I just don’t get it 
I went to the gun shop to pick up some defensive ammo for my new glock 30sf and all they had were some 165gr or 185gr choices. What on earth is the point? Why wouldn’t I just get a .40 if I was interested in those weights? When I asked if he had any 230gr hollow points of any brand/variety, he looked at me like I was stupid and said “don’t get many requests for those…” Really?
185s aren’t too bad… 165 seems way light.
What are you doing buying defensive ammo in a gun store anyway? That’s what the interwebz are for. 50 round boxes of Gold Dots or Ranger Ts…:neo:
I was running errands in the area…
I’ve never even loaded 165’s. Do you remember what brand they were by chance?
Sorry I don’t. They were recognizable brands, but not one of the biggies (Speer, hornady, Winchester, etc)
I’ve seen a few odd ball weights in .45ACP over the years. The person weirdest was a box of some special hollow point a friend of mine had which was a 115gr, yes 115gr, hollow point that was like looking down a brass champagne flute. I have no idea what it was for or who made it, but it was definitely something that got your attention. Me, if its .45ACP then its going to be a 230gr loading, for defensive use a 230gr+P loading, at the moment its Hornady though on my next ammo order I am thinking of picking up a couple hundred rounds of Ranger T.
I hunted and kill 200lb Deer with Rem +P 185 JHP out of a P220 solid chest shots were very effective. Relaxed deer fell instantaneously.
I concur with Mark and others. The 185 grain stuff isn’t bad, but I’ve never picked up anything lighter than that. Can’t really see a reason.
Honor First
H
The 165’s in the 45 if loaded to their potential are going about 100 fps faster than they are in the 40sw. But they penetrate a lot less due to less sectional density. I prefer 230 grain standard pressure HST’s in my 45’s.
Pat
Another vote for the Ranger T here.
This just might be my “old foggie” thinking but…if its not 230gr it might as well be a 40s&w…at least then you get more capacity. And buying ammo or asking about in a gun store is probably the worst place to buy and or get factual information on anything. They are there for one reason only…to sell you stuff. No mater what the cost.
Federal makes 165 gr loads for the 45ACP. One a Hydra-shok and the other something called the Guard Dog designed to not over penetrate.
I use Hornday 185 XTP or Speer 185 GD out of my G21. Its reliable and I’m accurate with it. For me and my Glocks that load is the best. Me and my USP worked best with 200gr ammo. 1911’s loved 230’s. I basically find the ammo that is the most reliable AND accurate of the bunch.