B&T GHM45
The B&T GHM45 is the .45 ACP variant of Brügger & Thomet’s GHM platform—a compact, hydraulic-buffered pistol-caliber carbine from the same Swiss manufacturer that supplies special operations forces across NATO. Where the GHM9 serves shooters who want a compact 9mm platform with the B&T pedigree, the GHM45 is purpose-built for those who want .45 ACP performance in the same refined Swiss package. At 5.5 lbs with a 6.88″ cold hammer-forged barrel and a 3-lug suppressor mount, it combines genuine suppressor-host capability with the distinctive hydraulic buffer system that makes the GHM series shoot unlike any other blowback PCC on the market.
Read our full B&T GHM45 Buying Guide ↓
GHM45 vs. GHM9: Choosing Your Caliber
The GHM9 and GHM45 share the same platform architecture—hydraulic assisted blowback, B&T proprietary magazines, cold hammer-forged barrel, and 3-lug muzzle mount—but serve different shooter priorities. The GHM9 in 9mm offers lower ammunition cost, higher magazine capacity, and a wider selection of 9mm suppressors. The GHM45 in .45 ACP offers a heavier, larger-diameter bullet with inherently subsonic performance from standard pressure loads—you don’t need to seek out specialty subsonic ammunition to stay below the speed of sound. For shooters who already run .45 ACP pistols, the GHM45 also provides caliber commonality. See: B&T GHM9.
Why .45 ACP Is an Ideal Suppressor Caliber
The .45 ACP cartridge was designed from the outset to operate at subsonic velocities—standard pressure .45 ACP ammunition travels at approximately 830–900 fps, well below the 1,125 fps speed of sound threshold that produces a supersonic crack. This means any standard .45 ACP load is inherently subsonic and suppressor-compatible without requiring specialized subsonic ammunition. When combined with a quality .45 caliber suppressor on the GHM45’s 3-lug mount, the result is one of the quietest centerfire shooting experiences achievable—only the mechanical action noise and a relatively soft report remain. This is a significant practical advantage over 9mm, where standard pressure loads are typically supersonic and dedicated subsonic ammunition is required for the quietest results.
GHM45 Hydraulic Buffer System
Like the GHM9, the GHM45 uses B&T’s hydraulic assisted blowback system—a fluid-dampened buffer that cushions the bolt during the rearward cycle, producing noticeably softer felt recoil than conventional blowback designs. This is particularly valuable in .45 ACP, where the heavier bolt mass required for the larger cartridge would otherwise produce a more pronounced recoil impulse in a standard blowback design. The hydraulic buffer makes the GHM45 more pleasant to shoot for extended range sessions and more controllable during rapid fire. When suppressed, the buffer absorbs the additional bolt velocity from back-pressure, maintaining the same controlled cycling regardless of suppressor use.
GHM45 Specifications
The B&T GHM45 ships with a 6.88″ (175mm) cold hammer-forged barrel, a 3-lug muzzle attachment for B&T-compatible suppressors, an overall length of 15.2″, and a weight of approximately 5.5 lbs unloaded. The 3-lug mount is B&T’s proprietary quick-attach suppressor system used across their product line—compatible suppressors attach and detach in a single rotation without tools. The GHM45 is available in pistol configuration (without stock) for NFA-free purchase, with the option to register as an SBR and add a folding stock. Since January 2026