. I also do my own informal testing. What I have found over the years is that the 45 had some issues with hard barrier penetration, and the hollowpoints clogged and they didn't expand. Over the last 10-15 years, the ammo companies have been been addressing this issue and most of todays bullets are designed with the thought that they will defeat barriers and still expand and penetrate. One of the main tests is to shoot the bullets through 4plys of denin into ballistic gel. They look to see if the bullet clogs and fails to penetrate/overpenetrate. Often the bullet will clog with cloth and fail to expand and then overpenetrate. These tests, developed by the FBI prefers 12 inches of penetration in bare gel and after barriers. It is the position that this will ensure that the bullet will be able to penetrate to the vitals. I have carried the 45, but prefer a different caliber due to the penetration on certain barriers. However, with the recent developments, there are bullets that I do prefer for the 45 and carry in my 45. I prefer bonded bullets and homogeneous bullets. There are a few non bonded bullets I do like, such as the XTP for hunting. Usually, I can duplicate the findings of the test results from the LEO and labs in my tests. Sometimes, I can't, but this is how I make my decisions on what bullet gives me a warm feeling. Once, I have a few bullets that meet the FBI test standards and meet my testing, then I test them in "MY GUN" for reliability, accuracy, recoil impulse, splits etc. The load I carry in my 45 is the barnes all copper bullet. It is loaded by corbon as the DPX. There are a few other companies loading them as well. It is the 185 gr +P. All the different "camps" in the ballistic community seem to agree on this bullet. It is penetrating and expanding in most all barrier situations and does not clog. Since it is all-copper there is no issue with the jacket separating and it seems to retain 100% of its weight. Since, sometimes this site deletes long posts, I will post and then continue.
Cheers, Steve
