Marine Special Operation Command Order 4000 Colt Rail Guns

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From Colt's facebook page today:

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., July 20, 2012 — Colt Defense LLC has been awarded an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity contract by the U.S. Marine Corps for up to 12,000 M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spares and logistical support. The new CQBP is a direct descendant of the iconic Colt M1911 adopted by the U.S. military in 1911 and carried as the primary sidearm through all the major conflicts of the 20th century.



The CQBP contract is for a five-year period and has a potential value of up to $22.5 million. The CQBP expands on a long history of MARCORSYSCOM re-building original Government-issue 1911s, primarily for use by Force Recon and MARSOC units.


So all rumors aside, that's the contract. UP to 22.5million for 12k pistols and spares. Per unit that's a pricey Colt. ;)
 
sgtstryker said:
OK, I can't let my Brothers down. So, the Marine Corps went with the Colt Rail gun. It will replace some Kimbers and older, worn out Colts being used. The Marine Corps has the smallest budget and believe me, this country gets more bang for the buck from this great fraternity of warriors. So, MARSOC Marines will get a fine pistol to carry to the fray, outstanding. And if you compare the Marine Corps to ANY other branch...Hell, there is NO comparison..
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^ Bingo! This is not some new contract introdcing a new pistol. This is a contract to replace the Kimbers they they bought, that didn't hold up the way they were told it would. When they went with the Kimbers origainally, the also bought several thousand magazines, and about 6 million rounds of .45ACP. It only makes sense that they would get another and better platform when they moved away from the Kimbers.
 
also the USMC evaluated all the modern close quarter battle platform pistol and decided on what they thought was the best.
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No they didn't. If they had the requirement that any competing pistol use standard 1911 magazines, then they certainly did not test anything other than several manufacturer's version of the 1911 platform.
 
Interesting that their criteria for the 1911 M45 is that it be equipped with the firing pin safety feature, it doesn't strike me that the Marines would make any decision in haste, but would move forward with a well thought out plan.

shoot safe, shoot straight, and have fun
 
The Marines will make due with the 1911. There is one thing about a Marine that is certain. He will do anything in his power to get back home.

The contract for 4000 1911's had nothing to do with providing the best weapon for our marines. It's about the fat kick back the purchasing officer received. Remember to a soldier a handgun is pretty much a status symbol. When you can call in an airstrike who is going toe to toe with sidearms?
 
Yea, but that shouldn't reflect any negativity toward the 1911 battery of arms, but on Colts forging process and steel metallurgy.

shoot safe,shoot straight, and have fun
 
Dr.Rob said:
From Colt's facebook page today:

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., July 20, 2012 — Colt Defense LLC has been awarded an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity contract by the U.S. Marine Corps for up to 12,000 M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spares and logistical support. The new CQBP is a direct descendant of the iconic Colt M1911 adopted by the U.S. military in 1911 and carried as the primary sidearm through all the major conflicts of the 20th century.



The CQBP contract is for a five-year period and has a potential value of up to $22.5 million. The CQBP expands on a long history of MARCORSYSCOM re-building original Government-issue 1911s, primarily for use by Force Recon and MARSOC units.


So all rumors aside, that's the contract. UP to 22.5million for 12k pistols and spares. Per unit that's a pricey Colt. ;)
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Another fine example of fleecing of American taxpayer by securing inferior and more expensive product. Glock 21 would have been less expensive and better weapon for our troops.
 
I guess the Marines are used to being in the heat of battle and they figured that a Glock would melt when subjected to all that heat.

shoot safe, shoot straight, and have fun
 
As a former Marine, with some time in the sand box I can relate how much I despise the M9. Having extensive experience shooting both M9's and 1911's I greatly prefer the 1911. Simply stated, it is easier to make bullets go where you want them with a 1911 than it is with an M9. For reference my last pistol qual score with the M9 was a 387 out of 400 which is easily an expert rating. I think at the time with a 1911 I could have cleared a high 390 or even a perfect score. Of course at this time I was doing a lot of competitive shooting with a 1911.

Of all the many types of service pistols I have shot, the 1911 is by far the easiest to actually shoot well.
 
