Ammunition

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 10:05 AM

:target: Hello everyone,
I recently purchased a handgun mainly for home protection and for a new hobby. it uses .45ACP. My question is which type of ammunition to use. I have heard different thing from different people so i thought i get everyones opinion.

I really just need to know the advatages and dis advantages between things like
JHP, Hydra-Shock,FMJ,TMJ
What would be the best choice for a possible encounter in an indoor apartment between 15-30ft distance. Any information you guys could provide would be great. Thanks
Ben

Otter · 09-16-2005, 10:17 AM

I use Frangible hollow points for home defense and carry. They're less likely to go through walls after shooting someone.
www.FrangibleBullets.Com or 724-463-3911, Rodney Allshouse.
The .45 ACP is slow, around 950 fps, and many hollow points don't expand well at those slow speeds. Make sure the pistol will feed the ammo you buy for it.

"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 10:24 AM

Thanks I will check them out

silentknight · 09-16-2005, 10:58 AM

What kind of gun, don't tease us like that

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 10:59 AM

HK USP .45 Fullsize

silentknight · 09-16-2005, 10:59 AM

Very nice!

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 11:01 AM

I was waiting to get opinions on guns here until I found a deal on gunbroker.com that i couldnt pass up, new in bow for like $650, so im on the hunt for which type of ammo

silentknight · 09-16-2005, 11:07 AM

I use Speer Gold Dot JHP in my CZ 97 45 ACP. At about 15 yds it expands nicely. I have not tested these on drywall though

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 11:31 AM

Thanks I will check those out

dave375hh · 09-16-2005, 01:50 PM

I use the Speer golddots or Rem. Golden Sabers because they have the best track record of reliable expansion compared to all others. I have no faith in the frangibles when things go bump in the night. I don't know if my opinion of the frangibles is justified or not, but if I have any doubts I don't feel comfortable trusting them. If a HP fails to open it still punches a .45 cal hole through the Bad guy. A frangible fails on the way in, and may not penitrate to stop the bad guy. I won't take that chance.

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 01:53 PM

Great input thanks

allan1898 · 09-16-2005, 09:03 PM

I use Mag-Safe SWAT loads for apartment, as I am concerned about overpenetration. I had a friend who committed suicide with 45 ACP, ball. They recovered the bullet in the neighbor's house. It penetrated two brick veneer/sheetrock walls, one sheetrock /tile and the tile in the opposite wall. This of course after going through his head. So I use frangible ammo for carry in quarters that mught put someone else at risk. I shoot enough to know that I don't always hit the bull, and I would not care to find out if I could live with the consequences of a miss in the wrong circumstances. My neighbour has a really lovely little girl. Now, out and about, I use Corbon. Propper loads for different circumstances. There are other brands available, but the basic premise remains the same for me.

zebraben · 09-16-2005, 09:56 PM

Great input, I really appreciate everyones input. Thanks

Big Dog · 09-17-2005, 10:51 AM

Be sure to put a few magazine loads throught the gun at the range. Make sure it functions well with the ammo. For instance, my Colt loves 185 grain Federal HydraShocks and Nosler JHPs. It chokes on the blunter Speer 200 grain bullets - they don't feed well at all. This is really critical in a defense gun!

:target:

zebraben · 09-17-2005, 07:34 PM

Thanks I figure what ever I decide I will be going to the range atleast once a month to make sure i can hit my target. Thanks for the feedback

practical · 09-17-2005, 08:17 PM

Big Dog is talking about making sure the ammo you pick to leave in the gun all the time works well in it. Some guns, even different guns of the same model, don't like certain ammo types. I personally don't trust ammo until I've shot at least 200rds of it with no problems. This is expensive with personal defense ammo, but its your life. Its worth $150 IMHO. I'd rather have JSP's I trust than JHP's I've never shot before.

My $0.02

zebraben · 09-17-2005, 09:40 PM

Thanks For the info guys, this sound like a wise suggestion. Thanks

zebraben · 09-19-2005, 08:45 PM

Heres something I just thought of how many spare magazines do you usually need ?

Otter · 09-20-2005, 07:50 PM

My carry is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 and I have 3 spare Chip McCormick 8 round mags loaded with 7 rounds each for a total of 28 rounds ready. I also have 4 mags for the CZ99, 60 rounds ready. 4 for the K9, 28 rounds ready, and 3 for the Glock 30. 30 rounds ready. Don't worry about rotating magazines, load at least a couple of spares. I've seen 1911 mags with WD headstamp ball rounds from WW2 perform flawlessly after being in a mag pouch 47 years.

"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

zebraben · 09-20-2005, 10:51 PM

Thanks for the reply, good info to have.

