Anyone else getting back into 45? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 4/22/2026 10:02:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: -OdieGreen-][Edited]
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I don’t know why, but I’m suddenly enjoying 45 a lot more. Been on a 45 AARP buying spree. It’s not that I think it’s more challenging to shoot, but it’s a bit different from my 9mm’s. I got into guns at the tail end of the AWB when a full-size 9mm was pretty much pointless. When the AWB expired I pretty much abandoned 45 aside from some novelty 1911’s here and there. (Still own two.) I saw this unfired G41 in a pawn shop last month for a good price and jumped on it. Attached File After getting some rounds down the pipe I decided I wanted to get the frame modified and an optic cut. (I enjoyed it that much more than my 1911’s.) Just like my go to G17. That gun will be gone a couple months and wanted a modern 45 to shoot in the meantime. So I found some police trade in M&P’s and got this. I already have a 9mm M&P so why not? Got a smoking deal on it too. Attached File Next I’m thinking I need a HK45C. Am I turning into a boomer, because I might even consider making a long slide modern 45 my go to. |
| I still carry a 1911 at times, although I'll admit it's become less frequently. I'm still very comfortable with the platform and against a timer I'm still faster with one than I am anything else I've ever carried (I shot them competitively for several years and still shoot them frequently so those skills are still there). |
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Never left Attached File |
America is at that awkward stage, it’s too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards....Claire Wolfe
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Originally Posted By 50-140: Never left https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/103648/IMG_0362_jpeg-3751000.JPG Almost forgot I had a P220 a few years ago too. I’d really like to pick up a P227 at some point. |
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Originally Posted By 50-140: Never left https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/103648/IMG_0362_jpeg-3751000.JPG Same. A .45 ACP 1911 Government is the best form of the 1911 and everyone should have at least one IMHO. |
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Yes. Waiting on a full house build from Novak at the moment then will be increasing my .45 volume at the range drastically. |
Panem et Circenses
I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
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Originally Posted By NN300BLK: Same. A .45 ACP 1911 Government is the best form of the 1911 and everyone should have at least one IMHO. Never left either, I still carry one every day. Granted I rotate my EDC but it's always .45ACP |
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Yes. Over the last 6 months or so, I've picked-up a couple of Sig 220's, HK45, HK USP in .45, & a few 1911's. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Never left. Carry a MP 45 Shield everyday with a few 1911’s in the stable and a full-size MP 45 in the nightstand. Went to a training class last year where we did battle field pick-ups of everyone else’s gun. Was amazed at the amount of participants that didn’t want to shoot my 45 due to the perceived recoil. Been rocking a 45 for over 30 years and see no need to go smaller. |
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| I keep thinking about it. I've got several pistols but still shoot 22 and 9mm far more. Thought about building an AR pistol in it but couldn't get answers on what I needed so I decided they didn't want to sell to me gave up and built a 5.7 AR. Still might if I found what I'm looking for. |
You must play the game. You can't win. You can't break even. You can't quit the game.
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: I don’t know why, but I’m suddenly enjoying 45 a lot more. Been on a 45 AARP buying spree. It’s not that I think it’s more challenging to shoot, but it’s a bit different from my 9mm’s. I got into guns at the tail end of the AWB when a full-size 9mm was pretty much pointless. When the AWB expired I pretty much abandoned 45 aside from some novelty 1911’s here and there. (Still own two.) I saw this unfired G41 in a pawn shop last month for a good price and jumped on it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/61399/Photoroom_20260322_233117_jpeg-3750974.JPG After getting some rounds down the pipe I decided I wanted to get the frame modified and an optic cut. (I enjoyed it that much more than my 1911’s.) Just like my go to G17. That gun will be gone a couple months and wanted a modern 45 to shoot in the meantime. So I found some police trade in M&P’s and got this. I already have a 9mm M&P so why not? Got a smoking deal on it too. My first 45ACP gun was a C&R Argentine Systema (had two but one cracked the slide and I got it rebuilt with a Colt slide and customized by John Harrison). I used to carry a Colt CCO during the AWB years, but switched to a 9mm CZ PCR as my go-to CCW after the AWB ended (now a P365). I still carry the CCO occasionally for nostalgia sake though. A few years back I also got a MAC JSOC. For many years 45ACP meant 1911 to me. Then just a little while back, I got a smoking deal on a very barely used Sig P320 chambered in 45ACP. Nobody wanted it apparently and I never owned a double stack 45ACP gun so I figured what the hell, cool range toy. Shooting that got me hooked and I decided to get some more double stack big bore guns. I got a CZ-P10F, then a USP Expert. The last one was a super clean Gen 2 Glock 21 my local dealer pulled out from the back. One thing nice thing about used 45ACP guns is they usually don't seem to be shot very much. I still love shooting a 1911, there's nothing else like it. But a full size double stack is fun too. The 1911 is like a classic big block C2 Corvette, were the 45ACP double stack guns are more modern LS3 muscle cars like a ZL1 Camaro or a Chevy SS.  MAC JSOC, Custom w/ Colt Slide on Systema Frame, Colt CCO  Argentine Sistema Model 1927  Clockwise from Top: CZ-P10F, Glock 21 Gen 2, H&K USP Expert, Sig P320 |
