45 acp defense
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
The main reason to practice with what you carry is more for accuracy expectations than skill development.
Different weight bullets have slightly different points of impact.
But how important that is for a .45 that might be used at close distances is probably not a big deal.
Trigger time is more important, so use what ever ammo you can most afford to shoot and get the most practice.
Different weight bullets have slightly different points of impact.
But how important that is for a .45 that might be used at close distances is probably not a big deal.
Trigger time is more important, so use what ever ammo you can most afford to shoot and get the most practice.
The Army .45 takes no jive!....
I read that once in a 1980s era gun magazine.
Really, for my .45acp, I use the Hornady Critical Duty .45acp; a 220gr +P round that is known to perform well in the FBI protocol tests.
For home defense, I use a 8rd magazine of Magsafe SWAT. I switch because I feel the SWAT load would do better with environment & not ricochet or injury a neighbor/bystander.
I use a M&P Compact too not a 1911a1 pistol.
CF
I read that once in a 1980s era gun magazine.
Really, for my .45acp, I use the Hornady Critical Duty .45acp; a 220gr +P round that is known to perform well in the FBI protocol tests.
For home defense, I use a 8rd magazine of Magsafe SWAT. I switch because I feel the SWAT load would do better with environment & not ricochet or injury a neighbor/bystander.
I use a M&P Compact too not a 1911a1 pistol.
CF
Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it. I am going to buy a few and test them and decide which to use. I understand the mass of the 230 and also the higher velocity of the 200 or even the 185. I'll buy a box of each and check the poi and recoil and see which I am more comfortable with and most accurate with..
You can't depend on expansion, and .45 bullets are essentially pre-expanded, so go for penetration. Fears of "overpentration" notwithstanding, I'll take all the penetration I can get.
Expanding bullets are designed to work within a specific velocity range, so the idea that you will help ensure expansion in short-barreled guns by using a lighter, faster bullet ignores that the ligher bullet is also going slower than it would in a longer barrel, and so also outside the ideal velocity range. All the more reason to go with a heavy bullet, so you at least get good penetration, expansion or no.
Expanding bullets are designed to work within a specific velocity range, so the idea that you will help ensure expansion in short-barreled guns by using a lighter, faster bullet ignores that the ligher bullet is also going slower than it would in a longer barrel, and so also outside the ideal velocity range. All the more reason to go with a heavy bullet, so you at least get good penetration, expansion or no.
carry vs home protection rounds....
You could use a well made frangible like Glaser Silver or MagSafe SWAT for general carry but Id go with a proven LE type round that might do better against common barriers like auto glass, building materials, clothing(leather denim down/insulation) etc. In short, the FBI protocol conditions.
Out in the open, you might encounter the same basic circumstances as a sworn LE officer. A thug or felon may be behind cover or they may be near a vehicle.
Now if you are in a densely populated area or work somewhere where common JHPs may have problems(court building, shipyard, medical center/clinic, etc), you might choose a frangible load with a JHP or FMJ in the spare magazines(if required).
CF
www.Magsafeonline.com www.natchezss.com www.Shopcorbon.com www.drtammo.com www.sgammo.com
You could use a well made frangible like Glaser Silver or MagSafe SWAT for general carry but Id go with a proven LE type round that might do better against common barriers like auto glass, building materials, clothing(leather denim down/insulation) etc. In short, the FBI protocol conditions.
Out in the open, you might encounter the same basic circumstances as a sworn LE officer. A thug or felon may be behind cover or they may be near a vehicle.
Now if you are in a densely populated area or work somewhere where common JHPs may have problems(court building, shipyard, medical center/clinic, etc), you might choose a frangible load with a JHP or FMJ in the spare magazines(if required).
CF
www.Magsafeonline.com www.natchezss.com www.Shopcorbon.com www.drtammo.com www.sgammo.com
Stevie-Ray
New member
My EDC is a 3 inch 1911, and when I bought it, I tried a variety of loads, all 230 gr because that's what I prefer. It seemed happiest accuracy-wise with Hydra-Shoks, so that is what I've fed it for over 10 years.
Derbel McDillet
Moderator
I suggest 230gr Federal HST. If you can't find HST then 230gr Speer Gold Dot.
You can purchase these loads in 50 round boxes with a little searching. IMO if you're buying 20 or 25 round boxes of defense ammo then you' re getting ripped off.
You can purchase these loads in 50 round boxes with a little searching. IMO if you're buying 20 or 25 round boxes of defense ammo then you' re getting ripped off.
chokeoloko
New member
I highly recommend the 200 grain round. I use it in my self defense 1911
In 45, 40 and 9MM I have always been a big fan of Speer Gold Dot's.
Its what I own/shoot the most of as far as SD/Duty Ammo.
I had a problem with my last 1911, a Springfield, feeding Critical Defense and similar polymer-tipped ammo so I stopped buying it. My XDm45 feeds it all the same.
Its what I own/shoot the most of as far as SD/Duty Ammo.
I had a problem with my last 1911, a Springfield, feeding Critical Defense and similar polymer-tipped ammo so I stopped buying it. My XDm45 feeds it all the same.