The Finest .45 ACP Pistols of 2024

Developed shortly earlier than the primary world conflict, the .45 ACP quickly turned some of the in style pistol cartridges on this planet. It was the longest serving sidearm cartridge the US has ever fielded, and solely topped worldwide by the 9mm. Shooters have lengthy been drawn to the .45 ACP for its energy, efficiency, and nostalgia. Although the basic auto cartridge has seen its day within the solar, it’s historical past and the varied spectrum of one of the best .45 ACP pistols which might be nonetheless going robust will preserve its legacy alive for a few years to come back 

Selecting the Finest .45 ACP Pistol for You

There’s a massive market of .45 ACP pistols on the market, however what’s “greatest” all depends upon the factors. Based mostly on the pistols we’ve had in earlier gun assessments or used ourselves, I chosen a superb subject to spotlight nice choices for various tastes and purposes. If one of the best .45 for you isn’t on this listing, it’s possible going to be much like one among these pistols.

Finest .45 ACP Pistols: Evaluations and Suggestions

Finest Traditional: The GI-issue 1911 A1

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Specs

• Motion: Single motion, hammer fired
• Barrel Size: 5.03 inches
• Capability: 7+1
• End: Parkerized
• Sights: GI, metal, low profile
• Value: Varies

Professionals

• Traditional authentic design
• Fight confirmed
• Plenty of aftermarket components and upgrades out there
• Good originals are collectible

Cons

• GI sights aren’t nice for low-light use

If there’s a .45 of all .45s, it’s the GI-issue 1911 A1. That is the unique platform that the cartridge was designed for, and was standard-issue from 1911 to 1985. It remained in some type of lively navy service for practically 100 years. That testomony alone speaks to the platform’s effectiveness. 

The 1911-A1 and the .45 ACP cartridge had been born out of a want for a extra highly effective and efficient handgun cartridge. It was a beloved sidearm and spawned a plethora of 1911 variants which might be nonetheless going robust right now. The 1911 is actually some of the influential handgun designs in historical past. We examined a World Struggle II classic Remington Rand 1911 A1 in our 2023 1911 take a look at, and it was each charming and efficient.

Some authentic 1911 pistols can nonetheless be bought by means of the CMP as tons grow to be out there, and these collectibles can fetch a hefty value. Luckily, trendy replicas of the unique design are nonetheless out there — normally starting from $500 to $900. The unique 1911 A1 design was a bit crude by trendy requirements, but it surely was efficient. Most pistols featured a parkerized end, wooden or artificial grips, and a single-stack, 7-round journal. These pistols had been touted for his or her reliability, and accuracy, however have since been up to date components that provide higher ergonomics, and extra seen sights.

Finest Fashionable 1911: Nighthawk Customized Fireplace Hawk

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Specs

• Motion: Single motion, hammer fired
• Barrel Size: 4.5 inches
• Capability: 8+1
• Sights: Serrated notch rear, gold dot entrance
• Value: $4,519

Professionals

• Glorious ergonomics
• Finest-in-class match and reliability
• Nice Accuracy
• Compensator vastly reduces muzzle flip

Cons

• Very Costly
• No optic reduce

If cash is not any concern, the Nighthawk Customized Fireplace Hawk is without doubt one of the nicest 1911 pistols that you would probably purchase. It’s a pistol that appears flawless and performs simply as nicely. Each element constructed into this pistol has a objective. Its scalloped grip panels present very good traction for a repeatable grip and the muzzle compensator blends completely with the strains of the body and slide. 

The Fireplace Hawk isn’t reduce for an optic, however includes a serrated black rear sight that’s adjustable for windage, and a 14K gold bead entrance submit. At first look, this looks as if nothing greater than an prosperous flex, however we shot the hell out of this gun and that gold bead is shockingly sharp and visual in quite a lot of mild circumstances. Fellow tester and USPSA GM, Sean Murphy, and I might hardly put this gun down, and whether or not burning by means of Invoice Drills or plinking very important zone plates at 50 yards, our urge for food was insatiable. 

