The right carry rig and you can forget it's there. All custom Alessi for my EDC of a Springfield Professional over the past 12 years. Like Lou used to say, you won't know it's there 'till you need it.
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The right carry rig and you can forget it's there. All custom Alessi for my EDC of a Springfield Professional over the past 12 years. Like Lou used to say, you won't know it's there 'till you need it.
Yup.
A good belt, a good holster… and I can't tell the difference between a full-size 1911 with extended, beveled magwell and a Glock 19.
I might be able to on a duty rig. But for concealed carry? Nope.
Had one for about three months now. Only about 1100 rounds through it as I've been too busy playing with other rifles.
My humble thoughts so far...
-I have a WC CQB with rail and a nighthawk talon that are both about 7 years old and they've been with me a long time. While the Colt M45 doesn't have the perfect clean lines WC or NH has, it's damn near close.
It DOES feel somewhat softer in the recoil department. I can't put my finger on it but I feel I can manage follow up shots better. Unfortunately I don't want to make that comparison because my other two 1911s run 10-8 sights with giant ass U notches and the Colt m45 has a Novaks which are not as fast to acquire.
-Grips haven't crapped out on me (screws backing out) like they like to do on my NH. Obviously Colt really thought out those extra large rubber bushing rings. I have small peasant hands so I usually run slim grips on my 1911s but I don't think it'll fly with the M45 because of that bushing. This also affects my gripping ability and follow up shots.
-Trigger breaks clean and no complaints.
- Accuracy is excellent. I'm not the best handgun shooter but the M45 shoots just as well as my NH and WC.
- Works with every mag Ive tried. The WC 7 rounders it came with, some originial Colt 7 rounders, CMC Power 8 rounders, WC 47D 8 rounders, WC Elite 8 rnds, and Tripp 8 rnders.
So the question is, is it worth it? For roughly 2k msrp (at least that's what I paid) it really depends.
If you love Colt, then Yes. It is assembled in Colt's custom shop and not a line gun. It comes with an outstanding pelican case, an otis cleaning kit, and some other cool SWAG that makes it great for a Colt collector. It's also backed up by Colt's excellent custom shop warranty so they will take care of you. And as a former Marine, I obviously had extra incentive to obtain this model.
For those looking for the best tactical 1911 bang for the buck, perhaps a Les baer or used Wilson Combat CQB might be a better alternative. The M45 lacks some features other "tactical" 1911s usually have at that price point. No Front strap checkering, no extended mag release, no fancy slide release, etc but obviously that's not Colt's fault as that was a Marine Corps requirement
Keep in mind Colt intends to keep producing these until demand dies out so it's not a limited edition model or anything. Either way, it is great to see Colt expanding their line and also creating some interesting products for the 1911 world (beefier frame and dual recoil spring)
I'll try to post a more detailed update in the future if I ever hit the 5000 mark anytime soon.
I guarantee you that the Colt Marine gun will hang with any of the semi custom offerings in terms of accuracy and reliability. The aesthetics of the gun may be lacking when compared to a Wilson CQB but the Colt Marine gun is just as accurate and reliable.
Thanks for the review.
I have yet to see one of these in the flesh so to speak. I would definitely be tempted if I didn't already own a pair of rail guns. With the difference in price, though, I could have some custom work done to a CRG and end up with something even more unique. It is great that Colt will continue to produce these for the foreseeable future.
If I happen upon one, I will gladly pay for one. Already have a rail gun, you can never have too many Colts.
What is the best way to go about getting one without getting raped on price? Just looked on Gunbroker they are going for $3,000-$3,500. Checked the Custom Shop website and retail is $1995. I can understand paying a higher price to get one now but not $1500 over retail.
That's effectively the route that I just took. I has long wanted a Rail Gun, but had little interest in, or need of, the more exclusive model to achieve the same ends. Of course, I sort of went overboard in the process, and didn't exactly end up saving any money, but I'm certainly pleased with the end result.
https://www.m4carbine.net/attachment...2&d=1384708688
Apologies for the underwhelming photography. The work was done on John Harrison's bench, and is simply extraordinary, just as you would expect.
AC
I think that's what's known as "functional art".
Very nice.
Contact colt directly for a fair price. Wait time is not bad at all for this gun. I ended up going a different direction.