I bought some DPX in .45 Colt +P and some PUNCH Colt .45 rounds for my S&W 460 XVR magnum (8 plus inches). Is this too much bullet for home protection in a single family home? Also, does anyone know why Colt or anyone else, has made a Colt semi-auto for the .45 Colt round? Thanks.

Knowing what the bullet type and velocity are would help. A frangible bullet at low velocity may be OK, and one designed to hold together at high velocity may get to the next county with enough energy to cause problems.

The size (slide cycling length) of a .45 Colt semi-auto would make for quite a large gun. Perhaps ask the Desert Eagle folks to make one for you.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

At typical,house ranges, I would think the standard .45 Colt would serve admirably, unless you're planning to defend against a herd of mastodons.

I think +P is too much. If it was me, I'd load it with mild .45 Colt rounds.



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Id hollow point em

I think the DPX would most likely be OK although there are better choices. There is no need for such powerful rounds for defensive purpose, but it is more your gun than the round it fires that makes it somewhat impractical for home defense IMO.

There are good reasons why there is usually a distinction made between hunting and defensive handguns.

I'll probably get hammered for this, but I'm gonna say it anyway.

The .45 Colt is great for home defense. You don't need +P. You don't need wall-penetrating power for inside-the-house distances. +P (in any caliber) is so overhyped (my opinion). I've always looked at it as a marketing ploy, nothing more. Fulfilling a need that doesn't exist.

Pick up a box of American Eagle 225-grain Jacketed Soft Point, and load up. At a muzzle velocity of 860 fps and 370 foot pounds, anyone you hit is gonna go down like they've been run over by an 18-wheeler.

Or even the venerable 255-grain LRN at 860 fps and 419 foot pounds...c'mon, can you say "knockdown power"?

Shot placement, preparedness, and a good defensive plan should be your focus, not how big your gun is or how hot your ammo is loaded.

Bottom line? Colt .45 +P? Why bother?

I don't disagree in the ammo but I think the whole package is ridiculous. Home defense with an heavy 8 inch barrel revolver! Unwieldy, slow to aquire sights, slow to recover from recoil, single point of contact with all the weight up front. At this point a rifle is a lot more practical

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Thanks guys. I do appreciate the replies. Maybe I'll switch the DPX rounds to my Ruger Alaskan 454 Casull - 2.5 inch barrel.

Here is the DPX information:

Bullet Anatomy

The DPX bullet is 100% solid copper bullet. Internal serration cuts have been added instead of traditional external serrations. These internal serration cuts allow the copper bullet to fully expand making the bullet double diameter with 6 razor sharp pedals.

Penetration Testing Results

The research and development team at COR®BON used the protocol from the FBI's testing procedures to formulate the DPX® defensive line of ammunition. They achieved soft tissue penetration of 12”-18”, with reliable and consistent expansion. The recovered bullets retained 100% of the original size and weight when recovered from the test medium of 10% ballistic gelatin and shot through four layers of 10oz denim barrier. The permanent crush cavity is also considerably larger than that of a typical JHP.

Caliber: 45 Colt +P
Bullet Wt.: 225gr DPX
Velocity: 1200fps
Energy: 720ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 7.5 Inches
20 rounds per box.
Not Loaded to SAAMI Specifications. Please see our FAQ.

Ammo aside, the .460 is a great gun, but not a gun I'd choose for a defensive situation, especially in an anti-gun state like Maryland. The DA or plaintiff's attorney would have a field day waving it in front of the jury, and hooting and hollering about the "huge magnum", regardless of the ammo. Others will disagree, but I seem to recall a case where a guy was involved in a justified shooting, but was convicted because the jury thought his 10 mm. was "too much gun." Bottom line, it's your call.
Maybe the forum's attorneys will have an opinion.

I'm a big proponent of firepower myself, but when it comes to handguns, its a little different. Yes, I have a G3 clone and a 10 bore pump shotgun ready to go, but my handgun won't ever go above 44 Magnum medium loads, and even then, I stick to 357 Magnum and 45 ACP. There comes a point with handguns where too much power finally leads to such a loss of follow up, the extra per damage/penetration potential is not worth the blast and recoil. 45 Colt is a big boy without any +p, and is a limit into itself for self defense consideration, really.

Like has been said already, in reality, 45 Colt standard has enough heat to be good with almost anything, there are a few hollow point choices available, and even the flatnose and wadcutter bullets will do well with the kind of weight, diameter, and power you are considering. Extra power might not make the gains in terminal performance you hope for, and even then, the eternal question if they are worth the muzzle flip remains. If you reach a point in your training where you can handle bigger, badder rounds quickly and comfortably, you have reached a place where you don't need to be seeking advice.

I'm not entirely sure if the DPX really is the best choice even then, considering its design. Are six razor sharp points in a petal better than a big ugly dull mushroom? Not if they are the same diameter of expansion. We prefer to crush than cut, and advertising as "razor sharp" is not a good thing at all. There are some other proven designs out there, and many in standard pressures, which are probably going to be better in the first place, and probably the same power and recoil as what you train with.

