Opinions wanted on best self-defense cartridge for 1911 .45ACP

ShannonHayes

I just bought a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 MS .45ACP for use as an EDC, and also for fun at the range. I bought a box of American Eagle 230 grain FMJ , but I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

mitdr774

Best I can tell you is to try out several kinds and see what the gun likes.  My Shield .45 likes handloads with a Sierra 185gr HP.  It doesnt seem to like any factory offerings.  

Bigslug

I'll pretty much always steer you toward heavy for caliber bullets - 147 grain for 9mm, 230 grain for .45, etc..., as those will have more momentum to reliably carry them to effective penetration depths.  Some light-for-caliber hollowpoints have a history of "pancaking" on impact, stopping shallow, and not disrupting the vital functions as needed to stop a threat.

After that, any of the current-production, top-shelf duty loads by any of the big U.S. manufacturers will have been designed to perform within expansion and penetration parameters laid down by the FBI starting in the early 1990's.  As such, so long as it functions reliably in your particular gun and mags (mags are important), there isn't usually a great deal to choose between them.

breamfisher

Basically what Bigslug said.  I'm not sure there's that much difference between major manufacturer's in on-target performance.  Reliable function in your gun is more important. 

earlyagain

I mostly use my Colt as a truck or trail gun. I load it up with 230gr fmj. My bedside gun has 230gr hps in it.

Ive read that there's a big preference for lighter bullets for HD like the 185gr hps for their quick expansion on impact and maybe less penetration.

After many years of use, I really have no idea what's best???? I hope to never actually find out. For sure I'm not loading up with anything I haven't tested for functional reliability and accuracy.

Jayhawker

230 grain Hornady TAPS...

ShannonHayes

knitepoet said:

I'm a fan of Federal 230gr HST
I'm not connected with Lucky Gunner, but besides selling it, they also have ballistics gel tests of it, so you can see how it performed in their test
https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-230-gr-jhp-hst-federal-law-enforcement-p45hst2s-20-rounds

Thanks for the link, Knitepoet

ShannonHayes

knitepoet said:

This place has the 50rnd "Law enforcement" boxes, both the regular and +P loads, and at a cheaper, per round, price than Lucky Gunner

non +P
http://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-230gr-hst-jhp-federal-premium-p45hst2-50-round-box.html

+P
http://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-230gr-p-hst-jhp-federal-premium-p45hst1-50-round-box.html

Both are $29.99/50rnd ($0.60/rnd) vs LG's $17.00/20rnd ($0.85/rnd)

For the record, my light weight Commander is stoked with the +P version

I've never ordered from them though

Thanks for these links alsoalso, Knitepoet

ShannonHayes

earlyagain said:

I mostly use my Colt as a truck or trail gun. I load it up with 230gr fmj. My bedside gun has 230gr hps in it.

Ive read that there's a big preference for lighter bullets for HD like the 185gr hps for their quick expansion on impact and maybe less penetration.

After many years of use, I really have no idea what's best???? I hope to never actually find out. For sure I'm not loading up with anything I haven't tested for functional reliability and accuracy.

I agree with you on the matter of not loading up with anything that I haven't tested for functional reliability and accuracy. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I should get ahold of to try in my gun at the range before I decide, without buying some of everything under the sun, lol😎

Jayhawker

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure your practice/training ammo performs similarly to your SD ammo...carrying light for caliber ammo and practicing with heavy for caliber ammo is a non- starter...

mitdr774

Jayhawker said:

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure your practice/training ammo performs similarly to your SD ammo...carrying light for caliber ammo and practicing with heavy for caliber ammo is a non- starter...

Completely agree with this statement.   In the case of my shield .45, I only practice with the same loads it is carried with.  Other carry options use practice ammunition of the same approximate velocity and bullet weight even if is not the same bullet. 

ShannonHayes

Jayhawker said:

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure your practice/training ammo performs similarly to your SD ammo...carrying light for caliber ammo and practicing with heavy for caliber ammo is a non- starter...

