# # ...if a guy was going to select a store-bought load to carry # # in these short barreled weapons, which ones should he try first? # # I understand that the round has to work each and every time # # in my own firearms, but wonder which ones to try first.

# When it comes to being frugal, HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE WORTH?

Jerry, before you continue to Poparad-off again, re-read the OP.

# I would not hesitate to spend the money to buy a box # of top grade ammo.

# I would recommend the 225 grain or 230 grain bullets # as I have used the 185 grain expanding bullets and they # failed miserably on deer. Not enough penetration.

And, based on the OP's requirements, you would be all wet.

And based on your own limited empirical data, your suggestion is irrelevant.

Chas W suggests...

# I believe you'll find the lighter bullet weights are # more accurate in your shorty pistol.

That's closer to being responsive to the OP, but it's still not what he was asking.

# Try some premium 185 and 200 grain JHP loads # and see which one you like best.

Again, non-responsive... his sole concerns are functionality in his pistol. So it won't be what "he likes," but if his pistol works.

And as there is already a commercially available round engineered for his "class" of pistol, all he has to do is make sure it is reliable in his gun.

Donald Bautista counsels...

# ...AFTER a good break in with some ball ammo. Some # BRAND NEW guns do not to take well to JHPs with a few # hundred rounds of ball to loosen things up.

I'm not sure you stated precisely what you intended, but "ball break-in" is sage advice... timeless even, with any Colt's/Browning pattern .45 ACP auto-loader, even with the more "modern" (post-1982) 1911-style guns.

My own standard was always 200 rounds of Ball M1911, some random samplings of JHPs and 200-grain H&G #268 SWCs... and then the "acid test" of the no-longer manufactured stubby, wide-mouth Speer/CCI 200-grain JHP upon which the late Dean Grennell for all time hung the sobriquet, "Flying Ashtray." If a 1911-pattern pistol would feed 200 rounds of that without a bobble, it'd feed anything forever!

(And yes, I still have half-a-case of that in Blazer squirreled away to use as a proofing round!)

Hank missed part of the message...

# I had already looked at published chrony results from gun # magazines for several loads before buying the Officer's model.

(PSSSSSSSSST! Hank! It wasn't the apostrophe, it was "Officer's model." {sic})

The original production pistol from Colt's, with the 3.5-inch barrel, was the "Officer's ACP." The Colt's "Officer's Model" was two different revolvers much earlier in the company's history.)

# I guess a hollowpoint full of Carhartt coat and sweatshirts # is even less likely to expand out of a 3.25 inch barrel.

Depends on the design of the JHP, but even if it does "clog" and fail to deform to .70-.75 caliber, it'll still perform at least as well as FMJ... which seems to have worked fairly well for almost 100 years.

Which is kinda what Bob was getting at when he added:

# I'd start with good old military hardball (FMJ) 230 # grains. It won't expand, but a .45 doesn't really # need to expand to do a nice job....

There ya go! And Bill Rueck as well:

# I use Federal 200 grain Tactical EFMJ [Expanding Full # Metal Jacket] product number P45CSPI in my PT145.

A very most excellent choice, even with the shorter barreled pistols.

John Cowart adds:

# A short-barreled 45acp would be expected to produce # slightly lower velocity, and slightly increased muzzle flash.

Hence the suggestion to the O.P. to take the Speer "Short Barrel Optimized" rounds for a spin.

# The lower velocity might reduce the performance, so # of a lightweight hollow point bullet...

Hence the suggestion to the O.P. to take the Speer "Short Barrel Optimized" rounds for a spin.

# ...stick with the heavier, slower moving ones, such as # the 230gr. Also select rounds that feature reduced # muzzle flash, such as the Hornady TAP - FPD.

Hank doesn't need to because... wait for it!... ATK/Speer thoughtfully came up with the "Short Barrel Optimized" rounds.

-- - Dean Speir Formerly Famous Gunwriter / Gun Zone Maintainer « =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= » It's not a perfect world... it's why we _have_ guns!

The Gunperson's Authoritative Internet Information Resource is at http://www.thegunzone.com.

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