Colt USMC CQBP 1911

The Colt USMC CQBP 1911

The Colt USMC CQBP 1911 (Close Quarters Battle Pistol) is the culmination of  battlefield history that only old school “salty” Marines can truly understand; Marines like “Chesty” Puller and 2-Time Medal of Honor Recipient, Smedley Butler.

When I was and Active Duty Marine, I held the MOS of 0331 during my first Combat Deployment to Afghanistan. Like all the other Machine Gunners in the fleet, we were forced to carry the M9 as our sidearm, however, it was not by choice. The M9 has been the Military’s designated side arm ever since Beretta won the contract back in the mid ‘80s. Though the M9 did its' job, it was very unforgiving and did not pack the punch that most of us, including me, were wishing for, being that it was only a 9mm. There are some Servicemen and woman that will tell you they love the M9 and would much rather have its higher round capacity vs. caliber size… but believe me when I tell you, if you put a good ol’fashioned 1911 on the table next to an M9, every Devil Dog will pick the 1911 (at least all the ones I had the honor to serve with). It’s what our Great Grandfathers used, and it worked out pretty well for them.  There is a binding history with the US Military and the 1911 and it stretches over countless wars and infamous battles. Sadly for me and my Leatherneck Generation, we are part of that gap in time were the 1911 was not the standard government-issue. But this has recently changed within some special units within the USMC.

In 2010, three submissions from 3 different companies were put to the test to compete for the contract to supply the Military with new Close Quarter Combat Pistols. The first and obvious was from Colt. The other two contenders were Springfield Amory and Karl Lippard Designs. In the end, Colt in-fact won the $22.5 million contract and was re-enlisted to supply the next Generation of Leathernecks with a piece of iconic history, now dubbed the “M45A1” or simply “M45.”

Colt has also been given the “green-light” to offer this firearm directly to the public in extremely limited quantities from Colt’s Custom Shop. Right away you will notice it is quite a bit different compared to the old government-issue. The first and obvious is the Desert Tan Cerekote finish. The other obvious differences are the Novak Tritium Night Sights, G10 grips, and Picatinny Accessory Rail. One little feature that I like that you will also find on most of the original government models is the Lanyard Loop at the bottom of the pistol grip. It also consists of an Ambidextrous Safety. Inside the Colt USMC CQBP 1911 has a 5” match-grade barrel, series 80 firing system, and duel recoil spring assembly that they adapted from its 10mm Combat Elite Model technology. The M45A1 weighs in at just under 3 pounds with a capacity of 7+1, and also includes a Wilson Combat Magazine.

Click here to check out Colts official M45A1 product page.

Overall, the Colt USMC CQBP 1911 is a fine piece of craftsmanship that represents the years of dedication Colt has had with the US Military, and more specifically, the United States Marine Corps. They did it “right” the first time with the original 1911, and they are doing it “right” now. It is a firearm that will put chills down your spine as its placed in the case right next to your Great Grandfathers original government-issue.

Pick yours up today at Gunbuyer.com and keep in mind that quantities are extremely limited.

-Semper-Fi