Modern .45 pistol outclasses the M9

[thedrifter]

Issue Date: December 01, 2003

Modern .45 pistol outclasses the M9

Gregory R. Topp

The writer, a former Metro Denver police officer, is a sergeant and an aviation supply specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The Sept. 29 issue of Marine Corps Times featured a cover story about ?Why Marines want to dump the 9mm.? Clearly, the Beretta M9 9mm pistol arouses rabid discussion among professional Marines.

As the article noted, many Marines miss the M1911A1 .45-caliber pistol. What wasn?t noted, however, is that the modern 1911 is a much-improved version of the World War II-vintage M1911A1 that was issued to Marines. As good as the original M1911A1 was, the last major delivery of the pistol to the Marine Corps was in 1945. Most were made during wartime emergency and had poor metallurgy, resulting in premature failure of components and sloppy tolerances. Also, their range was limited due to poor sights and other problems. Yet, these pistols were used by Marines well into the 1990s.

Today, at least seven major manufacturers produce a modern 1911 ? a pistol that outclasses in many ways the Beretta that has been the Corps-issued sidearm since 1985.

Many Marines lack confidence in the M9 pistol. Some of the concerns are:

? The round. The 9mm has a smaller cross-sectional density and lighter weight than the .45. The increased velocity and nonexpanding 9mm bullet mean that it overpenetrates, inflicting little tissue damage. That often results in a failure to stop an attacker.

? Ergonomics. The M9 is a large pistol. Many Marines with smaller hands cannot wrap their hands around it for a stable shooting platform. Additionally, the double-action trigger pull for the first shot is heavy, frequently resulting in a bad or missed shot. The sloppy single-action trigger pull is also a detriment to sustained accurate fire.

? The magazine. I have watched a Marine take his fully loaded magazine out of the magazine pouch, only to have three rounds fall to the deck and the remaining 12 rounds jiggle around inside the magazine. This is because many of the magazine springs haven?t been replaced in years.

Now, let?s turn to the modern 1911.

When I was a police officer, I carried a Les Baer 1911. For the three years I was on the street, I never felt undergunned. Many officers I served with carried the Beretta or Glock 9mm pistols and close to 45 rounds. Many of them suggested they would ?fill the air with lead? if they had a failure to stop. I had faith in my .45, because I was proficient in its use and aware of its inherent stopping power.

The modern 1911 .45 has many attributes that make it a weapon of choice in combat operations:

? Few would argue that a full-metal jacket .45 bullet lacks stopping power.

? The modern 1911 pistol is more ergonomic and has less recoil than its grandfather, the M1911A1. Its recoil is not appreciably greater than that of the 9mm, and the design of the ?Beavertail? grip on the new 1911 adds to recoil management. It is also safer. The only way a modern 1911 is going to fire is if you pull the trigger.

? As Marine Corps Times noted, the specially modified .45-caliber Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) pistol has an effective range of 50 meters or more, twice the range of the old M1911A1. The new breed of 1911 has this type of accuracy engineered into it.

? The design is simple and reliable. Only basic weapons maintenance is needed to keep one operating smoothly, and many armorers can repair or replace integral parts easily in the field. In addition, many of the parts and equipment needed to maintain these weapons, not to mention ammunition, still are in the government?s inventory.

? After 90 years of continuous production, there is a growing number of manufacturers, leading to continuous product improvements.

? While a seven-round magazine is standard for the 1911, eight- and 10-round magazines are readily available, for a total capacity of nine to 11 rounds.

The M9 pistol and the 9mm cartridge are simply inadequate for close-quarters battle.

Why do the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, Los Angeles SWAT, military special-operations forces and other knowledgeable armed professionals trust their lives to the 1911? Because its record of reliability and stopping power is unequaled, but mostly because it works.

The many upcoming close-quarters and house-to-house battles that Marines will fight during the war on terrorism will be won by superior tactics and firepower.

We owe it to our Marines to give them the very best tools for the job.


http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/stor...ER-2411636.php


Sempers,

Roger