Dr.Rob said:
From Colt's facebook page today:

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., July 20, 2012 — Colt Defense LLC has been awarded an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity contract by the U.S. Marine Corps for up to 12,000 M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spares and logistical support. The new CQBP is a direct descendant of the iconic Colt M1911 adopted by the U.S. military in 1911 and carried as the primary sidearm through all the major conflicts of the 20th century.



The CQBP contract is for a five-year period and has a potential value of up to $22.5 million. The CQBP expands on a long history of MARCORSYSCOM re-building original Government-issue 1911s, primarily for use by Force Recon and MARSOC units.


So all rumors aside, that's the contract. UP to 22.5million for 12k pistols and spares. Per unit that's a pricey Colt. ;)
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$1875 each? :eek: I wonder what gives there? I always thought there was savings to be had by buying in quantity.
 
armarsh said:
$1875 each? :eek: I wonder what gives there? I always thought there was savings to be had by buying in quantity.
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High yes, but remember that the number includes "laid up" spares, magazines and possibly/probably a transition and training package for the "new" pistol.

Pay for the pistol.... pay for the proposed repair and sustainment parts.
 
armarsh said:
$1875 each? :eek: I wonder what gives there? I always thought there was savings to be had by buying in quantity.
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This is like the government buying those pesky $600 claw hammers that I can buy at the hardware store for $12 each.

There is quite a bit going on behind the scenes. Colt as the manufacturer in this case does not totally spec the pistol out. The government has their requirements and each requirement cost money. Every operation in the manufacturing process for each pistol is documented by serial number. Right down to every little machining operation and if the receivers are heat treated the lot numbers and records of the process are recorded. The list of military specifications and manufacturing specifications is endless and keep in mind every operation is documented. The government ends up with a .45 ACP pistol and six pounds of paper on each pistol outweighing the pistol.

You want a $12 claw hammer? Then Home Depot is fine. You want a claw hammer meeting a dozen specifications including rockwell hardness testing and full blown QA & QC inspections for every operation in the manufacturing process? Then it cost $600. :)

That is My Take...
Ron
 
I suppose I am in the minority of Veterans on here, in that I do not despise the M9. I liked it so much that it was the first pistol I bought as a CCW holder. I do dislike the 124gr FMJ NATO round we are forced to shoot, but that is not a reason to hate the platform. If it were a Glock 17, Sig P226 or any other platform, a 9mm FMJ is a poor fight stopper. If you are forced to use non-expanding bullets, then bigger bullets make bigger holes, and it is hard to argue with the .45ACP.
 
The cracks in the 1911 slide that are in question, should not reflect negatively toward the 1911 battery of arms, seeing the original 1911A1 survived 75 + years of combat use with out any signs of this sort of failure, the crack in these 1911 are a direct result of poor manufacturing by Colt, not poor platform, and I'm sure that these deficiencies came be easily corrected.

shoot safe, shoot straight, and have fun
 
The story behind those photos is largely unsubstantiated. I believe they originated over on Arfcom, posted by someone who claims to have been a part of the testing of the pistol before it's adoption. The problem is the story he posted and the photos are the only things out there. Now they are getting plastered across the net and no one seems worried about questioning their authenticity.

The only other source I've come across some posts by Brent (the manager of te Colt custom shop), who says that 5 of their prototypes went for 16,000 rounds without any type of hard failure. The exact testing conditions are unknown.
 
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One_Jackal said:
The Marines will make due with the 1911. There is one thing about a Marine that is certain. He will do anything in his power to get back home.

The contract for 4000 1911's had nothing to do with providing the best weapon for our marines. It's about the fat kick back the purchasing officer received. Remember to a soldier a handgun is pretty much a status symbol. When you can call in an airstrike who is going toe to toe with sidearms?
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Airstrikes are nice, but sometimes a 1911 or an entrenching tool is nice to kill an enemy with so you can get his weapon and ammo to shoot back at his buddies.
 
The story behind those photos is largely unsubstantiated. I believe try originated over on Arfcom, posted by someone who claims to have been a part of the testing of the pistol before it's adoption.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize that's where the pics came from. I guess I hadn't though about their authenticity. Thanks for the clarification.
 
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