I carry a compact (3" barrel) STI 1911.
When dealing with ammo, there's a trade-off. Yes, heavier larger grain bullets penetrate deeper. However, the purpose of a hollow point is to expand. In order to expand, there is a velocity requirement in order for it to do so reliably. Heavier bullets are harder to move, therefore, don't possess as much velocity. While penetration is the desired factor, so much velocity is lost by running heavier bullets through a shorter barrel that they lose reliable expansion in a 3", therefore, the entire purpose of hollow points is negated.
After performing my own tests, which I strongly encourage everyone who takes self-defense seriously should do FOR THEMSELVES, I made a rational, evidence based (for MY purposes) decision. Every individual should evaluate their own "set up" such as carry method, type of firearm, and desired performance that THEY want, and make the decision of what equipment they choose for their own purposes.
Reasoning that reliability is my goal, (you can't do diddly if your s#!t doesn't work in the first place) I have chosen to carry the following, for the following reasons:
I keep a 200 gr. Hornady +P hollow point in the chamber.--- It has pretty high velocity out of my 3", but the flat nose of the hollow point profile isn't as reliable as a round nose out of a 1911. But, it's in the chamber.already, therefore, I don't have to worry about feed problems. It's already there.
The rest of the magazine is filled with 165 gr. Cor-Bon +P Pow-R-Balls.---The polymer tips replicate the roundnose profile of FMJ's keeping their reliability out of a 1911, and POW! They still hit around 1200 fps out of my 3"!
As for the ludicrous argument that I chose hollow points, therefore, intended to kill someone would get eaten alive for the stupid argument that it is by my attorney. I would simply revert the argument back onto any prosecutor by requiring him to prove that my intention was to tickle, caress, or any other non-lethal outcome if I had used any other type of projectile in my licensed lethal weapon. I would require him to prove that ANY OTHER type of ammo fired out of my lethal firearm would achieve the same outcome, ending a lethal threat, without being lethal.