Hello S&W Forum members, I always preferred the .45 ACP for self defense, but was always concerned with using short barrel .45's due to the degraded performance. When the Shield .45 came out, I fondled them at the LGS more than a few times and really appreciated the ergonomics over the Shield 9mm (Which I already have). When I got serious about possibly purchasing the Shield .45 for CCW, I did an exhaustive research study to determine what the actual performance would be from a short barrel .45. I was not won over with the "Ballistics by the Inch" website study, but wanted an analysis with a real life, common short barrel pistol. I did find a good study that used another pistol manufacture that uses a 3.6" barrel. Not as short as the Shield but close enough. I was stunned with the stealer performance that was attained with such a short barrel. I discovered that there are many non-premium ammo manufactures that offer 230 grain HP's that will exceed 900 FPS out of the short barrel. Additionally, I found that there is a wide range of bullet weights (165 to 230 grain) that wildly exceeded what I would of even expected out of a 5" barrel.
So, I promptly went to my LGS today and purchased my Shield .45, and some range ammo and some of the spectacular CCW ammo.
So my message is to anyone that has had blinders on (as I have), to not fear using a short barrel .45 ACP pistols with some of the non-premium ammo readily available. Also, I have to remind myself that at CCW distances, probably no greater than 21', but more like 5', that the .45 ACP will not let you down and will perform marvelously. IMHO

I shoot my Shield 45 better than my 40 Compact, love this little 45!!!

So...care to elaborate on what ammo you've used so far? I just bought a Shield .45, and I'm in the beginning stage of finding out what works (knowing full well that what works well in your gun may not always work in mine.)

I haven't gotten around to doing much chronograph testing with my gun but I did shoot some Federal 230gr Match hardball through it and it was within about 60 FPS of what I have recorded for the same lot of ammo in a 5-inch gun.

I wasn't really worried about that stuff too much. A .45-caliber hole is a .45-caliber hole, at any range or at any speed.

For anyone who's interested in the research material that lead the OP to his decision, you can find it here:

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

The Hornady Critical Duty 220 Grain +P has some pretty impressive results from a short barrel 45. The ballistics are In gelatin, I have not been able to find any "Street credentials" using this round. Also the Winchester 230 SXT +P seems to be a good round WITH decent street results

I settled on Hornady Critical Duty 220 grain +P. SKU# 90926

Here is the link to what I found:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...llistic-tests/

Out of a Kahr CW45 with a 3.64" barrel, the velocity was 934 FPS.

I would recommend this site as great info to evaluate other handgun ammo manufactures with pistols that people actually use, not test barrels.

Ran 10 different brands through mine. Runs em all like a Swiss watch

This might help. I found this test to be the best short barrel test I have seen in a long time. Good luck with your new toy.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...c-tests/#45ACP

Whoops, I didn't notice you already saw this. My bad.

There is no 'degraded performance' with a 45. If it knocks a 45 caliber hole through your antagonist and smashes some bone along the way, you get performance that set the world standard for service cartridges since 1873.

I have read this statistic, or similar, and have to wonder how dated is this material. Granted the typical "thug" threat still exists, but anyone that reads the news realizes there's more than "thugs" out there. The realization of having to take out a threat at more than 21' should be noted and accounted for accordingly.

I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express lately but....................

ALL the ballistic testing I have watched and read about that I trust show the Federal 230gr HST to be one of the best performing in both penetration and expansion and the HST always gets the high end ratings.

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Hipcocked45

I have carried a S&W generation III short barrel pistol for over 25 years. I change the carry ammunition when something better comes out. At present I carry Hydra Shok 165 gr .45acp. I have little to no interest in striker fired pistols.

And that's why, I bought more last evening.
Impressive results.

Here's the 230 grain HST out of my Glock 30S (short barrel) compared to Hornady Critical Defense out of the same gun. HST on top.


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MSP - Retired

I have not yet done any penetration or expansion testing from my Shield yet,but I did test 16 different loads a few years ago with a 5 inch S&W and a 4 inch Kimber Pro Carry.
The standard pressure 230 gr. HST turned in the best overall performance,even better than the same load in +P,of all the loads tested. That;s what I'm using in the Shield now and will until I have a chance to do some real testing from it. It is a marvelous little 45 and fits my hand a little better than the 9mm,s,which are great guns in their own right. The felt recoil,or lack thereof, was surprising to say the least. I wish they hadn't waited until I was so old to make this little wonder.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

Yep. The HST DeathStar.
Just nasty, perfect perp medicine

Hey Bob O, did those expanded HST and Hornady rounds come from water jugs, or ballistic gel.....or did you dig those *******s right out of a genuine badguy ??

Clear Ballistics gel blocks. HST was 13.5 inches....CDefense was 15 inches.

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MSP - Retired

I am getting a Shield in .45 ACP probably this week. I need to get some HST ammo!! Thanks for the pictures! Never had a 45 before, just decided that now would be a good time to rectify that situation.

Joe

Yep! Beautiful...that's why I use HST in both the Shield 45 and the FS 9mm (124gr HST). Thanks for sharing the pics!