If you live in a neighborhood so bad that you think a .45 Colt +P is necessary, forget the revolver. Get a 12 ga pump and a box of #4 buck loads with a few rifled slugs in reserve. The real problem with heavy loads is excessive penetration through walls, possibly hitting a family member inside the house or maybe even a next door neighbor.

Regarding .45 Colt in an autoloader, the very first Browning prototypes of the .45 autopistols in the early 20th century used rimless .45 Colt ammo, or more precisely, .45 Colt cases converted to rimless form. Turned out the cartridge was just too long to be workable in an automatic handgun, and it made the grip too deep.

The original .45 Colt was supposed to be able to stop a charging cavalry horse. That's probably enough for most two legged foes.

Those +P colt loads seem to be pushing 44mag power, all else aside would you really want to be in an enclosed room firing off a handgun w/44 mag concussion without hearing protection? For me, i think not. Plus the 460 revolver has a muzzle break on it, that will make it even worse on your ears.

What DWalt said. My head-of-the-bed gun is a four-inch .38 Special with the FBI load, which strikes me as plenty for up-close in-home defense; but I also have a twelve gauge double and #4 buck available if the manure really hits the fan.

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Oh well, what the hell.

The ammo is a poor choice when standard 45 LC will do nicely.

The handgun is a poor choice for HD. Mostly, it's over large. You aren't deer hunting.

If you have one of these things, I can't imagine you don't own much better HD guns. I can't imagine anyone whose only hand gun is one of these things.

I had never heard it put that way regarding the .45 Colt SAA revolver, but the .45 Colt would probably do that also. That was certainly the advertised intent of the C&B Colt Walker and Colt Dragoon revolvers - meant to be used by cavalrymen more to put down an adversary's horses than their riders.

Go find someplace where you can shoot that handgun inside a closed room in the dark. You will immediately change your mind on your home defense firearm

Pretty much any standard .45 round will work well for defensive situations. Nothing beats a slow, fat, heavy bullet. I believe the .45acp was adopted for that very reason.

It sounds as though you'd probably get that 1200 fps (or maybe more) out of your 460. Doubt you'll need that much power indoors, within 10 yards, against an unarmored target. Putting these through a shorter barrel revolver would probably create quite a muzzle flash. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

45 was adopted for that reason a 100 years ago. Not so much of a difference anymore

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The .45 ACP is ballistically nearly the same as the older .45 Colt, just shorter, as smokeless powder is far more efficient than black powder and burns better in a short case. And the army did not want to stray far from the ballistics of the .45 Colt. Actually, except for the very early period, the Army did not use .45 Colt ammunition in their Colt SAA revolvers, but rather the shorter .45 Schofield/.45 S&W round.

Ballistics have certainly changed in 100 years, but that doesn't diminish the efficacy of the .45ACP.

I'm a big fan of the .45 Colt cartridge, but I've never seen any need to hot rod it. Considering that a standard velocity .45 Colt will generally go completely through a whitetail deer, I think using it for home defense is already pushing the envelope in regard to over penetration.
If I were gonna use it, I'd be more inclined to load the old Winchester 200gr Silvertips which have proven reputation.

Surprising no one I'm sure, in .45 Colt I would opt for the Buffalo Bore standard pressure 225 grain wadcutter.

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I believe in the wadcutter.

The Punch bullet is designed for maximum penetration to be used on heavy game. If you shot an assailant with it, it would probably go through him and through the wall, and anyone in another part of the house or even next door might be at risk. Also, I can attest to the fact that +P ammo in a 45 Colt produces so much recoil that you could never get off a quick second shot, if needed.

Personally inside the confines of a house I'd NOT use the +P versions of the 45 Colt for fear of over penetration or a possible miss. Some don't realize this but the 45 Colt can actually be hand loaded up to 44 Magnum velocities with 10 grains more bullet weight. It is a very good penetrator and a devastating round - but IMHO NOT for inside a home.

The standard .45 Colt can do anything required inside a home for SD work

.45 Colt +P loads are way to powerful for in home defensive use. Your choice of weapon, is also questionable, IMHO. it way too big of a gun. If you love the .45 Colt round, as much as I do, get a .45 Colt S&W Mountain Gun, or similar and some Win 225gn Silver-Tip HP ammo.

I'd go with the Lehigh defense round if I was going with the 45 long Colt.

You will be deaf AND blind, I suggest you not use it unless you are able to grab some hearing protection and sunglasses before you pull the trigger on the bad guy. Plus wall(s) penetration...make sure you are home alone with the perp.

I use a .380 DBA Browning or 442 in .38 as home protection, more than enough power without overdoing it. As mentioned before you are defending, not hunting. YMMV!

I agree, the +P is not necessary especially in the house. big chunk of lead @850 fps will stop even a crack-head.

Personally I have a short barrel 12ga loaded with #4 Buckshot next to my bed. (Mossberg 500)

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