What Ammo for Short Auto's

[critrxdoc]

What general characteristics of ammunition improve the performance of rounds out of medium to compact semiauto's? IOW lighter, heavier, faster, slower, etc, etc as compared to say the same caliber in the full size version?

 

[ugaarguy]

One of the biggest things is a good flash retardant in the powder. The shorter barrel means there is less time for the powder to burn completely. Most of the premium factory cartridges are so loaded to reduce the flash signature in low light that can temporarily impair vision regardless of barrel length.

 

[gunmetal]

My understanding is that with a short barrel, lighter bullets will more closely reach their maximum potential velocity compared against heavier bullets. You may also be interested in +P rounds. +1 to the previous post wrt the powder.

Speed Gold Dot "Short Barrel" loads are a good bet in any caliber.

 

[1911_CQB]

+1 for the Gold Dots

 

[mljdeckard]

In the owner's manual for my Kimber, it actually says, "Use only 230 grain jacketed ammo." And honestly, in a full-size auto, I have never felt the need to use anything else, even though I know the magazine writers like to torture new autos with different loads to make sure they will cycle.

I would be interested to see the manual on a smaller 1911 by the same factory to see if they make the same recommendations, even though, a 185 would perform better in a smaller frame auto.

 

[critrxdoc]

What is the additive in flash suppressed powder? and does this decrease performance?

 

[rcellis]

I shoot a short barrelled 1911 myself - while it will feed hollow-points, I feel more confident with jacketed ball.

My reading on the subject is that the solid bullets have too much penatration as a defense load. Given the uncertain circumstances of a defensive action, how much of a problem is this?

I know - a pretty broad question; one that will probably boil down to a personal determination. Any definitive opinions?

Clint

 

[ugaarguy]

What is the additive in flash suppressed powder? and does this decrease performance?

I don't know if its an additive per se or just built into the formulation of premium powders. To my knowledge it actually improves performance because the powder burns more completly making it cleaner which conviently reduces flash. For example the chaep bulk Remington JHPs from wally world are dirty and have quite a bit of muzzle flash even from a full size Hi-Power. Conversely, from the same Hi-Power, Speer Gold Dots are cleaner and have minimal muzzle flash. Basically a lighter bullet to gain max velocity in the shorter barrel distance in a premium factory loading that shoots clean with low flash will work. The fact that Speer has done extra work to optimize the bullet weight and powder charge to the common lengths of short Bbl found in each caliber makes the Gold Dot Short Barrel a very attractive option.

 

[Ala Dan]

In my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II, I use the 200 grain Hornady T.A.P.
JHP's exclusively. And, so far they have performed flawlessly, from
only a reliability stand point~! No, I haven't had to shoot anyone in order
to check expansion.

 

[TOADMAN]

Another fan of Speer Gold Dot short barrel ammo...Currently use the stuff in 38/9mm/45acp...

 

[hotpig]

Winchester Ranger T-Series is made to work both in short and full size hand guns.