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I'm not getting rid of them, but I'm also not shooting them as much as I used to. My source of .45ACP will dry up in the next few years, and that will be replaced with 9mm. Still carrying a Nighthawk'd Wiley Clapp LW Commander fairly regularly, though. |
"Whisky for the gentlemen that like it. And for the gentlemen that don't like it - Whisky!" -Alec Guinness as MAJ (acting Colonel) Jock Sinclair, D.S.O., M.M. "Tunes of Glory"
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If my state somehow ends up with a 10 round limit one of these days my carry pistol around my small property will be an M&P .45 acp. Ten round mags. Hand filling size. The slide for the lightly use LE trade in pistol is of at a shop now getting milled for a dot optic and refinished. The frame parts are already swapped over with 2.0 sear housing, trigger bar and locking lug. I may detail strip it at some point and do some polishing work to see if I can get that 5.5 lb. trigger down another pound or two. No reason to carry 10 small rounds in a fair sized pistol with empty space between the follower and the bottom of the magazine the original design didn't have. Been picking up multiple boxes of Winchester 230 grain hollow points for it, too. |
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| I go back and forth, but almost always have at least one 45 in the stable ( no current 1911 but will get another eventually - currently only a colt SAA ) I am at my core a revolver guy, and shoot them very well. My go to carry gun is a J frame, and I shoot as many competitive events as possible with an old ( mid 50’s) combat masterpiece 4” 38. I put it aside for a glock 19 when the stages of fire are deliberately anti revolver. |
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Originally Posted By Bklyn_Irish: I'm not getting rid of them, but I'm also not shooting them as much as I used to. My source of .45ACP will dry up in the next few years, and that will be replaced with 9mm. Still carrying a Nighthawk'd Wiley Clapp LW Commander fairly regularly, though. pics bro. |
Panem et Circenses
I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
45 is always a joy to shoot and it was my exclusive carry for many years. I even shot USPSA with it. Then stuck with 9 for probably the last 10 years, occasionally shooting the 45. Got a few more now that I don't have pictures of. One thing I find really satisfying is the sound a 45 brass case sounds when landing on concrete, it's got, IMO, a very distinct sound compared to other calibers. 
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: Same with me. I generally only shoot 45ACP once in a while for something different from 9mm. My first 45ACP gun was a C&R Argentine Systema (had two but one cracked the slide and I got it rebuilt with a Colt slide and customized by John Harrison). I used to carry a Colt CCO during the AWB years, but switched to a 9mm CZ PCR as my go-to CCW after the AWB ended (now a P365). I still carry the CCO occasionally for nostalgia sake though. A few years back I also got a MAC JSOC. For many years 45ACP meant 1911 to me. Then just a little while back, I got a smoking deal on a very barely used Sig P320 chambered in 45ACP. Nobody wanted it apparently and I never owned a double stack 45ACP gun so I figured what the hell, cool range toy. Shooting that got me hooked and I decided to get some more double stack big bore guns. I got a CZ-P10F, then a USP Expert. The last one was a super clean Gen 2 Glock 21 my local dealer pulled out from the back. One thing nice thing about used 45ACP guns is they usually don't seem to be shot very much. I still love shooting a 1911, there's nothing else like it. But a full size double stack is fun too. The 1911 is like a classic big block C2 Corvette, were the 45ACP double stack guns are more modern LS3 muscle cars like a ZL1 Camaro or a Chevy SS. https://i.imgur.com/5bGLn2G.jpeg MAC JSOC, Custom w/ Colt Slide on Systema Frame, Colt CCO https://i.imgur.com/RhxCorq.jpeg Argentine Sistema Model 1927 https://i.imgur.com/DeopjYy.jpeg Clockwise from Top: CZ-P10F, Glock 21 Gen 2, H&K USP Expert, Sig P320 Lots of great guns but that FDE expert calls my name! |
| I own or have owned many a .45 pistol (Gen 3 Glock 21, SIG P220, M&P45c 1.0, Kimber Custom II, HK USP45T, Colt MKIV Series 70, Glock 30S, M&P45 2.0). I absolutely LOVE the .45 ACP cartridge. Of all the .45s I've had or shot, the G21 is perhaps my favorite 'practical' option in that caliber. For me...it is the best blend of reliability, capacity,simplicity, and shootability. Sure, it isn't as beautiful or have as nice a trigger as my Colt MKIV and the grip isn't as comfortable as the M&P, but I'm willing to compromise on some things. I'll likely be getting a G21V soon (Gen 5s getting harder to come by). |
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-:Lots of great guns but that FDE expert calls my name! I'm going back and forth on whether I should get the slide Cerakoted to match or leave it all original dual tone. |
