Picture: US Marine w/1911

[John G]

I got this image from the Army Times website.

The fellas were rounding up looters at a burned-out bank. Looks like one of our boys is packin' an ancient .45.

 

[bogie]

Look at the hammer.

 

[riverdog]

Check out the gloves; besides aviators, who wears Nomex gloves? I don't think those are issue for infantry. SF?

That may be a MEU-SOC 1911 which makes the owner a Marine.

 

[John G]

Vehicle crewmen get nomex gloves too. I was 11b, and lots of us had them, they're just lighter and more flexible than the cold weather gloves.

Just because they're not issued doesn't mean you can't get them. I know one guy who grabbed a pair from a C-130 crew on his way out the door.

 

[Sgt]

That could also be a "personal" weapon....don't think it don't happen.......

It looks more like a Combat Commander than a MEU/SOC....barrel looks shorter than 5"....correct me if I'm wrong.....

Semper Fi, Sgt

 

[John G]

Most civilian news outlets seem to interchange "soldier" and "marine" all the time, but the Army Times usually gets it right. The caption describes this as a marine. Here's another pic from the same story, looks like they're wearing nomex masks?

 

[Jeff White]

The pistol is a MEU-SOC 1911A1 and they are Force Recon Marines. MICH helmets, FSBE webbing and M4A1s. All makes them Force Recon.

Jeff

 

[John G]

Here's another pic, though its blurry, I think you can see a mounted light? Looks like they're taking care of bid-ness.

 

[George Hill]

Note the beavertail... NOT GI ISSUE.

Not unless those cats have a really KICK BUTT armorer in the unit.


Personal weapon, confiscated weapon, issued weapon... could all be the case.

Also note the finger...
Propper.


Good photo.

 

[beckrodgers]

Nice pictures you folks are rite on top of it, I have read certain marine unit kept the 1911 .45 ,army units as well,also saw an iraqi with a 1911 on nbc nite ly news going against the looting etc. Thanks

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

MEU soc's have beavertails.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Ambidextrious safety too.

 

[blades67]

Don't let the MIL-SPEC sights and fugly finish fool you, that 1911A1 will shoot one and a half to two inch groups at 25 yards, those armorers do know how to rebuild a pistol.

 

[El Tejon]

As THE Pat Roger ejumakated me, not all FR pack 1911s. However, I believe those are the Shooters. DDD of the USMC.

 

[beckrodgers]

We read lapd fbi seals marines etc carry these pistols. What does that tell us? Also some dif pilots adament on the 45 or at least a .357, nice and good to have such smart folks on our side, Thanks

 

[DeltaElite]

He is obviously a man who has used a Beretta, that's why he has a 1911.

 

[KarlG]

I have a Beretta and a 1911...

 

[nsf003]

Glad his finger is not on the trigger.

nsf

 

[Jeff White]

Here is an excellent article from Pat Rogers on the MEU pistol.

http://www.full-auto.com/library_article_meu-soc.htm

Jeff

 

[BerettaNut92]

I have had a Beretta and a 1911...just have the Beretta now.

But that will change one day, I swear!

 

[Soap]

The MEU(SOC)s that I have seen have all pretty much looked like they were put together with a mixed bucket of parts. But the armorers apparently kick some major butt since they are reliable and accurate. Take a look at the lanyard article by Pat Rogers in the April '03 issue of S.W.A.T. magazine. Every single MEU(SOC) pistol is different!

 

[Preacherman]

Thanks for the link to that article, Jeff - interesting reading. But I'm madly jealous! Did you see this bit?

These pistols are well used. The last one I was issued has 82,000 rounds in the gun book. This is not uncommon, as the Marines of Force Recon are hard shooters. During the 6 month pre-deployment work up, and the actual deployment itself, an operator will fire 20,000 to 40,000 rounds to acquire and maintain proficiency with his secondary weapon.

And we PAY them to have this much fun???

 

[Jeff White]

And we PAY them to have this much fun???

Preacherman,
You just hit on the real reason that I have stayed in for almost 30 years...Can't afford the big toys on my own If you'd check, I'll bet you'll find a lot of people become career soldiers because they can't imagine NOT doing those things. The pay isn't THAT good

Jeff

 

[clem]

RECON, me thinks.

 

[WonderNine]

1911A1? Blah

I'll take my Browning Hi-Power along instead anyday.....