Golden Sabers in a short barrel

[chipperi]

Ive looked around and cant find much. can someone point me in the right direction to find expansion results of a 230grn golden saber fired from a 3.75" barrel. That is what I carry so I want to see how effective it really is. I thought about buying one of those ballistic gel test tubes, but the ammo is just too expensive to play with.

[VHinch]

I carry 230 gr Golden Sabers in a couple of my 1911's, but can't speak to it's performance in the shorter barrels. I will however, offer this advice. Whatever it costs to determine the right carry ammo for you is worth it. I don't carry any load until I've put at least 200 rounds, and preferably 500 rounds of it through the gun. I can afford more ammo, I can not replace my wife/daughter/self.

[chipperi]

I really dont think Expansion in a .45acp is that critical. It is one of the only defensive handgun calibers that is safe and suitable to carry Ball ammo and not worry about over penetration yet still have incredible stopping power. GS feed and fire perfectly in my gun (S&W4516) but now with the prices at 30 bucks a box I dont want to test when someone else probably already has.

[VHinch]

Okay, let's forget about testing the expansion for a minute (even though that was your initial question). How many rounds of GS have you fired through your carry gun? Without firing that ammo through your weapon in sufficient numbers, how do you know the correlation of POA to POI, as well as having reasonable confidence in the reliability?

I only buy JHP in bulk, and I do a lot better than $30 a box by doing that, but even if I had to pay that price, I'm not willing to let saving a couple of bucks be the key point in a decision I stake my life on.

Shoot what you carry, carry what you shoot.

[chipperi]

I shot them last when I took my HCP class about 2 years ago so 50 rounds there then I fired a box about a year ago and fired my last box about 3 weeks ago so I could rotate some new rounds in so about 100 rounds total with no failures, and pretty damn good accuracy. I would feel perfectly safe carrying ball but I carry GS as this is what my local Sheriffs office carries. I just got to thinking about expansion when I saw an article in one of my gun mags about varying expansion in different length barrels. Seems the shorter the barrel the lesser the expansion. I run a printing press for a living I wish I could afford to buy in bulk.

[chipperi]

Holy Crap maybe I will pick up a few boxes hell of a deal!! http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM509-5.html

[The Tourist]

Each of my SD guns has either Gold Dots or Golden Sabers available to them. In fact, I need to get some new .45 ACP Golden Sabers for rotation, come to think of it.

My choice does not have expansion as its key factor. After all, leather, flannel and denim have been known to plug up hollowpoints and make them function like hardball.

My choice is dictated by quality. Oh, I like the idea of a pre-fragmented brass bullet. I like the idea that I have never had a dud. I also like the idea that I can go to the other side of the country and find the round in most sporting goods stores.

As a bonus, my 1911's produce groups far tighter than really needed in a combat gun. Obviously actual use would probably be inside an average room or within contact distance outside. But it's comforting to know you really can put them where you aim.