SD ammo recommendations

[Sailormilan2]

Any recommendations for SD ammo for 1911 Commander style pistol with an untapped barrel.
I'm actually mounting a Commander slide & barrel on an Essex made Detonics sized frame.

[4949shooter]

I might go with Hornady 155 grain XTP in a smaller 1911.

[sgtbones]

175 gr Winchester Silver Tips.

[DM1906]

Keep it simple. Choose any of the SD ammo available from mainstream manufacturers (Win, Rem, Hornady, Federal, etc.), and shoot a couple hundred of them. More is better. This is necessary to verify confidence in your pistol, and yourself with it. Repeat often. That's 1% of the equation. Don't worry so much about ammo choice. The grand picture is so big, any of them will do their job, if you do yours. If you are carrying 10mm, your are already (likely) wielding a lot more whoop-ass than your adversary. Don't worry about the mule, just load the wagon.

[The_Shadow]

I would feel confident with most any JHP offering, but from what I have seen from the SIG V Crown and it's performance vs price it would be a great choice.

Being a handloader I can duplicate the performance for my practice loadings and that builds some proficiency and what to expect.   

[sqlbullet]

Some decry the practice,  but I carry hand loads.  If I were to buy enough to practice with kids would go hungry.  Plus, my carry loads for several years were double tap head stamped starling and buffalo bore also star line markings.

Now I load in new Starline brass using Nosler 135 or 200 grain slugs.

[DM1906]

I, too, carry handload SD ammo. I am familiar with the caveats, but my bottom line negates any of that. I have less confidence in mass produced products than my own, meticulously crafted end-product. I use 100% all new components, so they aren't "reloads", by any definition. However, that was not the question asked, and I do not suggest anyone carry anything but the best the commercial market can offer. We cannot assume everyone is equally competent as we are (or the question would not be asked). Also, I DO NOT consider boutique ammo manufacturers among them. Self defense is too critical, with too much at stake. Boutique ammo, such as BB, UW, and the like, is good for specific needs, but too many variables remain. Commercial ammo may be less "powerful", but reliability and consistency is all that matters, in this situation. We aren't talking about hunting, but being hunted.

[The_Shadow]

DM1906, I concur, as over the years some of us have been involved and participating in various forums over the years, we have been exposed to many facets of the 10mm guns and ammo used as reported.  Many issues have been documented that can be attributed to ammo performance and some with catastrophic results.

It is why I enjoy doing the pull-down documentations to see what is making them go bang or possibly boom!  We can see where the advertised data doesn't add up to the real world performance in many instances.  The "Boutique Manufactures" have had to deal with supply and demand of components just like us and this has led to out of stock or changes in components, formulations, powders, etc.  The aforementioned UW, BB and DT all made their way trying to sell people the highest velocity performance possible while trying to maintain quality and people bought into that.  Now the shift is to exotic projectiles with various compositions and materials with a price to match.  Some are down right "Gimmick ammo"!

Handloading is such a rewarding hobby and these days I spend some time daily trying to help others understand the processes.  I have seen so many want to push for the highest velocities, rather than highest reliabilities and accuracy.

Your firearm can be compared to a sewing machine, if it gets dirty, it can foul up, if you use the wrong thread, it may not give the desired results, if you use the wrong settings, wrong oil or a dull or wrong needle it just will not work.

It is why I say, know and understand your firearm, this includes the ammo being used and studying the spent brass as well.  As seasoned handloaders we naturally inspect for these things, looking for cause and effect issues!  If someone sees something and are unsure ask questions...we are glad to suggest things to help you.

Be safe and proficient!

[sqlbullet]

I agree too.

One comment about "boutique" ammo.

At the time I purchased those they were the only ammo on shelves in my area for 10mm  None of the "major brands" was represented.  It was literally the only non-handloaded ammo available at the time.

If you have reservations about what SD ammo to use, then call your local PD and ask what they carry.  Find the same/similar bullet from the same brand in your caliber.  Hard to persecute someone for picking the same defensive ammo police use.

If you are considering handloading your own SD ammo, read.  A ton.  Both sides.  Consider how meticulous you are about loading, record keeping, etc.

Above all, pray to whatever flavor of deity you prefer that you will never use that ammo for it's intended purpose.

[Geeman]

When the g20 goes out in public, there are two mags of Underwood 165g Gold Dots ready to run. 

I don't shoot them much in practice and I have loads that "feel" the same.  Hand loads are more economical, for sure, and I'd feel comfortable running them too, with the same bullet.  I have yet to have one of my hand loads go "click" instead of "bang".

My CZ2075 in 9mm are loaded with Critical Defense.  The reason is even when the pistol was brand new and tight, it never failed to fire/feed, and some others would hang up every once in a great while.  Since the pistol has broken in, it eats everything without hickup, but I'm absolutely confident in the CD ammo and will keep that as primary.

A lot has to do with that confidence.  If, God forbid, you ever actually need to turn a weapon on another human, the need to run correctly is necessary.  My life depends on it.

Greg

[DizzyDean]

175gr. Winchester Silver Tips would be a good bet if you don't load your own. Underwood or Double Tap 165 or 180gr bonded hollow points(gold dots) would also be good I'd think. From the ballistics tests Ive seen those seemed to do consistently well with big wound cavities and good expansion as well as deeper penetration.

[HammersD]

Any ammo brand and grain size that functions reliably in that particular pistol.  My G20 eats everything, but the Hornady 180 XTPs always go bang, have decent power and less recoil than a high impulse pill, so follow ups are more accurate.  the 180 xtps should still be like getting hit with two 9mm bullets and hurt really badly.  The plus is I always can find them in stock somewhere, even when the shelves were bare for most common calibers over the last few years.

[DAVIDF]

Georgia Arms 180gr Gold Dots in my 20 and will be in my wife's 20 when we pick it up on Saturday and of course test it thoroughly with that ammo. I have found that load to be extremely reliable no matter how lightly I grip my 20. Higher recoiling loads require a slightly firm grip to be completely reliable.

The Georgia Arms load is priced reasonably at $31 per box of 50 or 1000 rounds is $610 with free shipping.

[Dave84]

I'd say Sig v-crowns, Underwood 165 grain Gold Dots and 180's. Doubletap with the same weights. Last and not least the HPR 180 gr xtp. About 1270 fps. Recoil isn't bad. Put 250 through a G20, 29, EAA Witness fullsize and a Match. Totally reliable.

[tommac919]

I carry the 175gr Win Silvertips....  was lucky to get a good number of boxes when they were around alot.

Not worried about carrying reloads which I can make hotter.   

But Win ST is a good bullet with decent speed and just at the start of hot range. It's works flawlessly in my g20 and allows me a quick accurate second shot.
To me the second shot/shot placement is more important than the speed/power..... fiq if I have to / can legally  shoot him once, twice is better ( or till he stops ).