Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

Colt M45 MEU(SOC)

Special Forces Semi-Automatic Service Pistol [ 1986 ]

The MEU SOC is an improved M1911 series .45 caliber pistol in service with the US Marine Corps.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/28/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The MEU(SOC) represents the ultimate evolution of the M1911 Colt system which appeared in the early 1900's and developed into a much-liked and well-respected weapon for countless security and military forces the world over. The system was held in high regard thanks to its overall design, lending to a higher degree of reliability, ruggedness and man-stopping power. The MEU(SOC) was spawned from a need to arm United States Marine Corps personnel with a standard sidearm when fielding the HK MP5-N navy-model 9mm submachine gun.

Seeing it that the M1911A1 was in large supply thanks to it being accepted as the standard US sidearm for decades, the MEU(SOC) was the M1911A1 in modified form - even though all M1911A1's were set to be replaced by the newly-accepted Beretta M9 9m pistols. Though outwardly, the MEU(SOC) shares some similarities to the M1911A1 system, the MEU(SOC) features a host of improvements that have increased its effectiveness and handling characteristics.

The MEU(SOC) features a new barrel design, more sensitive trigger function, improved iron sights and a rubber-coated pistol-grip. The magazines themselves have now been updated to a more effective stainless steel model as well. Some 500 M1911A1 models were modified to this newer MEU(SOC) standard, ensuring that the M1911 series as a whole will continue to serve with US forces for decades more.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1986

Origin

United States

Classification

Special Forces Semi-Automatic Service Pistol

Specially Trained Armorers at MCB - Quantico, VA USA

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United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Pistol / Sidearm
Compact design for close-quarters work or general self-defense.

✓ Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

Overall Length

210 mm
8.27 in

Barrel Length

127 mm
5.00 in

Empty Wgt

2.51 lb
1.14 kg

Sights

Iron Front and Rear

Action

Semi-Automatic; Recoil-Operated

Semi-Automatic
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moved bolt.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

.45 ACP

Rounds / Feed

7-round box magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

165 ft
(50 m | 55 yd)

Muzzle Velocity

830 ft/sec
(253 m/sec)

M45 MEU(SOC) - Base Series Designation

M1911 - Base Colt Model on which the MEU(SOC) is derived from.

M1911A1 - Improved M1911

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