Defensive ammo. What kind?

[MikeBjerum]

jumbofrank,

My open gun is a 2011 in .45acp and has a hybred compensator (several ports along the top).  During the day I can see the smoke coming up, photos make it look like a locomotive pulling a load, but even though there is a flash, verified by photos, I don't notice it even in the dark.  Give it a try, but our bodies adapt when under pressure and stress - loss of color vision, tunnel vision, natural hearing protection, restricted blood flow, etc.

[Big Frank]

All that said, I'm a Hornady guy.  Got it for my EDCs in 9mm & .357 as well as in .44spl for the wife's Hun.

Hornady what? There are 5 SD loads in .45 APC if you count the Z-MAX which I probably wouldn't buy.

Thanks for the comp info M58.

Right now I'm leaning toward the DPX short barrel ammo.

[MikeBjerum]

Hornady what? There are 5 SD loads in .45 APC if you count the Z-MAX which I probably wouldn't buy.

I almost* exclusively use Critical Defense.  I runs in everything I carry, so why complicate things? 

*Critical Defense can be hard to find in .45acp from time to time in our region, so I also use a couple others that have proven reliable ... Dang!  This old gun will run almost anything, so finding rounds isn't an issue for it.

[ellis4538]

I agree with m58.  Critical Defense is the way to go.  Also look at Critical Duty.

JMHOFWIW

Richard

[billt]

The best answer to this question I've heard, is to call your local police department, and ask them what type of duty ammunition they use. That way if you ever have to drop someone, and you end up in court over it. And the prosecutor should ever bring up ammunition as an issue, you have the perfect answer..... "I chose that ammunition because it's what my police department uses. If it's good enough for them, I figured it's good enough for me."

The Phoenix P.D. uses Gold Dots. So do I..... A LOT of them.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

Remington makes Ultimate Defense Compact Handgun ammo but it's only 268 ft-lbs in .45 ACP. That's less power than their compact handgun 9mm load. Critical Defense is 333 ft-lbs and CORBON DPX is 392 ft-lbs out of a 3" barrel like mine. Gold Dots out of a 4" barrel are 343 ft-lbs. Unless something else comes up I'll be looking for some DPX ammo. It snowed again so it's too cold to go to the outdoor range. I'll wait until it warms up to try any new ammo. It's supposed to hit 70 degrees in a week.

[alfsauve]

It snowed again so it's too cold to go to the outdoor range.

Heresy!   Heresy, I say!   

[MikeBjerum]

"I chose that ammunition because it's what my police department uses. If it's good enough for them, I figured it's good enough for me."

The Phoenix P.D. uses Gold Dots. So do I..... A LOT of them.

All fine and dandy if it works well for you, and you like it.  However, many governmental decisions are based on nothing more than cost.  I know several departments that shoot a lot of one brand of FMJ for practice, because they get it extremely cheap through government bids.  They carry another brand based on some other reason, but because of cost and availability they hardly practice with the carry ammunition.

Want to protect yourself in court?  Control you mouth, and check the attitude at the door!  "I use this ammunition because it is produced by a proven reliable company, the ammunition is available in my area when I need to purchase it, and my defensive tool has operated flawlessly  through (years, rounds, sessions) of practice with it."

[Rastus]

Critical Defense
CorBon dPX
Short barrel I go with Gold Dot
I do like the expanding full metal jacket offering from Federal for the 45....

Like Mike said, training is the key.

[billt]

All fine and dandy if it works well for you, and you like it.  However, many governmental decisions are based on nothing more than cost.

You won't know that until you drop someone with it. If Gold Dots won't run your gun, you've got other things wrong besides ammunition. As for cost, Gold Dots run the same or more than most other personal defense rounds. They are also one of the most common.