MARSOC: Fuck it. Can we just buy some M1911s???

Back before the writing was on the wall and the Marines got roped into SOCOM, Force Recon units that needed a bit more punch in the sidearm department got surplus M1911s, lovingly optimized by Jarhead gunsmiths in Quantico.

When they stood up MARSOC, they bought a batch of Kimber(?) .45s until they could settle on what their standard sidearm was. Since the Marines have had a budget for M1911s for decades, they've decided "Fuck it. Let's just buy a shit-ton of M1911s."

Glock .45 would seem to be ideal to my mind.

My 1911 is my favorite gun, period effin' dot.

I still don't have one.

Way to go Marines. You picked the best pistol in the world!

I carry a 1911 because of all the handguns I've shot, that's the one I shoot best. If I come across one that I shoot better, I'll re-evaluate.

Love my Springfield Government Issue, but it's a bit worn after sixty five years, many of which were spent stuffed under the seat of anything Pop drove.
I put a Colt barrel in it years ago because the original was as smooth as a baby's ass but the slide is just too worn. Thought about having it reworked but am a bit concerned about the Government Property stamped in the slide.

Oh it still shoots with some close range accuracy even moreso with the newer barrel but after having a look at this MC Operator it sure would be nice to retire mine to the sock drawer.

I've always been more of a S&W man, and think Glocks are alright I suppose if you like that sort of thing, but you just can't beat a 1911.

Neither do I, but I'm quite satisfied with my 9mm's.

Always wanted a 380 Baretta.

It would. Works great. Easy to maintain. Easy to fix.

Broken part? Pull it out and replace it with a new one. Good to go.....

Problem is the US military and its crazy rule that if the military buys it then it becomes public. Glock doesn't want to give up the rights to its own firearms.

The MSOT I'm attached to carries Glocks. As do most ODAs.

The Colt that I carry is 52 years old. It spent most of it's life as a safe queen. All the parts are in great shape, but the finish is crappy...mostly due to holster wear on my part.

Wow, that's really cool that you use acronyms that a lot of military people wouldn't even know.

I guess you're too stupid to do a simple Google search, huh?

If it requires a fucking google search to understand, it's probably not worth the effort in casual conversation.

Why don't they use glock 21's? The same round as the 1911 but greater magazine capacity.

Look at the title numbnuts. Obviously this is going to be a military centric and acronym heavy thread.

Well, maybe this isn't the thread for you, then.

Because the Glock 20/21/29/30 platform is HUGE. It feels like you're holding a 4x4 piece of timber in your hand. You've got to take the middle road on things like this because the DoD is stubborn about it's procurement and the procurement system itself is all sorts of fucked up. You've got to pick one, middle-road, gun that everyone can shoot. That 6'-2" male Army Ranger may be able to handle and shoot the Glock 21 like a champ. But, that 5'-4" female MP can't even reach the trigger. It doesn't do her a whole lot of good to carry it, does it?

That said, the Glock 17/19/22/23/26/27/34/35 platform is a really, really good middle road choice. The USAF has been issuing Glock 19's as it's aircrew survival sidearm for over a decade now. But, then again, the 1911 is a good middle of the road choice as far as size goes.

I, personally, don't think that the 1911 is a novice gun. You will need time and training to master it. But, it's a good size when you consider the slim single-stack magazine and short single-action trigger. I carried a Sig P226 at work for ~10 years and loved it. I carried a combination of Glock 22/23/27/35 at work for ~5 years and didn't mind it at all. But, I've always carried a 1911 off-duty and carry one at work now.

I love the 1911. I don't like this decision, however. The 1911 is more expensive, more maintenance intensive, lower capacity, and requires more know-how to keep it running right than competing designs. People love them because of the trigger, the aesthetics, and the nostalgia. Keeping large numbers of them running will be a PITA.

The more I think about it, the more I think the Glock 22/23 is about the closest thing to the "one pistol to rule them all." I don't view "middle of the road" as a compromise, so much as a balance: excellent stopping power (if not quite equal to the legendary .45 ACP), high capacity (if not quite equal to that of the 9mm), accurate, reliable, durable, light, fairly compact...even reasonably priced! When CCW finally comes to my county (and I think it will within the next year or two), I'll probably carry a G23.

On topic: I think it's cool that the venerable 1911 is still desired by the military. It's a good weapon that has proven itself time and time again. While I feel there are now better choices in the marketplace, I certainly wouldn't feel under-equipped if I had to go into battle with a 1911 as a sidearm.

Plus the fact that Glock is manufactured in the Birthplace of Hitler and most people gave up plastic guns by the time they were 12.

I wonder if they would consider the M&P45 w/manual safety? I own the M&P 9 and love it. I rented the 45 once and it was the softest shooting .45 I've ever shot.

They're manufactured in Smyrna, Georgia, and there's nothing wrong with "plastic guns".

The headquarters and manufacturing is in Austria and they are an Austrian company. Just because they have satellite manufacturing to Georgia does not make it American. No more than Toyotas made in Tennessee. The design and the big bucks go back to the mother country.

But it makes if MANUFACTURED in America.

Agreed, but that was not the point I was trying to make. I think US troops should carry American arms designed and the money going to American companies and so do lots of other people.