What size "index card?"   8.5" x 11"? 

Assuming the M45 is gear toward combat use and has tolerances associated with that.  What does the Colt description or other reviews mention about stuff like bushing or barrel/slide fitting?  Overall, I would think the 1911 of the $1k-ish MSRP range would be capable of pretty decent groupings.  But maybe not the accuracy expected of custom 1911s of that $2k+ range with tighter fitting and/or tolerances.

MAC has a vid at 7yards and grouping was golfball at moderate fire.

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Shot the long awaited unicorn. About 320rds in 1 1/4 hours. She chewed everything, zero jams.

230gr for all, Federal, Fiocchi, Blazer, PMC Bronze and 20rds Federal HST. From wilson 10rders. Also ran a few 7rd Colt mags and no issues.

I did notice more carbon than the vp9 (9mm). Idk if cause its a tan gun or thats how 45acp is. Had carbon soot on my fingers also. Never had that with the vp9. The most i shot 9mm in 1 sitting was about 250ish. See below pics.

Also POA/POI seemed low, compared to the vp9 that ive only been shooting for 6 years now. At 15 yards, was like 5 inches low. Its prob the indian cause on a few that i 4got to take the safety off, the flinch was huge. Aiming with the front post higher (see pic below and far right example) seemed to help. I need to figure this out, mental block problem. For a 10r mag, like 3 were dead center and almost same hole and the other 7 were 5 inches low. Which leads me to believe its the indian.

The biggest getting used to is the safety. No problems engaging it when not shooting, its the forgetting to take it off when ready to shoot or taking it off when cocked and locked with no mag inserted. So i damn near bust my wrist trying to rack the slide after inserting a mag (u must disengage safety to rack).

Finger placement on the trigger seems more forgiving. With the vp9, too much finger and i yank the shot noticably.

Overall a fun gun that i will be shooting much more. Got choke ammo still. Next handgun skill builder, i will be using her instead of the vp9.

Thanks to all who followed this and helped along the way.

Mrs.cmo tried it and wasnt a fan. She does like our friends shadow 2 she shot today.
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I got to give it a test drive. It shoots like expected.... damn good like a 1911 should. 

I ordered 1 and dropped a down payment for the M45A1 back in September. I was told 8-10 week ETA.

Was this through a local dealer in Honolulu? The sellers on Gunbroker are asking for outrageous prices, hovering around $3K for these models. The M45A1 Marine (sku O1070M45) is listed for $1699 on the Colt website.

Have you found any difference in the balance with a 7 rd vs. 10 rd magazine? I have universal tools for working on Airsoft 1911's, but would I need an expensive bushing wrench to work on the real deal high end 1911's?

a bushing wrench is needed if the gun was fitted

Bushing wrench was discussed earlier in this thread (at least I believe).  I needed a metal (not sure if steel or aluminum) bushing wrench for one of my 1911s that has a very tight fitting bushing.  Where a plastic bunching wrench that some one gave me didn't budge anything.  I got one from Brownells for around $20-25. 

Or one can always try their airsoft tools. . . seems legit

Was this through a local dealer in Honolulu? The sellers on Gunbroker are asking for outrageous prices, hovering around $3K for these models. The M45A1 Marine (sku O1070M45) is listed for $1699 on the Colt website.

Have you found any difference in the balance with a 7 rd vs. 10 rd magazine? I have universal tools for working on Airsoft 1911's, but would I need an expensive bushing wrench to work on the real deal high end 1911's?

Yes. The LGS bid on 1 for me, but the seller didn't get his FFL, so he lost the bid after a week. So when I rebid myself, I had to pay $100 more.  The MSRP on websites are $1500 ish, but Colt hasn't made the guns in over a year, so all sites are "out of stock".  So the only option right now is the GB market from people who have it prior to them not making them.  Colt hasn't really made 1911's for about a year. LGS here and in Vegas have no Colt 1911's. They're focusing on their revolver market and AR.  About 3 weeks ago, Spartan Arms in Vegas had 1 Colt 1911 though.

Other 1911's that I've seen in the shelf here and in Vegas are S&W, RIA, Dan Wesson, just to name a few. So other companies are still making them on a mass scale, just not Colt.

So the going rate for a M45 on GB is $2700.  If there's a bid over $3K, walk away.

I don't feel a balance difference between the mags.  I also cannot tell the weight diff with a loaded and unloaded VP9 (Taken reference).  The gun itself is noticeably heavier than the poly VP9 that I've been shooting for the past 6 years. The biggest notice is while holstered. The M45 moves around more than the lighter VP9.

a bushing wrench is needed if the gun was fitted

Luckily no wrench is needed. I'm thinking this was on purpose because it was a 1911 designed to fight with (Marines) so to not be able to clean it in the field is a huge problem.  Assume no wrench is available or that's more ounces to have to carry. Ounces = pounds.