09-16-2005, 10:05 AM	#1
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Ammunition :target: Hello everyone, I recently purchased a handgun mainly for home protection and for a new hobby. it uses .45ACP. My question is which type of ammunition to use. I have heard different thing from different people so i thought i get everyones opinion. I really just need to know the advatages and dis advantages between things like JHP, Hydra-Shock,FMJ,TMJ What would be the best choice for a possible encounter in an indoor apartment between 15-30ft distance. Any information you guys could provide would be great. Thanks Ben

09-16-2005, 10:17 AM	#2
Otter Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 955 Images: 6	I use Frangible hollow points for home defense and carry. They're less likely to go through walls after shooting someone. www.FrangibleBullets.Com or 724-463-3911, Rodney Allshouse. The .45 ACP is slow, around 950 fps, and many hollow points don't expand well at those slow speeds. Make sure the pistol will feed the ammo you buy for it. "Life is too important to be taken seriously." __________________ Life is too important to be taken seriously.

09-16-2005, 10:58 AM	#4
silentknight Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,125 Images: 3	What kind of gun, don't tease us like that __________________ Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum

09-16-2005, 10:59 AM	#6
silentknight Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,125 Images: 3	Very nice! __________________ Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum

09-16-2005, 11:07 AM	#8
silentknight Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,125 Images: 3	I use Speer Gold Dot JHP in my CZ 97 45 ACP. At about 15 yds it expands nicely. I have not tested these on drywall though __________________ Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum

09-16-2005, 10:24 AM	#3
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Thanks I will check them out

09-16-2005, 11:01 AM	#7
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	I was waiting to get opinions on guns here until I found a deal on gunbroker.com that i couldnt pass up, new in bow for like $650, so im on the hunt for which type of ammo

09-16-2005, 11:31 AM	#9
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Thanks I will check those out

09-16-2005, 01:50 PM	#10
dave375hh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 587	I use the Speer golddots or Rem. Golden Sabers because they have the best track record of reliable expansion compared to all others. I have no faith in the frangibles when things go bump in the night. I don't know if my opinion of the frangibles is justified or not, but if I have any doubts I don't feel comfortable trusting them. If a HP fails to open it still punches a .45 cal hole through the Bad guy. A frangible fails on the way in, and may not penitrate to stop the bad guy. I won't take that chance. __________________ Dave 375 H&H

09-16-2005, 01:53 PM	#11
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Great input thanks

09-16-2005, 09:03 PM	#12
allan1898 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 110	I use Mag-Safe SWAT loads for apartment, as I am concerned about overpenetration. I had a friend who committed suicide with 45 ACP, ball. They recovered the bullet in the neighbor's house. It penetrated two brick veneer/sheetrock walls, one sheetrock /tile and the tile in the opposite wall. This of course after going through his head. So I use frangible ammo for carry in quarters that mught put someone else at risk. I shoot enough to know that I don't always hit the bull, and I would not care to find out if I could live with the consequences of a miss in the wrong circumstances. My neighbour has a really lovely little girl. Now, out and about, I use Corbon. Propper loads for different circumstances. There are other brands available, but the basic premise remains the same for me.

09-16-2005, 09:56 PM	#13
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Great input, I really appreciate everyones input. Thanks

09-17-2005, 10:51 AM	#14
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,214	Be sure to put a few magazine loads throught the gun at the range. Make sure it functions well with the ammo. For instance, my Colt loves 185 grain Federal HydraShocks and Nosler JHPs. It chokes on the blunter Speer 200 grain bullets - they don't feed well at all. This is really critical in a defense gun! :target: __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

09-17-2005, 07:34 PM	#15
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Thanks I figure what ever I decide I will be going to the range atleast once a month to make sure i can hit my target. Thanks for the feedback

09-17-2005, 08:17 PM	#16
practical Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA/Casper, WY Posts: 736	Big Dog is talking about making sure the ammo you pick to leave in the gun all the time works well in it. Some guns, even different guns of the same model, don't like certain ammo types. I personally don't trust ammo until I've shot at least 200rds of it with no problems. This is expensive with personal defense ammo, but its your life. Its worth $150 IMHO. I'd rather have JSP's I trust than JHP's I've never shot before. My $0.02 __________________ Eric "The secret to life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made"

09-17-2005, 09:40 PM	#17
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Thanks For the info guys, this sound like a wise suggestion. Thanks

09-19-2005, 08:45 PM	#18
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Heres something I just thought of how many spare magazines do you usually need ?

09-20-2005, 07:50 PM	#19
Otter Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 955 Images: 6	My carry is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 and I have 3 spare Chip McCormick 8 round mags loaded with 7 rounds each for a total of 28 rounds ready. I also have 4 mags for the CZ99, 60 rounds ready. 4 for the K9, 28 rounds ready, and 3 for the Glock 30. 30 rounds ready. Don't worry about rotating magazines, load at least a couple of spares. I've seen 1911 mags with WD headstamp ball rounds from WW2 perform flawlessly after being in a mag pouch 47 years. "Life is too important to be taken seriously." __________________ Life is too important to be taken seriously.

09-20-2005, 10:51 PM	#20
zebraben Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Rafael,Ca Posts: 47	Thanks for the reply, good info to have.