Shorty 45 auto

[voicomp]

If you have a .45 auto with an under 4" barrel, and a short grip (better for concealed carry), which makes boisterous rounds dificult to handle (in terms of recoil/repeat shot accuracy), what ammo do you prefer? I just got one that is lighter that the ones I used to have but it seems there are more ammo options there days and I would like input. I have a tendency to like heavier projectiles but that doesn't mean I would rule out something just for being light. Thanks in advance!

 

[PabloJ]

EMCON 230 ball. Less flash, noise and consistent recoil impulse from shot to shot.

 

[bannockburn]

Over the years I have found my shorter barrel 1911s tend to do much better with 185 and 200 grain bullets. In a factory load I have always had good results with Winchester Silvetip ammo.

 

[scaevola]

^Agree^

I use Silvertip 185 gr in my Kimber Ultra.

Kimber says they aren't supposed to stick with 230 gr bullets but I've never had a single problem.

 

[critter]

I have a Colt New Agent. I find the 200 gr rounds much more comfortable and the gun eats them like candy.

 

[bikerdoc]

To be honest I use 230 most of the time but find the 185 to be acceptable.

 

[CDW4ME]

Glock 30 SF (my chrono averages)
Federal Hydra-Shok 230 gr. @ 811 fps / 336# KE
Winchester Ranger T 230 gr. @ 903 fps /417# KE
Federal Hydra-Shok 185 +P @ 1,005 fps / 415# KE
Remington Golden Saber 185 +P @ 1,008 fps / 418# KE

I like (carry) the 185 gr. +P Golden Saber it produces less kick than the "hot" Ranger T 230.
Power factor (PF) is a calculation that can be used to compare recoil.
GS 185 +P = PF 186
Ranger T 230 = PF 208
About 10% less calculated recoil with the lighter +P load in my options.

 

[moxie]

I used to use the 185 Silvertip. Graduated to the original Rem. 185+P, then the GS 185+P.

A few years ago I tested and found that the modern standard pressure 230 gr. HSTs and Gold Dots gave me better accuracy and less recoil than the 185s, while retaining sufficient velocity to give perfect expansion.

 

[dickydalton]

I use some Corbon 165 or Hornady Critical Defense 185 FTX.

 

[jeepnik]

Same hand cast, hand loaded 200 gr. semi wadcutter in most things. Although I do carry one shot load in my revolvers when in the desert.

 

[420Stainless]

Been carrying 185 grain gold dots in my PM45. It shoots them well and cycles them reliably.

 

[edmo01]

In my GLOCK 30 I carry Speer 230 grain Gold Dot short barrel...

The full size Colt Government Model gets Speer 230 grain Gold Dot standard.

Edmo

 

[BlindJustice]

For my full size 1911 and a Colt Commander which have
steel frames, Federal HST 230 gr. JHP

Range Officer Compact 4"/Officers Alloy frame
Barnes TAC-XP +P 185 gr. HP claimed 1,000 FPS
out of a 5"" - it has little muzzle flash and less recoil.

R-

 

[moxie]

"Need 1000 fps for reliable expansion of copper jacketed .45 jhp's in the chest organs. Animal tests prove that. The silvertip is a special case. Typically, 100 fps less will suffice with the ST, just as it suffices for pure lhp."

Was true 25+ years ago when the Silvertip reigned. I carried it then too. Nowadays the HST and Gold Dot expand very reliably well under 1000fps.

Here's the HST at <900fps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWW2Y-IZpyE

And the Gold Dot also at < 900fps and an even slower earlier test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frFfF-hWpxk

 

[rskent]

http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/557/557171.jpg

185 grain XTP's shoot great out of my G36.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Officer and Defender I use 185 gr Corbon ,

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I carry Hornady TAP 230 gr +p ammo in my XDs.

 

[jimbo555]

Speer gold dot 230gr jhp in my Kahr cw45.

 

[cwl1862]

I use Speer 230gr GDHP-SB or Federal 230gr HST +P in my Kimber Ultra Carry II.

 

[ggood45auto]

I have 2 Wilson 3 1/2 inch Stealths and 1 3 1/2 inch Nighthawk and a 3 inch ultra raptor and they shoot anything usually my reloads 200 gr cast lead or Nosler 185 gr jhp or Hornady 185 Jhps. No problem with any but I did crack frame on ultra raptor and had it replaced with steel frame. I have had other steel guns frames and slides with hairline cracks because I shoot a lot and my loads are substantial but I just don'care for 230 Gr loads . I don't Buy Factory ammo.

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=542071

Any premium JHP that will feed 100% in your gun. Mindset and shot placement trump everything.

My Kimber CDP II Ultra eats 200 Gr +P Gold Dots like candy, but I stand by my first post. Any premium JHP that feeds 100% in your gun.

 

[RustyShackelford]

.45acp in shorter barrels, defense rounds .....

For defense rounds, I've read & heard for several years the 185gr wt is ideal for defense-carry short barrel .45acp pistols. I had a box of Golden Saber +P 185gr JHP for my M&P Compact .45acp in 2013.
In 2015, there are a few top choices for .45acp models 3"-5" out there; Federal HST 230gr +P JHP, Hornady Critical Duty, Corbon DPX, Ranger T 230gr +P JHP(a current carry load ), Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense .45acp, MagSafe SWAT, Speer Gold Dot 185gr +P JHP, Gold Dot 230gr short barrel +P JHP, Winchester PDX1 +P.

Some gun owners & cops like bonded carry rounds. They have merit but for general carry-personal defense; I'd get a +P or JHP +P .45acp from a well known brand.

 

[WC145]

I only shoot 230gr ammo in my .45acp 1911s. My carry round is Winchester Ranger T 230gr JHP +P in all of them - 3.5", 4.25", 5".

 

[JDR]

Black Hills 185 Gr. Barnes Tac-XP +P Velocity: 1000 FPS
Energy: 411 Ft. Lbs. So much fun to shoot from my SR1911 Commander Length!

 

[shlike]

I used to use the 185 Silvertip. Graduated to the original Rem. 185+P, then the GS 185+P.

A few years ago I tested and found that the modern standard pressure 230 gr. HSTs and Gold Dots gave me better accuracy and less recoil than the 185s, while retaining sufficient velocity to give perfect expansion.

I agree with this. I use 230 gr. HST and Gold Dot JHP standard pressure in my Kahr CW45. I find the recoil to be manageable. I tried Gold Dot 230 Gr. JHP +P but that was just too much for the gun. It hurt my hand to shoot the +P's, and IMHO with .45acp, standard-pressure high-quality defensive ammo is just fine.