Best Personal Defense Ammo for Kimber Ultra CDP II

[targatop]

Just got a new Kimber Ultra CDP II in .45ACP for my main CCW weapon for Fall/Winter. I am going to start breaking it in now, and wondering what others are using as a reliable and accurate ammo for these smaller 1911 frames.

I'll start out using 230 gr. FMJ Remington UMC ammo to get the mechanics broken in, but then will want to move toward a JHP type ammo.

First range day will be on Friday. Thanks for your suggestions in advance!

 

[GunNut]

Speer Gold Dot for Short Barreled gun.

Steve

 

[targatop]

Interesting. I don't see if it says there is muzzle flash at night on that Speer round. What has been your experience? What makes it work specifically for short barrels?

 

[mpmarty]

There is a 45acp cartridge made for self defense with compact pistols. It was made for Taurus a year or two ago and I beleive it is still available. It boasts a Barnes solid copper hollow point of 185 grains, on a PMC nickle case and uses a Hodgden powder. In my 3" Taurus PT145 it chronos 1050 and there is virtually no muzzle flash or smoke and that Barnes bullet is awesome.

 

[Scorpiusdeus]

I'll second the Gold Dots in Speer or Double Tap.

I've done a number of polls over several gun boards and the Gold Dots always lead the pack.

That having been said, I'm going to start testing on a few different defense rounds on .40 S&W, my caliber of choice. I'll let you know what I find when I'm done.

Test some your self, get a Crono if you can, and make sure they all feed well in your gun. It's my understanding that 1911's are the most likely to be a bit picky about ammo.

 

[targatop]

Scorpius,

That's true, because 1911 are designed for a rounded bullet. I've never had issues with FMJ ammo in a 1911, but have seen feed jams on the JHP. Muzzle flash is an issue for me when choosing a defensive ammo. I'll see what I can find on the Gold Dots. Thanks!

 

[mavracer]

doubletap uses speer gold dot.they're 230 will go 900 fps out of 3" bbl.
BTW I don't work for them just a loyal customer
www.doubletapammo.com

 

[orionengnr]

I'm currently using Winchester Ranger 230gr +p, but I recently bought 100 of the Taurus Total Copper (Barnes X-bullet) rounds to test.

They are available from www.cheaperthandirt.com, about $14/box of 20.

CorBon sells a similar round under the name DPX. I bought a box of 20 for $24.

They both use the same 185gr (IIRC) full copper bullet. The CorBons are +p pressure, while I don't believe the Taurus ones are.

 

[sfmittels]

I'll also throw in my vote for Double Tap. I'm a believer in using the heaviest hollow-point available for whatever caliber I'm using. Double Tap has 147 gr 9mm, 200 gr .40 and 230 gr .45. All show impressive ballistics from short barrels on paper. So far, I've had 100% reliability in all three calibers, good accuracy and controllability, and no signs of high pressure (flattened primers,etc). Muzzle flash has not been bad. I don't have a chronograph, so I can't confirm their claimed ballistics, but I've read enough reviews to believe them.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I use Corbon 185DPX +P or the DPX compact load Made for the short tube. Both have worked in my Officer and Defender .

 

[vito]

A knife; or another gun instead. I got rid of my UCII after two visits to Kimber did not solve the intermittent but alarming FTE's and FTF"s. I realized that I could not count on this gun for self defense and got rid of it. I have no doubts about my S&W 640, even if it only carries 5 rounds.

 

[the pistolero]

Call this youthful naivete, but aren't feeding issues with 1911s and hollow-point ammunition at least somewhat mitigated by ramped barrels? I was thinking all the 3" Kimbers had them.

 

[targatop]

Vito. So far mine has functioned well except one Failure To Fire on UMC box ammo - which happens even with my Sig 226 on UMC ammo. Did yours have the internal or external extractor? Mine has the newer internal extractor which solves most of the FTE problems Kimber was having over the past 2-3 years. They had a bad external extractor design.

I also have a S&W j-frame that I carry, but I find the accuracy of the j-frames in my hands to be poor. Notice I said in my hands. I have an M&P compact, but find that I am constantly shooting low, and have a hard time aquiring the target in rapid draw/fire drills. Otherwise it's a beautiful gun.

1911 style compacts seem to be my most accurate and easily controllable gun, while also offering the best stopping power IMHO.

 

[targatop]

Thanks, I'll take a look at Double Tap. I don't need a lighter round (185gr), as I a practice with 230-grain and have no problem with any additional recoil it might produce.

Yes the newer 1911's do feed JHP without issue, but with any 1911 sometimes should and do aren't always the same when it comes to ammo. Personal defense ammo is expensive and I don't want to waste my money on what others already know doesn't work.

 

[Father Knows Best]

What's the best ammo? Something that goes BANG every time in your gun.

That said(tm), I use nothing but Winchester Ranger RA45T 230 gr JHP in my Colt Gunsite CCO. I had to have my CCO massaged a little, but it now runs 100% with the RA45T load, and I have a lot of confidence in that load.

 

[MJZZZ]

I carry Winchester RA45T in my Ultra CDP II and my RIA G. I. model, it has never failed to feed or fire in either gun. Mike

 

[targatop]

I will check out the Winchester RA45T. Thanks!