rmeron

Is there any advantage to hollow points vs.full metal jacket in my Taurus PT145 with a 3"barrel?I've heard that hollow points out of short barrels don't always expand.

Reborn

I would rely first on shot placement. I wouldn't want to be shot with a .45 of any kind myself; 3" barrel or longer. But I would carry hollow points anyway just in case I could get any expansion on it.

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bmcgilvray

They don't always expand from longer barrels either. Expansion is gravy but isn't the "do-all and end-all" of handgun effectiveness. A well placed shot with a .45 is about as good as it gets with a handgun and poor hits won't cut it. Only my view but I'd be happy and confident to have your pistol loaded up with 230 grain bullets in the event of a self-defense need and I wouldn't fret about expansion either. If it happens, great! If not then it's still a .45.

dukalmighty

I shoot federal HST+P 230 grn JHP bullets out of a 3.5" barrel I'm pretty sure they will expand as they are suppose to if the hollowpoint becomes plugged from clothing drywall etc. and it doesn't expand then I got a FMJ round I prefer to carry a round that more likely than not will expand,if your not sure about expansion shoot into a wetpack of newspapers and rtetrieve the bullet I bet it expanded

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rmeron

Thanks for the replies,that's what I thought,but it's nice to know I wasn't alone in my thinking.

Chevy-SS

I have small pocket .45 and the ball ammo feeds better, very smooth. The JHP rounds would FTE every now and then, plus a JHP would just feel rough when I hand-cycled in the first round. The ball ammo makes me much more comfortable with pocket carry and now I usually carry with empty chamber - as I am so confident that the ball ammo will cycle first round properly. I practice draw and cycle quite a bit and never had any problems loading the ball ammo.

I really love the intimidation factor of the .45 muzzle, it's noticeably larger than a 9mm. Hopefully, that alone would deter a BG and no shots would need to be fired, as I have absolutely no ambition to ever fire a gun in anger.

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friesepferd

Speer gold dot makes rounds specifically for short barrels. they are made to get up to the velocity needed to expand in 3 inches. thats what i use. they are great.

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dukalmighty

If you pull a gun you better be ready to shoot,don't expect a BG to be intimidated by a gun he will probably just shoot you first,especially since you have to take the time to chamber a round in the barrel before you can shoot,

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1911packer

dukalmighty is right. Unless you are completely prepared mentally to pull the trigger should the need arise, you are better off not carrying a firearm. Many street thugs have already been shot once, and most of them will not be intimidated in the least by someone with a gun.

I have no desire to shoot anyone, but I would not hesitate to use deadly force to stop a threat on my life.

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Chevy-SS

I agree, however, I believe I am fully capable of pulling the trigger, but I will first seek to AVOID the situation at all costs.

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