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
![Auto[47]](/media/121jogez/auto-47.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=770&height=430&rnd=134090788010670000&quality=60)
Auto-Ordnance Remembers Iwo Jima Fallen With Special M1 Carbine
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Auto-Ordnance teamed up with Altered Arsenal to create a specially crafted version of the M1 carbine.
Preview: The Ruger 10/22 Complete Owner’s And Assembly Guide
Scott Duff Publications is renowned for its authoritative titles containing detailed information on iconic military and commercial firearms.
Henry Introduces Two New Special Products Division Rifles: The CRUSR & PREDATOR
Henry Repeating Arms' Special Products Division expanded its offerings with two new rifles in the fall of 2025, the CRUSR and PREDATOR lever-actions.
Preview: Duracell 3000L Tri-Power Lantern
The company renowned for its Coppertop batteries now offers a high-tech take on traditional camp illumination.
Gun Of The Week: Colt Kodiak
The Kodiak, introduced in 2024, is based on the company’s iconic Anaconda design, which was brought back to the market in 2021.
The Armed Citizen® Dec. 12, 2025
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
Member's Hunt: The ‘Do-It-All’ Lab | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- St. Louis County Police Department Adopts Springfield Armory Echelon Pistol | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Azimuth Technology Surpasses Major Gun-Parts Manufacturing Milestones | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- U.S. Army Purchasing Additional Mossberg 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns | An Official Journal Of The NRA
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
