45acp CC/Defensive ammo
I concealed carried a 45 ACP for many years. I had a Colt Commander LW then went to a Detonics Combat master, then a Glock G30 and finally to a G36 for a while.
I have been carrying a G32 now for several years(with Hollow point ammo). I also carry a G26 or G19 and yes both with hollow point ammo.
When I was carrying a 45 though I just used Hardball as my defensive ammo. I figure a hollow point might hang up my gun and its not going to really expand all that much so why bother.
Hardball 230gr bullets at 850fps have been doing the job for years, they shoot straight and function flawlessly in every 45 ACP gun I have owned. The only HP ammo I had ever used that functioned 100% with out doing anything to the gun(In the 1911 platform) was the old Winchester 230gr Sliver tips from the 80's. I don't have anymore and I see they were dropped by Winchester in favor for the 185gr HP.
My opinion is Bullet placement and penetration is the key.
Your thoughts on HP vs Hardball for defense in a 45 ACP handgun?
I have been carrying a G32 now for several years(with Hollow point ammo). I also carry a G26 or G19 and yes both with hollow point ammo.
When I was carrying a 45 though I just used Hardball as my defensive ammo. I figure a hollow point might hang up my gun and its not going to really expand all that much so why bother.
Hardball 230gr bullets at 850fps have been doing the job for years, they shoot straight and function flawlessly in every 45 ACP gun I have owned. The only HP ammo I had ever used that functioned 100% with out doing anything to the gun(In the 1911 platform) was the old Winchester 230gr Sliver tips from the 80's. I don't have anymore and I see they were dropped by Winchester in favor for the 185gr HP.
My opinion is Bullet placement and penetration is the key.
Your thoughts on HP vs Hardball for defense in a 45 ACP handgun?
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I use Hornady Critical Defense and Critical Duty depending on the gun. Feeds 100% like hardball in my guns but is supposed to expand when it hits tissue. The Critical Duty is designed to penetrate deeper/go through hard barriers. 0 -
Sam the .45 acp is one caliber that I thing pretty much any load that with function reliably in your gun will be good. Personally if I was using a .45 I would go with the LEO standard ammo meaning some form of Federal Hydra Shok or Speer Gold Dot both 230 gr loads. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ricci Wright
Sam the .45 acp is one caliber that I thing pretty much any load that with function reliably in your gun will be good. Personally if I was using a .45 I would go with the LEO standard ammo meaning some form of Federal Hydra Shok or Speer Gold Dot both 230 gr loads.
I load my G32 with the same round the NCSP uses, the Speer GD 125gr.
They work very well in 357 SIG.0 -
Kimber II and carry Federal HydraShock. No feed issues. 0 -
When I carry my 1911, it is with 230 fmj. 0 -
Another .45 load that feeds very well is Hornady American Gunner with the 185 grain XTP hollowpoint. My XD/s eats them right up. 0 -
I can still remember back to when I thought bullets mattered to any significant degree. 0 -
A venerable round at any rate. 45acp rock on,,, 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Alpine
Kimber II and carry Federal HydraShock. No feed issues.
Same here but mine is the original Ultra-Carry.
I posted this before, I had three Pit Bulls come after me in my front yard. I tried to make it to the door but couldn't and had just enough time to draw and low fire two rounds hitting one in the front leg, and the other with a glancing shot across his rib cage.
The first ones leg was hanging on by a piece of skin and the other one more than likely bled out a block and a half up the street. We found half of the ultra shock in the dirt where I shot it!0 -
The reason you carry a 45 isnso you don?t have to have those nagging concerns like will this get the job done that people who carry 9 mm have. stick a half inch hole in somebody with 230 grain material they?re going to stop 0 -
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As been said, half inch holes bleed. If FMJ goes through, two half inch holes. If not, one hole and still lots of hurt. I have been loaded with hardball from day one. Not only does FMJ go through flesh, it goes through clothing, FMJ goes through wood, FMJ goes through metal, better penetration through windshield glass, weather out going glass, or into theirs, and carry mass.
Never a Fail to Feed, will not take the chance on HP. So I ask is it worth the chance? My personal is FMJ.[^]0 -
In LE it is considered best practice to use a JHP as a duty load and not FMJ. JHP generally causes a larger wound channel, with a greater potential of disrupting blood vessels and organs. The expansion is also more likely to transfer the terminal energy more efficiently. My personnel qualify with their duty ammunition, 230 gr Winchester Ranger SXT and have not had any feeding issues. 0 -
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I load mine staggered, hardball Hydrosock hardball Hydroshock. I?m not convinced the Hydrosock will penetrate heavy clothing, gets pretty cold in MT and a bad guy may have a heavy coat on. With them staggered the hardball will penetrate the coat and that loading should take care of any bad guy. 0 -
I had a good friend who use to ask me what I was carrying whenever we met. I would pull out usually a 9mm and he would chuckle. He carried a .45 1911. I ask him one day what ammo he used.. He pulled out the mag and showed me .45 ball ammo. He was a retired Seal. Said.. he just wanted a pistol that would put a big hole in someone. That is all that matters. 0 -
I just watched this: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWW2Y-IZpyE
I will see if these are reliable if so this will do well.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Sam06
I just watched this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWW2Y-IZpyE
I will see if these are reliable if so this will do well.
I run those.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Sam06
When I was carrying a 45 though I just used Hardball as my defensive ammo. I figure a hollow point might hang up my gun and its not going to really expand all that much so why bother.
JHP in the chamber and 230 ball in the mag.0 -
I carry the most reliable load in each different .45 pistol I own. Most of my 1911s prefer FMJ, but some feed 100% with JHP.
When I carry a SIG P220 or HK Mk 23 I carry JHP. My preference is always JHP if reliability is not a concern.
No matter what, 230 grain hunks of metal.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ruger41
I use Hornady Critical Defense and Critical Duty depending on the gun. Feeds 100% like hardball in my guns but is supposed to expand when it hits tissue. The Critical Duty is designed to penetrate deeper/go through hard barriers.
I Use the Hornady stuff in all of mine .380 to .450
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