Defense ammo for 1911 ronin

[Lex_Talionis]

My 4.25" Ronin 45acp was, at the time of purchase, the most expensive handgun gun I ever bought as well as the most expensive firearm of any kind I ever bought. Its been the worst gun I've ever had. I sent it back after 500 rounds because it would not "break in" and kept failing to feed fmj ammo while shooting and while racking slide. They did the feed ramp polish and whatever else, I forget. It continued to fail to feed and it went back again. The did some more and ignored my request for a stronger recoil spring. It continued to fail to feed fmj ammo while shooting and racking slide. I had not even tried hollow points yet. I had just over 1,000 rounds and 78 failures to feed (I kept notes) when it went back a 3rd time. I asked them to specifically put in a stronger recoil spring. They did not do that, but after the 3rd return it ran well enough to actually enjoy shooting at the range, but not well enough for me to want to carry it. It did not fail to feed or jamb in any way (while shooting) but still did fail to feed when racking the slide. I have over 1,900 rounds in it and still question its reliability. I suspect the extractor had issues and is in better shape after the 3rd return. I bought an 18 and 20 lb recoil spring and the 18 lb helped a lot. It runs mostly well now, including hollow points. While not perfect, I think the stronger spring compensates for the slight extractor imperfection. I'm going to try the 20 lb at some point because it will occasionally fail to feed if I sling shot it like I do my striker fired guns. It won't jamb if I use the slide lock so I always do it that way. That experience kept me from buying the Prodigy (which I still considered) since it also had issues. My primary HP ammo is 230 Grain Winchester Ranger T and the +P version of it. I also run 230 Grain Federal HST and Remington Golden Saber. I hear the Golden Saber's do very well but I believe the other two open up better so I still stick with them. All this said, if your having issues, I strongly suggest trying a stronger recoil spring and send it back as many times as it takes (with the 16 lb spring back in it) and keep an eye on the extractor.

 

[Pitdogg2]

Tune the extractor. If it will not hold a round under the extractor while locked back it needs additional adjustment until it does.
I have ran wolff recoil springs religiously in my 1911's. In my Kimber Rapide 1911 10mm I was getting beat up with the 20lb spring it came with. Looking at the Wilson's site I was intrigued by the flat coil recoil springs. They even went to 26lbs. So My original Kimber 1911 in 45acp came with a full length recoil guide rod, So I tried that in my 10mm to see if it would help, it didn't.
I decided to do away with the full length guide rod and go with the flat coil springs with the appropriate sized government style guide rod for the flat coil springs in both.
So ordered springs for both the 45acp and the 10mm, 20lb for the 45, 26lb for the 10mm.
Even though it's the same weight spring in the 45 the flat recoil spring made a huge difference. The 26lb flat recoil spring in the 10mm has now tamed the beatings my hand was taking. I can now shoot it all day long with zero fatigue. Prior to the 26lb spring, after about 100 rounds my hand was way too sore to continue shooting anything in my right hand.
In the 45 the impulse is softer even though it is the same 20lb weight spring as before.
I hope they never stop making them because I'm going to keep buying them. Supposedly they last three times longer than a regular round recoil spring. I'll find out here in short order I'm sure. It is not unusual for me to shoot 3 or 4,000 rounds out of my 1911 45acp. I know now I'll damn sure shoot more rounds out of that 10 mm. It now shoots as soft as my XDM-Elite 3.8" 10mm. That speaks volumes!

 

[Lo-Profile]

9mm or 45acp?

My Ronin Commander is a .45acp. It's fed Golddot 230gr, HST 230gr, Hornady Critical Duty 185gr and Golddot 185gr. My usual carry load is the HST though. I have some Hornady Critical Duty 185gr, but haven't really tested it as much yet. I have a variety of different manufacturers of 230gr fmj which are good range ammo. Out of the box my Ronin was good to go w/ no ramp polishing required (my 9mm Garrison needed some work, but my 45acp Garrison was good to go).

If your Ronin is a 9mm, Golddot 124 and 147gr or HST 147gr are my choices.

Remington Golden Saber are my 45 ACP go to .... The rounded bullet profile makes then feed well. My preference is 200g but they're getting hard to find. Have had good luck with the 185g and 230g

 

[Pitdogg2]

These two have been my go to lately. They have fed fine in everything I own in .45acp

Barnes TAC-XPD 45 ACP +P Ammo 185 Grain Barnes TAC-XPD Solid Hollow

Barnes TAC-XPD ammunition is optimized for carry and home defense use. Loaded with the popular Barnes TAC-XP bullet it is designed to deliver top...

www.midwayusa.com

Winchester USA Ready Defense 45 ACP Ammo 200 Grain Hex-Vent Jacketed

Winchester USA Ready Defense ammunition is a select grade of ammunition and components, designed for personal defense. Made in the USA, it offers the...

www.midwayusa.com