[Guyfromohio]

I am looking forward to picking up my brand new VBOB this morning. After putting it through enough rounds for us to learn about each other, I'd like to find a defensive round that the VBOB will function reliably with. I know the right answer is "the one that works for that gun" and I'm prepared to do that. However, how about helping a guy spend a little less by letting me know what does and doesn't work for YOUR VBOB. If I could narrow it down to maybe four or five choices instead of a dozen, I could spend $125 instead of a few hundred. Thoughts? What has your VBOB shot well and what haS it choked on. My mileage may vary of course, but I like a good starting place. Thank you in advance!

 

[NDL]

Speer Lawman and Gold Dot have the same loads and ballistics - know one and you know both as a shooter. The Speer Lawman is less expensive because it has a FMJ ball bullet and appropriate for range work - while the Gold Dot is designed for defense. Practice with the Lawman and rely on the Gold Dot.

Both are clean burning, reliable and quite accurate.

 

[navarchjd]

I use several variants of the Barnes copper hollow point. It is offered in 185g from several high end manufacturers, Wilson, Branes, and Black Hills. All work flawlessly in my V Bob with just over 1000 rounds through it, around 150 of the copper hollow point the rest 230g FMJ from Remmington

 

[Guyfromohio]

Thanks guys!

For some clarification, I don't reload .45 yet, so I'm just looking for factory options.

 

[tc215]

We are issued 230 grain Gold Dots at work, and that's what I run in mine. No issues.

We were briefly issued 230 grain +P Hornady Critical Duty ammunition. It would not feed reliably at all in my VBOB.

 

[Guyfromohio]

We are issued 230 grain Gold Dots at work, and that's what I run in mine. No issues.

We were briefly issued 230 grain +P Hornady Critical Duty ammunition. It would not feed reliably at all in my VBOB.

Great to know! Exactly what I'm looking for. I run critical duty in my 9mms, so that would have been my first trial purchase. You just saved me $25 or so.

 

[tc215]

Great to know! Exactly what I'm looking for. I run critical duty in my 9mms, so that would have been my first trial purchase. You just saved me $25 or so.

I think if you stick with standard pressure, 230 grain ammo, you'll be fine. I think the Hornady doesn't work because of the shorter slide, and increased slide velocity from the +P. Neither my VBOB or .45 Guardian would feed it, but it does fine in my Specialist.

In addition to the Gold Dots, I've also run 230 grain Remington Golden Sabers through the VBOB with no issues.

 

[Razorback10mm]

I just know that WIN1911 230 grain JHP factory ammo has been running great through my Valor with the supplied DW magazines !

 

[Burgs]

I've got a little over 1200 rounds through mine. It feeds everything. I've run mixed mags of lead SWC, ball, light and heavy JHP - it just doesn't care.

 

[Range Dancer]

I too use Speer Lawman and Gold Dots in my VBOB. Found out early on that the Lawman rounds feed fine in the checkmate mags but the Gold Dots would take a nose dive when trying to chamber.

Then, I picked up some (8R-45-RG) Tripp Cobramag magazines for my .45 VBOB and, so far, they are simply perfect for my application.

Sure nice to have a flawless operating pistol....

 

[Dean C.]

My VBOB is partial to Federal HST. But it has fed everything I have fed it so far including ultra hot MagTech rounds.

 

[44fred]

I've bought Gold Dots from Underwood on a couple of occasions, good ammo. Check internet prices for Gold Dots, they vary greatly.

 

[Guyfromohio]

Great responses! I brought the gun home today and am astounded at the quality of this thing. I'm going to shoot it tomorrow and see how it does. I was a little concerned that the weight would be an issue for carry, but I might be wrong. Just for kicks, I slid it into my P30 Crossbreed and it just disappeared in it. I'm really thinking I might transition over to this as my true carry gun. Will need some range time to get to know her a little first and get some muscle memory with the safety.

 

[NDL]

Great responses! I brought the gun home today and am astounded at the quality of this thing. I'm going to shoot it tomorrow and see how it does. I was a little concerned that the weight would be an issue for carry, but I might be wrong. Just for kicks, I slid it into my P30 Crossbreed and it just disappeared in it. I'm really thinking I might transition over to this as my true carry gun. Will need some range time to get to know her a little first and get some muscle memory with the safety.

If your V-Bob is with Duty Treatment, read the STICKY: CLP, Duty Treat , & lube
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=468545

If it's stainless, use ball ammo for the first 500 rds, run wet with the supplied lube or FP-10 and clean every 50 rounds.

Good luck!!

 

[ShipWreck]

I just sold my VBOB recently - but when I had it, it functioned 100% with Federal Hydrashok 230 gr

 

[LBZ]

Federal HST here.

 

[Guyfromohio]

Just put my first 200 through the VBOB. It's all stainless, no duty-treat. Blazer brass 230gr ball. No issues whatsoever. Shot 50, cleaned it, got it wet, shot 150 more. Used 2 DW mags and 2 7-rnd Colt mags.

 

[NDL]

Just put my first 200 through the VBOB. It's all stainless, no duty-treat. Blazer brass 230gr ball. No issues whatsoever. Shot 50, cleaned it, got it wet, shot 150 more. Used 2 DW mags and 2 7-rnd Colt mags.

You're on a roll!
Congrats.

 

[Guyfromohio]

Just bought some HST to try out. No Gold Dot in the shelves. I'm sure I was robbed, but I happened to have been burning some time at Field and Strean while my wife was shopping.

 

[Guyfromohio]

230 gr HST were flawless through it. I shot the box of 20 before shooting another 100 ball. I'll try a few others as well, but so far, so good.

As a note, I did have my first and only failure. It was on my last round of shooting (rnd 320), using an 8-rnd stock DW magazine. Round took a nose dive. I wonder if the spring in the mag is still too strong.