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I have started carrying a Springfield XD Mod2 in 45 ACP with a 3.3" barrel the last couple months. My carry ammo has been Speer Gold Dot 230 grain JHP. I have heard commentary that 45 ACP out of a short barrel might be too slow to allow the HP rounds to open up reliably. I know Speer makes a 45 Gold Dot for short barrels, but I have never seen it for sale. I figured I was carrying the best ammo I had on hand.

For others carrying a 45 ACP pistol out there, what ammo do you carry?

I have heard a radio guy recommend 185 grain ammo as an alternative to get higher velocity. Does anyone have any recommendations for what might be better out of a shorter barrel?

My carry ammo for my Para is 230gr hydrashoks, after doing alot of reading and research on actual shootings I chose this round for it's expansion, but all that was based on a 5" barrel. My truck gun is loaded with 185gr +p hydrashoks, these are suppose to exit a 5" barrel at 1100 fps so coming out of a 16" barrel I expect at least 1300 fps, I'm going to chrono them as soon as I get a chance.

This possibly useful research and presentation was posted in another Topic yesterday: http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-de ... tic-tests/.

Of note is that the testing was done with barrels shorter than the service-length handguns per FBI spec. Not included in the test is the round I've carried for years, and still do: Winchester Ranger +P 230gr; also use Rangers in my .40 XD(m)s when I carry one of them. For my full-sized 1911s, which I now carry less often than the smaller form-factor, I generally use Speer Gold Dot 230 gr.

AndyC wrote:That is a heck of a nice link - shared, thanks

We have troglodyte to thank for it:

troglodyte wrote:Lucky Gunner did a very good test. You can sort the results how you like.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-de ... tic-tests/

Choose what you like then make sure it runs in your firearm.

Normally carry a 9mm, but when I carry my M&P 45c I have Remington Golden Saber 230gr JHP.
They feed very well, no jams.
I prefer reliability over and above anything else.

The two 45 ACP pistols I have carried the most have been a Glock 21 and the Springfield XD Mod 2 in 45 ACP. I have never come across name brand HP ammo or practice ammo that didn't feed and work reliably in either pistol. I have not found them to be picky about ammo at all.

Most of the SD ammo I have used is Federal, Winchester, Hornady, and Speer. I have fired some Remington, but not much.

Skiprr wrote:This possibly useful research and presentation was posted in another Topic yesterday: http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-de ... tic-tests/.

Of note is that the testing was done with barrels shorter than the service-length handguns per FBI spec. Not included in the test is the round I've carried for years, and still do: Winchester Ranger +P 230gr; also use Rangers in my .40 XD(m)s when I carry one of them. For my full-sized 1911s, which I now carry less often than the smaller form-factor, I generally use Speer Gold Dot 230 gr.

Thank You for the link. The pistol used has a barrel only about 0.3" longer than mine. However, the 230 grain Speer Gold Dots did okay. Looks like the 200 grain might be a better choice if I find some. I feel better about what I am carrying, but I can do a little better.

230 grain Federal HST +p performs very well out of a short barrel.

I use Hornady Critical Defense in all my carry guns; 45, 40, 357, 38, and even 380....me like!
Dave

Trying to decide wether I wanna shoot 185gr or 230gr out of my Glock 30

cmgee67 wrote:Trying to decide wether I wanna shoot 185gr or 230gr out of my Glock 30

If you want to shoot 180 - 200 grain bullets... get a .40 cal.

A .45 is meant to shoot 230s.