The .45 ACP Luger created for the US pistol trials in the first decade of the 20th Century is one of the most infamously rare and desirable handguns of all time. Combining the excellent engineering and classic looks and ergonomics of the Luger with the American .45 ACP pistol round, the one original that survives of two that were made now commands prices well into the six- and seven-figure range.

German gunsmith Herbert Werle – creator of the famous “AK-47” Luger – has added another dimension to the .45 ACP Luger story, however, having created a .45 ACP Luger Carbine. Yes, you heard that right; watch the videos embedded below:

Werle’s .45 ACP Luger carbine uses an unusual grip-loading system instead of a detachable magazine; I can only speculate that this is the result of German gun law, but perhaps not. It is, regardless, a unique and interesting system for loading a semiautomatic handgun.

In the first video, the carbine has some minor reliability issues, but by the second video these seem to have mostly been resolved, with the exception of slightly weak ejection of the last cartridge case.

Werle only ever loads the .45 ACP Luger carbine with 4 rounds, which I suspect is the maximum capacity of the magazine, although I don’t know that for sure.