Does .45 ACP Expand from a G30?

[Glock17JHP]

Agree that function is very important. I want a hollow point load as close as possible to standard .45 ACP 230 grain FMJ @ about 830 fps as far as the same bullet weight, near the same velocity, and similar bullet profile where it contacts the feed ramp and chamber. So far, I am thinking Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .45 ACP or Federal HST .45 ACP, as mentioned above.

BTW, I shot it recently with Winchester 230 grain FMJ, and function was flawless, recoil was no worse that a full-sized 1911, and accuracy was good, even at long distance (100 yards). It was very pleasant and fun.

I know, replying to myself looks strange, but I wanted to redirect to my last post...

After some research, speaking to others, and crunching numbers... I purchased a quantity of .45 Auto 230 grain Federal HST (P45HST2) for my Detonics Combat Master .45 Auto with 3.5 inch barrel. According to a very reliable source, this load still expands reliably from shorter barrels, even as short as 3.5 inches. I intend to water test this HST load in my Detonics.

Of interest, I expect, here are some of the numbers I got from my research/number crunching (P45HST2):
Federal HST average velocity from 5" barrel is 895.5 fps
Federal HST average velocity from 3.5" barrel (calculated estimate) should be 819.75 fps
3.5" barrel velocity is estimated to be about 91.5% of 5" barrel velocity

Based on all of these "calculated estimates", I only expect an 8.5% velocity drop when firing P45HST2 from a 3.5" barrel instead of a 5" barrel.

I intend to test this by firing this load from my 3.5" Detonics and also a 5" 1911.

[revchuck38]

FWIW, standard pressure 230-grain HST went 869 fps from the 4" barrel of my M&P45 Compact. I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle on this; different lots of ammo and different barrels introduce variables that influence velocity. You're in the right ballpark.

[the Schwartz]

FWIW, standard pressure 230-grain HST went 869 fps from the 4" barrel of my M&P45 Compact. I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle on this; different lots of ammo and different barrels introduce variables that influence velocity. You're in the right ballpark.

Absolutely.

The only way to know what a specific type or lot of ammunition will do in a specific gun is to fire it from that specific gun.

[Glock17JHP]

FWIW, standard pressure 230-grain HST went 869 fps from the 4" barrel of my M&P45 Compact. I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle on this; different lots of ammo and different barrels introduce variables that influence velocity. You're in the right ballpark.

That fits my data...

From 2008...
6" barrel 897 fps
5" barrel 895 fps
4" barrel 865 fps
3" barrel 787 fps
2" barrel 754 fps

From 2015...
5" barrel 896 fps
4" barrel 838 fps
3" barrel 789 fps

Not getting wrapped around the axle, just trying to calculate velocity loss by barrel length reduction.

[Glock17JHP]

Absolutely.

The only way to know what a specific type or lot of ammunition will do in a specific gun is to fire it from that specific gun.

Correct, that is why I intend to test P45HST2 in 3.5 and 5 inch pistols with my water test tank.

[Joe Mac]

Chrono results today from a new gen 5 G30:

50 degrees, light rain
Pro Chrono Ltd @10'

HST 230
High 847
Low 818
Avg 832
ES 29
SD 9

HST 230 +P
High 875
Low 840
Avg 858
ES 35
SD 10

These were 10-shot strings. A negligible average difference of 26 fps, with a negligible difference in recoil as well. If you handed me mags of either at random, I'm not sure I'd be able to reliably pick the +P. Both are noticeably warmer than AE or Lawman ball, but easy to handle in the G30.

[revchuck38]

A negligible average difference of 26 fps, with a negligible difference in recoil as well. If you handed me mags of either at random, I'm not sure I'd be able to reliably pick the +P. Both are noticeably warmer than AE or Lawman ball, but easy to handle in the G30.

When I chronoed standard velocity and +P in my M&P45 Compact, the velocity difference was 27 fps and I couldn't really tell the difference in perceived recoil either.

[Bucky]

Chrono results today from a new gen 5 G30:

50 degrees, light rain
Pro Chrono Ltd @10'

HST 230
High 847
Low 818
Avg 832
ES 29
SD 9

HST 230 +P
High 875
Low 840
Avg 858
ES 35
SD 10

These were 10-shot strings. A negligible average difference of 26 fps, with a negligible difference in recoil as well. If you handed me mags of either at random, I'm not sure I'd be able to reliably pick the +P. Both are noticeably warmer than AE or Lawman ball, but easy to handle in the G30.

I remember comparing these two rounds in my early gen 3 (or gen 2.5 as some like to call it). I remember a noticeable recoil difference. In fact the only time I ran the so called 9 round magazine with 9+1, only the +P round could cycle the first round, due to how tight the. Magazine / rounds were pushing up on the slide.

After the above incident, I declared those magazines 8 rounders, and everything works fine.

[revchuck38]

I remember comparing these two rounds in my early gen 3 (or gen 2.5 as some like to call it). I remember a noticeable recoil difference. In fact the only time I ran the so called 9 round magazine with 9+1, only the +P round could cycle the first round, due to how tight the. Magazine / rounds were pushing up on the slide.

After the above incident, I declared those magazines 8 rounders, and everything works fine.

My M&P45s run fine with 10+1, even with my hardball-equivalent handloads. My reload magazine has only nine rounds in it because it requires a really hard smack to seat it with ten, and if I need to reload, I don't need that noise.

[Bucky]

My M&P45s run fine with 10+1, even with my hardball-equivalent handloads. My reload magazine has only nine rounds in it because it requires a really hard smack to seat it with ten, and if I need to reload, I don't need that noise.

My so called Glock 9 round mags were so hard to get that 9th round in, we (yes we) had to push the magazine against a wall. You’d never seat that under stress.

The only other factory the magazine I’ve declared less than advertised is the Shield Plus “13” round magazine. They are 12 round magazines.

I’ve run an M&P .45 in a few matches. They do seat tight. Downloading the reload mag is a wise move.