In order to fulfill a new contract from the Marine Corps’ special operations, Colt will manufacture more than 10k new CQB Pistols to be put to use by some of our nation’s best and most elite servicemen. Along with this new contract for the 1911 based pistols, they plan to phase out the M45s currently used by the Corps.
As was announced on Military.com, “The July 19 [2012] contract, which has a total value of $22.5 million, brings an end to the Corps’ exhaustive search for the top .45 caliber, 1911-style pistol to replace the fleet of worn-out Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, or MARSOC, M45 pistols.”
“We picked the best-performing pistol,” said Charles Clark III. Clark is in charge of overseeing infantry weapons requirements and research at the Corps’ Combat Development and Integration office in Quantico, Va. “There were three candidates that made the final round of consideration.”
In addition to Colt, Springfield Armory’s Full Size MC Operator and Smith & Wesson’s 1911 design were also contenders, said the sources on Military.com.
The economic impact of the gun industry has climbed over 66 percent since the beginning of our latest economic downturn, providing an unexpected boost for the economy, according to a recently released study.
The NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) states the economic impact of firearm sales reached $31 billion in 2011, which was a huge jump up from $19 billion in 2008. Note that this figure includes jobs, taxes and sales. In 2011 the firearms industry paid $2.5 billion in federal taxes, which is up 66 percent in three years.
Jobs reported in the firearms industry climbed 30 percent from 2008 to 2011, with the industry employing over 98,750 people.
“Ours is an industry with a rich history and heritage that remains vital and important to the American economy today,” NSSF Senior Vice President Lawrence G. Keane said. “To millions of Americans our industry’s products represent liberty, security and recreation.”
After speaking with many in the industry, they can point this climb to the fear of new legislation or backwards progress from the Obama Administration, as is view also held by Mr. Keane.
“There’s a concern that in the second term the Obama administration would lead an attempt to restrict gun ownership,” Mr. Keane said. “Some people jokingly refer to [President Obama] as the salesman of the year for the industry,” Mr. Keane said.
While the Obama Administration can be accredited with causing part of the climb in recent sales, many note the huge jump in youth activity in shooting sports, as well as a greater interest from the younger generations.