Speer 45 ACP "Short Barrel"

[MeanStreaker]

I have been very happy with Speer's Short Barrel products and realize they're supposedly designed to work better out of smaller barrels. I've been very happy with the .38 Special 135gr Short Barrel Gold Dots for my S&W 642.

I'm looking for Self Defense ammo for my new full-size 1911. What are the pros/cons of using the 230 gr. short barrel ammo in my full size? Would it only make a difference in the 3-4" barrels?

 

[MeanStreaker]

I emailed Speer and asked this question.

Their response:

for a full-size, use either 23966, 230 gr GDHP or even better yet, the 23969,
a 200 gr +P GDHP. The SB ammo is not where I would send you with a full
size guns.
Shoot Straight!
CCI/SPEER Technical Service

Anybody have anything they'd like to add?

 

[the pistolero]

Well, this is just me, but with a full-size 1911 I'd just go with regular self-defense ammo. Of course, if you have access to a chronograph you could test the Speer out of that full-size gun and see what it does. I was looking at the Speer site last night, and the 230-grain .45acp is rated at 820 fps out of a 4" barrel. If the cartridge is engineered to get the bullet out of the 4" barrel at its highest potential muzzle velocity out of that 4", then personally I'd just go with normal .45 hollowpoints. I'd think the only way to find out is with the chronograph. Right off the top of my head, both Winchester and Federal 230-grain SD ammo are both rated for higher MVs out of a 5" barrel (880 fps for Winchester, 890 for Federal Hydra-Shok and 850 for Federal Personal Defense). I've heard it said that lower velocity makes for lesser expansion & penetration for hollowpoints, but I'd advise you to do your own tests if you can, otherwise, look for others. The Box O' Truth would be a good place to start, I think.