Ammo brands and types?

[bigg cheese]

I've got a .45 1911 and have only purchased ACP ammo thus far.

Are there any brands I should look out for or types I should stay away from?

There appear to be more choices than I have brain cells.


In any Case, The-Armory has the below:

45 Auto (ACP) 230 gr FMJ Wolf Case (500 rds)
$169.90
45W230CS
Case of Wolf 45 ACP, FMJ, 50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per case. Advanced Polymer Coated

Is this suitable for home defense ammo and is it priced reasonably?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[pjcalla]

FMJ (full metal jacket) ammo is really not the best for home/self defense. The bullet will over-penetrate and possibly cause harm to bystanders. For home/personal defense you will want to use hollow points. The bullet will expand in the bad guy and should stay inside. The wound cavity will be much greater, and will cause more damage to the bad guy.

As for the Wolf ammo, I have not used it. The FMJ is good for practice at the range. I use Winchester White Box for target. I can get this (when in stock) for $30/100 at Wal-Mart. So, $150 per 500 plus tax = $160.50. I think the Wolf is steel cased? The WWB is brass, and can be reloaded. Just my .

 

[mospeada]

Wolf ammo is generally reviled on gun forums. I've not had a bad experience with it, but there are some better brands out there. The main problem is that Wolf is a steel case and is more harsh on the extractor than brass cased rounds. The ammo also has a coating which can make for a dirty/sticky gun.

Any .45ACP round will do in a self defense scenario, but you'd be better served with a hollow point round. Check out Federal, Remington, Hornady, Speer and the like for defensive rounds.

For target, I use Winchester White Box from Wal-Mart, the local Wal-mart has (when in stock) WWB in 100rnd packs for $30 or so. You can also buy factory reloads from online vendors like Precision Ammunition in Hobart, IN.

Finally, there is a thread around here somewhere with a list of online vendors.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

Wolf runs great through all my pistols, it's just very dirty. As many times as I've shot it, never broken an extractor. (Now that I say that, I will) Like it has been said, mainly training ammo, HP ammo is best for self-defense.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

OTOH, with the prices that Wolf is going for now, I'd rather buy something brass cased that I can reload. Even a year ago, Wolf was pretty cheap, and you couldn't beat it for the price. Present day, not so much anymore.

 

[paladin333]

If you stick with major brands you can't go wrong. Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornaday.
I would agree with previous posts, Wolf is cheap, but somewhat dirty. Also, for defence, hollow points are best; full metal jacket (ball) are ok for target and will probably cycle better in the pistol.

 

[shooter521]

I've got a .45 1911 and have only purchased ACP ammo thus far.

Just an FYI, the "ACP" in ".45ACP" stands for Automatic Colt Pistol; it is part of the caliber designation, not a brand or style of ammunition. That is, your 1911 will ONLY accept .45ACP ammo; there are other .45-caliber cartridges out there (i.e. .45LC, .45GAP, .45 Auto Rim) but they are not compatible with your pistol, or any other pistol chambered in .45ACP.

Within the .45ACP caliber, as you have figured out, there is a wide array of brands, bullet styles and bullet weights from which to choose. The Wolf ammo you linked to is decent stuff for range work if your gun will feed it (some have issues with the steel cases), but I wouldn't recommend it for personal protection (though it certainly beats a sharp stick).

 

[bigg cheese]

Thanks for the info guys -- it is appreciated .

If the hollow points are what I'd want, I suppose I outta get a couple extra mags to keep around for "not" target shooting?....just so I'm not fumbling for it in the dark .

 

[shooter521]

If the hollow points are what I'd want, I suppose I outta get a couple extra mags to keep around for "not" target shooting?....just so I'm not fumbling for it in the dark .

Or just load up your mag(s) with carry ammo once you get home from the range...

But yes, generally there's no such thing as having too many magazines!

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

Good catch shooter. Search around here and elsewhere on the web, many reviews on different types and makes.

 

[model67a]

ammo

Have fired a lot of wolf 40sw in ruger 944 no problem at all. If you want the best(IMO) round for SD get Cor-Bon DPX. stay safe

 

[model67a]

online ammo

I have had good experience with Midway USA, The Armory, Cheaper Than Dirt, Able Ammo. Have bought most from Midway. They also have a good supply of other accessories, Mags, Holsters, Range bags, etc. stay safe

 

[clfergus]

I have had great luck with CCI Blazer Brass...anyone else? WWB makes my guns dirty