Henry Rifle Forums

While in the service I carried a 1911 .45 cal. and had to qualify as expert with it every six months. Many decades later while looking for a HD handgun, I found a 1911 too big, unwieldy and heavy. After some research, I settled on a Ruger KP345PR in .45 cal. It is a stainless steel pistol that is lighter and thinner then a 1911. It fits nicely in my hand and yet it is still often referred to as a tank! It will be a long time before this gun wears out. It has an 8+1 rds. of lethality. The knife is a Benchmade Nimravus.

with it being 45 caliber, it has to be a handful when fired

JEBar wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 06, 2021 11:28 am

with it being 45 caliber, it has to be a handful when fired

Had a Colt New Agent in .45 was my EDC, it was a hand full and as my hands got more arthritic it became a real handful. Had to downsize to a 9mm but I still love that gun just don’t shoot it.

On the contrary, for some reason, it is not that difficult to shoot. I took my wife out shooting and got her to fire a magazine's worth. She handled it nicely. the P345 was made for women who wanted a .45. Anyways after we were driving home, my wife got down right giddy about shooting it and said it wasn't all that hard to shoot and wanted to go out again soon. Unfortunately the Big C hit hard hard shortly thereafter and we never got to go out again, but I got a picture of her with her beautiful smile, while she was pointing at some bullet holes in a target.
One of my last guns I have purchased is a Browning HP MK. III in 9mm which is just a dream.
I also have an H&K P30L in .40.

JEBar wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 06, 2021 11:28 am

with it being 45 caliber, it has to be a handful when fired

Many have this impression, but while conducting the test and evaluation trials for an upcoming department transition many years ago the shooters involved found that proper training and the various guns made all the difference.

We had chosen a panel of eight. Two firearms instructors. Two expert shooters, who were gun people. Two Sharpshooters, one a gun person, one not. Two females, neither a shooter, but both wanting to have an input.

We tested a number of semi-autos over a week long range period, shooting in a variety of situations, from bullseye, to combat course. Then each panel member rated each of the guns, and ranked them for their choice for the new duty weapon.

We compiled that data, did the projections for ammunition for initial and yearly training, etc and submitted the entire package. First choice on the list was the SIG P220 45. Second was the Glock model 22 40 caliber. Most comments said the 45 recoil was a hard push, compared to the sharp slap of the 40, but the recoil felt was about the same.

The chief chose the Glock, slightly lower cost. I own both. . My daily carry gun, when weather allows, the P220 45. Only 8 rounds, but your name is on every round you fire anyway.

Have you ever shot the CZ 97 marine

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:46 am

Have you ever shot the CZ 97 marine

No, I retired a number of years ago while czs were still exotics as far as handguns go. I did buy a CZ bolt gun when the Ruger I wanted wasn't in stock. What a tack driver. Our favorite rimfire. Bane of the squirrel population.

Its a big gun but holds 10 rounds. Great shooter and I like mine alot. Maybe you will get a chance to shoot one.

Those ole Ruger P series guns were tough and reliable. Had a P89 I carried for years, always wanted the P93 DAO.

I have a P90 that I bought from a deputy sheriff in the early '90s. Like most Rugers, this was like Humvee in size. It was fun shooting reloads. I still have it, but went to a couple of nines. I always felt under gunned. I then went back to .45 for EDC. I haven't looked back, plus my wife's Performance S&W 1911 with the 3.5 inch barrel she doesn't feel afraid of anybody.

Muddy Waters 67