Smallest .45 auto?

pairof44sp · Oct 5, 2020

I came across this little novelty when surfing online.

http://www.tjscustomgunworks.com/Photos2017/TJsSTEALTH3SubCompact45.htm

NIGHTLORD40K · Oct 5, 2020

Made from a Ballaster Molina too. :thumbup:

Terry G · Oct 5, 2020

I don't think that would be fun to shoot.

NIGHTLORD40K · Oct 5, 2020

The Semmerling looks a little shorter, but taller. Of course it was a manual repeater, not an automatic.

dodo bird · Oct 5, 2020

NIGHTLORD40K said:
View attachment 946864
The Semmerling looks a little shorter, but taller. Of course it was a manual repeater, not an automatic.

I always remember seeing those in the Gun Digest when I was younger. They always intrigued me. Never got to hold one. Is that yours? If so what do you think? Looks well made.

guyfromohio · Oct 5, 2020

Incredibly cool. Thanks for sharing!

Barbaroja · Oct 5, 2020

No thanks!
I think the smallest I would enjoy is my .45 shield.

AK103K · Oct 5, 2020

Downsizer WSP

tes%2Farmslist%2Fuploads%2Fposts%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2F178355_03_wtb_downsizer_single_shot_45ac_640.jpg

That gun in the first post makes my middle finger hurt just looking at it.

NIGHTLORD40K · Oct 5, 2020

dodo bird said:
I always remember seeing those in the Gun Digest when I was younger. They always intrigued me. Never got to hold one. Is that yours? If so what do you think? Looks well made.

No, sadly, considering what they go for. I think I may have seen one at a gunshow back in the early '90s, but never held or shot one.

rabid wombat · Oct 5, 2020

I was going to go with a Liberator, but you have me beat....

cslinger · Oct 5, 2020

Well gee that looks great pleasant.

Charlie98 · Oct 5, 2020

AMT had the .45ACP DAO for a while, never shot one, though. I had a DAO in .380 for a while, which I carried. Small but heavy, particularly for a .380, and popped your hand pretty good. I can't imagine shooting a .45ACP one. It cracked the slide through the ejection port, which AMT replaced... but once I got it back, off it went to the gun show for trading fodder.

bannockburn · Oct 5, 2020

Really cool looking; like the ring grip! Thanks but no thanks for a .45 that small!

This is the smallest I would go in a downsized 1911:

dfariswheel · Oct 5, 2020

The Kahr Arms PM 45 is pretty small, it isn't a hyper expensive custom gun and isn't a ridiculously tiny gun that you'd never shoot.

The CM45 is even less expensive.

George P · Oct 5, 2020

I also remember that tiny AMT 45.........no thanks! A Ruger LCP is painful enough; I can't imagine a 45 in a small light gun

Frulk · Oct 5, 2020

The Warthog from Para Ordnance is about as small as I’d go in a .45 ACP and even that looks like a fistful of pain!

https://www.iammo.com/para-ordnance-warthog-45-acp-10-1-3-pistol-in-stainless-96602.html

earlthegoat2 · Oct 5, 2020

First thing I thought of was the AMT Backup. Shot one in 40 once and it was not uncontrollable. Just uncomfortable.

9mmepiphany · Oct 6, 2020

The AMT Backup in .45ACP wasn't any fun to shoot. The trigger pull was horrendous and made hitting what you were aiming at a real chore. The recoil was enough to prevent you from practicing enough to become proficient.

The Semmerling LM4 that I handled was much larger than I expected from only seeing pictures. It was manufactured by the current owners American Derringer and felt very good in the hand. I didn't get to shoot it, but the trigger pull was very manageable....they are a custom order item. The last one I saw sold went of a bit over $3k...in 1980, they were just under $700

jeepnik · Oct 6, 2020

The AMT actually is okay to shoot once you learn how. As to the trigger and some reports of stoppages most folks never fired them enough to break them in. A magazine or two and then they sat on the safe shelf. I regularly carry a .45 backup. I slicked up the trigger by simply stoning it. As to reliability, after a few hundred rounds and using the proper lube on the slide it's as reliable as any handgun.

Patocazador · Oct 6, 2020

Charlie98 said:
AMT had the .45ACP DAO for a while, never shot one, though.

I have one but the DAO trigger was a bear. A gunsmith friend helped it a lot. I use "soft" reloads in mine with SWCs.

Charlie98 · Oct 6, 2020

My .380 DAO was a decent gun, given it's limitations. Yes, the trigger was awful... but it's a self-defense gun, not a target piece. As far as hitting what you were aiming at, with the 'channel' sight groove, the small grip, and the poor trigger, your guess was as good as it was going to get.

I probably put 500 rounds or so through mine, and I actually grew to like the heel magazine release. When the old police surplus HK P7's hit the market, with the heel magazine catch, everyone complained about them... I really wanted to get one of those.

Sovblocgunfan · Oct 6, 2020

dfariswheel said:
The Kahr Arms PM 45 is pretty small, it isn't a hyper expensive custom gun and isn't a ridiculously tiny gun that you'd never shoot.

The CM45 is even less expensive.

i thought about these as well. They’re also relatively easy to find compared to some of the other more obscure offerings.

Dan-O · Oct 6, 2020

The pm45 carries quite nicely.

I found a cobra patriot .45 about 15 years ago. Actually not a bad little gun that accepts 1911 mags. I wouldn’t recommend their other offerings.

Spats McGee · Oct 6, 2020

These are neat to look at, but my interest in shooting a .45 acp micro-pistol is ..... let's call it 'limited.'

9mmepiphany · Oct 6, 2020

JR offered some interesting custom modifications...perhaps a bit dramatic...but he was very proud ($$$) of them.

Some of his business practices were a bit off-putting also

Smallest .45 auto?

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