SNIP

I plan on using the 1911 for skill builders/classes. So she won't be a safe queen.  So spending $1200 or so is what I'm willing to spend and not have an issue with it being a tool.  If I spend say $3k, then I won't want to get her dirty or scratched up.

SNIP

So the going rate for a M45 on GB is $2700.  If there's a bid over $3K, walk away.

$200-300 for ammo.   

I bet that budget is long gone, eh?

$200-300 for ammo.   

I bet that budget is long gone, eh?

That was my budget, but a few months after that post, my income went up.  So the budget changed.  I still like the Scorpion, but buy once cry once.I learned this the hard way (with holsters).  Holsters are cheaper, but still a good starting point to learn from.  Which is also why I went with X300 WML. I'm pretty sure the TRL-1 would have fit in the holster. Next time I clean, I might try cause the VP9 has a TLR-1 on it.

Who knows what the next 1911 might be (Scorpion or Emessary). But pistol with RDS is next draft choice.

SIG has also stopped making the Scorpions on a mass level. So GB is the route. MSRP is about $1k-$1200.  But GB rate is about $1500 to $1800.  In Vegas get choke various SIG's, just no 1911 SIGs.

That was my budget, but a few months after that post, my income went up.  So the budget changed.  I still like the Scorpion, but buy once cry once.I learned this the hard way (with holsters).  Holsters are cheaper, but still a good starting point to learn from.  Which is also why I went with X300 WML. I'm pretty sure the TRL-1 would have fit in the holster. Next time I clean, I might try cause the VP9 has a TLR-1 on it.

Who knows what the next 1911 might be (Scorpion or Emessary). But pistol with RDS is next draft choice.

SIG has also stopped making the Scorpions on a mass level. So GB is the route. MSRP is about $1k-$1200.  But GB rate is about $1500 to $1800.  In Vegas get choke various SIG's, just no 1911 SIGs.

I was just mostly teasing you, but also "you know what you know", at least at that time. 

I am similar mindset.  Might as well as get what you want, assuming you can afford without much hardship.  Otherwise, you would be left wondering, wanting, etc.  Life is short.  Enjoy it! 

Now get a Sig MCX 

I was just mostly teasing you, but also "you know what you know", at least at that time. 

I am similar mindset.  Might as well as get what you want, assuming you can afford without much hardship.  Otherwise, you would be left wondering, wanting, etc.  Life is short.  Enjoy it! 

Now get a Sig MCX 

I am going Vegas soon. So if I hit the Megabucks, I'llbuy  a few and use as a paperweight.  Just to flex.

I am going Vegas soon. So if I hit the Megabucks, I'llbuy  a few and use as a paperweight.  Just to flex.

I'll take (the money for) two or three.   

If I win MegaBucks, I'll buy property and have a range.

The low shots was 100% me. At least my low shots grouping were all touching at 5 yrds and orange size at 10yrds.

Ran a drill from a friend. 1 shot in mag and pull trigger twice. Noticable flinch on 2nd empty shot that my vp9 doesnt have and dry fire at home doesnt duplicate. Grouping at 5 yards was smaller than golfball once flinch stopped.

Few shots at 10 yrds were same hole.

Had 1st jam. I think it was the 1 bullet. Same Critical Defense JHP 185gr bullet failed to feed 3 times. All other 19rds in the box fired flawlessly.  I wont be using this ammo for HD.

No jams rest of the day, about 150rds Federal FMJ.

Had fun again with the 1911.

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The low shots was 100% me. At least my low shots grouping were all touching at 5 yrds and orange size at 10yrds.

Ran a drill from a friend. 1 shot in mag and pull trigger twice. Noticable flinch on 2nd empty shot that my vp9 doesnt have and dry fire at home doesnt duplicate. Grouping at 5 yards was smaller than golfball once flinch stopped.

Few shots at 10 yrds were same hole.

Had 1st jam. I think it was the 1 bullet. Same Critical Defense JHP 185gr bullet failed to feed 3 times. All other 19rds in the box fired flawlessly.  I wont be using this ammo for HD.

No jams rest of the day, about 150rds Federal FMJ.

Had fun again with the 1911.

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I haven't shot pistol on the bullseye range in a long time, but when I did, I would do ball and dummy often.  Particularly more when I shot at lot as I noticed that shot anticipation discipline waned when shooting more often. Another good drill/exercise is to have a friend load your mags and randomly mix dummy rounds in.  Very useful when your mind is on the course of fire and seeing if your trigger press/shot break is solid.  Dry fire is great, but there are some things that you just have to see in live fire.  Trust the target. . .

You want some toast to go along with your jams?   

I forgot to add, comparison grouping.

