CIA, SAS, SEALS

Spook Pistols, secret government contracts, lots of legend surrounds this little beast, as it should. Highly tuned, engineered to work in an environment where malfunctions could cost lives, a combat pistol out of the box. Designed for close combat, designed to stop an aggressors flat in their tracks.
All great stories-but just that. This thread will shed some light on this part of the CM's spooky past.
The Mk VII and the CIA contract truly refuses to die. The most specific version of the tale has a number of Combat Master  MkVIIs (without factory sights) purchased by Langely.

Which Version Combat Master do I Want?

Many people compare the Detonics to Mr. Browning's "Colt" 1911A1, albeit a scaled down version. This is incorrect. The initial prototype and first production Combat Masters were assembled from cut down 1911 frames, but the revolutionary genius of the mechanisms mechanical engineering reflects but a rudimentary similarity to the 1911A1. A close look at a field stripped Combat Master will leave no doubt to it's independent classification.
This thread goes a long way in identifying the evolution of the various models and their time of production. Finish may vary, but functionality remains constant, a Detonics, is a Detonics, is a Detonics!

Marked for Life

Back in '84, finding a Combat Master proved to be a challenge. A broker found one in Florida and soon it was on its way to sunny California. A while later I discoverer Mk numbers, an understanding of which was nearly as elusive as my 30 year search for a spare Detonics magazine.

Follow the read more link for V numbers

Parts, Are There Parts?

One of the Top 10 Questions

Combat Masters are tough, entirely made of steel and tolerant of abuse. That said, many of the "Seattle" guns have been circulating for 30 years of more. Detonics Defense Technologies out of Millstadt IL have quietly continued the spirit of innovation and quality in the new line of Detonics semi-autos. Original Combat Master parts are stocked. Detonics Defense Technologies, LLC. 609 S. Breese Suite101 Millstadt, IL 62260 618-476-3200 (phone) 618-476-3221 (fax)

 ( detonicsdefense.com/)

This is a list of M1911A1 compatable parts:

Parts Compatibility

Combat Master parts that are compatible with standard Colt Government Model production:

Extractor, firing pin and spring, magazine catch/spring/lock, slide stop/safety plunger assembly, plunger tube, trigger, mainspring housing, mainspring cap, mainspring housing pin retainer, mainspring cap pin, mainspring housing pin, stock screw/bushing, safety lock, hammer pin, sear pin, slide stop, barrel link/pin, disconnector, sear, hammer, hammer strut pin.

Combat Master parts that are different from similar Government Model parts:

Frame, slide, barrel, rear sight, firing pin stop, “grip plate” (grip safety), sear spring, magazine, stock panels, recoil spring guide, recoil spring cap (plug), recoil springs (two or three, depending on model).

Combat Master parts that are in addition to those above:

Recoil spring guide screw.

Sources for replacement parts, non-Colt standard:

“grip plate”, sear spring and hammer strut – Essex Arms

recoil springs – single, Wolff; dual, King’s Gun Works (Officers ACP recoil spring set).

stock panels – Gun Parts Corp.; “slim-line” grips, Brownells.

magazines – Metalform

barrels – Storm Lake Machine

firing pin stop – standard stop can be fitted, and cut flush with top of slide

 ( http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/detonics.htm )

How To Use This Blog

Scroll to the posted question, open the post to view the information. The original link is included for those wanting to examine more of the thread. Some of the answers run into multiple pages, make sure you hit the read more icon at the end of the paragraph. I will add posts regularly (as time permits). If you have a question, drop it into the comment box. The label links will take you directly to the listed page.
I can not appraise a value of a weapon.

CAUTION: I have not vetted the information retrieved from the various forums. Do not rely on the information presented on this blog for safety or commercial uses.
CAUTION: I am experienced with the Detonics MKV .45 a.c.p., but, my firearms expertise is limited. Always consult expert gunsmiths and credentialed firearm instructors if you have questions on information on this blog.

Hard Steel and .45 cal Stopping Power

* Text from Detonic's Combat Master user manual, circa 1984.

Author's MkV shown with a new production CM magazine, with extended base plate, available from

Detonics Defense Technologies, LL