This was one other entry to our 1911 take a look at, and all of us questioned if a 1911 might actually be well worth the hefty asking value for this pistol. Objectively, you’re getting one thing for that cash. The Fireplace Hawk stood out above all different opponents and that additional price and labor is within the particulars. The gun is sort of completely hand-fit and tuned, and there isn’t a pointy edge or nook to be discovered. In the event you’re on the lookout for the last word .45 ACP pistol, this can be proper on the high.

Finest Semi-Customized 1911: Wilson Fight ACP

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Specs

• Motion: Single motion, hammer fired
• Barrel Size: 5 inches
• Capability: 8+1
• Sights: Serrated notch rear, fiber-optic entrance
• Value: $3,285

Professionals

• Traditional 1911 really feel
• Great reliability
• Glorious Accuracy
• Glorious iron sights

Cons

• No entrance slide serrations
• No optic reduce

One other favourite .45 ACP pistol from our 1911 take a look at was Wilson Fight’s ACP, which stands for “American Fight Pistol.” We categorize this as a semi-custom pistol as a result of the shopper does have a menu of choices to select from, but it surely’s nonetheless a manufacturing gun. In our 1911 take a look at, the ACP was one among our favorites. 

It sports activities a subtly improved basic 1911 look with glorious trendy sights: a serrated rear notch and fiber-optic entrance submit and customary profile slide and body. Ours had a 5-inch barrel with a barrel bushing and no-snag grip scales. The stainless barrel contrasts with the black end, including to its utilitarian aesthetics.

For dealing with traits, a few of our take a look at group would have appreciated to see entrance cocking serrations on the slide, but it surely wasn’t a degree of rivalry for anybody. This pistol shoots nice, and turned in one of the best teams of our 1911 take a look at, averaging 1.193 inches for 10 5-shot teams at 15 yards. In the event you’re on the lookout for a finely-crafted 1911 that’s simply as well-suited for being a day-to-day workhorse, you’ll have a tough time beating a Wilson Fight. 

Finest Hid-Carry 1911: Springfield Armory TRP CC

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Specs

• Motion: Single motion, hammer fired
• Barrel Size: 4.25 inches
• Capability: 7+1
• Sights: U-notch rear, tritium entrance
• Value: $1,900

Professionals

• Good ergonomics
• Bobbed Body
• Sturdy End
• Accent rail

Cons

In the event you’re trying on the 1911 platform as an on a regular basis concealed-carry gun, fashions comparable to Springfield’s new TRP Carry Contour. These single-stack compact 1911s have a 4.25-inch barrel, cast slide and a light-weight aluminum body. Essentially the most notable characteristic of this pistol is the bobbed body, eliminating the portion of the body that’s prone to print on clothes or jab into your mushy underbelly — nicely, mine in any case. Regardless of the bobbed body, the pistol nonetheless affords loads of actual property to ascertain a agency, recoil-controlling grip.

The TRP CC comes with a Cerakote end, glorious VZ grip scales, and U-notch rear and tritium entrance submit iron sights. The entrance strap of the grip has an aggressive positive checkering to assist your grip, and the rear has a pleasant beavertail grip security. One good characteristic of the TRP CC is the accent rail that many 1911 pistols nonetheless lack. It comes with three seven-round magazines and is a superb concealed-carry choice.  

Finest .45 ACP Pistol for Players: H&Ok USP Tactical 

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Specs

• Motion: Single/double motion, hammer fired
• Barrel Size: 5 inches, threaded
• Capability: 12+1
• Sights: Adjustable notch/submit
• Value: $1,440

Professionals

• Traditional 1990’s .45 ACP pistol
• Good reliability
• Suppressor prepared
• Extra compact than the Mark 23

Cons

• No optic reduce
• Primitive accent rail

Typically nostalgia is an element after we choose weapons we like (simply have a look at the 1911), and for any shooter who grew up within the 90s, the H&Ok Mark 23 and USP Tactical are most likely in your radar. The Mark 23 was well-known for being issued to Navy Seals throughout that point interval — at the very least that’s what we believed as youngsters — and the USP was launched as a barely extra compact, lighter pistol that’s nonetheless very related. 

