A lot of the buzz at SHOT 2017 was over the U.S. Army’s selection of a pistol based on the Sig Sauer P320 to be Big Green’s next service pistol. But don’t forget the U.S. Marine Corps’ selection of the Colt Close Quarters Battle M45A1 in 2012. The CQB M45A1 was based on the Colt Rail Gun and uses a Wilson Combat 7-round magazine.

While the official Request For Proposal did not specify a 1911-style handgun, several items in the RFP did hint toward that end. It called for .45 ACP, for instance, and stated that compatibility with the USMC’s current 1911 magazines was desirable. So it should be no surprise that the selection ended up being a 1911.

The M45A1’s forged stainless steel is finished with flat desert tan Cerakote and a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail is in front of the trigger guard. It has a 5-inch match-grade barrel and Novak three-dot tritium night sights. The grips are G10, and the M45A1 CQB looks as solid and sharp today as it did when it was chosen by the USMC.

MSRP is $1,699.