SA Operator

[ECHOONE]

 I've had a 5" SA Operator I've carried for SD for going on 3 yrs now,I bet my life on this weapon as it has always proven it functioning 99% flawless with over 1,500 rds.Recently on my regular practice, I went to put thru some Fed 230 gr Hydra Shoks, my usual SD rd.. To my bewildered surprise my pistol was jamming way to often! I couldn't figure out what was going on until I started looking at the ammo, I never thought I needed to check a respectable brand named manufacturers ammo,but have learned once again never say never,there were random rds that had slight gouges around the tips,this was causing my jams. I've recently heard alot of people claiming to having problems with the quality of there SD ammo lately which is not a settling thought.Even though I will now inspect all my SD rounds individually before loading for use, I think this episode has convinced me to go back to carrying my old SD load,the FMJ.
 I know that there are many that will frown on this remark, and I know alot may think that this rd over penetrates,but that is an argument that has yet to be proven to me and many others. I'm a vet,I carried and used this rd for SD and not once in my tour did I ever see myself or any others have a .45 rd over penetrate.If for some reason the round does not hit bone or vital organs and makes a clear thru and thru penetration of a human body,you can be pretty assured it's Vel. will be entirley spent and you'll find the rd laying right beside the body. The pluses of the FMJ rd, you practice with it all the time,the 1911 was made to function and shoot the FMJ and is most reliable with this rd., the bad guy is not always going to be standing in the open waiting for you to take your clean shot,he as you are, is going to seek cover as fast as possible,A FMJ rd will penetrate objects better then a JHP,car door's,heavy coats,windows,etc. The FMJ makes a large damaging hole lets face it,it's a .45, the little bit more expansion you might get from a JHP, if it expands properly is not that much of a difference in all reality,I personally would rather know that my gun is going to go bang every single time rather then maybe have a little bigger hole.The debate of over penetration is more true in the higher velocity bullets,like the 9mm & S&W 40 there you definetly have over penetration.But if Penetration is what is truly what worries your mind with ammo,you should be concentrating about your basic gun safety,whats behind your target before you fire! If in doubt,and you don't want to take that chance when the bad guy is leveling down on you,be prepared to take other options,if your using your gun for home protection and you live in an apartment or have kids in the next room,then use your head,of course, you use a frangible rd.I'm not saying a Fmj should be used in all instances.We have to use our judgement.Just like we pick certain sidearms for specific outings,we also have to pick the right rd to get the job done.We all might not agree,as we all have had different life experiences,to each there own,as for me,from now on I know I'm going to feel safer knowing my 1911 has FMJ in it,my 9mm will definitely have JHP,that's another story.But I don't see any true advantage of a JHP with the large slow .45 rd.you just don't get that much more expansion,if it expands,then you get from a fmj rd! The difference  between the damage of a 9mm JHP and a .45 JHP isn't even that substantial,so theoretically how much could it be between a .45 FMJ and a .45 JHP.

   BE safe,and a happy New Year to all you guys/gals!

[tombogan03884]

 Even if it DOES go all the way through , that's 2 holes bleeding instead of just one.  
Have you considered the Expanding FMJ ? I forget who makes it, but it looks like ordinary FMJ but expands on impact.
I have 2 rules of thumb about SD bullets, Bigger holes bleed faster, and, More is better.    

[Big Frank]

Federal makes the EFMJ. It looks like a good bullet. http://www.federalpremium.com/products/handgun.aspx

[callithump]

You're in good company with Chuck Taylor about ball. He even argues that the +p ammo isn't necessary in the .45. You're right about diameter too. Hell, I just shot a 9mm hole through the side of my house and the exit in hardi plank was 1/2 inch. For me the only remaining issue is low flash and shooting to point of aim. Keep up the good work!