Posted 29 July 2010 - 12:24 PM
Good Morning
I was very excited a few years ago few airsoft company took more interest into making 1911's, and my jaws dropped when ours was introduced. I have to admit, you are not the first one to comment on how KWA should make a MEUSOC pistol. Let me set the record straight, there were some incorrect information on the models and the lineage of the so called "MEUSOC or MEU" pistol.
Here is a little history and info, MEU stands for "Marine Expeditionary Unit" and MEUSOC actually means MEU(SOC) "Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Simply put, its a exercise that the MEU unit goes through, its not a unit designator for SPECOPS. The MEU is the smallest of the Marine Ari-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Each of the MEU contains Ground, Air, Logistics and Command elements. When I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, I was with 3rd Battalion 1st Marines (3/1) When we deployed we were called BLT (Battalion Landing Team) 3/1 and we became the "GROUND UNIT" for the MEU.
Now, within the MEU, Force Reconnaissance Team were assigned to us, they were the ones that were issued the 1911’s however they were not called the MEUSOC pistol, just 1911’s along with that M92FS, MK22 Hush Puppies were among the few different pistols at their disposal as well, and sometimes the MK23 too.
The 1911 pistol that was assigned to various Marine recon units in different locations was simply upgraded or sometimes refurbishment colt/ Springfield 1911 that were re-assigned from the army, and on some the lower frame of the pistols it would say "Property of the US Army". It was not until the establishment of MARSOC and DET-1 that the funding came down for the ICQB 1911 Pistols. Even so, the ICQB pistols were just for the top operators in DET-1. Currently, the pistols you see that are called "MEU(SOC)" pistol are hand fitted Springfield 1911 with a few minor upgrades.
The misunderstand came when black on black 1911’s was introduced as “MEUSOC” pistols, leading a lot of players thinking its another unit like the SEAL’s or DELTA FORCE, its merely a exercise for Marines to get ready for deployment.
To be honest, there are several variation of the “MEU” pistol, it all depends what picture you have seen, there are some MEU pistols that I have seen with Hogue grips, or black colored G10 grips, when you are in Force Recon you tend to have a little more flexibility with your equipment. What you can do is this, if you want that look this is what you can do: Use our MK1-1911 (Black), Pachmayr 02919 1911 grip, and switch out the rear sight and you will have yourself a "MEU" 1911 pistol
SMF
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