SD ammo for my smith 1911 E-Series

N

NHagar

New member
Ok I am curious what kind of SD ammo you guys use. I am leaning on getting some Hornady Critical Defense. I like Hornady ammo because their 460 S&W SST shoots great out of my 460XVR. That is really the reason I like Hornady handgun ammo. Is there better out there or is anything hollow point sufficient for SD ammo?
 
Hornady Critical Defense would be down my list for .45 acp. It was primarily designed for use in calibers where hollow points have trouble penetrating, like .380. Their XTP line is better. If you can get their TAP ammo, that's even better. It's usually sold to law enforcement.

My top choices are 230 gr. Speer Gold Dots and 230 gr. Federal HST (not Hydrashok, though they are ok). I also like Remington Golden Sabers and a lot of folks like Corbon DPX.
 
:) I reload but I think any of the top manufactures would have good SD ammo. It's shot placement that makes the big difference. Don
 
I use the 185 grain critical defense in my 3'' 1911s because I figure the hotter load will make up for the shorter barrel. In my 4'' and 5'' 1911s, I use 200 grain +p TAP. All feed reliably.
 
I used to carry Speer Gold Dot's. Great round for sure.

Then I started reading about Winchester Bonded PDX1. Meets all the FBI specs for penetration. I prefer the 230 gr version.

More reading on it here: PDX1 @ Cabelas
 
+1 plouffedaddy ... I use CD ammo in my carry Kimber UCII because its design lets it feed perfectly in a 3-inch 1911 ... I also use it in my Kahr PM9 for feed reasons, and in my Smith 637 because for me it's very accurate ... have never had a failure to feed or fire in either of the semi's, and the rounds always go bang ...
 
Each gun is different and may prefer a different design.
My 1911's are accurate on Federal Hydra-shok 230gr. The 230gr Speer Gold Dot works in my Springfield Champion and Kimber (3"). The S&W 1911SC however hates Gold Dots due to the nose shape (FTF's).

The Federal HST's work fine in all the 1911's. I typically use the 230gr Federal HST or Hydra-shok because I have a supply of them. :)

If you don't mind the lighter bullets, the 185gr .45 ACP loads provide the most muzzle energy. To wit:


Speer ... Gold Dot ... 53964 ..... 185 ..... GDHP 1050 453
Rem ..... Golden Saber GS45APA ... 185 ..... GSHP 1015 423
Rem ..... Express .... R45AP2 .....185 ..... JHP 1000 411 (older JHP design)
Win ..... Silvertip .. X45ASHP2 .. 185 ..... STHP 1000 411

In the 230gr weight class, tops in energy are:
Rem ... Golden Saber ... GS45APB ... 230 GSHP 875 391
Win ... SXT ............ S45 ....... 230 SXT 880 396
Win ... USA ............ USA45JHP .. 230 JHP 880 396 (older JHP design)
Fed ... Tact. Bonded ... LE45T1 .... 230 JHP 950 401
Speer ..Gold Dot ....... 53966 ..... 230 GDHP 890 404

The biggest bang for you buck comes from the +P loads...
Speer .. Gold Dot ....... 53969 .... .45 ACP +P 200 GDHP 1080 518
Rem .... Golden Saber ... GS45APC .. .45 ACP +P 185 GSHP 1140 534
 
Decent carry-defense loads in .45acp...

For a single action 1911a1 type semi auto pistol, I'd look into these brands/weights;

The Speer Gold Dot 230gr JHP +P, the Hornady TAP or Critical Defense load, the Corbon DPX, Thunder Ranch, PowRball, Glaser Safety Slug(home defense), the Remington Golden Saber 185gr JHP +P bonded, the Winchester Ranger T bonded 230gr JHP +P, the Federal EFMJ(expanding full metal jacket), the 230gr or 185gr JHP +P from DoubleTap Ammo.
I'd only use factory made high quality rounds for carry/duty/protection. No reloaded or hand-loaded .45acp rounds. ;)
Round or "ball" type loads should work best for cycle/feeding in 1911a1 series single action .45acp firearms.
PowRball, EFMJ & milspec factory ball rounds(230gr) are a smart idea for spare or 2nd/3rd pistol magazines. I follow the concept of 100% feeding/cycles with a back-up or spare .45acp mag. A misfire or jam is NOT what you need when bullets are flying at you!
FMJ or milspec ball rounds are good for training & marksmanship too so you'd be conditioned to that wt/recoil/design with the S&W .45acp.
For buying details/prices see; www.shopcorbon.com www.cabelas.com www.sgammo.com www.sportsmansguide.com www.doubletapammo.com .
 
45 ACP?

You already have one of the best handguns as a man stopper.

FMJs, HPs, double flip back will do. Who's to it matters, as to which your gun likes, do as I ask this question to your gun.

I'm no poet, but your gun know it.:D
 
Speer 230gr Gold Dot is all I use in my 1911's for SD. Very consistant, proven street results and can be found in 50 round boxes for only a few bucks more than the smaller boxes which means you can run more rounds through the SD gun to make sure it functions properly for less money.

Its harder to find a bad SD load in 45 acp as it would be, say in 9mm. There are alot of good ones out there. I'm sure that the Hornady Critical Defense is good stuff as is the Winchester PDX but until there are more real world results with these loads I plan on stick with the Speer load which has hundreds of results. Whatever you choose, just make sure to run a couple hundred rounds through your gun to make sure that it functions properly with zero malfunctions.
 
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