Washington, July 29 (ANI): A handgun, often called the greatest handgun ever made, and designed by the legendary John Browning for the U.S. Military around 1911, is set to make a big comeback, after U.S. Marines placed a 22.5 million dollar order for the Connecticut-made pistols.
The Colt .45 M1911, which has been wielded on film by John Wayne and in real life by Sgt. Alvin York and Maj. Audie Murphy, was the standard-issue sidearm in the military for decades, until it was replaced by the Beretta M9 in 1985.
"It just became an iconic part of military and American history," Fox News quoted Gerry Dinkel, CEO and president of Colt Defense, as saying.
The gun, one of the most successful pistols ever used at Camp Perry's National Matches, a competition known to be the main world event in artillery sports, has barely changed since it's creation. Dinkel says that shows the gun's "elegant design" just can't be improved on. And firearms experts agree with Dinkel.
"You can't beat a .45 cartridge. Some things are hard to replace," said Jack Lewis, firearms director for Cowan's Auctions.
Colt Defense will supply as many as 12,000 of the 200,000 U.S. Marines with semi-automatic, tan-colored M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols, and they will include spare parts and logistical support. The gun has long been the weapon of choice for special operations agents, thanks to its reliability and the stopping power of its massive bullets.
"To have the 1911 selected again for U. S. Forces 101 years after its initial introduction is just an incredible testament to the timeless design and effectiveness of the Colt 1911. This is truly a gratifying contract award," Dinkel added. (ANI)
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