Modern .45s and the JSWC

[Setzer77]

My small "collection" is lacking in .45 autos, especially modern ones. However, being that I don't really like hardball as much as SWC, both for target work, and the superior soft tissue damage. I've been wanting a USP Elite in .45 for some time now, and I'll probably get an FNP-45 when they come out as money provides.

However, A few months ago at the range, when one of the gunshop regulars was there with his Glock 21, it didn't like the LSWCs he fed it at all, while my 1911 ate them right up.

I was wondering if the HKs or other modern poly framed pistols feed this round very well? I had intended to have the 200 gr JSWs loaded for range use, and they can be loaded to pretty decent velocities.

I think the HK will make a fantastic target gun, and I'll carry the FNP since I already carry the compact 9, but I'd like to know if it will eat my preferred ammunition.

 

[mjrodney]

I had an Springfield XD-45 that would not feed SWC either. The shoulder would catch on the beginning edge of the ramp.

Short magazine? Dunno.

An equally plastic Ruger 345 did well with them, though, as does my Sig and all my 1911's.

 

[Majic]

First how hard were the bullets and second where was the shoulder in relation to the case mouth? Both can make a big difference in how the bullet feeds.

 

[Setzer77]

The ones out of the glock I believe were 185s, but I'm not entirely sure. They looked pretty thin at the front as compared to the box of 50 my SA GI ate this weekend w/o a hiccup. I also plan to use jacketed rounds, I don't care for lead much.

 

[KurtC]

If you like SWC's, try any of the S&W 45xx pistols. They will even feed empty cases.

 

[Jim Watson]

It's been my observation that you cannot count on a foreign made .45 to handle semiwadcutters. Some will, but a lot won't. My first P220 absolutely would not shoot the SWCs my 1911 was set up for, so I sold it. I realized I liked the design and bought another but I do not ask it to try SWCs. It shoots roundnose, flatpoint, truncated cone, and hollowpoints reliably.

I had a USP that would feed SWCs, but do not know if they all will.

True jacketed semiwadcutters other than the stubby 185s as used in factory match ammunition are scarce. I have found the plated ones not to be faithful copies of the reliable H&G #68 shape common in cast bullets, and had nothing but trouble with them in guns that were 100% with cast.

If you end up with a gun that will not handle SWCs that you otherwise like, shoot hollowpoints. Most modern guns will feed modern JHPs, shoot them with excellent accuracy, and give lots of "soft tissue damage."