Since the invention and subsequent military adoption of the M1911 pistol, the .45 ACP cartridge has been a staple in the American firearm market. And while the 230-gr. FMJ, or ball, round is probably the most common projectile to top the cartridge, advances in bullet design, particularly in the last couple decades, have given rise to a vast array of offerings. From hardball to hollow points, shooter’s today have quite a selection of performance- and purpose-driven ammunition from which to choose.
For American Rifleman’s Joe Kurtenbach, a pair of 185-gr. offerings from Hornady are among his favorite .45 ACP loads, and in this week's NRA Gun Gear of the Week video he explains some of the benefits of the company’s American Gunner and Critical Defense lines.
Additional Reading:
Understanding Hornady's Critical Defense and Critical Duty Ammo 
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Favorite .45s From Hornady
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Firearm Industry Economic Impact Rises 371 Percent Since 2008
The total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $90.05 billion in 2023, marking a trending increase of 371 percent.
Preview: Aircraft Weapons Of World War One
In a rich collection of images, all organized into chapters highlighting different types of aircraft, armament and ordnance, author Tom Laemlein provides an exciting window into the infancy of aerial combat in Aircraft Weapons Of World War One: A Photo Study Of Aerial Ordnance In The Great War.
New For 2024: Zenith Firearms ZF-56
Zenith Firearms is known for its G3- and MP5-style firearms, but this year, the company is taking the roller-delayed firearm concept to the next level with the ZF-56.
Preview: SME Spot Shot WiFi Spotting Scope Camera
Shooting Made Easy’s (SME) Spot Shot camera is the latest incarnation in a line of devices aimed at digitizing the analog world through a simple, yet effective, enhancement designed for use on traditional field optics.
Gun Of The Week: Kimber KDS9c
Welcome to another American Rifleman Gun Of The Week video, and this time, we’re looking at the Kimber KDS9c, yet another M1911-style handgun that accepts a double-stack magazine.
The Armed Citizen® May 3, 2024
Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
