Force Reconnaissance Platoon | .

45 Pistols

Members of Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit engage targets with .

45 pistols at Kaneohe Bay range training facility, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 2013.

Force Recon operators have long-favored sidearms chambered in .

45ACP, specifically variants of the Colt 1911, namely the M45 MEU(SOC) and, more recently, the M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP).

While the rest of the Corps replaced their 1911s with 9mm Berettta M9s in the 80s, many Force Recon Marines preferred to keep carrying their 1911s as a secondary weapon as it was believed that the 1911's .

45ACP cartridge had better stopping power than the M9's 9×19mm Parabellum.

The 31st MEU is Ameircan's only permanently forward-deployed MEU and acts as the Marine Corps' force in readiness in the Asia Pacific.

It is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of around 2,200 personnel.

Its Force Recon Platoon carries out deep reconnaissance for the MEU commander and provides the assault element for the 31st MEU's Maritime Raid Force.