.45 Auto+P Question

[conchmariner]

Can it be used in .45acp guns?

 

[conchmariner]

Can it be used in .45acp guns?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Sure. Just don't shoot it in something older. Metallurgy just wasn't what it is now.

 

[longhornscott]

My father carried +P in his series '70 Colt Gov. Model for almost eight years and it never hurt the gun. I would not suggest shooting tons of this ammo, as it may quicken the loosening of the 1911, but you can certainly shoot a magazine of it at a carjacker and not worry about your gun blowing up.

 

[Spotteddog]

What the gents above said.
But if your not after added penetration, and are running a bullet (230's for me please!) that will expand between 775-875 FPS, I say why?
More important, is if your gun will eat them reliably. I'll take 100% function over 100 FPS any day! You didn't mention whether it's a Government length, or other? Or a revolver?

 

[conchmariner]

Thanks guys. It's not what I would normally use, but I got 20 rounds of this by accident (long story). Good to know I can use it in my Kimber Custom II if needed.

 

[OKFC05]

+P in .45 ACP is still pretty mild.
Standard .45 21,000 PSI
+P .45 ACP 23,000 PSI
Compare to 9mm +P at 38,500 PSI

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Oh jeesh, a Kimber should be able to just bang away with +P just fine. It's only the actual vintage stuff that it's not really a good idea to shoot it in.

 

[flop-shank]

If you want a faster bullet in that caliber, why not give it a kick in the butt by dropping bullet weight?

Rather than trying to eek every bit of power from the .45 ACP a much bigger gain in power can be made by shifting gears and going with a more powerful caliber (not that there's anything wrong with .45 ACP). The .357 magnum, .41 magnum, 10mm, .45 Colt and the .44 magnum immediately come to mind.

 

[animalmother]

+ 1 OKFC05. Anyone concerned about +P ammo and its possible effects should shoot non +P for practice and carry +P for defense--although you will want to test out a box of +P to ensure it works okay in your gun.

 

[Spotteddog]

I don't know if this still applies?
But years ago when I still subscribed to Gun Test magazine, they did chrono tests of a wide swath of .45ACP "defense" loadings, including +P's.
Some that touted +P, were actually slower than some listed as "standard" loadings. IIRC the Federal Hydra Shok non +P, 230 grain was 2nd or 3rd fastest (of 230's) though NOT being a +P. It also ranked 1st or 2nd in accuracy for the weight. Some (a third) were disqualified for FTF or other issues. Not that that test matters today? But just as a comparison study. A lot of good stuff out there anymore!

 

[BUFF]

Like OKFCO5 said, Plus-P .45 ACP isn't much hotter than standard pressure .45 ACP. My department issues the Federal "Tactical Bonded" 230 gr. JHP Plus-P (their stock number LE45T1) to those of us who carry .45. I have shot a lot of it. We use Federal American Eagle red box 230 gr. FMJ for most training and practice but shoot up our carry ammo at least once a year. I can't feel much difference between the two loadings and they hit about the same place out to 50 yards. (It is easy to tell standard velocity from Plus-P ammo in a .38 Special, by comparison.) I probably have shot at least 1,500 rounds of the Federal Plus-P between a Colt Gov't and a lightweight stainless Commander, on top of a ton of ball, and wear is minimal, even on the aluminum frame gun.

.45 ACP's are usually very long-lived handguns.

.45 ACP is not a high pressure or high velocity cartridge and I doubt the Plus-P gives much more than 75-100 extra fps over the standard pressure round with the same weight bullet from the same maker in .45. The extra velocity is probably very helpful to obtain consistent bullet expansion, especially out of shorter-than-standard length guns.

 

[conchmariner]

So what do you guys like for ammo in your 1911 guns (specifically in my case Kimber Custom II)?

 

[uncle norman]

I did a lot of web "research" on ammo before 1-20-09 and concluded that Speer 230gr Gold Dot Hollow Point is about tops for this caliber. The penetration is deeper in test media than lighter, faster loads. The bullets are designed to perform optimally for each caliber. I can lay a 9, .357, 40 and 45 on a table and see the wide differences in depth and width of the hollow point.