The Belgian company VBR makes cartridges with AP bullets. The bullets have a hard steel core glued in the centre of the softer copper jacketed lead bullet. When soft material is hit the entire bullet stays intact. When a hard object is hit the soft outer bullet is left behind and the hard core travels on. A rip off of the Russian design. Low velocity cartridges like the .45ACP have bullets that are capable of the same penetration.
Point is, harder cored bullets would be of benefit to these older pistols if the intent is animal defence.
The legality of this is unknown to me as is the availability of these bullets for reloading. Solid brass would be another idea to use in these older pistols if they don't raise the pressure. I am not a reloader so I wouldn't know.
Just trying to throw ideas out there.
Point is, harder cored bullets would be of benefit to these older pistols if the intent is animal defence.
The legality of this is unknown to me as is the availability of these bullets for reloading. Solid brass would be another idea to use in these older pistols if they don't raise the pressure. I am not a reloader so I wouldn't know.
Just trying to throw ideas out there.