45ACP pistols. The unknown, the rare and the prototypes.

[Sevens]

Agree, excellent post and fantastic English also!

One pistol that I was almost certain to see but did not see was the Semmerling! Also, while not a semiautomatic -- still interesting was the COP 4-barrel derringer.

Looking forward to more of your work! I've got a bunch of .45 pistols and love nearly all of them... favorite is my S&W Performance Center 845 Limited Model of 1998. For a much less known, very low buck gun that shoots and looks way outside of it's pay grade, the Feg GKK-45!

 

[SS336]

Holy smoke, that was great! Never heard of most of these, very interesting and thanks for the effort you put forth.

 

[22hipower]

Great post! I thought I had some familiarity with 45ACP pistols but clearly I had/have a lot to learn. Many, perhaps most, of those shown I've never seen. Thanks much!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Jeroenw114]

Thanks for all the kind words!
I made it with pleasure and all I wished is that others read it with pleasure.
And indeed, some may miss a certain gun.
Remember my intention was to highlight the pistols the majority of have not seen or heard of before.
But I see some good suggestions!
Soon I will re-read all reactions and add the ones I think deserve it.

Jeroen

 

[Dave_n]

Very nice rendition of history. Though it is an absolute "clone" the Norinco imitation of the classic Colt 45 in the A1 variant is effectively indestructible and is a prime example of what metallurgy in the early 1970s could do without any form of modern machine working. Dave_N

 

[hkcavalier]

I learned something today! I like the overbuilt German designs. Having owned a CZ-52 I never thought of it as a design worthy of fine manufacturing.

 

[Lonestar57]

I'll throw these two Colt models out there. From a few prototypes and then only a small number of production guns from 2011 to 2013. They had gained some interest especially the smaller New Agent model since during this time most states in the U.S. had passed civilian carry and/ or concealed carry laws. Both having lightweight frames and being Double Action Only handguns, they could have quite possibly been a hit. But, apparently both victims of Colt's infamous start/ stop management decision making at the time. And being that so few made it out of production neither one really had a chance to see if the gun buying community would embrace them or not.

According to Colt less than 300 of the Double Action Government models were made and only 100 of the Double Action New Agent's were made.

 

[sodacan]

An interesting and fun to read post.

 

[jeffrefrig]

So, did you write the book yet? (About the .45s) Great post and thank you.

 

[A10]

Very good information here!

I know it's not an auto, but did you consider including the Semmerling? I was always fascinated by them.

 

[wood714]

If I could have any 45 pistol made it would be the HK MK23 USSOCOM. A guy on the Harley Forum scored one a few year ago.

Found this write up about them.

In 1989, US SOCOM began reviewing their equipment to see which gear fit the needs of their special close quarters battle role.

After several tests, Heckler & Koch and Colt submissions were selected to move to phase I of the OHWS program in August 1991. They were awarded developmental contracts to produce 30 systems.

Colt was eliminated after phase I, leaving only HK to move on to phase II. This phase subjected the pistols to the strictest reliability testing any pistol ever went through. The requirement was for no less than 2,000 MRBF; the HK OHWS averaged 6,027 MRBF and could reach 15,122 MRBF. Three pistols went through a 30,000-round endurance test and maintained accuracy of 2.5 in (64 mm) at 25 meters; only the O-ring needed replacement after 20,000 rounds. The weapons worked in temperatures from -25 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit while exposed to mud, ice, and sand. Phase III was the awarding of a production contract to HK in June 1995. Their pistol was type classified as the Mark 23 Mod 0, and 1,950 systems were ordered at $1,186 each. All pistols were produced in Germany and the first was delivered to SOCOM on 1 May 1996.

This is a picture of his HK.

 

[6string]

I had wondered if the Webley .455 Automatic pistol, designed by William Whiting, was ever made as a prototype to chamber 45 ACP? The .455 Webley Auto cartridge is very similar in dimensions to the 45 ACP, though the former is intended to headspace off the rim.
Colt did manufacture some 1911s in the Webley cartridge, so the reverse seems a plausible possibility.

Attached is a photo of the Webley .455 auto and a rare image of the original cartridge diagram.

 

[JohnHL]

Fascinating and edifying monograph!

Well done.

John

 

[bc1023]

I own many many of the pistols there. Some are outstanding, some are ok, some are junk.

Below are five of the finest in the world...actually I own multiple copies of them. Delta Top Gun, Korriphila HSP701, Korth Autopistol, Geiger GRP, Korth PRS






Pardinis are really cool also...

 

[LVSteve]

Sarsilmaz K2 45, a high-capacity (14 round mags), Turkish made, CZ-97 clone.

 

[LVSteve]

Mauser M2, but actually a Sig design using a rotating barrel. Note the locking lug on the rotating barrel in the second picture. If all that wasn't schizoid enough, check out the weird placement of the safety on the rear of the slide.

***CLICK FOR FULL SIZE***

 

[H Richard]

Thanks for your tremendous efforts, you show many I have never seen before. Many very rare guns.

 

[Jeroenw114]

Indeed wonderful to see that you all can name pistols that I clearly did not have found.
I promise to add them soon.

@bc1023I have seen parts of your wonderful target pistols collection before.
The stainless Pardini I really find desirable.

 

[SLT223]

This the best ugly gun thread I’ve ever seen.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Holy smoke, that was great! Never heard of most of these, very interesting and thanks for the effort you put forth.

Ditto!

You could have a great career as a gun writer here in the USA!

Worst 45 I ever had was a Llama government clone-severe jam-o-matic.

Another ditto!

Sarsilmaz K2 45

Great pistol - and I'd never have noticed it was missing even though I have one!

I didn't see my CS-45 either.

Still, a fabulous piece or research and hard work! Well done!