Marines finally retire the 1911

[Magyars]

Pretty good run for a military sidearm.

Iconic 1911 Pistols Have Finally Been Retired From Marine Corps Service

The Marine Corps' time as the last major U.S. military user of the legendary 1911 pistol has come to an end.

www.thedrive.com

 

[COOPADUP]

 

[Skip]

Smartest thing they did, retired the 1911AARP!
When I was in the Corps, we had some that you would do better killing someone with if you threw it at them. Many shot on other people's targets at 25 yards. They were pitiful.
That was in 1973 to 1976 though.....

 

[Leo]

A worn out machine does not mean the machine was bad, it was just worn out.

 

[bobzilla]

111 year run? I think it did fine. Those that think they were using the same worn out 1911’s from WW2 obviously have no idea. The M45A1 that is being retired was from a 2012 contract for new weapons. These are the railed match barrel critter that had all the performance upgrades of a modern civvie 1911. Replaced mostly by 2020 with G19’s for logistics reasons not performance reasons

Edit: pre-2003 there were frames being used with 500k rounds on them. Damn. Tough old birds.

 

[MrSmitty]

I'd like to see if a grock or plastic Sig will last 111 years.....guess I'll never know......

 

[Bassat]

Brings a tear to my eye. My fondest memories of the M1911A1 come from sucking up to our unit (69th Transportation Company, Bremerhaven, FROG) armorer. He always got stuck cleaning all the officers' guns after a range day. I begged him to let me help him. He did not trust my work. I asked him to inspect my M16A1. He did. I got the job. I fondly remember pouring over ever aspect of those guns. I did a full take-down and clean on all of them, every time. I loved cleaning them as much as shooting them. The 1911 was a gift from God to JMB, who graciously passed it on the rest of us.

 

[wcd]

There are still many that still utilize them daily. So I believe they will continue to be relevant for some time to come.

 

[wcd]

Smartest thing they did, retired the 1911AARP!
When I was in the Corps, we had some that you would do better killing someone with if you threw it at them. Many shot on other people's targets at 25 yards. They were pitiful.
That was in 1973 to 1976 though.....

Pretty sure the AARP has an active hatred for the 1911, by virtue of its existence.

***Hats are so far to the left it’s not even funny. There are far better options out there for those that may be of an age to qualify.

My parents wanted to join and I had to back up the bus, they ended up going elsewhere.

 

[Mgderf]

Pretty sure the AARP has an active hatred for the 1911, by virtue of its existence.

***Hats are so far to the left it’s not even funny. There are far better options out there for those that may be of an age to qualify.

My parents wanted to join and I had to back up the bus, they ended up going elsewhere.

AARP can't hold a candle to AMAC.
Not even in the same league.
Oh, and ideas may get old, but the JMB brainchild 1911 will live in infamy.

 

[wcd]

AARP can't hold a candle to AMAC.
Not even in the same league.

That’s where my parents went.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

That’s where my parents went.

I had never heard of them, But at 59 not really looking yet but thats what I would go with

 

[88E30M50]

The sad thing about today's M18s is that what constitutes the gun might run for years, but every time someone drops it and puts a big ding in it or something, they'll probably just put the FCG into a new grip. When they finally do retire them, you won't have the same pistol that was in a GI's holster, but just the slide and FCG. The original 1911s were re-arsenaled several times and might have had a new slide fit, but that frame was still the same one that was carried by a soldier somewhere.

I wonder when/if they'll sell these new 1911s being retired eventually? If so, I hope they retain the same patina as a couple in the pics in the artical had.

 

[Amishman44]

Nothing wrong with a good 1911...solid pistol design, even after 110+ years...love them!
Doesn't mean they don't need to be cared for and even repaired or updated occasionally.
That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to carry one, if I had to, but there are other pistols that can be more efficient (lighter weight, higher capacity, etc.), that I would choose from for an EDC, depending on one's need.

 

[bobzilla]

Nothing wrong with a good 1911...solid pistol design, even after 110+ years...love them!
Doesn't mean they don't need to be cared for and even repaired or updated occasionally.
That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to carry one, if I had to, but there are other pistols that can be more efficient (lighter weight, higher capacity, etc.), that I would choose from for an EDC, depending on one's need.

I willingly carry 1911’s. It’s what I’m comfortable with, proficient with and enjoy.

 

[wcd]

Nothing wrong with a good 1911...solid pistol design, even after 110+ years...love them!
Doesn't mean they don't need to be cared for and even repaired or updated occasionally.
That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to carry one, if I had to, but there are other pistols that can be more efficient (lighter weight, higher capacity, etc.), that I would choose from for an EDC, depending on one's need.

Intentionally derailing post here.

But who did the Bobtail? Very nice

 

[wcd]

I willingly carry 1911’s. It’s what I’m comfortable with, proficient with and enjoy.

Indeed

 

[Amishman44]

Intentionally derailing post here.

But who did the Bobtail? Very nice

Love this Ruger Commander...this is just a chance to post it again!
The compliment is to AllenM...and, yes, he does very nice work!

 

[wcd]

Love this Ruger Commander...this is just a chance to post it again!
The compliment is to AllenM...and, yes, he does very nice work!

Very nice indeed. Something about an all steel 1911. Many will scoff at its weight, but not everyone can appreciate them because they are not the latest and greatest poly blaster.

 

[STEEL CORE]

I have heard rumors that the Marines always had to make do with the oldest equipment.
So many fond memories of my Army days with a 1911A1.
I own several Colts and one each Remington Rand and Ithaca pistols just like I was issued.
I never felt underpinned carrying one on duty.