johnnyflake
Member
For those of you who carry a .45acp, which is your favorite defensive carry ammo?
.45acp - Best Defensive Round
- Thread starter johnnyflake
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Cal44
Member
I don't carry it, but I keep some Hydra Shok 230 gr around for my 625JM.
That depends on which firearm it's going through -- the round I'd choose for an Officer's 1911 isn't what I'd opt for in a Government 1911 or 5" 625.
For full size sidearms, I like a 230 grain standard pressure load, and think Federal's HST, Speer's Gold Dot and Remington's Golden Saber are all excellent, with a slight nod to the HST.
For full size sidearms, I like a 230 grain standard pressure load, and think Federal's HST, Speer's Gold Dot and Remington's Golden Saber are all excellent, with a slight nod to the HST.
I like 230 grain ball, like God and John Moses Browning intended. In 7 round magazines.
old&slow
Member
Not an expert ,, or even a self proclaimed expert.. 
But, I like 230 gr JHP's and Wilson mags.
Don't think there is much difference in the premium loads.
Hornady XTP ,, Winchester PDX or SXT,, Federal Hydra Shok ,, CCI Gold Dot. Whatever works in the firearm reliablity.
There are too many good premium rounds out there that will feed as good as hardball in most 1911's.
I did have a Springfield one time that didn't like Gold Dots.
But, I like 230 gr JHP's and Wilson mags.
Don't think there is much difference in the premium loads.
Hornady XTP ,, Winchester PDX or SXT,, Federal Hydra Shok ,, CCI Gold Dot. Whatever works in the firearm reliablity.
There are too many good premium rounds out there that will feed as good as hardball in most 1911's.
I did have a Springfield one time that didn't like Gold Dots.
Last edited:
MichiganScott
Member
When I feel the need to carry a .45, it's loaded with WW 230gr JHP. I don't feel the need to spend over $1.25 a round. Even if it doesn't expand, it's still a .45.
old&slow
Member
I like 230 grain ball, like God and John Moses Browning intended. In 7 round magazines.
I thought I read an article one time where Browning's original design was for a 200 grain bullet. But the military wanted the bigger 230 ?? But I prefer the 230 also..
I've never felt disadvantaged with 230 ball, 185 FMC Rem., or 225 RNL with 6.0-6.5 grains of Unique. You never know, you might have to shoot into a door or windshield.
kenv1950
Member
The 230 grain XTP is more of a controlled expansion compared to some of the premium 45 HP's. Most importantly, it feeds very well in my 1911, and even my Thompson M1 Carbine, and is accurate in my 1917. For my personal armory, I choose that.
The Tommy gun is more of a novelty, but I suppose with a magazine full of reliable hollow points, it would probably be useful in self defense. A bit unpractical for carry, but certainly a second tier choice for home defense.
The Tommy gun is more of a novelty, but I suppose with a magazine full of reliable hollow points, it would probably be useful in self defense. A bit unpractical for carry, but certainly a second tier choice for home defense.
Vulcan Bob
Member
Brand name 230gr FMJ, Speer 230gr Gold Dot and Federal 230gr Hydra Shock.
Last edited:
gwpercle
Member
Whatever feeds , fires and ejects 100%. Even if it's 230 grain ball, it beats a jam in the middle of a situation.
Gather up a few different loads and see what works for you and your gun.
Mine has Winchester 185 grain HP Silvertip ammo because it shoots it well. No other reason than that. It may not be the "best" but it works.
Gary
Gather up a few different loads and see what works for you and your gun.
Mine has Winchester 185 grain HP Silvertip ammo because it shoots it well. No other reason than that. It may not be the "best" but it works.
Gary
OP
johnnyflake
Member
Personally, I do not feel that carrying a violin case is unpractical!
I've been playing around with 45 carry ammo lately, trying out various ammo in my 1911's to see how they feed, load, etc.
