Stick with the Glock 21......skip the 1911
4. MEU (SOC) .45- These weapons are notorious for stoppages caused by broken parts. The following replacement parts are essential for deploying Plt. armorer: buffer pads, spring guide rods, barrel bushings, springs, extractors, firing pins, firing pin springs, firing pin stop plates. The 15th MEU did not have an armorer qualified to work on our pistols. With these parts generally any problem that arose with the pistols could be fixed. The most likely problem that cannot be repaired by the Plt. armorer is broken barrel-locking lugs. This problem is caused in part by use of the hot TZZ ammunition and the fact that the slide lock pin used with the Sure-Fire light it not custom fit to the weapon. This creates play in the pin and places excessive strain on the barrel-locking lug.
Replacement of the buffer pad about every 300 rounds also significantly reduces wear on the extractors and spring/guide assembly. This prevents many of the malfunctions from occurring. Locktight on the rear sights was helpful as the adjustable rear sight has a tendency to vibrate itself loose. In the past we have sent Marines to LAPD SWAT to work with the armomers and learn how to repair common problems. We coated the front sight with a high visibility orange paint marker. This seemed to speed up sight acquisition especially during low visibility.