Some 1911’s can be temperamental with non ball ammo, I’m seeking suggestions.


Currently my 1911’s feed SWC just fine but I’d prefer a factory JHP for carry. Something standard pressure in the 185-200gr range. Not so much 230gr though the Golden Saber in that weight has worked.

Bonus if it can be had in 50rd boxes.

I have a Wilson CQB compact and two Ed Brown 1911s that all do well with Speer 230gr Gold Dots which is what I primarily use in them. They also do well with Federal HSTs which run better in my P220ST. Those would be my top two choices to try in your 1911 and then if neither of those work, I have had good luck feeding Hornady Critical Defense in finicky pistols.

My 1911s use Speer Gold Dots and are happy with them.

My 1911's have always fed any HP I tried without fail. I now use either the 230gr HST or the 230gr Gold Dot. The Gold Dots can be found in either 20 or 50 round boxes, I don't think I've seen HST's in any flavor in 20 round boxes. There is a 200gr Gold Dot if you're trying to stay away from 230's, but it's a +P.

I pretty much settled on 200 gr. bullets, swc for practice and competition and jhp for defense and bowling pins. I loaded them for a velocity of 900 fps. I used Speer HP bullets. I've also run the SIG V Crown 200 gr. with no problems.

Very good, thank you!

Rangers, HST or Gold Dot in that order for me but truth be told all are highly effective.

I have been running the Winchester Ranger RA45TP for decades now



It runs fine in all my 1911s





It also works well in my DI45 AR carbine, my standard USPs and my suppressed USPs



One round for all my 45s