Defense ammo for 1911 ronin
- Thread starter Don Wood
- Start date
Old_Me
SAINT
9mm or 45 ACP?
9mm Federal HST 147gr
45acp HST 230gr or Rem Golder Saber +p 185gr
45acp HST 230gr or Rem Golder Saber +p 185gr
9mm or 45acp?
My Ronin Commander is a .45acp. It's fed Golddot 230gr, HST 230gr, Hornady Critical Duty 185gr and Golddot 185gr. My usual carry load is the HST though. I have some Hornady Critical Duty 185gr, but haven't really tested it as much yet. I have a variety of different manufacturers of 230gr fmj which are good range ammo. Out of the box my Ronin was good to go w/ no ramp polishing required (my 9mm Garrison needed some work, but my 45acp Garrison was good to go).
If your Ronin is a 9mm, Golddot 124 and 147gr or HST 147gr are my choices.
My Ronin Commander is a .45acp. It's fed Golddot 230gr, HST 230gr, Hornady Critical Duty 185gr and Golddot 185gr. My usual carry load is the HST though. I have some Hornady Critical Duty 185gr, but haven't really tested it as much yet. I have a variety of different manufacturers of 230gr fmj which are good range ammo. Out of the box my Ronin was good to go w/ no ramp polishing required (my 9mm Garrison needed some work, but my 45acp Garrison was good to go).
If your Ronin is a 9mm, Golddot 124 and 147gr or HST 147gr are my choices.
HansGruber
Ronin
And, as always, I’ll give the unpopular, but correct answer.
Whatever you find that feeds reliably in your pistol.
What feeds in other people’s pistols—even if the identical model as yours—is no guarantee that it will feed in yours.
What were you using that failed?
Whatever you find that feeds reliably in your pistol.
What feeds in other people’s pistols—even if the identical model as yours—is no guarantee that it will feed in yours.
What were you using that failed?
Bassbob
Emissary
This for sure. I will say though that the HST, Punch and Gold Dot recommendations are likely to work just fine. I've not had any failures with any of those in any of my pistols. Even a finicky old Llama 1911.
HansGruber
Ronin
The two rounds that I’ve found that have always fed in 1911’s—at least .45–are 230gr HydraShok and 230gr Golden Saber.
HayesGreener
Ronin
I am an advocate of Hornady Critical Defense 220 gr in .45acp for carry ammo, but you don't want to shoot a lot of it in practice due to cost. I have been shooting a lot of PMC 230 grain ball on the range and it functions very well in my 1911's and Sig P220.
rcurtner
Professional
I mostly agree with what has been said. My personal choices in 45ACP are Fed 230 HST +P & Speer 200, 230 Gold Dots. I like to think most high quality ammo will do the job. Reliability is most important. I'm sure there are many web sites that cover choices for any number of different calibers & brands. I personally like Lucky Gunner labs. They have spent a lot of money and time on ballistics for a wide variety of ammo.
LarryT
Elite
The projectile itself is a major contributor to feeding problems. Crimped hollow points are often a problem, as is an unpolished feed ramp. An often-overlooked problem is the recoil spring (especially if you have a high round count on you 1911. Before dropping a load of cash on different rounds for testing measure the spring tension (weight) and compare it to spec. For the price of a box of defensive ammo you can purchase a new spring.
Old_Me
SAINT
Update:
i took my Glock G-30 (my back up ccw, as well as my home defense) and shot off the "older" 45 ACP, 165 gr, Federal HST.
that must have been maybe at least 1 year old.
my large LGS had no 45 ACP HP in stock, especially Federal HST, which i prefer.
the only 45 ACP (in Federal HST) that i could find was online from TargetSports
anyway, I got Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical HST 230 gr. HP, and ran at least 10 rounds
the G-30 ran great with these. but i only ran the 10 rounds, then took the gun home, cleaned, lubed, and loaded up 2-10 round mags (our state limit capacity).....so i have a few left, until maybe next year, when i shoot them off to be rid of them for new/fresh ones.
cost was $37.00 woulda been $34.00 if i was a member, but i ain't cryin' over the cost.
i took my Glock G-30 (my back up ccw, as well as my home defense) and shot off the "older" 45 ACP, 165 gr, Federal HST.
that must have been maybe at least 1 year old.
my large LGS had no 45 ACP HP in stock, especially Federal HST, which i prefer.
the only 45 ACP (in Federal HST) that i could find was online from TargetSports
anyway, I got Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical HST 230 gr. HP, and ran at least 10 rounds
the G-30 ran great with these. but i only ran the 10 rounds, then took the gun home, cleaned, lubed, and loaded up 2-10 round mags (our state limit capacity).....so i have a few left, until maybe next year, when i shoot them off to be rid of them for new/fresh ones.
cost was $37.00 woulda been $34.00 if i was a member, but i ain't cryin' over the cost.
LarryT
Elite
I first got the Target Sports membership several years ago. Each Jan. I estimate my ammo needs for the year and place an order. I save more on shipping this way than what I pay for the membership. During the year I watch for sales, and when combined with the already free shipping gives me a nice savings.
Old_Me
SAINT
i had given thoughts to membership, but i don't buy too much ammo online, unless my LGS cannot get any in for a while.
LarryT
Elite
Even with my employee discount, my LGS often cannot compete with Target Sports. My January purchase is calculated to cover the membership cost based on shipping savings. It's not the only ammo I purchase during the course of a year.
Old_Me
SAINT
well, i reload my own, so buying ammo for me isn't a huge thing.
my LGS has sales through out the year as well...