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Originally Posted By Finslayer83: pics bro. Originally Posted By Finslayer83: Originally Posted By Bklyn_Irish: I'm not getting rid of them, but I'm also not shooting them as much as I used to. My source of .45ACP will dry up in the next few years, and that will be replaced with 9mm. Still carrying a Nighthawk'd Wiley Clapp LW Commander fairly regularly, though. pics bro. Attached File Colt Wiley Clapp Commander by Nighthawk Custom: Reliability Enhancement Package Nighthawk Match Grade Complete Trigger Job, 3.5 - 4.0 lb. (Including all new fully machined parts) Hammer, Sear, Disconnector, Trigger, and Sear Spring **Set trigger pull to 4lbs** Ambidextrous safety, Install, Fit and Tune Install and Fit Blended One Piece Magwell/Mainspring Housing (Falcon), cut from forging Install Hex Head Grip Screws and Bushing set Anodize Aluminum Frame, finish small frame parts to match **Install customer supplied grips** Install Nighthawk 2 Dot Rear Sight & Tritium Front Sight Test Fire, Inspection, and Target Had her done in 2018. Those pics were taken the day she hit the house. They've done three guns for me. |
"Whisky for the gentlemen that like it. And for the gentlemen that don't like it - Whisky!" -Alec Guinness as MAJ (acting Colonel) Jock Sinclair, D.S.O., M.M. "Tunes of Glory"
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: That was a bucket list gun of mine for a looong time (along with the 9mm Tactical which I just got last month). I saw this one for $870 NIB and couldn't couldn't think of a reason why I waited so long. I'm going back and forth on whether I should get the slide Cerakoted to match or leave it all original dual tone. I had my FDE 9 slide coated in Cerakote burnt bronze. Some rare days I wish I hadn’t but most days I’m glad I did. Attached File Attached File (Some lighting it almost looks color matched, some it has a much darker contrast.) |
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Originally Posted By Bklyn_Irish: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/33069/Screenshot_20250206_124907_Chrome_jpg-3751717.JPG Colt Wiley Clapp Commander by Nighthawk Custom: Reliability Enhancement Package Nighthawk Match Grade Complete Trigger Job, 3.5 - 4.0 lb. (Including all new fully machined parts) Hammer, Sear, Disconnector, Trigger, and Sear Spring **Set trigger pull to 4lbs** Ambidextrous safety, Install, Fit and Tune Install and Fit Blended One Piece Magwell/Mainspring Housing (Falcon), cut from forging Install Hex Head Grip Screws and Bushing set Anodize Aluminum Frame, finish small frame parts to match **Install customer supplied grips** Install Nighthawk 2 Dot Rear Sight & Tritium Front Sight Test Fire, Inspection, and Target Had her done in 2018. Those pics were taken the day she hit the house. They've done three guns for me. off to look at Clapps..... |
Panem et Circenses
I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. - Churchill
|
Originally Posted By Finslayer83: off to look at Clapps..... Originally Posted By Finslayer83: Originally Posted By Bklyn_Irish: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/33069/Screenshot_20250206_124907_Chrome_jpg-3751717.JPG Colt Wiley Clapp Commander by Nighthawk Custom: Reliability Enhancement Package Nighthawk Match Grade Complete Trigger Job, 3.5 - 4.0 lb. (Including all new fully machined parts) Hammer, Sear, Disconnector, Trigger, and Sear Spring **Set trigger pull to 4lbs** Ambidextrous safety, Install, Fit and Tune Install and Fit Blended One Piece Magwell/Mainspring Housing (Falcon), cut from forging Install Hex Head Grip Screws and Bushing set Anodize Aluminum Frame, finish small frame parts to match **Install customer supplied grips** Install Nighthawk 2 Dot Rear Sight & Tritium Front Sight Test Fire, Inspection, and Target Had her done in 2018. Those pics were taken the day she hit the house. They've done three guns for me. off to look at Clapps..... She proved to be an excellent base gun. |
"Whisky for the gentlemen that like it. And for the gentlemen that don't like it - Whisky!" -Alec Guinness as MAJ (acting Colonel) Jock Sinclair, D.S.O., M.M. "Tunes of Glory"
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: I had my FDE 9 slide coated in Cerakote burnt bronze. Some rare days I wish I hadn’t but most days I’m glad I did. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/61399/IMG_5537_jpeg-3751719.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/61399/Photoroom_20260114_141519_jpeg-3751721.JPG (Some lighting it almost looks color matched, some it has a much darker contrast.) You just made up my mind as well. Burnt Bronze huh? I would have never chosen that color before seeing it on your gun. |
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: You definitely made the right decision. That looks really great. Much better than the dual tone, seeing them side by side. You just made up my mind as well. Burnt Bronze huh? I would have never chosen that color before seeing it on your gun. It varies wildly by light. Sometimes it looks darker than the frame, sometimes it looks lighter, sometimes it’s a perfect match. Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By November5: Taurus 450 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173129/IMG_3853-3669043.jpg Smith 625 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173129/IMG_1555-3289864.jpg Sig P220 and P245 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173129/IMG_4033-3724117.jpg Smith 4536 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173129/AD930595-31DA-4464-9861-52839CE65A39-2632375.jpg G19 clone https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173129/B65AB842-5915-47E7-83A1-00D5376965A8-1990028.jpg Your 45 G19 project is/was legendary. It’s a damn shame that not only Glock didn’t do it, but S&W also discontinued their G19 sized 45. The HK45C is the closest thing that I know of but not at the same time. |