What PD ammo for Kimber Ultra CDP II?

[HighVelocity]

Finally replaced the Officers model that I regretfully sold many years ago with a Kimber Ultra CDP II w/ internal extractor.
My carry ammo regardless of which 45 has been Winchester Ranger T 230gr non +P in Allum frames and +P in steel frames.
This little Kimber has an Alluminum frame and the recoil spring setup feels pretty light.
In the interest of saving time and ammo, I'd like to know what folks that own the same pistol have had the best luck with.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[fastbolt]

I haven't had the opportunity to shoot the new little Kimber Ultra CDP, although I've briefly handled and shot one of the earlier Ultra Ten II (internal extractor).

As with many diminutive 1911-type based pistols, that pistol seemed to almost exhibit a preference for who was shooting it. In the owner's hands ... a rather large, very strong individual, FWIW ... the pistol didn't exhibit perfect reliability when being fired with our standard W-W 230gr loads. In my hands, however, it seemed to function just fine with the same ammunition. Another instructor made the same observation regarding the pistol's functioning when being fired by the owner and the other instructor, too.

If it were me, I'd also restrict my ammunition to standard pressure loads in that little pistol. I'd also make sure I replaced the magazine & recoil springs as recommended, too. I tend to replace the mag & recoil springs in my little .45's sooner than most folks.

Then I'd try some of the different defensive ammunition marketed by the major makers, and decide upon whatever bullet weight & design suited me among those that exhibited reliable functioning in the new pistol.

Pretty much what you probably did with the Officers the first time, right?

Personally, I happen to like the standard pressure RA45T for their folded petal design which protects the nose cavity during feeding & chambering, as well as the leading edge of the lead core during expansion. My next choices are either Gold Dots or non-bonded Golden Sabres.

Lots of good designs and product lines out there in the current ammunition market, though ...

Whatever happens to suit you for functional reliability in your new pistol, while you're shooting it, is the primary consideration, however ...

My Officers ACP happens to feed anything I've ever tried, although it's been modified and tuned just a bit.

I had to really resist the urge to buy a new Colt Defender when I ordered my stainless XSE Government, or the 4.25" SW1911PD when I decided upon a SW1911Sc 5" ...

The little .45's have an appeal, especially for CCW/off-duty usage, especially when incorporating polymer & aluminum frames ... but I've already got an Officers, a CS45 and a 4513TSW to cover that inclination ... for now.

The .45GAP-chambered G39 is sort of interesting, but I'm content to wait until it's been wrung out a bit in actual "market-place" shooter's hands for a year or so ...

Congrats on the new pistol ...

 

[scbair]

Well, I own 2 Kimber Ultra Carry models; one OLD blued version and one CDP. I carry the CDP everywhere I can comfortably pack anything larger than my .38 snub (or if I'm going to or through a higher-risk area, such as the local mall at nighttime, regardless of comfort factor).

Here's what I've heard: Some aluminum frames have been "scarred" in the feed ramp area by sharp-nosed HPs. I know the gilding metal in the bullet jackets should be softer than the aluminum in the firearm, and I repeat: I have not personally seen this; just something I've seen in some forums.

Here's what some combination of experience and common sense tell me:
(1) Both of my CDPs are sighted dead-on at 25 yards with standard 230 gr. factory loads.

(2) Both of my CDPs have proven 100% reliable with 230 gr. factory fodder (after some "tweaking" of the slide release on the CDP, to eliminate premature slide-lock), with nearly 1,000 rounds fired through each of them.

(3) 230 grain bullets are gonna be pretty hard to throw fast enough to expand out of a 3" barrel, regardless of the HP configuration, and lighter-weight high-velocity loads (such as 185 gr. +Ps) are likely to require some filing/drifting of the sights.

So, here's my choice:

Premium quality 230 gr. FMJ factory fodder (Federal or Speer, typically). Reliability & accuracy advantages far outweigh possible increases in the terminal performance. They're still big, heavy slugs; delivered to CoM, I'll trust them as much as I'll trust any handgun round.

 

[sundance43.5]

Natchez still had some of the old Speer "Flying Ashtray" rounds. They are Blazer 200gr. Hollow Points. The disadvantages are the aluminum case and they have been known not to feed reliably in certain guns. However, if you try some in your Kimber and they work, it would be a great carry round.

Otherwise, I would go with any 185 or 200 gr. hollow point. +P is worthless for .45 in my opinion. You are just subjecting you and the gun to unneeded recoil and pressure.

 

[Ala Dan]

In Shorty .45's

I've had good luck with Hornady's new 200 grain T.A.P. JHP's. The shape of the JHP bullet is conducive to proper feeding.