Help with Ammo Selection?

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  • phrog
    Veteran Member
    • Jul 2005
    • 1796
    • Chattanooga, TN, USA.

    Help with Ammo Selection?

    A relative wants some ammo for Christmas. Is 45 Auto and 45 ACP the same thing. He has a Springfield Armory replica of the 1911 Colt 45 (military issue). What ammo am I to buy? Really confused. Thanks.
    Richard
  • sailor55330
    Established Member
    • Jan 2010
    • 494

    #2
    I am by no means an arms specialist, but I do have some knowledge. As far as I know, both the .45 auto and the .45 acp are the same. I believe ACP stands for "automatic colt pistol". Since you reference a 1911, I "think" you should be fine, but I do not own a .45 so you might want to check with a reputable gun dealer to be safe.

    Good Luck and sorry I wasn't of more help.

    Comment

    • Bill in Buena Park
      Veteran Member
      • Nov 2007
      • 1865
      • Buena Park, CA
      • CM 21829

      #3
      I own a 1911 replica .45 - and the ammo labeled .45 auto and .45 ACP is the same. There are differences with other .45 ammo, however, such as the .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol). This is a helpful chart: http://www.genitron.com/Basics/Commo...gun-Cartridges
      Bill in Buena Park

      Comment

      • durango dude
        Senior Member
        • Mar 2011
        • 934
        • a thousand or so feet above insanity
        • 50s vintage Craftsman Contractor Saw

        #4
        .45 ACP is the 45 caliber automatic colt pistol ----- or 45 Auto.

        Since ammunition is almost (99.99 percent) never returnable ---- I'd suggest a gift certificate. Even if you get the caliber correct ----- there's many many different varieties of ammunition. (most shooters use FMJ - or Full Metal Jacket for targets).

        Bass Pro --- Cabela's ----- are two great sources.

        45ACP is NOT cheap ammo ---- hold on to your hat.

        Comment

        • phrog
          Veteran Member
          • Jul 2005
          • 1796
          • Chattanooga, TN, USA.

          #5
          Thanks Sailor, Bill, and Dude. I didn't realize that ammo is usually non-returnable. So, I guess a gift certificate is in order. Thanks to all.

          Bill, very good link, BTW.
          Richard

          Comment

          • Black wallnut
            cycling to health
            • Jan 2003
            • 4715
            • Ellensburg, Wa, USA.
            • BT3k 1999

            #6
            Did he specify what ammo he wanted or what he wanted it for? .45Auto = .45ACP as you have already heard. If he is just a plinker "cheap" FMJ might be just what he wants.
            Donate to my Tour de Cure


            marK in WA and Ryobi Fanatic Association State President ©

            Head servant of the forum

            ©

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            • capncarl
              Veteran Member
              • Jan 2007
              • 3564
              • Leesburg Georgia USA
              • SawStop CTS

              #7
              I agree with the gift certificate, as was mentioned, full metal jacket, if you bought a lead bullet round, his barrel could lead up in a hurry. Requiring a good barrel cleaning.

              Comment

              • Hellrazor
                Veteran Member
                • Dec 2003
                • 2091
                • Abyss, PA
                • Ridgid R4512

                #8
                45auto = 45ACP

                Plinking = FMJ
                Self Defense = JHP

                Comment

                • phrog
                  Veteran Member
                  • Jul 2005
                  • 1796
                  • Chattanooga, TN, USA.

                  #9
                  I was with everyone until I got to "JHP." Don't know that one?
                  Thanks to all.
                  "JHP" Junior High Prom?
                  Richard

                  Comment

                  • capncarl
                    Veteran Member
                    • Jan 2007
                    • 3564
                    • Leesburg Georgia USA
                    • SawStop CTS

                    #10
                    JHP = jacketed hollow point. (That's the good stuff)
                    capncarl

                    Comment

                    • Hellrazor
                      Veteran Member
                      • Dec 2003
                      • 2091
                      • Abyss, PA
                      • Ridgid R4512

                      #11


                      Here is some info.

                      Comment

                      • SHADOWFOX
                        Veteran Member
                        • May 2005
                        • 1232
                        • IL, USA.
                        • DELTA 36-675

                        #12
                        Agree with the gift card recommendation especially if he did not specify whether the ammo is going to be used for plinking or if it is for home/self defense. Or, you can always buy him a box of FMJ & a box of JHP, that way you got it covered. If you are going to buy ammo recommend staying with ammo that has brass casing. Stay away from steel case ammo, especially if it is going to be a gift.
                        Chris

                        "The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth." -Pierre Abelard 11th Century philosopher.

                        Comment

                        • capncarl
                          Veteran Member
                          • Jan 2007
                          • 3564
                          • Leesburg Georgia USA
                          • SawStop CTS

                          #13
                          I purchased my father a box of .357 Glazer slugs for his revolver. It's been a number of years ago, but I remember a box of 10 cost around $25. The bullet in them is mfg,d in several pieces, assembled and cast in a glass casing, making the bullet strike near fatal but the bullet would not penetrate several layers of drywall. A great home defense present! My father used them for target practice on cans, and asked me if I had my more. Nope, that's all you get.

                          I'd still recommend a gift card, that way the shooter realizes how much each shot costs.

                          capncarl

                          Comment

                          • Black wallnut
                            cycling to health
                            • Jan 2003
                            • 4715
                            • Ellensburg, Wa, USA.
                            • BT3k 1999

                            #14
                            Proper .45 auto cast bullet loads will not noticeably lead a barrel. How do I know you ask..... I once shot lots. Often several hundred in each range session and it was mostly cast lead. I'd sometimes shoot in excess of 500 rounds between cleanings and even then there was no barrel leading. ....45 auto is a low pressure cartridge at modest velocity a combination that prevents lead buildup.

                            However the reason I would recommend FMJ is autos are sometimes picky about ammo. Shooter errors make them moreso. A gift certificate will allow the shooter to buy what he is already using if it is available. I've not bought factory in years and have heard of ammo shortages which if there is one that changes the game a bit.
                            Donate to my Tour de Cure


                            marK in WA and Ryobi Fanatic Association State President ©

                            Head servant of the forum

                            ©

                            Comment

                            • capncarl
                              Veteran Member
                              • Jan 2007
                              • 3564
                              • Leesburg Georgia USA
                              • SawStop CTS

                              #15
                              Black Walnut, a shooting buddy loads all of his .45 using mostly wheel weight lead and carnival BBs ( I had never thought about carnival BBs being lead). He has to buy a percentage of Linotype lead to get the proper mix to prevent barrel leading. I use to buy bulk .44 mag and .44 special at gun shows. The cowboy loads were the cheapest and my favorite until the ammo crunch came about, yes, there is absolutely an ammo shortage. In the final days of cheap ammo I believe what we were buying was imported, or had imported bullets because it would lead up so bad it would be hanging out the end of your barrel. Cheap ammo is all gone now though, I found several 100 round bags of .44 at a show earlier this year, unjacketed, and against my better judgement bought it anyway at .50 cents per round. A lot of shows I've been to lately no .44 is avaliable at all, none. That goes for other calibers as well! All of the bulk loaders that occupied 10% of the table space as shows are gone as well.
                              capncarl

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