Is .45 ACP Even Effective From a G30, G30s, etc.

[Race]

I think I read somewhere a good while back, written by DocGKR, that .45 ACP doesn't reliably expand from shorter barrel lengths, such as the G30 (at the time). I may be remembering something wrong, but I think it was he that wrote that.

With the interest some are showing in the newly announced G30s, I'm wondering if it's a case of diminishing returns due to the barrel length?

Anyone have any light they can shed?

[D.S. Brown]

I'm no ballistician, but if I was using a G30, G30S, or any short barreled .45, (say 3.5 inches or less), I would be inclined to go with a lighter slug in say a 185 grain and/or a 200 grain weight. However, I think Speer make Gold Dot Ammo in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP specifically for short barreled handguns to address the concerns of possible expansion issues. I honestly don't know how successful any of it is/was. The reason that I'm even aware is that I contemplated using a .40 caliber 180 grain version of said ammo when I used a Glock 27 as a back up to my Glock 23's.

Best,

Dave

[BuckskinJoe]

I'm wondering if it's a case of diminishing returns due to the barrel length?

In other posts by Doc Roberts, the answer is "no." The barrel of the full-size Glock 21 is only 3/4" more than the subcompact Glock 30.
Robust performing ammunition still performs robustly in slightly shorter barrels.

[ClearedHot]

In other posts by Doc Roberts, the answer is "no." The barrel of the full-size Glock 21 is only 3/4" more than the subcompact Glock 30.
Robust performing ammunition still performs robustly in slightly shorter barrels.

Quality .45ACP defensive ammo should have a decent expansion window. IIRC, the Glock 30 only gives up about 30-40fps to the Glock 21 due to the shorter barrel. Negligible difference.

[RHINOWSO]

I don't want to be on the receiving end of it!

[Redstate]

My G36 (same barrel as G30) is putting out Winchester Ranger T 230 at at average of 850 fps according to the 2 different chronos I have used. I would think that it work work just fine.

[BufordTJustice]

If you employ a 230gr +P Gold Dot or a Federal HST 230gr...you'll be more than fine.

EDIT: The 200gr Gold Dots have shown that they are not reliable expanders in Doc's previous tests. The 200gr +P GDHP is my agency's issue duty round and it is H-O-T. The 230gr HST feels much more mild in recoil.

[ST911]

On the topic of HSTs...

Note that there are two 230 HSTs in 45ACP. The P45HST1, a +P at 950fps/5", and P45HST2 @ 890/5". The former is pretty warm. It might regain some of the velocity loss in the G30, but I'm not sure it's worth it.

[S. Galbraith]

HST are probably the best JHP you can get right now, and they do tend to run a little on the hot side. It has a MUCH more thick copper alloy jacket that any other bullet design on the market(gives it more strength), and with the expansion cuts in the ogive it expands well across a wide spetrum of velocities. Now, some of the older bullet designs "might" have some trouble with expansion out of a G30, but either way you still have a flat point .45 caliber bullet which is a nice place to be.

[BBMW]

Closest thing I can find to a test of the .45 HST out of a G30.

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...g-federal.html