5 yards
VP9 about egg size grouping
M45 smaller than golfball

10 yards
VP9 about avodado
M45 about small tagerine and occasional same hole. Never got same hole with VP9 ever

15 yards
VP9 about Jabone (moderate speed fire)
M45-Some same hole (never done this with the VP9), but probably big orange when not flinching.  I haven't shot it again at 15 after figuring out my flinch problem.

25yards
VP9 can hit index card with slow fire. Moderate fire about volleyball
M45-Haven't done yet

New testing will begin. How many rds can i go without cleaning (until it bothers me anyways), but just oiling. Since i oil my guns again b4 shooting if theyve been sitting for a few months.

So far ive shot about 500rds (40 HP ammo) and only a failure to feed. It was the same HP round 3x. So im thinking this 1 round had an issue. 320rds b4 first cleaining and 180 2nd cleaning.



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Also gonna test some Fiocchi JHP ammo.  I have enough Federal HST, but I was able to acquire some Fiocchi. The online gel test diff is HST has about 14 inch penetration compared to 18 inch for Fiocchi.  Both of 5 rounds tested, 1 for each didn't expand. So mainly I want to make sure the Fiocchi JHP works in my gun, as the Critical Defense had that 1 round fail multiple times. 

New testing will begin. How many rds can i go without cleaning (until it bothers me anyways), but just oiling. Since i oil my guns again b4 shooting if theyve been sitting for a few months.

So far ive shot about 500rds (40 HP ammo) and only a failure to feed. It was the same HP round 3x. So im thinking this 1 round had an issue. 320rds b4 first cleaining and 180 2nd cleaning.



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I put $5 on a failure to feed within 1000 rounds.

Also gonna test some Fiocchi JHP ammo.  I have enough Federal HST, but I was able to acquire some Fiocchi. The online gel test diff is HST has about 14 inch penetration compared to 18 inch for Fiocchi.  Both of 5 rounds tested, 1 for each didn't expand. So mainly I want to make sure the Fiocchi JHP works in my gun, as the Critical Defense had that 1 round fail multiple times. 

Differnt gun/caliber, but I shot and tested Fiocchi JHP in .40 S&W.  Wasn't impressed.  It was on sale and didn't have any JHP for that caliber.  I've since pretty much stopped buying .40 S&W, but nothing really to do with the gun or ammo. 

Update:

So far about 650rds FMJ and 70rds various HP.  I would say the gun is g2g now.  Sorry guys who I've been letting shoot without a care for the cost of ammo.  Gonna me a little more pake now.

Shot at 15 yards (moderate rate of fire)  and 5 of 10rds was inside orange size. 3 were touching.  The rest were within a grapefruit.  I don't remember what my VP9 can do at this distance, but I know for sure it wasn't 5 of 10 inside orange, yet alone rounds touching with moderate fire.  I remember 1 SB I took, I was so fatigued that I had trouble getting inside a basketball at 15yrds with the VP9.

I did shoot a Mrs. CMO's P10C  also and at 5 yards, had rounds touching with moderate fire.   I have never done this b4.  I think it's the trigger on the 1911 that is causing me to focus more when pulling.  I can feel my pull is slightly different now when going back to a striker fire (bladed trigger), even though those are based on a pivot point.  Only shot the 1911 3 times so far, but been doing more dry fire with her at home.

Update:

So far about 650rds FMJ and 70rds various HP.  I would say the gun is g2g now.  Sorry guys who I've been letting shoot without a care for the cost of ammo.  Gonna me a little more pake now.

Shot at 15 yards (moderate rate of fire)  and 5 of 10rds was inside orange size. 3 were touching.  The rest were within a grapefruit.  I don't remember what my VP9 can do at this distance, but I know for sure it wasn't 5 of 10 inside orange, yet alone rounds touching with moderate fire.  I remember 1 SB I took, I was so fatigued that I had trouble getting inside a basketball at 15yrds with the VP9.

I did shoot a Mrs. CMO's P10C  also and at 5 yards, had rounds touching with moderate fire.   I have never done this b4.  I think it's the trigger on the 1911 that is causing me to focus more when pulling.  I can feel my pull is slightly different now when going back to a striker fire (bladed trigger), even though those are based on a pivot point.  Only shot the 1911 3 times so far, but been doing more dry fire with her at home.

Recommend you get to 1000 rounds, or at least 200 rounds straight with no malfunctions. . . 

Mostly joking, but I still think you should.  Otherwise your OCD will bother you. . . 

Good that you shot the P10C right after well after shooting the 1911.  It's can take me a little bit when I had been shooting say my Shadow, then shoot a Glock, and vice versa.

Thanks for letting me help test your gun.  It's a nice shooting gun.  Even with all of the rust on my pistol shooting.  Always fun shoot a nice 1911, especially with #freeammo