The M45A1 is an American Pistol available in Phantom Forces. It is unlocked at rank 34 or could be purchased using credits.
History[]
The M45 MEUSOC (Marine Expeditionary Unit; Special Operations Capable), is the modernized version of the M1911A1, which was designed to meet the requirements of modern warfare.
Originally, M45s were hand-selected standard-issued government M1911A1s that had been neatened and smoothened. They were then assembled with aftermarket upgrades. These include grip safeties, a rounded hammer, ambidextrous thumb safeties, lighter triggers, improved sights for high-visibility, match grade barrels, rubber grips, front cocking-serrations and an improved stainless steel magazine.
Recently, in 2012, the Colt 1911 Rail Gun was re-designated as the M45A1 CQBP (Close Quarter Battle Pistol), As such, it is an upgrade of the M45 MEUSOC, as it features a dual recoil spring system which spreads out the recoil of the .45 ACP round. The ‘Rail’ part refers to the Picatinny rail added to attach accessories to the underbarrel of the gun.
In-Game[]
General Information[]
The M45A1 has one of the highest maximum damage values in its class, beaten only by the Desert Eagle L5 & XIX, the Gyrojet Mark I, and its older counterpart, the M1911. It is capable of killing an enemy with two shots to the torso or head up to 50 studs, and has a universal 4SK at any range. While it cannot 3SK with torso shots alone at maximum range, it can kill with one headshot and two torso shots, though at 95 studs the hit probability is low because of the aggressive vertical recoil from the .45 ACP cartridge. This recoil can be somewhat negated with a Muzzle Brake, though the horizontal recoil will be increased in the process, meaning the hit probability at range is still low.
One of the largest downsides to the M45A1 is the consistency; it can only 2SK in CQC when hitting torso or headshots - limb shots will require 3 shots to kill. Luckily, there is a simple fix to this: equipping Hollow Point in the ammo attachment slot. This makes the 2SK universal up to just over 50 studs; however, this is not without compromise. The increased CQC performance comes at the cost of the universal 4SK at range, meaning the player will have to choose between CQC performance or inconsistency with better ranged performance. For use as a secondary, in most cases the increased CQC performance will be more beneficial than the ranged performance, as most engagements do not take place outside of 50 studs, however if the player wishes to use the M45 alone, HP may be detrimental to its overall performance and versatility.
In comparison to its counterpart, the M1911, the M45A1 has various advantages, but also many downsides. The M45A1 is better at CQC, whereas the M1911 has better mid-ranged performance. The M45A1 has higher magazine capacity (10+1 vs the 1911's 8+1) as well as the capability to equip an Extended Magazine, further increasing ammo capacity to 15+1, and larger ammo reserves on top of that, but the M1911 has higher damage values and better maximum damage range. The M1911 does have a higher rate of fire, though the difference of 50 is negligible, as most users cannot click at 670 rpm, let alone 720. They both have almost identical recoil though, with the M1911 being slightly worse off due to higher rotational recoil.
Due to its low TTK in CQC and its uncontrollability at range, it is advised to use the weapon on enemies within 40 or so studs for maximum effectiveness, though the weapon can be used relatively effectively even at long ranges if the player fires slower.
Conclusion[]
The M45A1 is a well-balanced, versatile pistol, sporting high damage and a fast rate of fire as well as good mid/long-range damage, however it makes up for this strength in lack of consistency and high recoil, as well as having a relatively low magazine capacity compared to its class. These issues can be largely remedied with attachments, though those come with their own downsides.
Pros & Cons[]
Pros:
- Good damage.
- 2SK ability.
- Quick reload time for a pistol.
- Clean iron sights.
- Effective at close range.
- High rate of fire.
- Access to an extended mag.
- Good 2STK range, up to 50 studs.
- Very good max damage range for a pistol.
Cons:
- High aim-down-sights (ADS) recoil when fired rapidly.
- No 2SK when not hitting torso (though this can be rectified with HP)
- Low magazine capacity compared to class (though this can be rectified with the extended magazine)
Trivia[]
- The representation in-game appears to be a heavily customized variant of the Colt 1911 Rail Gun.
- A standard issue M45A1 has a desert-tan finish, whereas the Colt's finish is stainless steel.
- The weapon model in-game lacks an ambidextrous thumb safety; one of the essential requirements for it to be qualified as an M45/M45A1.
- The M45A1 has an under-grip accessory ring whereas the Colt does not.
- The grip safety is customized.
- There is a tribal engraving on both sides of the in-game M45A1’s slide.
- The letters "HYPO" are embossed on the magazine.
- Supposedly this makes this specific M45A1 HypocriticalDragon's personal pistol.
- The standard magazine for the M45A1 holds only 7 / 8 rounds, not 10.
- Therefore, the model in-game is using an extended magazine.
- In the test place, the M45A1 had a unique reload animation where the player flipped the magazine before loading into the pistol. It was removed when the weapon was added to the main game.
- For a full reload, the player would perform the same magazine flip as a tactical reload, then pull the slide back manually. A GIF of this reload was not obtained before the M45A1 was officially released to the public.
- When pressing H to inspect the weapon, the player will turn the weapon to one side, partially remove the magazine halfway before re-inserting it, turn the weapon the other way, and partially rack the slide as if performing a brass check.
- This, along with the inspect animations for the Desert Eagle L5, Desert Eagle XIX, and Glock-Series pistols, seems to be the only inspection where the player interacts with a weapon's parts.
- In version 5.1.0, there is a bug where the slide will remain partially racked if the inspect animation is cancelled by vaulting or by aiming down its sights (see gallery).
- When the gun is empty the slide is locked back. Inspecting the weapon will push it forward again.
- If the player switches weapon then goes back to the M45, the slide is locked back again.
- As of 3.5.2, equipping a skin in slot 2 for the M45A1 will remove the iron sights. This has since been fixed.
- For a short period of time in the Test Place, the M45A1 could not be obtained legitimately. It was set to rank 350 before finally being adjusted to its current rank.
- During the time that the M45A1 was planned to be a developer only weapon, sound developer lArekan mentioned that there would be other developer only weapons, one for each of the main six game developers.
- AxisAngle has confirmed this claim is most likely not being followed up with.
- When equipping a Flashlight or a Tri Laser on the M45A1, the laser will be positioned using a custom mount on the frame; The mount also has a secondary picatinny rail on the left side of the slide, which has no apparent use other than making the weapon look cosmetically cooler.