Pistol, Cal. .45, MEU SOC

[razor_blade]

Originally Posted by Mike92GT

Figured I'd put a few pics in here for the MEU(SOC) fans. I picked this up recently, it was built by Dave Sams, link here:http://www.samscustomgunworksusa.com/meusoc.html
It's a Caspian frame and slide, and uses the original Clark grip safety and King's ambi safety found on the older MEU(SOC) pistols. Also has a blackened Bar-Sto barrel, and as you can see the parts are stamped with the last 4 digits of the Serial #.

I just bought a Sams build that is MEUSOC 'ish. I say 'ish for several reasons; it is a little off standard, but holy smokes can it shoot!







Alas, it will not be staying this way for long. I love it, but I have plans that involve checkering.

[supervel]

Originally Posted by mlin

There was a small batch of Caspian frames acquired by USMC to build MEUSOC pistol in 2008. Also all the most recent "known" solicitation records indicated that Bar-Sto barrel is the choice of current MEUSOC pistol. See links for source information. No rumor, just facts.

Aug 2008 awarded to Caspian - firm fixed price contract with Caspian Arms, LTD, (Cage: 0WAM0) for the following part: Item 0001: 1911 Receiver w/ .250 Radius & Integral plunger Tube- Qty: 300 ea.......
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportun...bfc2a&_cview=0
http://www.fedspending.org/fpds/fpds...type=T&sortp=i


July 2009 Solicitation - RFI commercially made 1911 frame. Two companies, Caspian and Harris Brown LLC (? never heard of this company before), are interested vendors. Looks like MEUs are in for more 1911 and inventory of WWII milsurp frames are depleting after more than 60 years in service.
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportun...eea4d&_cview=1

June 2009 MEU Pistol parts list
https://www.neco.navy.mil/synopsis_f...ts_25JUN09.pdf

November 2008 MEU Pistol parts list & solicitation
https://www.neco.navy.mil/synopsis_f...chment_(1).doc

September 2009 M45 Close Quarter Combats Pistol from Navy website (parts compatibility list at the end of this document)
https://www.neco.navy.mil/upload/M67...nt_%282%29.pdf

December 2009 M-45 MEUSOC pistol parts list & RFI - looks like the designation "M-45" is official.
https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&m...ffc9d&_cview=1
https://www.neco.navy.mil/synopsis_f...ist_-__M45.xls

On the Caspian Frames does anyone know if they are cast or forged? To my understandering Caspian no longer makes forged frames,and I do not know exactly when they stopped? Did the Marines have them special ordered as forged or did they try the cast ones? Thank you if your help answer my question.

[dante551]

check out http://www.readycitizen.com/meusoc-45-pistol and http://www.readycitizen.com/meusoc45-project. lots of good info for you and your build

[Jim Watson]

Caspian frames are now cast, I don't know if they were ever forged. They have gone from cast to forged slides.

Frame Warranty: Steel frames of all types are guaranteed for life against cracking.

So I don't worry about whether a Caspian frame is forged or cast.
Do the Marines? I don't know.
The only cracked frame I ever saw was a forged Colt.
Is this in the interest of serviceability or authenticity?

[Gary Smith]

Caspian has always had a cast frame. They have Ruger (Pine Tree Casting) do the actual casting and heat treating of them from Caspian's tooling. They get them as oversize blanks and every surface gets machined by Caspian. They are so sure that they are the strongest 1911 frames available that they guarantee them FOREVER against any structual failure or cracking.

[dante551]

I placed a Surefire mount on my MEU(SOC).45 that I made starting with a Springfield Loaded Parkerized 1911a1

[mlin]

Originally Posted by dante551

I placed a Surefire mount on my MEU(SOC).45 that I made starting with a Springfield Loaded Parkerized 1911a1

Looks good. Surefire mount is the current setup on recent MARSOC M-45 pistol.

[JeffC]

Originally Posted by mlin

Looks good. Surefire mount is the current setup on recent MARSOC M-45 pistol.

What magazine was that article in? I thought I had that same article but can't remember where to look.

[mlin]

Originally Posted by JeffC

What magazine was that article in? I thought I had that same article but can't remember where to look.

It was from the book: MARSOC: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command
Interestingly, one is in Caspian frame (SN# MC18) and Springfield Loaded slide combination. The other has Surefire MR07 rail mount & X300 on it, but can not tell any marking on the frame. Both have the Pachmayr GM-45 (#02919) grips, not the GM-45C (#02921) that were on most published photos of MEUSOC pistols.

http://www.amazon.com/MARSOC-Marine-.../dp/0760340749

[WiseguyThreeOne]

The new one is a Colt. The contract was announced last night, and the USMC Systems Command did the press release today.

Looks like the Colt Rail Gun will be the base gun of choice for the newest and best MEU-SOC clone builds.

http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gears...-is-done-deal/

[dante551]

Finished my MEU(SOC).45 build. Now onto the Colt Rail gun.

[38 Super +p]

I aim to build an old school MEUSOC (us property, original A1 frame) one day. If I can find the right frame at a decent price

[USMC Grunt]

Originally Posted by 38 Super +p

I aim to build an old school MEUSOC (us property, original A1 frame) one day. If I can find the right frame at a decent price

Good luck with the frame, thats the same piece that Im looking for as well.

[mlin]

I am lucky to find a refinished 1944 Colt with replacement contract hard slide at reasonable price. Originally thinking about doing MEUSOC pistol. But later I decided to leave it as is. Instead, I just use commercial SA pistol for the replica.

[USMC Grunt]

Not sure if this has been asked. Since the barrel and bushing are SS how are they finished? I know that they are blackened but what do they use to blacken them?

[USMC Grunt]

I emailed Harrison Custom about welding the tangs to better fit the Ed Brown beavertail. They are backed up for 2 years. Is there anyone else that does kind of work?

[mlin]

Alchemy Custom. No experience with them personally but folks in Springfield section of this forum seems speak highly of their works.

[DGI]

Havent started my build yet but did find this...

[DGI]

Parts are almost all there... Woohoo!

[1saxman]

Originally Posted by mlin

I am lucky to find a refinished 1944 Colt with replacement contract hard slide at reasonable price. Originally thinking about doing MEUSOC pistol. But later I decided to leave it as is. Instead, I just use commercial SA pistol for the replica.

Hey, man, that was a wise decision, and the SA now looks great!