Posted on 02/20/2015 1:58:01 PM PST by xsrdx
The Marine Corps has authorized MARSOC operators to carry Glock pistols, since most of the elite outfit's members prefer the popular 9mm over the custom .45 pistols the service bought them in 2012.
The Corps issued a Feb. 2 Marine Administrative Message, or MARADMIN, that green-lighted Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, or MARSOC, units to use the Glock 19, a proven design used by many units in U.S. Special Operations Command.
The reliable, easy-to-maintain 9mm features a polymer frame and a 17-round magazine.
The Marine Corps just completed an exhaustive search for a new MARSOC pistol in 2012. The service awarded a $22.5 million contract to Colt Defense LLC., for up to 10,000 Close Quarter Battle Pistols.
The custom, 1911 design replaced the fleet of worn-out MARSOC M45 pistols. It features a rail for mounting lights, a custom trigger, a manual safety, improved ergonomics and glowing Tritium sights for low-light conditions.
As nice as the new .45s are, MARSOC troops prefer to carry Glock 19s instead, sources said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
G19/23 are arguably close to the perfect handgun, in terms of fulfilling the handguns intended purpose.
My memory of the early tests is that Glock did want to compete, but couldn’t comply with some petty requirements.
Most stovepipe jams in 1911’s seem to be caused by weak ammo.At least that’s what I found when reloading for them.
I will admit it’s pure function at all levels. I had a 17, and have held a 19 on occasion, and they just don’t sit right in my hand.
Fortunately, the Sig P220 was made for me.
Safeties maybe?
I would love to shoot the—is it the 18: select fire Glock?
(But I wouldn’t want to be standing around me)
There have been reports of 1911s being prone to jamming since I got my first one around 1970. I guess I have owned maybe 30 in all since then.
The only problem I have ever had was with a Colt series 70 in which I somehow bulged the barrel. I still don’t know how I did that. It did not effect the gun’s performance one bit but of course I replaced the barrel.
I can’t recall a single malfunction otherwise. I did get some Argentine surplus ammo which was bright and clean but would only fire about one out of three times.
I wonder if a Glock 21 or 30 would be permitted. .45acp Glocks are among my favorites.
Agreed...but that damn grip angle....
I had a 79’s vintage Commander that stovepiped alot. Can’t say any of my “modern” 1911’s have had a problem (of course they weren’t Colts).
You REALLY need to try out the mid-size, striker-fired P320.
It's like Sig and Glock had a baby.
I thought the whole gripe about the 9mm was a perceived lack of knockdown power. The 21 provides .45 caliber in the Glock format with a relatively large magazine capacity(compared to the M1911). The Glock 19 magazine holds 4 more rounds (17 vs 13 in the Glock 21).
So, is 9mm now okay if you can carry 4 more rounds in the magazine? Or is the decision really based on conforming to the handgun types and ammunition calibers already used by the other special operation forces within SOCOM in order to simplify logistics and increase interoperability?
I’ll give one a look, but the P220 in .38 Super is my favorite.
” Grunts hate heavy sh*t, and don’t use handguns much, so why carry a bigazz custom 1911. “
Glock 19: 30oz
Beretta 92: 33oz
1911: 38oz
Not exactly “bigazz”, unless your a child or a pussy.
“Col. Jeff Cooper who is probably spinning in his grave at my words.”
Maybe not. Col. Cooper thought a lot of the `Wonder Nines’, particularly the CZ 75. Like most conservative gunners and German engineers, he favored function over form.
Welcome to FR.
Sorry I was meaning that in a general sense.
I love my Kimber 1911 Super Custom Carry. It is my preferred carry gun. I have shot with it for years and never had any problems. No miss-fire, failure to feed, or stove piping.
Glocks do not fit my hand. The Gen 4’s are better but if I wanted large capacity I’ll take my Sig 226.
I think military operators ought to have whatever they want as long as the armory has the ammo.
The only design problem I have ever encountered in the 1911 is the staked in spring tunnel for the safety and slide stop.
I have had a couple get loose.
How do you measure this?
I had a friend who had an Auto Ordinance 1911. The extractor was actually loose. Of course it jammed.
He and I decided to try and bend it to put tension in it. When he struck it, it broke. He then brazed the two pieces back together and somewhat surprisingly, it worked perfectly after that.
I suggested that he still send it back for repair but he never did.
I lugged around a Grease Gun (bitch to keep rust free)but we also had a BAR in the fire team.
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