We are in the Philippines right now, preparing for an appreciation event for the local airsoft players, the RATRATAN 2018. The local airsoft community is one the oldest and most vibrant airsoft communities in the world, and the local Milsim community works closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in which facilities are opened to the Milsimers for their use in their events that also involve active service people. The local airsoft community are also big users of the 1911 pistols given than it is a popular handgun in the country since the Model 1909  .45 ACP pistols was introduced by the Americans in the Philippines.

Thus, for 1911 or .45 ACP fans in the airsoft community, the latest news of AFP procuring an additional 50,000 .45 ACP Pistols from Armscor, is good news given the trend of militaries around the world opting more the 9mm round.  The Philippine News Agency posted the news last 22 November 2018 with the AFP opting for the Cal .45 high capacity Pistol M1911 that will supplied by Armscor, the Philippine company known for its Rock Island Armory Pistols and owned by Squires Bingham:

MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) and ARMSCOR Global Defense Incorporated have signed a contract for the manufacture of 50,000 .45 caliber high-capacity pistols for the use of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a statement Wednesday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the contract was formally signed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and ARMSCOR president and chief executive officer, Martin Tuason, to start production of the weapons.

He added that this collaboration between the DND and ARMSCOR is in line with the DND's efforts towards “witnessing a Rebirth of Defense Self-Reliance.”

"This initiative of optimizing our local resources contributes to the development of our economic and labor industries by providing jobs for Filipinos and contributing to economic growth - positive effects that far outweigh DND’s spending in importation. The SND (Secretary of National Defense) also stated that 'it signifies a trust in our own country’s craftsmanship and expertise'," Andolong stressed.

Meanwhile, Tuason, in his speech, emphasized his support for the defense sector.

“I look forward to making more guns, more ammunition and more products that we can do here in the Philippines as we progress. ARMSCOR backs the Filipino people and we support the AFP,” he added. Both parties believe that this partnership will set the standard for future projects of the government in procuring local materials. (PNA)

As to the design of the 1911 pistol, the photos from Armscor as well as the government-run PTV (People’s Television) as based on the previous 3,000 units in 2017 show that it is a variant of the ARMSCOR/Rock Island Armory’s TAC Ultra FS, a .45 ACP 1911 that comes with AFP markings and has a 14+1 round capacity.

The Philippine Army has been using WWII-era 1911 pistols which have been refurbished over the years. The new sidearm will compliment the new main service rifle, the Remington R4 rifle, which replaces the locally produced M16 rifle that was supplied by Elisco Tool since its introduction in the Vietnam War under licence from Colt.

Top photo: AFP .45 ACP Pistol showing the AFP Markings (Source: Armscor)