[Disposable Heart]

Not sure about a "growing number" but there are many people that carry ball in .45. While not as effective as JHP, it does give more than adequate penetration, will be more effective against barriers and can be cheaper to stockpile. I hot load my ball up to roughly 950 fps (thank you HP38) and load it occasionally when I am on a road trip. Other than that, usually a JHP (Sierras or XTPs). Heck, one of my favorite loads (I would like to carry, but unsure of performance against a bad guy) is a 250gr LRN going about 700 fps (Viht 3N37).

I think a resurgence in .45 HAS been prevalent lately, not only after the ban passed (the ban really got people back into 1911s due to mag capacity) but also in general. I cant explain it. I see a lot more younger guys like me getting into the ol'Slabsides and its great. Many are listening to their elders who may have fought in the service with the 1911, and learned that ball in .45 is just as effective as anything else (which it can be). Unfortuantely, after talking to many of these guys, they are also taught that .357 mag will crack an engine block, dum dum bullets work, all cop cars have nitrous and that .22 mag will penetrate a vest. The .45 ball effectiveness is a story that is true and proven, but usually combined with a lot of BS (usually heard from someone's "uncle who was a cop" or a "state trooper"). Be very careful in taking advice from others.

Keep in mind, for every story of a one shot stop with .45 ball, there are a few contrary ones. There was someone on The High Road that was an officer that responded to someone shot in the chest 4 times with .45 ball and lived a healthy life afterward. Believe half of what you see, none of what you hear.