Colt M45A1: A Modernized M1911 For The Marines

posted on July 3, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Coltm45a1

In Oct. 2016 the U.S. Marine Corps announced Glock 19s would replace the .45 ACP-chambered Colt M45A1s carried by members of its Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) teams. The Picatinny-railed 1911s were officially adopted by the elite troops in 2012, and featured all the special touches required by those operating on or behind the front lines in the global war on terrorism.

Fans of the 1911 expressed their disgust as nearly 4,000 of the handguns were de-commissioned. The silence was deafening, though, when they became available and Colt continued to produce a civilian variant. At more than 100 years old, there’s undeniable attraction to the John Moses Browning design, even brand new ones with elegant upgrades that enhance performance without compromising his vision. Scarcely mentioning the soon-be-collectible kept demand low, and availability proportionately high.

“I was able to lay my hands on one of the decommissioned M45A1s to examine and evaluate it,” one author for American Rifleman wrote two years ago. “These decommissioned Colts will continue to be a hot item among both shooters and collectors for the foreseeable future. The pistols are exceptional purely as shooters, and scarce and significant for several military and historic reasons. We are fortunate that they found their way onto the public market.”

Models mustered out of the Marine Corps are scarce today and fetch lofty prices, but factory-fresh models with nearly identical features are still available from Colt. They feature Novak three-dot night sights, M1913-spec Picatinny rail and Decabond brown coating with nicely matching Desert Tan G10 grips.

Barrel length is 5 inches, dual recoil springs reduce perceived recoil and magazine capacity is seven rounds. A slight bevel at the magazine well enhances reload speed and the thumb safety is ambidextrous. Weight of the gun, empty, is listed at 40 ounces. MSRP comes in at $1,699.  

Latest

Silencer Central Banish 12 Suppressor 1
Silencer Central Banish 12 Suppressor 1

Silencer Central Banish 12: A Hunter-Friendly Shotgun Suppressor

Billed by Silencer Central as "the first shotgun suppressor designed specifically for hunters," the new Banish 12 has a number of field-friendly features and also stands out as one of the few shotgun suppressors on the market.

Marine Corps Knives Of World War II

Considered an essential piece of kit for every Marine, a wide variety of private-purchase and standard-issue knives were pressed into service in every theater of the war to tackle tasks ranging from hand-to-hand combat to everyday chores.

The Armed Citizen® July 21, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Great Firearm Sales Tax Holiday Trend—Will More States Join Florida?

Many states schedule a day, or a weekend, for residents to purchase arms and ammunition without the need to pay sales tax. Florida, however, is taking the savings to another level. Will more states follow?

Preview: DeSantis Horsehide Holster Upgrades

Horse leather often has a distinctive grain pattern and is generally even more durable, breathable and water-resistant than cowhide.

New For 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke In .375 H&H & .450 Bushmaster

The Christensen Arms Evoke is an affordable, bolt-action rifle platform that is now chambered for two unique big-game chamberings.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.