This story should appeal to those of us that used and loved the indispensable "Colt 45".
The Colt first entered service in the early 1900's, adopted because of it's fast firing, fast reload and the hitting power of the .45 caliber round it fired. The gun became a classic and remained in continual service as the pistol of choice for the armed forces until the late 1970's when it was replaced by lighter 9 mm pistols with greater magazine capacity. The U.S. military switched to 9-millimeter pistols, made by Berretta of Italy, in the 1970s and 1980s. Now, for the first time in several decades, the U.S. military is buying new batches of the Colt .45 sidearm that it used during both World Wars and for much of the 20th century.
Colt Defense LLC said Friday it has been awarded a $22.5 million, five-year contract to provide the U.S. Marine Corps with the latest .45 caliber pistols that were originally provided to the military in 1911. The contract is to provide as many as 12,000 tan-colored, M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spare parts and logistical support for the pistols.
"This is a truly gratifying contract award," said Gerry Dinkel, CEO and president 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 new "old Colt's" will go to the Marine Corps Special Operations Command first.
I had to use the Colt for my 'Expert Pistol Qualification' back in 1972 and for each of the following 3 years. I really liked the weapon and was disappointed when the military switched to the new, more modern, Berretta. It was heart warming for me to see this old standard being upgraded and brought back into service. It's astonishing to think that a weapon designed and first brought into service over a hundred years ago is still considered, by some of the finest professionals serving our country, the best weapon today despite all our "modern technology"..
The Colt first entered service in the early 1900's, adopted because of it's fast firing, fast reload and the hitting power of the .45 caliber round it fired. The gun became a classic and remained in continual service as the pistol of choice for the armed forces until the late 1970's when it was replaced by lighter 9 mm pistols with greater magazine capacity. The U.S. military switched to 9-millimeter pistols, made by Berretta of Italy, in the 1970s and 1980s. Now, for the first time in several decades, the U.S. military is buying new batches of the Colt .45 sidearm that it used during both World Wars and for much of the 20th century.
Colt Defense LLC said Friday it has been awarded a $22.5 million, five-year contract to provide the U.S. Marine Corps with the latest .45 caliber pistols that were originally provided to the military in 1911. The contract is to provide as many as 12,000 tan-colored, M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spare parts and logistical support for the pistols.
"This is a truly gratifying contract award," said Gerry Dinkel, CEO and president 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 new "old Colt's" will go to the Marine Corps Special Operations Command first.
I had to use the Colt for my 'Expert Pistol Qualification' back in 1972 and for each of the following 3 years. I really liked the weapon and was disappointed when the military switched to the new, more modern, Berretta. It was heart warming for me to see this old standard being upgraded and brought back into service. It's astonishing to think that a weapon designed and first brought into service over a hundred years ago is still considered, by some of the finest professionals serving our country, the best weapon today despite all our "modern technology"..
Live Long and Prosper....
No comments:
Post a Comment