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If you carry a lightweight .45 ACP like an aluminum-framed Colt Commander or one of the new SIG Sauer 1911 Ultras, you probably have already learned that some .45 ACP loads—especially 200- and 230-grain loads—can be uncomfortable to shoot in these lighter handguns. And, when some loads are fired from these shorter .45 ACP barrels, they lack the impact velocity to reliably initiate proper expansion. That's not the case with the 185-grain Federal JHP load. It will reliably expand from short-barreled pistols and recoil is not uncomfortable. With 1.5 times expansion and 11 inches of penetration, this load has merit for defensive use.
| Load | Handgun | MV (fps) | PEN (inches) | EXP (inches) | RW (grains) |
| .45 ACP Federal 185-grain JHP | Colt Commander (4.25-inch barrel) | 973 | 11.0 | .70 | 171 |
