Colt Defense LLC recently bagged a big contract from the US Marine Corps (USMC). The US$22.5 million 5-year contract mandates Colt to supply the USMC with around 12,000 M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP) and their corresponding spares and support. The MARSOC M45 CQBP comes the Colt 1911 line which of course, is already a legendary pistol on its own right, and is already 100 years old. The USMC has been a long time user of 1911 pistols with the MEU (SOC) pistols also being based on it.

The MARSOC M45 CQBP is the official designation of the Colt 1911 Rail Gun, which is a redesign of the Colt M1911 with a lower M1913 Picatinny Rail to easily mount tactical lights or laser sights. Here are the full features of the Colt 1911 Rail Gun:

• Novak Low Mount Carry Sights with Dots
• Enhanced Hammer
• Extended Ambidextrous Safety Lock
• Colt Upswept Beavertail Grip Safety
• 3-Hole Aluminum Trigger
• Lowered and Flared Ejection Port
• M1913 Picatinny Rail
• National Match® Barrel
• Front and Rear Slide Serrations

There are three models of the Colt 1911 Rail Gun and with the M45 CQBP, the 3-hole aluminum trigger seemed to have been replaced with a trigger without the holes. According to Military Times' report, the clincher may have been the new dual recoil system developed by Colt:

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 updated MARSOC Pistol still follows the tradition of the USMC of having the 1911 pistol in use by its marines. Nothing really to fault about the 1911 as it's one of the most reliable pistols in history, and its stopping power with the .45 caliber is unquestioned. Well, for us at Popular Airsoft, being 1911 fans, it's now time to wait for an airsoft version of the M45 CQBP. Press release of the contract below:

Colt Defense LLC Announces Award of Marine Corps M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP) Contract

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.. 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, 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.

“This is a truly gratifying contract award,” said Gerry Dinkel, President & CEO of Colt Defense, “to have the 1911 selected again for U. S. Forces 101 years after its initial introduction is just an incredible testament to the timeless design and effectiveness of the Colt 1911. Colt Defense looks forward to another great partnership with the Marine Corps as we renew industry production of the military 1911.”

The initial Delivery Order on the contract is for 4036 CQBP, plus spares. Deliveries will begin later this year.

About Colt Defense LLC

Colt Defense LLC, together with its Colt Canada Corporation subsidiary, is one of the world's leading designers, developers and manufacturers of small arms weapons systems for individual soldiers and law enforcement personnel. The Company’s portfolio of products and services addresses military and law enforcement requirements around the world. Colt Defense LLC has supplied small arms weapons systems to the United States Government and other governments for more than 160 years. Colt Canada Corporation is the Canadian government’s Center of Excellence for small arms and is the Canadian military’s sole supplier of the C7 rifle and C8 carbine. The Company maintains manufacturing facilities in West Hartford, Connecticut and Kitchener, Ontario. More information on Colt Defense LLC is available at www.colt.com and www.coltcanada.com.