.45 ACP

About this caliber

.45 ACP (.45 Automatic) is a large-diameter centerfire handgun cartridge with a long history in self-defense and target shooting, known for a heavy bullet at modest velocity.

Commonly used for

Self-defenseHome defenseRange / targetCompetition

.45 ACP is a classic American pistol cartridge that fires a large, heavy bullet at relatively low velocity, producing a distinctive 'push' style of recoil that many shooters find manageable in a full-size handgun. It has a long-standing reputation for self-defense and is also popular in target and competition shooting. Ammunition is widely available, though typically more expensive per round than 9mm, and magazine capacity tends to be lower for a comparably sized pistol. It suits shooters who prefer a larger-caliber handgun and do not prioritize maximum capacity or the lowest ammunition cost.

General information about this caliber — not a recommendation for this specific firearm.

Load	Type	Purpose	Grain	Velocity	Energy
Aguila Target & Range	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
ARMSCOR USA	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	849 fps	368 ft·lb
ARMSCOR USA	JHP	Defense	230 gr	825 fps	352 ft·lb
Atomic Pistol	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1225 fps	616 ft·lb
Atomic Pistol	JHP	Defense	230 gr	1000 fps	510 ft·lb
Barnes Bullets TAC-XPD Defense	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1100 fps	497 ft·lb
Browning Ammo FMJ	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Buffalo-Barnes	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1150 fps	543 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Personal Defense	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1150 fps	543 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Personal Defense	JHP	Defense	200 gr	1200 fps	639 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Personal Defense	JHP	Defense	200 gr	1050 fps	490 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Standard Pressure	JHP	Defense	200 gr	1000 fps	444 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Personal Defense	WC	Defense	225 gr	1100 fps	604 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Standard Pressure	WC	Defense	225 gr	950 fps	451 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Personal Defense	JHP	Defense	230 gr	950 fps	461 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Outdoorsman	LRN	Defense	255 gr	925 fps	484 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Personal Defense	LRN	Defense	255 gr	1000 fps	566 ft·lb
Buffalo Bore Ammunition Standard Pressure	LRN	Defense	255 gr	850 fps	409 ft·lb
CCI Blazer	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	845 fps	365 ft·lb
CCI Blazer Brass	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Home Defense	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1200 fps	591 ft·lb
Federal Syntech	JHP	Defense	205 gr	970 fps	428 ft·lb
Federal Syntech	JHP	Defense	205 gr	970 fps	428 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle IRT	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	850 fps	369 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle Syntech Range	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
Federal Premium	JHP	Defense	230 gr	950 fps	461 ft·lb
Federal Premium	JHP	Defense	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal Premium	JHP	Defense	230 gr	900 fps	414 ft·lb
Federal Premium	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal Punch	JHP	Defense	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics	JHP	Defense	200 gr	890 fps	352 ft·lb
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics	JHP	Defense	230 gr	850 fps	369 ft·lb
Fiocchi Hyperformance	JHP	Defense	230 gr	900 fps	414 ft·lb
FORT SCOTT MUNITIONS Tumble Upon Impact (TUI)	—	Defense	180 gr	989 fps	391 ft·lb
G2 Research R.I.P	JHP	Defense	162 gr	960 fps	332 ft·lb
G2 Research Civic Duty	JHP	Defense	164 gr	1020 fps	388 ft·lb
Hornady American Gunner	JHP	Defense	185 gr	970 fps	386 ft·lb
Hornady Critical Defense	SP	Defense	185 gr	900 fps	411 ft·lb
Hornady Custom	JHP	Defense	200 gr	900 fps	360 ft·lb
Hornady Critical Duty	SP	Defense	220 gr	975 fps	464 ft·lb
Hornady Custom	JHP	Defense	230 gr	950 fps	461 ft·lb
LEHIGH DEFENSE Xtreme Defense	—	Defense	135 gr	1250 fps	468 ft·lb
Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense	JHP	Defense	78 gr	1900 fps	600 ft·lb
Liberty Ammunition OverWatch	—	Defense	105 gr	1600 fps	597 ft·lb
Magtech Range/Training	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	837 fps	358 ft·lb
Nosler Assured Stopping Power	JHP	Defense	185 gr	980 fps	395 ft·lb
Nosler Assured Stopping Power	JHP	Defense	230 gr	850 fps	368 ft·lb
PMC Bronze	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
PMC Bronze	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb

