What's the deal with Colt O1070cqb and M45A1

T

TxFlyFish

New member
I know that the blue boxes are not custom shop but what is the closest to the real thing? There are several of variations of "USMC" and "M45A1" all jumbled with O1070cqb and O1070M45 model numbers with no apparent pattern. Try to figure this out reading 1911 forums but came out even more confused:confused:
 
CQB Model O1070CQB):

O1070CQB_450w.jpg



Rail Gun (Model O1070RG <Stainless) or O1980RG <Cerokote>):

O1980RG_450w.jpg


Note that in the second photo, the receiver gets thicker just forward of the slide stop. On the CQB it doesn't. The reason is that the original Rail Gun had a rail that was almost but not quite a true mil-spec Picatinny rail. The Marines being (of course) military, they wanted a true mil-spec rail. So Colt gave it to them.

Also, on the Rail Gun the bottom of the groove in the rail closely aligns with the bottom of the slide dust cover. On the CQB that rail hangs a bit lower down relative to the side, and the groove is wider (higher).

And the CQB has a lanyard loop on the mainspring housing.

I don't see a Model O1070M45 on Colt's web site ...

The Rail Gun came first, but the CQB is the civilian version of the pistol the Marine Corps is buying.
 
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I think you answered your own question. I don't know why that model isn't on Colt's web site, but the photos in your link show a pistol that appears identical to the O1070CQB -- in other words, the Marines pistol, with the deeper Picatinny rail. The other models to which you referred are variations of the original Rail Gun.
 
Oh no that's just basic info they are separate models and are not necessarily listed on colts catalog....it's very confusing that's why am inquiring and was hoping the local 1911 gurus could clarify why there are 3-4 different variations of the same gun
 
I was curious too. According to Colt's website the O1070CQB is from Colt's Custom Shop, "The Colt Custom Shop performs hand fitting of critical mating parts and each firearm is test fired by the Custom Shop and supplied with the actual test target."

I suppose for an msrp of $2158 Colt can have its Custom Shop employees build them.

In addition to the other details mentioned, I understand the CQB also has a dual recoil spring set-up which will likely necessitate a smaller diameter guide rod.

The CQB may/should come with 7-round WilsonCombat magazines, which appear to be Wilson #47 models. The regular Rail Gun seems to come with 8-round mags, probably Colt-marked with welded-on baseplates.

If anyone's interested, this website has done some reviews when the M45 was coming out: http://modernserviceweapons.com/?cat=3&paged=4
 
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TxFlyFish said:
Oh no that's just basic info they are separate models and are not necessarily listed on colts catalog....it's very confusing that's why am inquiring and was hoping the local 1911 gurus could clarify why there are 3-4 different variations of the same gun
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I can see that they are separate models, but Colt's web site is supposed to show all models. For example, if you go to the Colt web site (www.coltsmfg.com), hover over "Pistols" and then click "XSE Series," they show an enlarged image of one model out of the series, but if you scroll down there's a table that lists all the models in that line.

If you do that for the Close Quarters Battle Pistol, there's only one model in the series, the O1070CQB. If you repeat the process and click on "Rail Gun," you get two separate models in that series. But the M45 doesn't show up under "Rail Gun," or under "CQBP," or as a separate series. Most likely Colt hasn't updated the web site since that model was introduced.

That said, it seems we've identified the differences. The two Rail Gun models are physically different, notably in the rail configuration. The M45 is (according to your information) the production version of the O1070CQB. The two Rail Gun models are different because one has a stainless steel finish, and the other is Cerokote.

What more do you need to know?
 
Aguila no disrespect, you were not even aware of the existence of the model until I brought it up. This is not a rail gun I know that, and yes that I know about the trials and changes and Colt's catalog.

I want to know what is the closest version to the actual military issue. There are at least three to four versions of the same gun all under -CQB designation on the gun and -M45 on the box...some are production some are custom shop....and USMC and M45A1 roll marks. Please let someone else take a stab at it.
 
Why not go to the source. Are you a member of the M1911.org forum? One of Colt's customer service people monitors the M1911.org site in order to respond to questions. I suggest you post the same question in the Colt subforum at M1911.org, and then follow up with a private message to BJT72. His first name is Brent Turchi.

The e-mail address I have for him is brentturchi@gmail.com, but that's not a Colt corporate e-mail and I don't know if it's still valid. I haven't exchanged e-mails with him for awhile.
 
Thanks I'll try contacting him. I've scoured the 1911 forums and I didn't look like anyone had a conclusive answer either
 
TxFlyFish said:
Thanks I'll try contacting him. I've scoured the 1911 forums and I didn't look like anyone had a conclusive answer either
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I just looked at the M1911.org forum, and I went back in the Colt subforum all the way to July. I don't see your question posted there, and I don't see "TxFlyFish" in the member list. (But there are plenty of other "TX..." members, so you could have joined with a different user name.) Ditto for the 1911Forum.com site.

Scouring the forums looking for an answer to a question that only you are wondering about isn't likely to get an answer. Why not join and post the question?

The fastest way to reach Brent would be to call him. Colt still has a toll-free customer service line, so if you have the time during a weekday, give him a shout.

And please come back and post what you find out.
 
I have been looking at the same pistol. It is not on the Colt site.
Seems the variations are coming from some roll marks on the frame also. The first civilian models were rumored to be sold directly from Colt on Gunbroker. I say rumored because I only saw this posted and not verified anywhere.
USMC is on the true M45 the Marines ordered. Colt was asked somewhere in production to stop and they changed to M45A1. Seems only a few Talo models, a few NRA models with a Bowie knife were also produced. All are being auctioned at high values...Both the 01070m45 and the m45cqbp can have either roll mark making more variations and prices.

The 01070M45 is a blue box, production run and seems to sell for $1400-1700 on auction sites. This is not listed on Colt site.
The M45CQBP has a bigger case, cleaning kit, target, been through custom shop, different barrel and is over 2k on the auction sites. Most above 2400 don't sell. At least not fast. It is on Colt site.

I profess not being an expert, only seeing one in real life, only repeating what I have seen and can be completely wrong.
 
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