45 ACP Range Ammo Review – Speer Lawman vs. Magtech
Kimber Custom II + Magtech + Speer Lawman = A REALLY good time!
Once again the fine folks at Luckygunner.com enlisted our services for an ammo review comparison. This time we got throttled up for some big bore action in 45 ACP which is always exciting when we head to the range for a gun review. Ironically we weren’t even reviewing a firearm this time for a gun review, but we were able to use the formidable Kimber Custom II with 1 Kimber factory magazine and 1 Kimpro stainless 8 round magazine for this particular ammo review. It’s always nice and seems a little more fair for comparison purposes when the gun you’re using is one as nice as this. In fact, this piece is borrowed, but I may have to do a writeup style gun review (non-video) on this one before I send it back because it is one slick cookie and is gonna be hard to let go of! Fortunately it’s not for sale or the wife would be barking at me big time.
With this setup it’s impossible NOT to feel like a crack shot after every trigger pull. CTK Precision’s Compact Shooting rest is comfy, a space saver, and solid as a rock.
I knew accuracy would be well stated as it’s a full 5″ barrel model and the trigger breaks at approximately 5 pounds. For a gun review or ammo review, I don’t care what we’re shooting, if it’s a single action trigger that breaks that light and that short, you know it’s gonna be accurate. Add CTKprecision.com’s compact shooting rest with the pistol post add on to the mix and potential for accuracy goes up even a few more notches.
The ammo we were sent for today’s review is some standard Magtech 230 FMJ and Speer Lawman in the same weight which is supposedly a practice equivalent to their Gold Dot self defense ammunition.For comparison purposes, we shot the same round count in testing accuracy and velocity in both but alternated in the firing on each. What I’m saying is let’s say our Alien Target from VersaTac, Inc has 2 shoot-n-c black dots on it, one high and one low. I started at the bottom expelling the first 7 rounds of Magtech ammo out of the factory Kimber Magazine then moved to the KimPro magazine which was loaded with 8 rounds of Speer Lawman aimed at the top target. After reloading, I then shot 7 of the Lawman out of the factory magazine at the upper target then another 8 rounds of Magtech through the KimPro at the bottom target where the first 7 rounds of Magtech spilled out.
Though it was just a shade slower than the Magtech, The Speer Lawman edged it out in accuracy with Point of Aim being right on the money.
While possibly seeming a little unorthodox for an ammo review, hear me out. By mixing the magazines and sequences up, it forced me as the shooter/tester to keep the same point of am, the same balance, the same breathing, and the same tempo for all 15 rounds tested for each brand of ammo. The barrel wasn’t any cooler, nor the gun any cleaner for either brand of ammo. It essentially helped create a more level playing field. The only thing it wreaked a little bit of havoc on was setting and resetting the chronograph, but it was worth it between mags to help me regain my focus and give the eyes a quick break.
I should also note before showing the velocity results that every shot from each brand was fired at an approximate distance of 20 yards from a steady shooting bench and the aforementioned CTK Precision Compact Shooting Rest. Bringing the sights to center mass on each target time after time with a deep breath between each shot, the Speer Lawman just barely edged out the Magtech in terms of point of aim accuracy. Seeing my shots hit over and over in the center of the target also potentially built up some confidence in me as a shooter possibly aiding in accuracy slightly. The Magtech ammo was consistently about 2″-3″ low to point of aim and gradually right in some occasions too, while the Speer Lawman was dead center on target at our testing distance and varied little from its original course.
Though not on top today, the Magtech pulled a very close second, and at $19.25 a box compared to Speer’s $23.50, we’re sure your few bucks saved here would do well with the “cheaper” stuff.
Here are our velocity Findings:
Magtech – 868 Max FPS – 825 Low FPS – 837 AVG FPS
Speer Lawman – 824 Max FPS – 785 Low FPS – 805 AVG FPS
As you can see, both are made with fairly tight tolerances as the Magtech only varies in velocity at approximately 43 FPS and the Speer varies at just 39 FPS. Though the Speer’s velocity averages 32 FPS slower than that of the Magtech, it’s unrealistic to think that this would have much to do with the improved accuracy. If the difference were more substantial it would seem so, but most likely not in this case. Through all 100 rounds fired (50 from each) we saw ZERO misfires or failures to feed (FTFs). Both brands performed flawlessly and as you can see from the pics the accuracy was great for the distance we test fired at.
Be sure to check out Luckygunner.com’s 45 ACP page for multiple options, configurations and ratings and even more 3rd party reviews on all of their “in stock ammo.”
With these two ammos uprange, poor Bok didn’t have a chance. Check out Versatac, Inc and their great prices on these fun targets.
Original Review: Haus of Guns