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

Nighthawk Custom New Guns 2026 1
Nighthawk Custom New Guns 2026 1

Nighthawk Custom Releases Trio Of New Pistols For 2026

Ahead of SHOT Show 2026, Nighthawk Custom announced it would be releasing three new handguns, all built with the company's "One Gun, One Gunsmith" approach.

I Have This Old Gun: Remington Nylon 66

When Remington Arms wanted an inexpensive, mass-market .22 rifle, the company's designers departed from traditional manufacturing materials. The resulting Remington Nylon 66 emerged as an incredibly innovative, durable design that went on to be produced in great numbers.

Nevada, Missouri Law Enforcement Agencies Adopt Springfield Echelon

Police departments in Nevada and Missouri became the latest law-enforcement agencies to adopt the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F as their official duty pistol.

New For 2026: FN 309 MRD

For 2026, FN is seeking to bring its handguns to a wider market with the FN 309 MRD, a no-frills affordable pistol that the company says is “easy to shoot, easy to use and easy to own.”

Handloads: A Cheap .38 Special Target Load

These times of sparsely available handloading components require scrimping here and there in order to continue shooting, and the .38 Special provides a lot of bang for the buck.

Jack O'Connor Guns, Books & Art Up For Auction

A number of books and firearms, along with some art pieces, that have a direct connection to famed outdoor writer Jack O'Connor are up for auction at GunBroker.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.