I'm no expert by any means, but the following is my opinion (I've been carrying and shooting handguns for the last 36 years.... the 45ACP since 1968).
Reliability and Penetration are the top 2 priorities for serious use 45ACP ammo.
Regarding Reliability:
THE most important consideration! Throat, polish and tune gun and magazines all you want (all my Colts are tuned and polished).... sure it increases reliability, but, in the worst case engagement scenarios the gun can become "degraded", contaminated with foreign material (sand/mud), mag lips can get bent from dropping, etc. GI spec. FMJ ammo will always have a better chance of feeding under these less-than-ideal conditions. As a side note, if you choose to carry one of the Colt copies, open up the chamber to proper/original design dimensions! Those tight chambers definitely have a negative effect on combat reliability.
Penetration:
The bullets need to reach the target (vitals of the adversary), and I also want exit wounds to increase blood flow from the body. The problem with most published penetration data is that it leaves the reader with the impression that the "test penetration" is what you can expect during anti-personal use (human penetration). One needs to consider the following:
1) Gelatin penetration is about half of human body penetration on the average (at least that's my conclusion after reviewing real shooting data compared to Jelly tests).
2) Test conditions are different than realistic combat conditions. Can you count on your bullet having just air and only layer of shirt to penetrate before reaching the adversaries body? Real life experience tells me no way. I want the security of knowing my bullets with make it through the worst combination of probable "moderate" obstructions, and still do their job (e.g.; numerous layers of clothing and/or car doors/windows, typical walls/doors and other forms of moderate cover). Obviously concrete walls, body armor, heavy metal plates, etc., are impenetrable, but hey, were talking about a sidearm.
I'd rather be in trouble for the over penetration of my "standard, non-hollowpoint 45 Ammo" than be put down for good because my bullets stopped short of their intended targets. I would argue that a BG that is not stopped from blazing away with his weapon poses much more of a threat to those innocents in the area than any of my bullets that may "over penetrate".
For the above reason, I have no problem with those who choose to carry full weight, 230gr. FMJ ammo for serious use.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Roverman on 2001-07-12 16:54 ]</font>
Reliability and Penetration are the top 2 priorities for serious use 45ACP ammo.
Regarding Reliability:
THE most important consideration! Throat, polish and tune gun and magazines all you want (all my Colts are tuned and polished).... sure it increases reliability, but, in the worst case engagement scenarios the gun can become "degraded", contaminated with foreign material (sand/mud), mag lips can get bent from dropping, etc. GI spec. FMJ ammo will always have a better chance of feeding under these less-than-ideal conditions. As a side note, if you choose to carry one of the Colt copies, open up the chamber to proper/original design dimensions! Those tight chambers definitely have a negative effect on combat reliability.
Penetration:
The bullets need to reach the target (vitals of the adversary), and I also want exit wounds to increase blood flow from the body. The problem with most published penetration data is that it leaves the reader with the impression that the "test penetration" is what you can expect during anti-personal use (human penetration). One needs to consider the following:
1) Gelatin penetration is about half of human body penetration on the average (at least that's my conclusion after reviewing real shooting data compared to Jelly tests).
2) Test conditions are different than realistic combat conditions. Can you count on your bullet having just air and only layer of shirt to penetrate before reaching the adversaries body? Real life experience tells me no way. I want the security of knowing my bullets with make it through the worst combination of probable "moderate" obstructions, and still do their job (e.g.; numerous layers of clothing and/or car doors/windows, typical walls/doors and other forms of moderate cover). Obviously concrete walls, body armor, heavy metal plates, etc., are impenetrable, but hey, were talking about a sidearm.
I'd rather be in trouble for the over penetration of my "standard, non-hollowpoint 45 Ammo" than be put down for good because my bullets stopped short of their intended targets. I would argue that a BG that is not stopped from blazing away with his weapon poses much more of a threat to those innocents in the area than any of my bullets that may "over penetrate".
For the above reason, I have no problem with those who choose to carry full weight, 230gr. FMJ ammo for serious use.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Roverman on 2001-07-12 16:54 ]</font>
