I have always been intrigued with "short-barreled hand cannons" for concealable self-defense. In my early years as a retail pharmacist, I carried snub-nosed magnums and eventually progressed to auto-pistols.
I lusted for a Semmerling LM-4 ("for those who truly believe their lives are in danger") but life had other priorities for me.
Now with a reasonable amount of income for 'luxuries', I am seriously looking at the S&W Shield in .45acp, but am still plagued by the controversies of 'effective' defensive ammunition for short-barreled weapons (SBW).
I have read numerous articles praising ammunition specifically-designed for SBW, but critical analysis of the ballistics are showing inconsistences in stopping power as a consequence of the reduced velocities out of 3 - 3.5" barreled pistols.

I did see an interesting article out of the Cheaper than Dirt's blog, "The Shooter's Log" by Bob Campbell.
He summarized his findings by saying, "The bottom line is to choose a load that is reliable and burns clean. If recoil is excessive and muzzle signature is anything more than a modest orange glow, consider another choice. Marksmanship is the most important single element of wound ballistics and prior training the single most important factor in surviving a critical incident."

That having been said, I'm wondering if I am 'chasing windmills' and should just load my new Shield .45 with 230gr ball ammo and practice, practice, practice. I,m shying away from +P ammo as the Shield isn't really built for a steady diet of this type of round and not convinced it is the best choice.
Anyone have any opposing comments to this, I'd be curious to read your comments, but please back up your comments with article citings and not just 'something you heard happen from a 3-rd party source."
Thanks, and 'keep yer powder dry',
Echo47

Have you seen this? The guys seems to have a good method.

I use both variations of the Speer Gold Dots 230gr and like each one. Like he says in the video, get whichever one is available. I have no complaints with either one.


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I carry 185 gr. Federal HydraShok in my CS 45. It is low recoil and I am pleased with it's performance. Everyone has their own favorite.

I use 230 grain ammo in every .45 I own. I shoot ball ammo for practice with enough of my carry load to make certain it functions well in my guns. I also periodically will shoot the ammo in my carry mag and reload it with fresh.

I have no quarrel with those who prefer the 185 grain ammo IF they know for sure it feeds and functions in their gun. I suspect either loading will get the job done if the shooter does his/her job well. I have fired enough Speer Gold Dot and Remington Golden Saber premium ammo to have great confidence in it. There are plenty of other brands and loadings that are sold and touted as better? I choose to shoot and carry what has been very reliable for me and trust that I can deliver it to the place where it will do the most effective intended result.

I have longer and shorter barreled .45ACP guns. I have no desire to keep different ammo for each or some of them. Since I have thoroughly tested this ammo in all my guns and have had excellent results, accuracy, feeding, and function wise, I'm done looking for the latest, greatest ammo available. Some don't agree with that practice. No problem here. We each must choose and shoot ammo that we have great confidence in. All I'm saying here is that the brands and loadings I have mentioned are my choices. I can carry either one with full confidence. None of my guns were specified to work better with anything other than the 230 grain loading, and my experience has proved to me that it works just fine. I have plenty of it on hand, bought when ammo was much cheaper than it is now. I'm good to go. I believe enough is enough, even though something else is maybe ... MAYBE ... more than enough. I believe what I am using is definitely enough. YMMV!

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So long ... Ken

Here the ammo test done by Luckygunner.

YMMV...

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

Echo -- if the load you shoot goes bang every time from your pistol, the the quote above from your post answers your question. It is most certainly true that if the pistol fires and launches from your pistol and you are practiced enough to hit your threat in a critical incident, the load will work. In my respectful opinion you are chasing windmills if you keep studying the issue instead of 'buying and trying' various loads fired by your own hand, with your own pistol.

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Loving retirement!