Need info on .45 Super

O

One

New member
I am planning on building a PPC plate gun on a National Match Springfield frame I recently bought for a steal. Can anyone tell me the feasibility of setting this thing up for .45ACP and .45 Super? Will the Springfield fire the Super w/ just a different barrel, or are there other mods that need to be done? Will I be able to fire .45ACP out of the same barrel if I have a .45 Super barrel? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a 1911 novice by far.

Thanks
Mike
 
There is a 3 part article at (I believe)
http://www.realguns.com/index.htm

The article(s) addresses everything you'd want to know about setting up a .45 ACP to shoot .45 Super.

Outside demensions of the .45 ACP and the .45 Super are the same. You would not need a new barrel. Mostly what you need is a very heavy recoil spring (somewhere between 28 and 32 pounds) and an accompanying firing pin spring. And .45 Super brass.

The .45 Super brass is heavier through the web and base to compensate for the higher pressure. The pressure of the .45 Super is within the limits acceptable in a standard .45 ACP barrel - but probably higher than standard .45 ACP brass would take reliably.

If you are looking at something with a long slide you might want to play a bit with the spring weight to compensate for the heavier slide.

I tried to reach the site I referenced in order to verify that is the one with the article. It was temporarily out of service. If you find it is the wrong one let me know and I'll dig around for the correct reference.

Switching back and forth between the .45 Super and the .45 ACP would involve a couple of minutes switching out springs. Probably heavier .45 ACP loads would function in a gun set up for .45 Super.

Good luck. Sounds like fun.

------------------
Jim Fox

[This message has been edited by JimFox (edited August 03, 2000).]
 
Jim thanks for the reply, I'll check it out. As I said, the 1911 is new to me, although I have been shooting for years. I had owned one other, but it jammed all the time. I have a friend that is a gun-smith and the ability to build what I want. Guess there will be alot of trial and error. Thanks again for the response and link.

Mike
 
Ace customs makes a 45 super gunsmiths kit for converting the .45 acp to .45 super. They also build complete guns. There web address is: www.acecustom45.com You will find info there too. Hope this helps you out. I have also been considering a .45 super.

------------------
***Torpedo***
It's a good life if you can survive it!
 
ONE:

I just checked and the site I referenced is correct.

Look in the archieves for articles I, II & III on:

A Kimber in .45 Super®1 for under $8

------------------
Jim Fox
 
One (Mike), if you go about it correctly there should be no problem with the conversion. The question is why? Plates are not that hard to knock over, I am not sure what they use to calibrate the rack with, but I guarantee it isn't a .45 Super. Your .45 ACP would have much less muzzle blast and recoil. It is also a proven cartridge in the accuracy department. Target ammo is not loaded to super veolcities and the reason isn't because they don't need penetration on the paper. Look at the reason for developing the 147gr JHP 9mm load. It is subsonic and accurate, not a powerhouse, but that was not the design parameter. Nothing wrong with a .45 Super, it makes a great self defense round according to Robbie Baarkman at Robar, but ask yourself if it is a good caliber choice for a PPC plate gun.
 
I was planning on using the .45ACP for PPC. Just wanted to see the feasibility of having a dual purpose weapon. I doubt that I will carry the Springfield, as I always carry my duty weapon, due to being on call. I thought about also using the Springfield as a house gun in the Super. Haven't decided yet. That damn Super round is so enticing though.

Thanks
Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top