PPU Defense	JHP	Defense	185 gr	935 fps	359 ft·lb
PPU Handgun	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	836 fps	357 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Golden Saber	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1015 fps	423 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Golden Saber	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1140 fps	534 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Golden Saber Bonded	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1015 fps	423 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition HTP	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1000 fps	411 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Ultimate Defense	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1015 fps	423 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition UMC	FMJ	Defense	185 gr	1015 fps	423 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Golden Saber	JHP	Defense	230 gr	875 fps	391 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Golden Saber Bonded	JHP	Defense	230 gr	875 fps	391 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition HTP	JHP	Defense	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition UMC	JHP	Defense	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition UMC	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition UMC	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Sellier & Bellot XRG	JHP	Defense	165 gr	1148 fps	483 ft·lb
Sellier & Bellot Handgun	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	853 fps	372 ft·lb
Sellier & Bellot Handgun	JHP	Defense	230 gr	889 fps	404 ft·lb
Sig Sauer Elite Performance	JHP	Defense	200 gr	918 fps	374 ft·lb
Sig Sauer Elite Ball	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
Sig Sauer Elite Performance	JHP	Defense	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
SINTERFIRE INC Special Duty (SD)	FRG	Defense	155 gr	—	—
Speer Ammo Gold Dot	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1050 fps	453 ft·lb
Speer Ammo Gold Dot	JHP	Defense	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Speer Ammo Gold Dot	—	Defense	230 gr	950 fps	461 ft·lb
Speer Ammo Gold Dot	JHP	Defense	230 gr	820 fps	343 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Xtreme Defense	—	Defense	135 gr	1335 fps	534 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Xtreme Defense	—	Defense	135 gr	1240 fps	461 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO ASP	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1300 fps	694 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO XTP	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1200 fps	592 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Sporting	JHP	Defense	230 gr	1000 fps	511 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Silvertip	JHP	Defense	185 gr	1000 fps	411 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Defender	JHP	Defense	230 gr	920 fps	432 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Defense	230 gr	865 fps	382 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	JHP	Defense	230 gr	855 fps	373 ft·lb
CCI Pest Control	—	Hunting	120 gr	1100 fps	322 ft·lb
DoubleTap Ammunition Hunter	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	1000 fps	510 ft·lb
Federal Premium	WC	Hunting	185 gr	770 fps	244 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal Champion	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	845 fps	365 ft·lb
Federal Premium	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	860 fps	378 ft·lb
Federal Premium	LRN	Hunting	240 gr	1000 fps	533 ft·lb
Hornady Subsonic	JHP	Hunting	230 gr	925 fps	437 ft·lb
Nosler Assured Stopping Power	JHP	Hunting	185 gr	980 fps	395 ft·lb
Nosler Assured Stopping Power	JHP	Hunting	230 gr	850 fps	368 ft·lb
PMC Bronze	JHP	Hunting	185 gr	900 fps	333 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Xtreme Penetrator	—	Hunting	200 gr	1000 fps	444 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Underwood Ammo 727 45ACP+P 255gr Hard Cast Flat Nose 20 Per Box/10 Case	LRN	Hunting	255 gr	925 fps	485 ft·lb
UNDERWOOD AMMO Underwood Ammo 728 45ACP 255gr Hard Cast Flat Nose 20 Per Box/10 Case	LRN	Hunting	255 gr	1075 fps	654 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Hunting	185 gr	910 fps	340 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Hunting	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
ARMSCOR Precision	FMJ	Target	230 gr	849 fps	368 ft·lb
Atomic Match	WC	Target	185 gr	900 fps	333 ft·lb
EAA Green Tracer	FMJ	Target	225 gr	—	—
EAA Red Tracer	FMJ	Target	225 gr	—	—
Federal BallistiClean	FRG	Target	155 gr	1130 fps	—
Federal American Eagle Syntech Action Pistol	FMJ	Target	220 gr	795 fps	309 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle	FMJ	Target	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal American Eagle	FMJ	Target	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal Champion	FMJ	Target	230 gr	845 fps	365 ft·lb
Federal Champion	FMJ	Target	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal Range & Target	FMJ	Target	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Federal Syntech	FMJ	Target	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Magtech Range/Training	WC	Target	230 gr	780 fps	311 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Range	FMJ	Target	230 gr	835 fps	356 ft·lb
Remington Ammunition Subsonic	FMJ	Target	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
Speer Ammo Lawman	FRG	Target	155 gr	1130 fps	436 ft·lb
Speer Ammo Lawman	FMJ	Target	230 gr	830 fps	352 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Super Clean	FMJ	Target	160 gr	1100 fps	430 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Super Suppressed	FMJ	Target	230 gr	850 fps	369 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Target	230 gr	875 fps	356 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo USA	FMJ	Target	230 gr	880 fps	395 ft·lb
Barnes Bullets VOR-TX	JHP	—	185 gr	1060 fps	462 ft·lb
CCI Pest Control	—	—	—	—	—
CCI Blazer	JHP	—	230 gr	—	—
CCI Blazer	FMJ	—	230 gr	—	—
DoubleTap Ammunition Snake Shot	—	—	—	—	—
DoubleTap Ammunition DoubleTap Ammunition 45A160XM 45ACP 160gr Lead Free Hollow Point 20 Per Box/50 Case	JHP	—	160 gr	1050 fps	392 ft·lb
EAA Green/Red Tracer	FMJ	—	225 gr	—	—
Federal Punch	JHP	—	230 gr	890 fps	404 ft·lb
Fiocchi CovertX	JHP	—	230 gr	875 fps	—
GRIZZLY AMMO (RINTOUL) Grizzly Ammo GC45A2 45ACP 230gr Jacketed Hollow Point 20 Per Box/10 Case	JHP	—	230 gr	1000 fps	511 ft·lb
GRIZZLY AMMO (RINTOUL) Grizzly Ammo GC45A+P8 45ACP+P 230gr Jacketed Hollow Point 20 Per Box/10 Case	JHP	—	230 gr	1000 fps	511 ft·lb
Hornady Hornady 90933 45 ACP +P 160 gr MonoFlex 20 Per Box/ 10 Cs	—	—	160 gr	—	—
Hornady Critical Defense	SP	—	185 gr	—	—
MaxxTech Brass Pistol	FMJ	—	230 gr	853 fps	—
Wilson Combat Wilson Combat LA45170CF 45ACP 170gr 20 Per Box/10 Case	—	—	170 gr	1050 fps	416 ft·lb
Winchester Ammo Silvertip	—	—	185 gr	—	—
Winchester Ammo USA 250th	FMJ	—	230 gr	—	—

.45 ACP

Firearms chambered in .45 ACP · 196

Ammunition in .45 ACP · 140

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