Question for 1911 guys

[rynokron]

Just picked up a Sig 1911 Carry Nightmare from a guy at work. Never been fired. What bullet weight should I be looking for? I see 180 grain and 220 grain seem to be most popular. My .40 shoots 180's so I'm thinking the 220's. Go big or go home, right? What is a good self defense round? I've heard 1911's can be finicky shooting hollow points? Don't have any experience with a 1911 other than shooting one at the range. All feedback welcome.

[Sportfury]

I have a Sig 1911 Tactical. Only fired the ball ammo (230 grain) through it and it digests it fine. That is multiple brands too. Federal, Remington, Orange box from Sportsman Wharehouse, etc. I haven't tried any other grains, so I can't help you there.

[northwesthunter84]

My Kimber cycles CorBon +P 230 gr like a champ and puts them right where I need them to go everytime.  That being said the 180 gr shoot well too.

[jay.sharkbait]

230gr ball

[Bofire]

try em all, the 45 with 185 grain HPs embarasses the 40 cal guys. 185 at 1150 fps is BADAZZZ, I had old 45s that were a little finicky, my Kimbers and Springers run like sewing machines. 230 grain penetrates. I love the 45.
magazine capacity? 7 on target is better than 12 in the area.
I pick up a 1911 it settles into my hand, like my girl friends....,  :)I like very few double stack guns, I have no time for combo single/double action guns or decockers.
I confess I do have a glock 19 that I kinda use for dirty nasty *censored* that I do not care if it is hurt or rusted or stolen or??, but if I went to war tomorrow a 1911 or two would be with me, and maybe a 357 revolver.
Carl

[Alchase]

Either will do, but which does the gun shoot better?
That is the question I would try to find out.
I would definately be using an expanding hollow point round over ball if you plan on carrying it.
Speer gold dot or Winchester PDX1 230s have ways been good to my guns

[MP123]

My Kimber eats 230gr hard ball all day long.  I've had occasional FTF problems with hollow point designs though, in particular the Fiocchi stuff.  Maybe 1 in 100 won't make the turn into the chamber.  It depends on the bullet design and overall length of the cartridge.  Some .45acp ammo these days seems like it's designed more for Glocks than 1911s.

Be sure to shoot a lot before you pick a carry load.  I feel more comfortable with ball ammo in the 1911 personally.

[DRobnsn]

I have a sig tac ops 1911. Its eaten everything i've thrown in it. FMJ's and hollow points all of various grain never had a FTF. When carrying it, I usually have it full of Remington golden sabre 185 +P's. 

[Rich_S]

try em all, the 45 with 185 grain HPs embarasses the 40 cal guys. 185 at 1150 fps is BADAZZZ, I had old 45s that were a little finicky, my Kimbers and Springers run like sewing machines. 230 grain penetrates. I love the 45.
magazine capacity? 7 on target is better than 12 in the area.
I pick up a 1911 it settles into my hand, like my girl friends....,  :)I like very few double stack guns, I have no time for combo single/double action guns or decockers.
I confess I do have a glock 19 that I kinda use for dirty nasty *censored* that I do not care if it is hurt or rusted or stolen or??, but if I went to war tomorrow a 1911 or two would be with me, and maybe a 357 revolver.
Carl

I agree with Karl - if your gun will feed a 185 gr. HP reliably. All three of my Detonics (Combat Master .45/.451 DM), Street Master .45 and 9-11-01 fire that round with 100% consistency. With the .451 Detonics Magnum barrel, the little 3" Combat Master will fire the 185 gr. HP at 1350 fps using 15 grains of Blue Dot and Magnum primers. I'm told. I don't have the guts to try it.

[C-Money]

I run 230gr in my Dan Wesson. Watch for to open/flat point of a hollow point....my pistol likes a rounder tip hollow point, smaller opening. The big openings with a flatter point dont feed as well in my gun for some reason. Hope that makes sense....

[h20hunter]

I've gota  few 1911's and they all eat everything I feed them. Lower weight hollow points all the way up to some 250gr ball I had for shooting pins. I have some old Winchester Ranger (talons? I think they may have also been called) for carry ammo and in the woods bear hunting I carry 230gr fmj ball ammo.

[300rum]

A well made 1911 should feed just about anything.  Poorly put together 1911's will have trouble.  If you have a 1911 that won't feed hollow points I would get rid of it unless it is just a plinker.  Your pistol should handle hollow points.   

Many problems are mag or maintenance related.  Many of the mags that come with production guns aren't that great.  Buy some Wilson 47d's and change the mag springs every other year or so unless you shoot a lot, then replace them every year. 

Make sure that your pistol is properly lubed and keep it lubed.  1911's like to run wet and it is just better all around for the pistol.  I use a light oil in the winter and a light grease in the summer.  I prefer grease as it doesn't run but in the winter it can slow the slide and produce stoppages.  If you carry next to your body in the winter, the grease will work just fine.  If you leave the pistol in the console of your pickup and it is 10 degrees outside, with grease it may slow the slide to stoppage.

Make sure your extractor tunnel is clean.  If you don't have an extractor tunnel, you don't have a real 1911.   

[rynokron]

Good info, thanks! I'm going to shoot some cheap FMJ's through it first. (230 grain) and get a couple boxes of 230 grain Hydra Shock. Make shure they feed ok and then it's a daily carrier. Going to semi retire the Glock 23. Will only use it when I know it will be nasty. Wet, dust, ect.