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
Making a Match-Ready M1 Garand
For decades, fans of the M1 Garand have gone to Camp Perry to shoot the John C. Garand match, a test of their shooting skills and rifles. Here, one M1 Garand enthusiast prepares his rifle and ammo for the shoot.
Will the USPS Allow Handguns to Be Mailed?
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on April 2, 2026, published a proposed rule that would permit the mailing of lawful handguns through the U.S. mail for the first time in nearly a century.
The Trijicon AccuPoint 1-8x24 mm: A Flexible Optic for Dangerous Game Hunting
Trijicon is probably best known for its military and law-enforcement optics, but the company is also serious about its commercial line of riflescopes designed for hunting.
U.S. Army Bases Will No Longer Be Gun-Free Zones
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced this week that U.S. Army bases will no longer be gun-free zones.
Gun of the Week: CZ Shadow 2 Carry
One of the latest concealed-carry handguns to hit the consumer market is the CZ's Shadow 2 Carry. Watch our "Gun of the Week" episode to see the details of this carry-oriented design.
The Armed Citizen® April 3, 2026
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