Jayhawker, thanks for the advice, I've been doing that my whole life. I've always practiced with what I was gonna be using in my gun when not practicing. I'm forty-one years old, and Daddy was teaching me gun safety and how to shoot literally before kindergarten. I've owned rifles and shotguns all my life, and although I've used handguns in the part while at the range, etc. , this is my first actual handgun of my own. I appreciate everyone's willingness to help by sharing their experiences and opinions!

Spk

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

ShannonHayes

Spk said:

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

Spk said:

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

SPK, my barrel is 4.25" barrel. I was asking for all around, EDC. I'm thinking of going with ball ammo, 325 grain FMJ

earlyagain

ShannonHayes saiding of going with ball ammo, 325 grain FMJ

Typo???

Jayhawker

ShannonHayes said:

Spk said:

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

Spk said:

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

SPK, my barrel is 4.25" barrel. I was asking for all around, EDC. I'm thinking of going with ball ammo, 325 grain FMJ

AreAyou sure about that bullet weight? The 1911..was originally designed around a 230 grain bullet.

ShannonHayes

earlyagain said:

ShannonHayes saiding of going with ball ammo, 325 grain FMJ

Typo???

Yes, typo, lol

ShannonHayes

Jayhawker said:

ShannonHayes said:

Spk said:

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

Spk said:

ShannonHayes said:

...

I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

Not to sound snarky but defense against what? People, bear, zombies... ?

It's like asking what's the best Special Force. I would be inclined to ask, "To do what?"

I'm guessing BG's and to that end I like something in the 200 grain range. Gold Dot, TAP or custom. Either one seems to perform well.

https://ammunitionstore.com/products/45-acp-ammo-200gr-p-gdhp-speer-gold-dot-53969-50-round-box.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/45-acp-200-gr-xtp-p-hornady-20

I like the middle weight if you're going to use a shorter than five inch barrel. I want to be sure the bullets expand reliably. For an even shorter barrel, like those in compacts, I'll go even lighter.

Is yours a 4.25 barrel? Just wondering. Other than that, I'm like everyone else. I use whatever realiably works in my own gun.

SPK, my barrel is 4.25" barrel. I was asking for all around, EDC. I'm thinking of going with ball ammo, 325 grain FMJ

AreAyou sure about that bullet weight? The 1911..was originally designed around a 230 grain bullet.

That's what I have, 230 grain. Having a bad day, health wise, don't know why I typed 325, I meant 230

Diver43

ShannonHay

...

That's what I have, 230 grain. Having a bad day, health wise, don't know why I typed 325, I meant 230

Don't worry too much, just slight dyslexia plus 5

I've made plenty of blunders along with many others.  1911s were designed to run the ammo you chose, yours should digest each round easily.

When you get a chance try some "Flying Ashtrays"  CCI  200 GR JHP.  I don't remember how wide they expanded, but they were fast and expanded big time.  They were devestating on watermelons.

Gene L

They all fall to hardball.  I am not technical, I shoot whatever I have on hand.  Cheap is good for me, Whitebox is just fine.  I don't even know what my 1911s are loaded with.

shotgunshooter3

I echo the votes for 230gr Federal HST. That’s what I run in my TRP as defensive ammo. As a general endorsement for the bullet design, I use 124gr +P HST in my Glock 19 for daily carry. 

If you have the credentials to get a place to sell you the “law enforcement” marked HSTs, they are about half the price of the “personal defense” boxes. Well, same price but 50 rounds instead of 25. Some places will sell them to .mil. 

Zee

I am fond of the HST bullets. 

JasonMPD

ShannonHayes said:

I just bought a Rock Island Armory 1911A1 MS .45ACP for use as an EDC, and also for fun at the range. I bought a box of American Eagle 230 grain FMJ , but I'm wanting opinions on what others think is thee best round for self-defense in this gun and caliber?

First, please buy at least 500 rounds and shoot it and train and practice as much as possible. 

The jury is kinda out on 45 ACP hollow points. It’s slow. Hollow point 45ACP bullets are made of soft lead and thin jacketing to PROMOTE expansion, not ensure it.  Ball ammo (FMJ) is not necessarily a “wrong” choice for EDC ammo. 

