[Ian11]

How many of you feel that the the .45 ACP only perform their best in guns like 5" 1911's, H&K USP/f, Glock 21, CZ-97, Sig P220 or other "full size guns".

That modern hollowpoints are much improved but still not good enough to truly perform to their real potential in barrels shorter than 4 1/2"? That 185 +P or faster in shorter barrels generally goes against its basic philosophy and you might as well shoot 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, or 10mm instead.

[Kahr carrier]

It may preform best out of those guns ,But I like my Kimber Ultra Carry in 45Acp.:) And that has a short barrel.:)

[Al Thompson]

Ten years ago I would have agreed. But with the design efforts going into the newer JHP ammo, it'll work fine at reduced velocities. Charles Petty did an extensive test on this subject in AH. He got good results with most loads out of very short barrels.

[Sean Smith]

More barrel more better. But some .45 hollowpoints are designed to expand at velocities as low as 700 ft/sec, so it's not like you are losing ALL your expansion just by losing an inch of barrel. That said, I personally wouldn't go below a 4" barrel in a .45.

[STEVE M]

I agree with Al. The designs we have now are made for the

shorter barrels. In the past 10-15 years, bullets and ammo have

improved more than they did in the past few hundred years.

[AK103K]

I think if you carry a 230 gr hollow point, wether it opens or not, your still ahead. I know some of the tests claim the hollow points plug with clothing and dont expand, or at lower velocities wont expand, but if your carrying a 230gr HP, open or not, its still the heaviest bullet you can normally get for the 45, and at worst equal to 230gr fmj/ball. All things being equal with "plugging" and all, I still think your ahead with the 45 over the 9 or 40 if they also suffer from the same plugging. I carry Federal 230gr Hydra Shoks in my pistols. They feed reliably in all my guns without any special work and if all else fails are as good as ball.

[Mark IV Series 80]

How many of you feel that the the .45 ACP only perform their best in guns like 5" 1911's, H&K USP/f, Glock 21, CZ-97, Sig P220 or other "full size guns".

That modern hollowpoints are much improved but still not good enough to truly perform to their real potential in barrels shorter than 4 1/2"? Hello Ian,

I do my best .45 work with the Combat Commander. I don't feel "handicapped" by the 4.25 inch barrel.

I think that at 3.5 inches and under, you really might want to do some study before you select a load.

Here is a place to start:

http://pub57.ezboard.com/fammolabforumfrm27.showMessage?topicID=552.topic

BTW, the Sig P220 has a 4.4 inch barrel.

[sm]

What Sean Smith said

[Edward429451]

I voted I agree, but the question was made a little vague with the run on.

I think a 45 slug will ruin their day even if fired from a 2" barrel. However 'best performance' goes beyond barrel length, I think. The bigger guns have more weight, so have less muzzle rise, and have more sight radius, so are easier to shoot accurately than the smaller counterparts. This is significant enough for me to choose the 5" tubed pistols.

I can do pretty good with commander/220 sized guns, but the officers and patriot sized guns are a little too much in the muzzleflash/rise department for my thinking.

I do not load light loads for 45's. Even practice loads are full house so to speak. We bought a Patriot pistol awhile back and I got about three rounds of my practice loads through it before I sat it down. (5.8 231/225 gr LFP). Super fireball and significant rise. We got rid of it pretty quick. Make mine full sized please.

[Sam]

I'm fairly tall so length is not a concern for me. Don't own any .45's shorter than 5 ". Wife is smaller, shoots Officers model when using an auto. I do not feel that she is poorly armed.
I have had poor results with expanding pistol bullets in defensive type rounds/weapons.
Since the 45 starts as big as I can depend on most of the expanding bullets to get, I like it even if it dosen't expand.

Reduced velocity certainly effects penetration and I expect to get lower penetration from a short barreled pistol. Don't buy any of the energy theories associated with velocity.
Had a 300 lb bolck of concrete dropped on me once and I know what it feels like, equal and opposite reaction from every handgun I have ever used falls far short of the block.Energy theories remain theories.

Big holes make 'em leak faster, start with biggest holemaker I can handle. If I can get more velocity fine but I am not concerned if the holemaker does not perforate walls on other side of target.

Sam

[10-Ring]

This is why I subscribe to the "Big bullet, big hole" theory. Even if max expansion in the bullet does not occur, it's still plent of damage to deal with. I'm not overly concerned about it.

[seeker_two]

If it's a comparison b/t 230 gr. hardball, then the 5" bbl. may have a SLIGHT edge--but not enough to make a difference to the one being shot...:what:

Modern ammo makers have been tinkering w/ the two variables that make the most difference--bullet construction & propellent. By adjusting these, you can make the .45ACP do about anything from any length barrel.

One thing that has come to light is something that JMB & scores of .44SPL shooters have known for decades--a 200 gr. bullet w/ a healthy dose of powder will do most anything you need in most any barrel length. That's why one of my favorite .45ACP loads is the Gold Dot 200gr. JHP. I use it in my 1991A1, and I'll use it in the Taurus Tracker (or S&W 25 snub) when I get one...:D

But that's just my opinion. YYMV...

[cratz2]

Well, most should agree that 'the .45 ACP only perform their best in guns like 5" ' because of course, higher veolicty/longer barrels and sight radii usually means better performance, both accuracy-wise and its effect on target. Doesn't mean that there aren't loads that are very effective and very reliable out of 3.5", 4" and 4.25" barrels.

And I sure wouldn't volunteer to take a round of Gold Dot or Ranger from a 3" barrel. From a short barrel, I'd still rather rely on a couple 45ACP rounds than 9mm or 40S&W rounds.