I just joined the forum awhile back. The barrel on the 745 is called a coned barrel. In other words, the barrel is fit to a fixed bushing on the slide rather then to a separate bushing like the Colt 1911 or SW 52. I assume this was done for keeping the cost down. Eventually it will wear out and have to be replaced.

The 745 is basically a SW 39 in 45 caliber. I like my 745 because it fits my hand, is well balanced and I can hold it rock steady.