Reliable feeding, certain penetration. It’s inexpensive too. 

104RFAST

One advantage of the .45 is you don't need Nuclear tipped ammo. FMJ works
just fine for me, although as long as I have the Nuclear tipped stuff I'll load
the magazine with both. Some 1911's don't digest the JHP stuff dependably,
my Kimber Ultra 11 in particular 

bobbyrlf3

I have been fortunate in my results with the loads that are typically available near me.  Each of my carry sidearms (including a Kimber CDP) have performed well with the defensive loads sold at my LGS (and at various other places within reasonable driving distance) so I have plenty of each load that I can rotate through and not worry that I'll have a failure at a critical moment.  We still prepare for the worst, but I have a reasonable assurance that the equipment won't fail me. 
Typical loads are:
Remington Golden Saber
Winchester PDX-1
Hornady Critical Defense
Sig Sauer Elite
Federal Hydra-Shok
 

GunNut

104RFAST said:

One advantage of the .45 is you don't need Nuclear tipped ammo. FMJ works
just fine for me, although as long as I have the Nuclear tipped stuff I'll load
the magazine with both. Some 1911's don't digest the JHP stuff dependably,
my Kimber Ultra 11 in particular 

Have you had a conversation with Kimber about this?  I’ve had 7 Kimber 1911s go though my hands over the years and 4 of them are still with me including 2 UltraCarry models.  All of them have digested all sorts of HPs without a hiccup.

Zee

Guess I need to shoot a pig with ball ammo. 

Spk

Zee said:

Guess I need to shoot a pig with ball ammo. 

Don't forget to inform the piggy, he's part of an important ongoing study.

GunNut

Zee said:

Guess I need to shoot a pig with ball ammo. 

That would be awesome.  Would love to see that experiment.

104RFAST

GunNut said:

104RFAST said:

One advantage of the .45 is you don't need Nuclear tipped ammo. FMJ works
just fine for me, although as long as I have the Nuclear tipped stuff I'll load
the magazine with both. Some 1911's don't digest the JHP stuff dependably,
my Kimber Ultra 11 in particular 

Have you had a conversation with Kimber about this?  I’ve had 7 Kimber 1911s go though my hands over the years and 4 of them are still with me including 2 UltraCarry models.  All of them have digested all sorts of HPs without a hiccup.

I too have 1911's that digest all manner of SD ammo, my ultr11, not so much.
Its still newish, less than 150 rounds so i'll feed it another 100 or so before I complain. The gun shoots very well otherwise,very accurate,if in the end it
only works reliably with FMJ thats OK, after all its a .45

GunNut

104RFAST said:

GunNut said:

104RFAST said:

One advantage of the .45 is you don't need Nuclear tipped ammo. FMJ works
just fine for me, although as long as I have the Nuclear tipped stuff I'll load
the magazine with both. Some 1911's don't digest the JHP stuff dependably,
my Kimber Ultra 11 in particular 

Have you had a conversation with Kimber about this?  I’ve had 7 Kimber 1911s go though my hands over the years and 4 of them are still with me including 2 UltraCarry models.  All of them have digested all sorts of HPs without a hiccup.

I too have 1911's that digest all manner of SD ammo, my ultr11, not so much.
Its still newish, less than 150 rounds so i'll feed it another 100 or so before I complain. The gun shoots very well otherwise,very accurate,if in the end it
only works reliably with FMJ thats OK, after all its a .45

Thanks for your reply.  I’m always interested in these types of issues, just my personal quest to gain knowledge.  Would you mind me asking if the problems are with a particular ammo?  

My SD ammo choice for .45 is 185gr. Speer Gold Dots as I find that particular ammo works flawlessly in all my 1911s so I just get it in bulk confident that it will be eaten by all my pistols.  But I do know some bullet profiles are problematic for some guns so I always ask.

This ammo was the first I fired in my latest UktraCarry aquisition and I ran 3 mags of it without a hitch.  I’m followed that with a few hundred rounds of FMJ just to break in the pistol.   Its now loaded with them and in a drawer on my nightstand as one of my preferred CC options.