what you’d expect from a Colt 1911, so is the price point; the MSRP for the USMC Spec Ops Command’s CQBP is set at $1,999.
I love 1911s, however, Colt’s prices are a bit outside of my pocketbook’s reach. If I were on a different budget, though, I’d love to hit the range with MARSOC’s current sidearm (I’ve always had a special interest in miilitary-style arms). What are your impressions, thus far, of the Colt M45 and its sizeable price point?
I had the colt 45 as standard issue, was part of my job in the Corps 1969-1971. Lanyard included & I had two mags hanging on my web belt with USMC leather holdster with sleve. I have owned one since, & talked more 9 mm owners to switch to 1911. It’s all about stopping power. I had known many WW II Marine vets who used them on Jap snipers hiding in Palm treetops at night. They would hear the Jap give out a loud moan from 1 45 hit, no more sniping from that Jap. It was common practice to rack treetops with a Tommy 45 or the sidearm. One hit usually did the job & always the vocalizations indicated a mortal hit without seeing the Jap drop from treetop level. They oftened tied themselves to the tree. It is a 1 shot, 1 kill 45 ACP at close range. A very safe gun with built in safety mechanisms making it hard for a child to fire. It’s my home protector & a short barrel 12 gauge. I still can field strip the 45 blindfolded & put together ready to fire in less then 1 minute. The USMC teaches you very well, better then police forces teach their own in every aspect from gun safety to positions of aiming, breathing, squeezing & firing. We Marines had a full 14 day training course of 25 -50 yds with the 1911 500 yds of rifle without scopes hitting bullseyes. Very hard to do sighting in through a mirage, left-right, right to left windage & trajectory drop. It became sport for us Marines, Not just to kill, but to hit that small dot 25 yds or 500 yrds away. Yes you get 1 of 3 medals for achievement that goes on record & you requalify every year eventually making all Marines EXPERT. The Marine Corps brought back the 1911 & issue it to certain forces. They use both the Baretta 9mm & 45 ACP, 1911. The Corps has a real leather holdster in black, even though it’s bulky, it’s very protective with a easy snap on closure holding the gun secure into the holdster even when running. When all else fails the 1911 makes you feel safe. I saw & know the difference from a 32,38,40,44 round & what a fat 45 can do. That round was what the cowboys used back in the day.
jdemech02 First Welcome home and thanks for your service. Very good right up. I always carried one in the Army as a back up along with my M60, I tolerated the M16 I was also on the Army’s Pistol and Rifle teams for two years, we used the 45’s and the M14’s . One of my personal weapons that I carry concealed is the Colt Combat Commanders model using the Hornady Critical defense load. I also have an extended threaded barrel for it as I sometimes use a suppressor , but unlike the movies it still has a little bark to it. One other comment if you are good enough you do not need a 15 round Magazine. My other carry weapon is a Ruger Security six in 357mag. I use a 158gr. hollow point with 8gr. of unique powder. not as powerful as the 45, but using hand loads it will get the job done.