The USP Tactical is a .45 ACP pistol that sports activities clear German strains and simple-but-effective operate. They’re correct and dependable, and the threaded muzzle is simply begging in your favourite pistol suppressor. The USP pre-dates the optic craze, so there’s no optic reduce, and the accent rail is primitive by right now’s requirements. It does characteristic customary iron sights which might be adjustable for windage and elevation, and the pistol can match 12 girthy .45 ACP cartridges within the journal. This was a major bump in comparison with the 1911, which was wrapping up its service life when the Mark 23 and USP got here on scene.

The USP Tactical isn’t a completely related pistol anymore, but it surely’s one which many shooters nonetheless hunt down. Although smaller than the Mark 23, it’s nonetheless beefy and never an amazing match for shooters with smaller palms. 

Finest Workhorse .45 ACP Pistol: Glock G21 Gen 5 MOS

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Specs

• Motion: Single-action, striker-fired
• Barrel Size: 4.6 inches 
• Capability: 13+1
• Sights: Normal Glock square-notch rear, white dot entrance
• Value: $621

Professionals

• Easy, rugged, and dependable
• Modular backstrap
• Excessive-traction body texture
• Optic-ready

Cons

• Triggers are comparatively stiff

When speaking about one of the best .45 ACP pistols, the Glock G21 is an apparent torchbearer within the striker-fired class. Initially launched in 1990, following the 10mm Glock G20 (in Glock’s order of succession), the G21 has a historical past of confirmed service with many regulation enforcement companies. In 2023, the platform received some a lot wanted upgrades with the Gen 5 MOS version.

This full-sized striker-fired .45 ACP pistol makes use of the identical body because the 10mm G20 and has {a magazine} capability of 13 rounds. Its characteristic units are in keeping with mainly each different Gen 5 MOS Glock pistol and embody removing of the finger grooves, up to date recoil spring, and modular backstraps. Many shooters will respect the addition of entrance cocking serrations and the combination of Glock’s MOS optic mounting system, which makes use of a sequence of plates to permit the slide to deal with completely different pink dot optics. Together with the accent rail, it retains this pistol related and makes it more practical than ever. You received’t see a few of the refinement of the high-end 1911 pistols, however that was by no means the intent for this, or any Glock.

Different Nice .45 ACP Pistols

Springfield XD-S Mod 2 OSP

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Specs

• Motion: Single-action, striker-fired
• Barrel Size: 3.3 inches 
• Capability: 5+1, 6+1
• Sights: U-Notch Rear, white-dot entrance
• Value: $392

Professionals

• Slender and compact
• Dependable
• Low reduce for micro pink dot optics
• Inexpensive

Cons

Springfield’s Croatian-made XD sequence has been a gentle presence in the marketplace for a few years, and their single-stack XD-S Mod 2 OSP is a superb choice for somebody on the lookout for a striker-fired concealed-carry .45 ACP pistol. This XD-S comes with two magazines, one holding 5 rounds that includes a small pinkie extension on the bottom plate, and one other with an prolonged base plate that holds 6 rounds. Controls are the identical as you’ll discover on bigger XD-series pistols, and each the slide cease lever and journal catch button are barely recessed and shielded from unintentional activation.

This XD-S includes a grip security, set off bar security, and a drop security within the striker block itself. It’s additionally optimized for the fashionable shooter with an optic reduce that accepts micro pink dot sights and permits them to take a seat low sufficient to co-witness the manufacturing unit iron sights, which include a black serrated rear U-notch and a white-dot entrance submit. Capability is that this pistol’s best weak point, however that’s the value you pay for a sub-compact .45. Out there at below $400, it’s an amazing funds choice.