230gr Gold Dots have been my go to 45 carry ammo for years. I got some Golden Saber, Win PDX, HST +p and Win Ranger + +p, all 230gr flavor. I tried some 185+p Golden Saber years ago, too much flash for my tastes! I prefer 230gr standard pressure stuff mostly, although the HST 230+p hit right POA/POI at 10 yds with my DW Guardian; 4 shots were in 1 hole on the X. I have a few hundred rounds of standard pressure and +P HST 230gr on the way as well as a few hundred of 230 Gold Dot so I can run it in my newer 1911's and see what each gun likes.
230gr Gold Dots have been my go to 45 carry ammo for years. I got some Golden Saber, Win PDX, HST +p and Win Ranger + +p, all 230gr flavor. I tried some 185+p Golden Saber years ago, too much flash for my tastes! I prefer 230gr standard pressure stuff mostly, although the HST 230+p hit right POA/POI at 10 yds with my DW Guardian; 4 shots were in 1 hole on the X. I have a few hundred rounds of standard pressure and +P HST 230gr on the way as well as a few hundred of 230 Gold Dot so I can run it in my newer 1911's and see what each gun likes.
Protected One
Member
"I don't often carry a .45, but when I do it's loaded with Hornady Critical Defense"
Last edited:
Whatever Wal-mart has for sale.
jframejoey
Member
Back when I could afford it 200 grain Cor Bon in my 457 in the late 90s, their version of the FLYING ASHCAN. Now adays its WW white box 230 HP...it aint expensive but but aint cheap (quality wise) either in my 1925 Frankengun 1911A1 and 165 Hydra Shok low recoil in my three early Colt Officer ACPs.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Let's beat on this old dead horse one more time.
In semi-auto pistols the "gold standard" is absolute reliability in feeding, functioning, extracting, ejecting, etc. Anything that is less than 100% reliable in your pistol and magazines introduces (in my humble opinion) an unacceptable risk. Nothing available from any source (to my knowledge) can provide the level of reliability available from mil-spec ball ammo. Period.
The next consideration is how your ammunition shoots to point of impact in relationship to point of aim. Most fixed-sight pistols are factory-regulated for "standard" ammo, which in the .45 ACP means 230-grain bullets at about 800 FPS (+/-). Using significantly lighter bullets usually means higher velocities, faster "barrel time", and shorter recoil impulse, which typically means point of impact below point of aim. Pistols with adjustable sights can usually be adjusted to compensate for this. Pistols with fixed sights must be permanently altered to compensate for this.
My main points are these: (1) ammo that functions perfectly is preferable to anything that fails to meet that standard; and (2) make sure that whatever you are using shoots to point of aim at reasonable handgun ranges.
One final point occurs to me, which is that many people seem to use one ammo type for training and qualifications, then switch to an entirely different ammo type for defensive carry use. I question the wisdom of such practices.
Best regards.
In semi-auto pistols the "gold standard" is absolute reliability in feeding, functioning, extracting, ejecting, etc. Anything that is less than 100% reliable in your pistol and magazines introduces (in my humble opinion) an unacceptable risk. Nothing available from any source (to my knowledge) can provide the level of reliability available from mil-spec ball ammo. Period.
The next consideration is how your ammunition shoots to point of impact in relationship to point of aim. Most fixed-sight pistols are factory-regulated for "standard" ammo, which in the .45 ACP means 230-grain bullets at about 800 FPS (+/-). Using significantly lighter bullets usually means higher velocities, faster "barrel time", and shorter recoil impulse, which typically means point of impact below point of aim. Pistols with adjustable sights can usually be adjusted to compensate for this. Pistols with fixed sights must be permanently altered to compensate for this.
My main points are these: (1) ammo that functions perfectly is preferable to anything that fails to meet that standard; and (2) make sure that whatever you are using shoots to point of aim at reasonable handgun ranges.
One final point occurs to me, which is that many people seem to use one ammo type for training and qualifications, then switch to an entirely different ammo type for defensive carry use. I question the wisdom of such practices.
Best regards.
