Bullet choices in a 1911

[beefyz]

Sorry.....no experience on this subject. I have never owed one before but am seriously considering getting a Springfield Range Officer in 9mil, simply because I've always wanted one. (PERIOD, a 1911)
Eventually I will reload for it also. Does the 1911 favor a particular bullet. I know all guns are different even by the same manufacturer and caliber etc etc but "in general" would it show any particular preference for a jacketed vs a plated vs cast bullet or can all of them be used successfully in a 1911 ?

 

[PistolPete45]

1911 was in 45 ACP to begin with always was a ball ammo to start with . I have several 45's now 2 are 1911 clone /style . My Kimber eats everything I feed it . A Safari Arms match master is finicky. ball ammo is the only ammo I can count on to feed every time. I reload and have no problem with hard cast I did but some Flat semi round bullets I had trouble with in a FNP 45 .. but not with the kimber She loved them 150 Gr Pin busters

 

[rcmodel]

A properly tuned 1911 with good magazines will feed empty cases.

But that leaves out 98% of the ones being made today.

The 1911 was designed the work with 230 grain FMJ-RN military ammo.

Many modern SD Hollow-Points mimic the bullet shape, at least enough they hit the barrel hood at the right time when coming out of the magazine.

So, if it won't 4-F (Feed, Fire, & Function Freely) with jacketed, plated, or lead 230 grain RN bullets it has a problem.

On the other hand, demand has made most of the better manufactures insure their 1911's will feed just about any commercially loaded SD ammo.

But, your milage may vary, depending on the particular gun & magazines.

Only sure way to know is to try it.

rc

 

[Icky The Great]

My friend has a Springfield 1911 in 45 and it doesn't feed semi wadcutters easily. However my Colt eats just about everything I feed it including his semi wadcutters. I did find it shaves a touch off the nose as it is bumped out of the mag. I have noticed no accuracy issues, though we shoot 12 yards at steel.

As for the 9mms being they are a newer design I would think they have most of the feed issues worked out in design. Otherwise go to the range and bum some odd ammo off someone and see if it feeds. If the gun likes it, you can try to build it yourself or source it. If it does not then your out no big dough and do not have odd boxes of ammo to contend with. Or just roll your own and swap a few bullets with friends and see what works.

I often go in with a friend and we each decide on a brand and type of bullets. I buy 50 or 100 and so does he. We split the boxes and load them up for our guns. We narrow down the field pretty quick. And certain bullets may excel at accuracy but jam up the gun and others will reliably feed but not seem to group well. This is how I found my clipped points. Good enough for a back yard shoot 8" steel plates at 12 yards.

 

[CWL]

I think that your question would be better answered in the Handloading, Reloading subforum here.

You should also post "9mm" in your subject line so people don't confuse your question with .45ACP - what the majority of people will automatically think when you say "1911".

 

[CNobbe]

I've reloaded 9mm simple 115-147gr round nose that my Kimber 9mm cycled just fine. I believe (could be wrong) most 9mm 1911s have ramped barrels which aid in feeding. Haven't looked a 9mm range officer, but I imagine it has a ramped barrel too.