Who Makes .45 ACP Ammo?

Who Makes .45 ACP Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes .45 ACP ammo today. The .45 ACP is a long-standing pistol cartridge that sees use with civilian and armed professionals alike. This cartridge is utilized in a variety of platforms such as pistols or subguns by various end users for many use cases. Today we are going to delve into a brief overview of the cartridge while highlighting .45 ACP ammunition manufacturers and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes .45 ACP ammo.

What is .45 ACP?

The .45 ACP, or .45 Automatic Colt Pistol, cartridge is the brainchild of prolific firearm designer John Moses Browning. Originally developed in 1904, the cartridge is closely associated with the 1911 pistol, an iconic service pistol chambered in .45 ACP. Beyond its use in handguns, the cartridge is well-known for being used in submachine guns such as the Thompson and M3 “Grease Gun.” The .45 ACP notably served the United States and allied nations throughout both World Wars and in many of the conflicts throughout the 20^th century. The cartridge is primarily used in semi-automatic and fully-automatic firearms. Because of this fact it is shorter than many of the cartridges which preceded the .45 ACP such as the .38 Special and .45 Colt. While it is shorter than some of the rounds that came before it, it is longer and larger than other cartridges intended for use in automatics such as the 9mm and .40 S&W. Generally speaking, most .45 ACP loadings will feature a stout yet manageable recoil impulse. This is due to the fact that the larger projectiles of the cartridge are traveling at subsonic velocities. These factors make .45 ACP recoil more akin to a rearward push as the snappy muzzle rise associated with higher velocity rounds is not present.

What Firearms Use .45 ACP?

There are many firearms chambered in .45 ACP on the market. A majority of the firearms chambered in this cartridge are going to be in the form of semi-automatic handguns. These types of firearms are available in a variety of forms, styles, and configurations. This is to say that one can encounter .45 ACP pistols optimized for use cases such as duty, home defense, concealed carry, and sporting use. There are many pistols in the caliber which feature threaded barrels, allowing for users to employ suppressors. Shooters can also find a wide range of pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) and subguns chambered in .45 ACP. Firearms of this type are also available in various styles and designs. Purchase .45 ACP Ammo

What is .45 ACP Used For?

Today, shooters employ .45 ACP ammo in a variety of use cases. Potential use cases range from specialized use cases to broader purposes and recreational shooting. Specific use cases are supported by specialty .45 ACP loadings which feature specific projectiles and traits conducive to a given purpose. Presently, many shooters utilize .45 ACP for training and recreational purposes, often opting to use target loadings and general-purpose ammunition. Of course, as with many calibers, many employ .45 ACP ammunition in defensive capacities. This is to say that the cartridge has been used for everything from duty and patrol to home defense. In short, .45 ACP ammunition continues to be employed by shooters for various purposes over a century after its introduction.

Who Makes Target/General Purpose .45 ACP Ammo?

There are many companies that produce target/general purpose .45 ACP ammo. These types of loadings generally feature full metal jacket (FMJ) or total metal jacket (TMJ) projectiles with lead cores. Loadings of this type can often be found in weights ranging from 185 to 230 grains. Ammo of this type is often found with either brass or aluminum casings. As general purpose loadings, .45 ACP ammunition of this type is good for many uses. Shooters can employ .45 ACP ammo of this type in recreational purposes in addition to purpose driven training and competition use cases. Federal, CCI, Sellier & Bellot, Winchester, and PMC are among the manufacturers of .45 ACP ammo. Of course, these companies only represent a drop in the bucket as far as .45 ACP ammo producers go. At this point in time, many producers of centerfire handgun ammunition offer .45 ACP ammunition of this type.

Who Makes Defensive .45 ACP Ammo?

There are many companies who produce defensive .45 ACP ammo. Ammunition of this type will generally be found in jacketed hollow point (JHP) form. Most defensive .45 ACP ammunition offerings utilize traditional hollow point projectiles while others feature unique and exotic projectiles. For example, Hornady and Federal loadings feature unique projectiles which are optimized for self-defense. Projectiles from these companies feature non-traditional projectiles which are further optimized for uniform and consistent expansion. Loadings of this type also tend to feature things such as sealed primers and casings to protect loadings from the elements. Further protections come in the form of plating, often nickel, present on projectiles and casings which also promote lubricity and reliable feeding. Federal, Winchester, Hornady, Barnes, and Speer produce defensive .45 ACP ammo.

Who Makes Specialty .45 ACP Loadings?

Specialty .45 ACP ammo is produced by many ammunition manufacturers. These types of loadings can be found in forms optimized for things such as competition, training, or even handgun hunting. These loadings feature traits which set them apart from traditional and more conventional loadings. This can often be observed when it comes to the use of certain materials. Lead-free loadings which feature alternative materials such as steel, copper, or tungsten are considered specialty items. Lead-free loadings in the caliber are often used for handgun hunting and training. Frangible ammunition is popular among .45 ACP users as they are good for training with steel targets as they eliminate the risk of ricochets. Underwood, Federal, Hornady, Barnes, and Buffalo Bore are among the producers of specialty .45 ACP ammunition. Purchase .45 ACP Ammo

Is .45 ACP Ammo Expensive?

As with all calibers, gauges, and ammo offerings of any type, pricing is contingent upon the specifics of a given loading. The cost of materials and labor ultimately come into play when it comes to ammunition as well. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. In light of this, it is fair to say that general purpose/target .45 ACP ammo is cheaper than purpose-built loadings for self-defense. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Like most gauges, one can expect to encounter bulk .45 ACP ammo options for many loadings. When compared to other handgun calibers such as 9mm and .40 S&W, .45 ACP loadings tend to be a bit pricier. While .45 ACP loadings can be more expensive than other handgun loadings, deals do exist and some loadings have low price tags. In short, .45 ACP ammo can be pricy depending on the particular loading one is after or when compared to other calibers in some cases.

Is .45 ACP Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, shooters will encounter a wide range of .45 ACP ammo on the market. The aforementioned companies represent just a few of those who produce ammunition of this type. Due to its prolific nature, .45 ACP ammunition is present at most places where ammo is sold. Generally speaking, most ammunition sellers tend to have some selection of target/general purpose or defensive .45 ACP ammo available. Additionally, one can opt to shop for ammo online and effectively expand their potential .45 ACP ammo offerings. If one elects to buy .45 ACP ammo online, one can easily track down and purchase their favorite loadings as they are not limited by local stocks.

Conclusion

All in all, the .45 ACP is well-supported by the industry with loadings being offered by many manufacturers. With loadings tailored for a variety of use cases such as recreation, training, and self-defense, shooters can truly find a loading best for their intended use. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of .45 ACP ammo for sale in addition to the rest of our ammunition inventory. Beyond .45 ACP ammunition, we also carry popular calibers and gauges such as 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy .45 ACP ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.