FMJ or JHP in .45ACP

[Brett Byers]

I had someone recently say to me that FMJ in .45 ACP was plenty for self defense load....I know any number of bullet profiles will shoot accurately in my pistol so what do you all think? Is penetration with a smaller hole (20"+) better than 13" inches with an expanding hollow point round? Example 230 Grain Gold Dot or Golden Sabre? Pistol is 5" 1911 variety

 

[Snowdog]

I don't think there ever will be a clear consensus on this issue; both camps are firmly entrenched in their beliefs. You'll likely end up having to judge for yourself.

Personally, I believe quality JHPs should be used if your 1911 functions reliably with them. If it doesn't, you certainly won't be poorly armed if stuck using FMJs.
Experiment with various loads to see what you 1911 likes best and stick with it.

 

[psyopspec]

Shot placement is everything.

All other factors being equal, if my gun can reliably feed them I prefer JHP's for defense.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Brett, from present day Thunder Ranch (Clint Smith) to past legend, Skeeter Skelton, FMJ for absolute reliability....Besides, observing research on JHP's, many do not accomplish as advertised....So, why load a pipe-dream? Save your money....
However, on lesser calibers (smaller entry channel); different variables: I use them if my pistol can digest them 100%+.

 

[Man With A Gun]

SHOWDOG is right. FMJ is the ONLY mil spec ball ammo which could be used for SD.

The .45 ACP round runs out the end of the tube about 750 fps; not nearly enough to open HP bullets BUT the new loads are higher in velocity ( and chamber pressure) kick more in the 1911 BUT are supposed to open in tissue.

IF the HP does or does not open, the bore and bullet weight will still do the job.

If there is ANY doubt your pistol will hang on the HP rounds, use the FMJ and know you have what you need.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Front to back a man is ~8" avg, a double lung (arm pit to arm pit) shot will need ~15" penatration.

 

[Walkalong]

The new loads featuring HP's from the big companys are very reliable and will expand at .45 velocities. If your gun will feed one of them 100% they are better than ball, although you are well protected with plain old 230 Gr. ball ammo.

 

[Shipwreck]

I agree with the others. If the gun works with JHP - U should use that for carry and self defense ammo.

 

[longeyes]

"Ball" is good--in 00 Buck.

.45 FMJ is for four-legged carnivores and guns that ought to be visiting a good gunsmith.

Why toss away modern ballistics technology in one particular caliber? The concept sounds, to me, "religious," not scientific.

 

[alucard0822]

as the saying goes, HP's don't always expand, but fmj 45s don't get any smaller.

I personally place reliability and practice above bullet type in the scheme of things.

My 1911 will feed fmj all day, but has the occasional hiccup with HP's, but my sig 220 feeds gold dots and hst fine, I practice with ball, know it works in any 45, and doesn't recoil as bad as the 180-200gr +p stuff, so that is what I trust

 

[johnmcl]

Argument Without a Distinction

Hi all,

I assert respectively that in 45ACP these arguments about FMJ vs JHP are debates about nothing. Does anyone here legitimately think a BG is coming back from a direct chest hit with a 45ACP? I'd think his body would not have an opinion whether it was a FMJ or JHP that just raced through it. It would consider the ouch factor to be just as large for either.

The debate can be more focused on confidence. Arguments that assert I 'feel' more confident with JHP as opposed to FMJ makes a lot more sense.

Just my 0.03 (due to inflation).

 

[gandog56]

as the saying goes, HP's don't always expand, but fmj 45s don't get any smaller.

Neither do JHP's, unless the jacket separates. Which won't happen often (as like never) with newer ammo. I would worry about overpenetration is a self defense situation using ball. You don't want to shoot the BG and your neighbor.

 

[KINGMAX]

Full metal should reduce the risk of a loading malfunction. The full metal in ball ammo does seem to work the best in any 45 I have ever had. I once had a Colt Commander that would not load up a JHP. I could not get the 'ramp and throat' thing worked out. A few monts ago, some stated that the early models of the Colt's didn't like the hollow points of any type.

 

[Deer Hunter]

JHPs should be used before FMJs in any case. New JHP premium ammunition exits your gun at around 930 FPS, +/- 30 fps and will open up when it hits something or someone. Stay away from XTPs, they require more velocity to open up reliably. Stick with HSTs, GS, or GDs.

FMJ just plain sucks for pistols. Unless it's a higher velocity around like the 7.62 tok, then it's pointless. If your pistol wont feed JHPs reliably, then throw it away and find one that will. There's no excuse for having a gun that can't digest premium ammunition.

 

[Steve C]

as the saying goes, HP's don't always expand, but fmj 45s don't get any smaller.

The correct saying goes, HP's don't always expand, but they don't get any smaller either.

Hollow Points are just plain more effective whether you look at Marshalls data or Facklers or just use personal hunting experience. Yes shot placement is the most important factor but put one into center mass (non CNS hit) and the HP has a much better chance (about 50% better) of ending an attack than a FMJ.

 

[AK103K]

I always carried 230 grain Hydra Shoks in my .45's. I just always figured if the round didnt expand, it was still a 230 grain bullet, so I had both covered.

 

[alucard0822]

If your pistol wont feed JHPs reliably, then throw it away and find one that will. There's no excuse for having a gun that can't digest premium ammunition.

I would be more than happy to safely "dispose" of any FMJ ammo or pistols that will feed nothing else, and all at no charge.

I have nothing against hollow points, and think they do offer a big anti personnel improvement especially in intermediate power pistols, but I am not convinced as to the necessity in sub .380, or major power+ chamberings justifying the at least 2X or more price difference, 9mm, 38sp, and 40s&w I might spring for a couple hundred to practice with, because I think they are enough of an improvement to justify the cost, I am in MD where a CHL is about as common as unicorns, and outside of fun and target practice I keep arms for home defense, and would much prefer to grab my 870 or 686 if it came to that.