Sig Sauer P320 Compact .45 ACP

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Specs

• Motion: Single-action, striker-fired
• Barrel Size: 3.9 inches 
• Capability: 9+1
• Sights: Siglite three-dot night time sights
• Value: $650

Professionals

• Nice ergonomics
• Good sights
• Plenty of aftermarket mods

Cons

In the event you’re a fan of Sig’s P320 platform however desire a .45-caliber choice, the P320 Compact is for you. This pistol options the identical nice ergonomics and grip angle because the 9mm fashions, however in .45 ACP. Just like the 10mm fashions, the great factor is that the general grip dimensions aren’t fatter or extra cumbersome than 9mm fashions like these we see in Glock’s lineup. That is nice for capturing and dealing with, but it surely does reduce down on capability. Nonetheless, at 9+1 rounds, the pistol is a formidable instrument and nice choice for hid carry. 

There is no such thing as a optic reduce on this P320 mannequin, but it surely has glorious three-dot night time sights and an adjunct rail for a tactical mild. It is a fairly primary P320, however because of the platform’s design, you possibly can simply improve components with a set off from KGM applied sciences, and a GoGun gasoline pedal that will help you flatten out muzzle flip. 

FN FNX-45 Tactical

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Specs

• Motion: Double-action/single-action, hammer fired
• Barrel Size: 5.3 inches 
• Capability: 15+1
• Sights: Three-dot tall night time sights
• Value: $1,200

Professionals

• Good ergonomics
• Glorious capability
• Optic prepared
• Suppressor prepared

Cons

The most effective .45 ACP pistols right now is the full-sized FN FNX-45 Tactical. This isn’t a gun you’ll most likely be holstering in your waistband, but it surely boasts a superb capability of 15+1, and a full-sized characteristic set. The FNX-45 Tactical has a threaded 5.3-inch barrel that’s prepared to simply accept a suppressor, and fitted with accompanying tall three-dot night time sights. It has a low bore axis to assist the shooter fight recoil and includes a minimally angled grip with interchangeable backstraps.

The FNX-45 is a double/single-action pistol that, when de-cocked, has a double-action first set off pull. The hammer is rounded and serrated, and each the entrance and rear of the slide have cocking serrations. The slide is reduce for an optic however, like most different pistols, comes with a canopy plate put in. Some optics will enable the shooter to co-witness the tall iron sights by means of the optic, an added windfall in case the optic does go down.

What to Contemplate When Selecting a .45 ACP Pistol

The most important factor to think about when looking for a .45 ACP pistol (or any gun) is your supposed software or objective. You need to discover a gun that’s inside your funds, fulfills its objective, and that satisfies your private style. Would you like a pistol that’s good for self protection, an informal plinker, or a collectible? 

In the event you’re on the lookout for a self-defense gun, will it’s to hold hid or keep at dwelling or in a car? Bigger pistols are typically simpler to shoot nicely, but when it’s a gun you’re going to hold each day, you most likely need one of many compact choices. Your objective can even have an effect on what equipment you may want (like a lightweight or laser). 

The perfect factor you are able to do is go to an indoor vary that has pistol leases out there so that you can attempt. You received’t actually understand how nicely you want a gun till you get to truly shoot it, and a few vary time with a particular pistol may also help you make a way more knowledgeable determination. Subsequent greatest is visiting a gun store and seeing how every completely different pistol feels in your hand and the way simply you possibly can function the controls. 

Recap of Our Picks for The Finest .45 ACP Pistols

FAQ

Last Ideas on The Finest .45 ACP Pistols

The .45 ACP is a feather in America’s cap that can by no means completely wither, however the 9mm has decisively overtaken it because the cartridge of alternative. There are nonetheless numerous good pistols being chambered in .45 Auto, however choices are typically turning into extra restricted. Finally, I believe that a few of the greatest .45 ACP pistols, and those that can carry the cartridge into the longer term are the 1911s — and I wouldn’t have it some other method.