I love this gun's design (Gen 3). On paper, the specifications dictate this gun to be leader of the pack (.45ACP, 11-round capacity, light weight, sub-compact size, Heinie sights, thumb safety, shooting comfort, blah, blah, blah), and the price makes it a veritable "no brainer"--best compact .45 on the market for the lowest price... DUH! Before I go on, I have purchased three PT1911s that, after thousands of rounds, have proven WONDERFUL! That was just another reason why I confidently bought THREE of the PT145s. I still insist on loving the gun's design, but I have had some significant issues (see below). I would love to rate this gun an "8" (one shouldn't have to fart around like I am), but until my modifications prove out, I can only rate it a "4".

Let me also say that there are damn few negative reviews on this gun, but a ran into MUCHO failures to feed (at least one to several per magazine). After firing close to a thousand rounds of several makes through ten different magazines (purchased three different times) and three PT145s, I can definitely say that the issue rests with the magazines--not the guns. At this point, I have tried removing the interior paint and polishing the inside of the magazines (especially the front, which is where the bullets seem to stick on their way up)--and don't anybody try to talk to me about CLEANING! Partly due to the sticking, I also ran into trouble with the edge of the casings hitting the lip of the magazine, so I also ground those down a bit. Early results seem promising, but I have yet to sufficiently test my modified magazines. I've also tried Rulon tape on the interior, which seems to work well for lubricity, but it keeps getting torn by the follower, so I can't recommend it. I believe the cause of the problem is that the ten .45ACP rounds are really crammed into that magazine, and the high compression results in a correspondingly high friction force between the bullets and the walls of the magazine. Strangely, there are also two small holes drilled into the front of the magazine that seem to serve no purpose other than, possibly, also interfering with the smooth movement of rounds up the magazine.

* .45 ACP = proven manstopper in HP or FMJ
* 11 round capacity in sub-compact size
* Light weight (aprox. 26 oz)
* Heinie sights (I didn't think I'd like 'em and I don't--I LOVE 'EM!)
* Thumb safety (any gun that goes in my pocket HAS to have a safety)
* Easy to shoot
* VERY accurate
* Stainless slide
* Ergonomic design
* Easy to take down