The Top 10 Best .45 ACP Handguns

Ruger has provided an affordable option for those seeking the classic combination of a 1911 and .45 caliber power. It doesn’t skimp on quality however, despite its more affordable pricing. The Ruger SR1911 also retains the classic 1911 shape and style for those looking for that classic aesthetic.

The gun comes with an eight-round magazine, drift adjustable Novak three-dot sights, and an oversized beavertail grip. The rest of the gun is just a carefully constructed to get that old-fashioned 1911 look and feel.

One of the things that stands out the most about the Springfield XD(M) Full Size handgun is the length of the barrel. While it isn’t the longest, the firearm still boasts a 4.5” barrel for increased sight radius and accuracy. If you’re aiming to become the best sharpshooter of .45 handguns then this Springfield is the perfect option for you.

That isn’t to say that the only good thing about the Springfield XD(M) Full Size is the barrel length though. It is a 13+1 capacity handgun while also retaining a smaller frame than other full size pistols, making it perfect for either carry or home defense.

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward, and efficient firearm, then you can’t go wrong with the Glock 21. While it isn’t as prolific as other Glock models, the 21 is still a widely used handgun among police officers and other law enforcement officials. Not to mention, it is much less expensive than some other .45 firearms on the market today.

The Glock 21 is now in its fourth iteration, with a revamped grip and a shorter trigger reach. This provides the Glock with a much greater amount of control and shooting ability. You can’t go wrong with this dependable handgun.

There’s nothing to dislike about this handgun. Well, if you aren’t a fan of crunchtickers then you might dislike the trigger pull on it, but otherwise the P220 is a magnificent handgun from SIG Sauer to pair with .45 caliber. It’s about as dependable as you can get with a firearm and for its price it should be that consistent.

In terms of accuracy as well, the P220 can’t be beat. It doesn’t have a low bore axis, but the high beavertail makes up for it; making the handgun intuitive to aim and quick with follow-up shots as well.

This DA/SA pistol brings an impressive amount of power and a large magazine capacity to shooting. With those added benefits comes a bit of added girth and weight to the CZ 97B, which doesn’t make it the best option for carrying. That weight also heavily reduces the recoil, making it an accurate firearm in just about anyone’s hands.

While it is a bit pricier than some of the other options on our list, the CZ 97B is still a great choice to pair with you .45 caliber rounds. It’s an especially great choice if you’re looking to make every shot count and find its mark.

While the Walther PPQ is a great firearm with any caliber, it truly stands out when combined with the .45 round’s power. The large and simple grip makes it easy to control and reduces the amount of recoil. It takes a bit of the extra edge off of firing such a powerful round.

The Walther PPQ 45 is also an extremely fast weapon. It has a striker fired, quick trigger and also an astonishingly short reset when firing. The speed and control of the Walther PPQ coupled with the power of .45 caliber is a tough match to beat.

While we’re on the subject of the compatibility between 1911 pistols and .45 caliber rounds, the Wilson Combat Classic also combines these two into one simple package. Every inch of this handgun is constructed to strict and high-quality specifications, delivering excellent performance and reliability. 

While most 1911 guns are known for their finnicky nature when it comes to different types of ammo, the Wilson Combat Classic will devour anything from ball to self-defense ammo. It is an all around perfect option whether you’re looking for a carry, defensive, or casual shooting pistol.

This pistol is designed to adapt to any foreseeable purpose you can imagine. The FN FNX-45 Tactical comes with a 5.3 inch threaded barrel, high-rise three-dot sights, a durable steel slide, and many more facets. All of the controls are also designed to be ambidextrous as well.

While it is a large gun for a .45 caliber pistol, it makes up for that heft with added accuracy and reliability. To top it all off, it comes with a 15 round capacity which is nearly unheard of for .45 caliber guns.

SIG Sauer makes it onto our list again with their widely renowned 1911 Tacops. Tacops stands for “Tactical Operations” in this case and this handgun delivers in terms of practical functionality. It comes with an integral accessory rail, Magwell, low-profile night sights, and an ambidextrous thumb safety.

On top of its functional options, this handgun also delivers in power and accuracy. It’ll draw out the power of its .45 caliber rounds and makes effective firing.

While most wouldn’t point to STI as their chosen manufacturer for carry or defense firearms, the STI Tactical delivers in both of those categories. While it looks and acts like a 1911, it is really a 2011. This means that it is a doublestack variant of the classic design.

The Tactical also comes with two magazines of ten and eleven which is a great deal of firepower for any normal 1911. While it is a pricier selection, the STI Tactical delivers for its cost in power, accuracy, reliability, and capacity.