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
Rifleman Review: Taurus 850 Revolver
One of Taurus' latest offerings is the 850, which builds on the company's earlier 650 design, providing the same shrouded-hammer design in a .38 Special-only chambering.
Review: Staccato HD P4.5
Combining an exclusive pistol design with a ubiquitous magazine makes the Staccato HD P4.5 practical and desirable.
Skills Check: Rifle Standard Gold
Here’s how to improve your close-range carbine handling.
Caracal USA Awarded Government Contract in the Bahamas for CMP9K
Caracal USA announced it would be supplying its CMP9K platform to various government agencies in the Bahamas.
The Short Life of America’s Anti-Tank Rifles
At the dawn of mechanized warfare, the U.S. Military contended with the reality that infantrymen would need an effective arm to defeat tanks. Their idea? Bring more gun.
Springfield Armory's XD Mod.4 OSP: Anything But Basic
For nearly 25 years, Springfield Armory has offered its affordable and reliable XD series of handguns, and for 2026, that design has now entered its fourth generation with the Mod.4 OSP.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
