The .45 ACP PCC Showdown | Who Will Win?

Introducing the .45 ACP PCC lineup and test plan

The hosts set out to compare several .45 ACP pistol-caliber carbines and compact platforms to decide which configuration works best. The lineup includes the Grand Power Stribog SP45 A3, CMMG Banshee in .45, Ruger LC Carbine in .45, LWRC SMG45, HK UMP45, KRISS Vector, a High Point .45 carbine, and a TMP45. They reference the Thompson as a classic .45, but set it aside as being in its own league. Each firearm is shot on the range both suppressed and unsuppressed using a Mojave 45 suppressor. After shooting, they return to the studio to rank the guns based on recoil impulse, handling, capacity, reliability, accuracy, and price, rather than value alone.

Range results and ranking: High Point, UMP45, and Ruger LC Carbine

One host ranks the High Point .45 carbine as his least favorite. He notes that while its roughly $260 price makes it accessible, the single-stack magazine and very limited capacity are major drawbacks on such a large gun. The direct blowback system produces more recoil than expected for its size, and the overall shooting experience feels unsatisfying. Next, he places the HK UMP45 low on his list despite its iconic status and roughly $2,500 price. The simple blowback action gives a harsh recoil impulse that does not match expectations for the cost, even though the UMP magazines themselves are praised as excellent. The Ruger LC Carbine in .45 ranks slightly higher due to its use of Glock magazines, higher capacity, aluminum upper, and reasonable price around the $700 range. However, its heavy bolt and direct blowback operation create a sharp, distracting recoil impulse that feels like a punch with each shot.

Evaluating the KRISS Vector, LWRC SMG45, and CMMG Banshee

The KRISS Vector in .45 ACP lands in the middle of the first host’s ranking. Its distinctive Super V recoil system, intended to redirect recoil downward, does not deliver as much improvement as expected, especially once a suppressor is added. The recoil is acceptable but not exceptional, and the manual of arms is somewhat unconventional. At roughly $1,500, it is considered decent value, with a strong cool factor and very high cyclic rate in full-auto configurations, but performance is not standout. The LWRC SMG45 takes the number three spot. It uses UMP magazines and offers generally good recoil and reliability, but shows noticeable point-of-impact shift when suppressed, which only occurs with this gun in the test. Its weight and a price between about $2,500 and $3,000 count against it. The CMMG Banshee in .45, using Glock magazines and a delayed blowback system, ranks second. It is relatively light, uses a standard buffer system, is full-auto rated, and delivers a recoil impulse that matches expectations—neither excessive nor unusually soft—at around a $1,500 price point.

Grand Power Stribog SP45 A3 performance and magazine choices

The Grand Power Stribog SP45 A3 is ranked as the top performer. Its A3 configuration uses a roller-delayed system that dramatically softens recoil, especially when paired with a suppressor like the Mojave 45. The hosts describe it as extremely soft-shooting, light, and slim for a .45 ACP platform, to the point that it makes the other tested guns feel comparatively harsh. The Stribog can use both Grand Power’s own magazines and UMP45 magazines. While the factory Grand Power magazines generally work, they experience some issues with flat-nose .45 ammunition. In contrast, UMP45 magazines run reliably throughout the test. The combination of roller-delayed operation, manageable weight, and reliable magazine options leads the host to question why other .45 PCCs do not achieve similar recoil characteristics, and it becomes his clear favorite despite also considering factors like storage, transport, and overall specifications.

Jason’s rankings: TMP45, KRISS Vector, and LWRC SMG45

Jason presents his own list, starting with the TMP45 as his least favorite. He finds it underwhelming for the price, describing it as a very basic, “keep it simple” gun that does not offer enough to justify its cost. He also notes an unusual left-hand charging or control layout that feels awkward. Next, he places the KRISS Vector low on his list. While he acknowledges its futuristic appearance, he criticizes its ergonomics, explaining that a natural support-hand placement can interfere with the gun’s operation and potentially cause malfunctions. Once a suppressor is attached, the Super V system’s benefits seem diminished, and the added weight makes the front end feel heavy. For him, the Vector’s primary appeal is its visual cool factor. The LWRC SMG45 also ranks in his lower half. He notes that it is heavy for its size and, although it runs most ammunition well, its weight and the earlier-mentioned accuracy and point-of-impact shift when suppressed reduce its appeal compared to other options.

Flat-nose .45 ACP ammo considerations across platforms

Across the test, the hosts observe that flat-nose .45 ACP ammunition can be problematic in some of the platforms. The Grand Power Stribog SP45 A3 experiences occasional feeding issues with flat-nose rounds when using its factory magazines, though these problems do not appear when using UMP45 magazines. The LWRC SMG45 also shows some sensitivity to flat-nose .45, depending on how the feed ramp interacts with the bullet profile. They emphasize that flat-nose .45 behaves differently from standard round-nose loads in many PCC and SMG-style firearms, and reliability can vary significantly based on magazine design and feed ramp geometry. This leads them to caution that shooters planning to run flat-nose .45 ACP should thoroughly test their chosen ammunition in each specific platform, especially when combining it with suppressors or non-standard magazine options.