MEU SOC .45 continues to provide stopping power for 31st MEU

United States Marine Corp ^ | 08/09/2006 | Lance Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani, 31st MEU

[Flavius]

NAVAL COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS STATION, Guam (Aug. 8, 2006) -- Whenever caught in the heat of a close-quarters battle, as a last resort, service members may draw for their side arm. For most U.S. military personnel, it will be the M-9 9 mm pistol – but that’s not the case for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Deep Reconnaissance Platoon; they are still true to the renowned .45-caliber pistol.

Like other Marine Expeditionary Units the 31st MEU’s DRP carries the MEU SOC (Special Operations Capable) .45-caliber pistol, which is a specialized version of the classic Colt M-1911A1 frame, tailored particularly to offer the recon Marines with the stopping power required to help accomplish specific missions.

Gunnery Sgt. Carl Holden, a close-quarters battle instructor with the III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Special Operations Training Group, said the large-caliber pistol is crucial for the recon Marines’ and sailors’ direct-action operations as an additional weapon.

“This is their secondary weapon. If they have to use their side arm, it is most likely because something went wrong and they are already put to a disadvantage, so they will need something quick and reliable that will also provide immediate stopping power,” added Sgt. Jesse Kekiwi, another CQB instructor with SOTG.

“Even if you’re wearing body armor, it’s still going to feel like a three-hundred pound man sat on your chest when you’re shot by one,” said Holden.

“The main reasons we prefer the .45 pistol is because it’s more accurate, powerful, rugged and not to mention that it allows shots to be fired more quickly straight out of the holster with the single-action system as to the M-9, which is a double action pistol,” explained Kekiwi.

Single-action, semi-automatic pistols require the hammer to be cocked before firing the first round. This allows recon personnel to have greater reduced trigger-pull weight. After the first round is fired the slide automatically moves back to cock the hammer again for the following rounds.

Although the MEU SOC .45 is a great weapon, it does not necessarily mean that the M-9 is not, explained Holden. The M-9 is a quality weapon with many good features. With the safety of the double-action trigger, 15-round magazine capacity, moderately low recoil and the fact that it fires the same ammunition used by other allies makes it is well-suited for self-defense and typical military use.

In DRP’s case, they are likely to find themselves in a stand-off, within steps away from their enemy. The time needed to fire off a second round to incapacitate the enemy can mean life or death, said Cpl. Michael Ferschke, Jr., a DRP radio operator.

“Every shot counts in close-quarters combat and we feel more comfortable using it because it delivers more ‘bang for the buck’.”

[Flavius]

Cpl. Michael Ferschke, Jr., a radio operator with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, loads a magazine of seven rounds into his MEU SOC (Special Operations Capable) .45-caliber pistols for a close-quarters battle drill here Aug. 8. Is a specialized version of the classic Colt M-1911A1 frame, tailored particularly to offer the recon Marines with the stopping power required to help accomplish specific missions. In DRP’s case, they are likely to find themselves in a stand-off, within steps away from their enemy. The time needed to fire off a second round to incapacitate the enemy can mean life or death. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani

Cpl. Michael Ferschke, Jr., a radio operator with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, engages a target during a close-quarters battle drill with his MEU SOC (Special Operations Capable) .45-caliber pistols here Aug. 8 to become more proficient with his secondary weapon. The large-caliber pistol is crucial for the recon Marines’ and sailors’ direct-action operations as an additional weapon. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani

Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, engage targets during a close-quarters battle drill with their MEU SOC (Special Operations Capable) .45-caliber pistols here Aug. 8 to become more proficient with their secondary weapon. The large-caliber pistol is crucial for the recon Marines’ and sailors’ direct-action operations as an additional weapon. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani

Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, engage targets during a close-quarters battle drill with their MEU SOC (Special Operations Capable) .45-caliber pistols here Aug. 8 to become more proficient with their secondary weapon. The large-caliber pistol is crucial for the recon Marines’ and sailors’ direct-action operations as an additional weapon. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani

[Flavius]

and if your really get in trouble

[pgobrien]

The more things change.....the more they stay the same.
Love my Govt issue .45ACP. The M-14 .308 seems to be making a comeback as well. Enough of the wimpy NATO rounds, I want these guys to STAY dead after they are shot!

[Jack Black]

“The main reasons we prefer the .45 pistol is because it’s more accurate, powerful, rugged and not to mention that it allows shots to be fired more quickly ..."

And the advantage of the 9mm Beretta is .... ideal round for killing racoons and small dogs?

[llevrok]

And the advantage of the 9mm Beretta is ....

It made our NATO friends feel good about themselves.KoombaaaYaa, my as$

A nice Springfield Arms AMERICAN MADE .45, please....

[BenLurkin]

Very cool.

[TexasTransplant]

>>>>"Love my Govt issue .45ACP. The M-14 .308 seems to be making a comeback as well"<<<<<

2 of my 3 favorites, add the Model 97 12GA for the perfect trio of Home defense and Hunting.

(For Varmints and plinking cans I like cheap ammo so the Ruger 1022 is what I actually shoot the most)

TT

[El Gato]

The M-14 .308 seems to be making a comeback as well. Enough of the wimpy NATO rounds

Umm, the .308/7.62x51 *is* a NATO round. At our insistance I might add. Brits were trying for something in the 6mm range IIRC. Then we got Kennedy/McNamara and the 5.56.

[pgobrien]

El Gato....mmmmm point taken. I meant the .223 and the 9mm.

[larrysh]

Hope no one from DU is lurking, those pictures will scare them to death!

[elcid1970]

In case someone from DU or move.on is lurking, then

.45 - apply directly to the forehead!
.45 - apply directly to the forehead!
.45 - apply directly to the forehead!

;^)

[Recon Dad]

Although the MEU SOC .45 is a great weapon, it does not necessarily mean that the M-9 is not, explained Holden. The M-9 is a quality weapon with many good features.

According to my son, who was with Force Recon and is now with Marsoc, one of the good features of the 9MM is if you throw it at someone you would do more damage than the round usually did.

The word is they are exploring Glocks .45's right now.

[M1911A1]

Wow, a .45 ACP service pistol, I'm not sure how I feel about that...

[QQQQ]

Year 1982.15 km south of Beirut. 35-40 meters.FEG HP 9mm.One bullet in the chest. I still remember his face.

[Vision]

I have never been a soldier; I don't understand how they don't lose their hearing and are able to communicate in battle. I fired one round from a 45acp without hearing protection outside, in an open field, and the ringing in my ears didn't go away for a week.

[FunkyZero]

If you fire the hot ones, it HURTS. The rest just make your ears ring.
I get the itch for a new handgun almost every year. I go shopping, look around.. I can never find anything that satisfies me and always end up buying another .45. I now have a collection of various 1911's of various mfg. I just recently aquired a new bobtail Dan Wesson in .45. I'd give it 5 stars for anyone who is shopping... extremely accurate and fits nice.
In case yer interested: http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=66

[Vision]

What's a hot one? Extra powder?

[QQQQ]

Yes.And in many cases different bullets.

[Recon Dad]

I'm only relaying what the trigger pullers tell me. They have no interest in the 9mm.

I have a S&W sigma 9mm for sales right now with very little use if you're interested.

[FreedomPoster]

Love my G21. You could do much worse, for a service pistol. In fact, we do right now.