Selecting 45 ACP defensive ammo

[Don1911]

I recently purchased a colt defender. I had planned to keep it loaded with 230 grain hollow points from Hornady or Federal. But I am noticing that all that type of ammo is +P. I had not planned on using +P ammo. Could someone explain to me why it is difficult to find 230 grain hollow points without them being +P? Should I downgrade to 185 or 200 grain? Or just go with +P? Or am I just not looking hard enough for the 230 grain HP that are not +P? I do understand that it is often better to use lighter bullets from shorter barrels due to loss of velocity. But I would like to use same ammo in both Colt 1911s. One is defender other is series 80 government model. all opinions are welcome.

Thanks in Advance
Donny

[A-R]

Where are you buying ammo? I actually prefer 230 +P in my M&P45 but have only found it in Hornsdy at Academy. All the other 230 gr I have is from police supply and gun stores and is not +P

Wanna trade?

[speedsix]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unNZaB0pL4Q" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/753805 ... -box-of-20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[speedsix]

...AndyC, I've never been interested in the lighter bullets for a .45...I figure the slower the velocity, the more beneficial the extra weight is...is that scientifically correct or just my hard head???

[Don1911]

In the past when I Had trouble finding ammo it was usually available at cheaper than dirt. I've been looking at ctd and cabelas. I guess I need to keep looking. They must be out of the ammo I want. Thanks for info. Videos were very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[A-R]

If you're in DFW check GT Distributors - their Austin store is where I regularly find non +P 230 gr Speer Gold Dot and 230 gr Federal HST and Hydra-Shok - have also found Winchester Ranger there on occasion. Also see a lot of Hornady TAP but they won't sell that particular load to non-LEO for some reason.

[KC5AV]

If you're in DFW check GT Distributors - their Austin store is where I regularly find non +P 230 gr Speer Gold Dot and 230 gr Federal HST and Hydra-Shok - have also found Winchester Ranger there on occasion. Also see a lot of Hornady TAP but they won't sell that particular load to non-LEO for some reason.

Contact http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to see if they stock what you're looking for. They don't have any problem selling to non-LEO, even if the box says LEO only.

[speedsix]

...in bulk... http://www.ammoman.com/p/144/45-auto-sp ... -dot-53966" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[A-R]

Yeah I've bought some from ammo-to-go but as good as their prices are compared to gun stores/gun shows I'm spoiled by GTs - for instance A2G wants about $25 + shipping for 20 rounds of Gold Dot 230 gr ... I can buy 50 round LEO box at GTs for same price

I might have to try A2G on the Hornady TAP +P though, just to see if my gun likes it as much as the commercial load at Academy

Would really like to try som Winchester Ranger SXT 230 +P RA45TP (read great reviews) but not too many places stock it

[A-R]

...in bulk... http://www.ammoman.com/p/144/45-auto-sp ... -dot-53966" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$390 for 500 rounds? That's high

[The Annoyed Man]

I use Corbon 185 grain +P in my 3" Kimber and my CW45. Although I have nothing against +P 230 ammo in a larger gun, I'm not confident that there is enough barrel length on a shorter gun to take full advantage of accellerating a 230 grain bullet to +P velocities. In fact, I would argue that shorter barrels make +P necessary with lighter bullets in order to generate enough velocity for good penetration at the given bullet weight. I use standard pressure 230 grain ammo in my 5" 1911 and full sized M&P45 because I think that is sufficient (and because that's what I have on hand); but I keep all of our short barreled pistols loaded with +P, regardless of caliber, and my snubbie is stoked with .357 magnum instead of .38 +P on the same principle.

[RPB]

I just get Hornady critical Defense for everything in all calibers nowadays, because ...
well I like the pink rubber thingy, it's cute low flash low wrist pain, err recoil

Anyway, here's where I first look for whatever ammo . can sort+group by grain/ type/ brand etc
http://www.ammoengine.com/find/ammo/.45 ... =1&group=4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[speedsix]

...in bulk... http://www.ammoman.com/p/144/45-auto-sp ... -dot-53966" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$390 for 500 rounds? That's high

...Oh? compared to what??? $.78 per shot...

[speedsix]

Yeah I've bought some from ammo-to-go but as good as their prices are compared to gun stores/gun shows I'm spoiled by GTs - for instance A2G wants about $25 + shipping for 20 rounds of Gold Dot 230 gr ... I can buy 50 round LEO box at GTs for same price

I might have to try A2G on the Hornady TAP +P though, just to see if my gun likes it as much as the commercial load at Academy

Would really like to try som Winchester Ranger SXT 230 +P RA45TP (read great reviews) but not too many places stock it

http://gtdist.com/ProductDetail.aspx?Pa ... EERGOLDDOT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; their website clearly says they won't sell ammo to the general public... are you LEO or Prof. Security???

...I just called Austin...reasonable ammo's worth the effort...they said even though the website says what it says...they DO sell to the general public WALK-IN customers...and the CCI Gold Dot 230Gr. JHP NON+P sells for 29.99 per box of 50...that's stupendous...the last I bought in a gunshop over 5 years ago were $33+...she assured me that all locations will have the same prices...looks like A-R's found us a nest on the ground!!!