Editors’ Picks 2018: Heizer PKO 45 Pistol

by
posted on April 30, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
newgun13.jpg

Heizer’s PKO 45 is a compact, all-metal, internal-hammer-fired, semi-automatic .45 ACP pistol that measures only eight-tenths of an inch wide. Manufactured by aerospace fabricator Heizer Defense, makers of the similarly slim PAK1, PAR1 and PS1 single-shots, the PKO 45 is unconventional, with a fixed, ported, 2.75" barrel whose axis lies below that of the guide rod assembly and below much of the slide’s mass to enhance accuracy and reduce muzzle flip, respectively. Magazine capacity is five rounds in the flush-fit style or seven for the extended style. The PKO 45 features a manual, bilateral, frame-mounted safety and frontstrap-mounted grip safety along with slide-stop and magazine buttons. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed to the slide. The aluminum-frame PKO 45 weighs approximately 25 ozs. and is available in Ghost Grey, Copperhead and Tactical Black. A titanium-frame variant is in the works. heizerdefense.com

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Skills Check: The Rapid Transit Drill

Effectively transitioning between targets is a difficult skill this drill will help you master.

Brink's Security Selects Liberty For Duty Ammunition

Brink’s U.S. has selected Liberty Ammunition as the provider for the duty loads used by its executive protection teams.

KelTec's KP50: The "Next Evolution Of The PDW"

KelTec has been a consistent innovator in the 5.7 mm firearm market, and its latest design, the KP50, utilizes a bottom-mounted, P90-style magazine that provides an on-board capacity of up to 100 rounds.

The Role of the Pocket Pistol

A backup gun deserves your best effort and attention. Here’s why.

The Future Of American Rifleman

Greetings! As you are no doubt aware based on the cover wrap of this issue and your January edition, big changes are afoot at NRA. American Rifleman will now publish a quarterly print magazine and a monthly digital edition.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 23, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.