[archy]

My recommendation is any Gold Dot that is of a high velocity (1100+fps), 40 or 45 cal. For 45 that would mean a 180gr, and for 40 a 155gr. I carry the 40 in 155 gr.

I hope the handgun in which you're using it has a full-length 5-inch barrel if you're hoping to get that 1100 FPS out of it. You certainly won't get that from a Colt Officers Model/Star PD length barrel from a .45/185, and I doubt that the 3½-inch barrel of a mini-Glock 27 in .40 will develop that velocity either.

[PatrioticAmerican]

I carry a Beretta 96, shooting 1250fps with 155gr Gold Dot. Not certain what a 3.5" 40 will do. If the 45 is any indication, there shouldn't be much of a loss. Maybe 1150fps for factory.

According to several decent web sites, the factory loaded Gold Dot had only a 50fps loss between a 5 and a 3.5 barrel. Factory was listed as 1210 for a 5" and 1148 for a 3.5".

Still, 1100fps is certainly a safe load in a 40 using a 155gr GD.

[PatrioticAmerican]

P.S. The Glock 27 was the test gun.