45defensive ammo for short barrel pistols

Thinking of getting a 45 shield ..
I have good amounts on hand of the following ammo ....

Winchester Ranger .45 ACP 230 Grain
HST 230 grain
Hornady Critical Duty .45 ACP 220 Grain +P


I use them for my M&P 45 and HK45 ,, not sure what's a good round for short barrel 45's.
Even if I have to get another brand that's fine.
Thanks for any info ..... it would be much appreciated.

All have good results, I've seen .45 HST work well and would recommend it as it's still a widely used duty round.

If I understand the OP, he is asking about performance of .45 acp in shorter barrels, which is interrelated to how much velocity is lost in that caliber with shorter barrels. I am interested in any velocity numbers in .45, for different barrel lengths, as it may influence my thinking about the benefit of a threaded (and longer) barrel in the HK45C and USP FS.

In general, HST will work adequately in 3.5" or longer barrels, as will the all copper Barnes bullets.

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Originally Posted by DocGKR

In general, HST will work adequately in 3.5" or longer barrels, as will the all copper Barnes bullets.

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I believe the .45 caliber Shield has a 3.3" barrel. Not sure if or how significant the 0.2" is.

Generally speaking, looks like not much difference in velocity between 4 and 5 inches, but significant reduction between 4 and 3 inch barrels.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GJM

If I understand the OP, he is asking about performance of .45 acp in shorter barrels, which is interrelated to how much velocity is lost in that caliber with shorter barrels. I am interested in any velocity numbers in .45, for different barrel lengths, as it may influence my thinking about the benefit of a threaded (and longer) barrel in the HK45C and USP FS.

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This
"performance of .45 acp in shorter barrels"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DocGKR

In general, HST will work adequately in 3.5" or longer barrels, as will the all copper Barnes bullets.

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Thanks !

There are very few situations where I would envision a sub 4" barrel .45 Auto being superior to a similar small size 9 mm; for example, I'd much rather use a 9 mm Shield than a .40 or .45 version...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GJM

If I understand the OP, he is asking about performance of .45 acp in shorter barrels, which is interrelated to how much velocity is lost in that caliber with shorter barrels. I am interested in any velocity numbers in .45, for different barrel lengths, as it may influence my thinking about the benefit of a threaded (and longer) barrel in the HK45C and USP FS.

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I did some chronograph testing out of a 6½" Hoag longslide, a 5" Gov't Model, and my roommate's Star Firestar, which has a 3¾" bbl, if I remember right...