Short barreled .45s

George Hill

Staff Alumnus
During the Utah Gathering this weekend I got a chance to fire some Cor-Bon 185grain +P ammo outta my Detonics.
Now - this premium ammo need to come in boxes of 50... Because with 20 - your only warming up. Now, the Detonics is small. It's tube shorter than other chopped .45's. My concern is that after losing so much velocity from the short barrel that the bullet wont be able to perform reliably - especially through heavy clothing like what will be worn here in Utah in a matter of weeks. As I mentioned before in a long ago thread - my beloved 230 grain hydras just wont cut it... I estimate velocity for those would have been about 700 to 750 FPS. I doubt the Hydra could punch through Utah Winter cloths and still expand as advertised.
The 1150 FPS Cor-Bons would leave me with a generous 1000 FPS to play with AT LEAST.

When firing from the Detonics, you could really feel the snap that those rounds give you. Normal rounds in the Detonics feel brisk... These feel down right angry! Firing them was not a treat... Later I fired a snubby .357 Magnum and to be honest - the magnum felt like a pussycat in compairison. Not that the Detonics felt all that bad - just suprisingly sharp with a huge blast. I would HATE to fire that within the confines of a car or small room!
Even more so - I would hate to be on the recieving end... Judging from the impact that these rounds had on the Utah Desert floor - more than a full length barreled .45 firing the normal 230s. These Cor-Bon rounds have spunk. When fired from a Government model .45 - the have spunk - but not as angry as from the shorter tube.

Failures occured when I let my fingers grip the magazine that was sticking out the bottom - because I have not yet ordered the right magazine... when back pressure is applied to the magazine sticking out, it tips the front of the top of the mag and makes the angle all wrong for reliable feeding... so for active duty with this gun - proper magazines are a must.
I still carry it with a Wilson 8 Rounder sticking out... but then again, I'm a gun nut.

I think I'll continue to use the Cor-Bon 185+P ammo. It's good enough and in this area of Utah, easily found. (at GUNNIES about 4 blocks from my house... Can't beat that!)

Now, I just need to right custom grips for it and a custom leather rig...
 
I chrono'd twenty 230 Hydra-Shoks through my Combat Master, and they averaged 850fps. Assuming that all bullets are designed to work in a specific velocity range, any bullet will drop below that threshold in a short enough barrel. I stick to the 230's, expecting good penetration even if there's no expansion.
I have not experienced any problems with feeding from 1911-length mags, but I don't put a lot of pressure on the front of the mag. I use the factory 6-rounder as my carry, and two Metalform 7-rounders (1911-length, Wolff XP springs)as reloads. I have yet to find an 8-rounder that will work in my pistol.
Have you seen the slim-line grips that Brownells sells for the Detonics? They look good; although I don't need the grip slimmed any.
 
The Cor-Bons came in 50 round boxes a couple months ago, I got em direct from Cor-bon, I ordered enough of various sizes and they paid the shipping.

Have worked with the Cor-Bons in low/no light drills and very pleased with the lack of night vision derrogation.

Sam...honest officer, that is not a pintle on my roof; it's a mount for the big antenna I don't have yet.
 
I was looking at those thin grips too.
I might order them.
Match that with some skateboard tape. Should be turn out nice.
 
George,
I have a set of the Brownells slim grips on my Detonics Mk VI. They come with special thin bushings and screws. The screws are larger dia. than std. Colt type screws and are S.S. with a regular screw slot. The checkering is flat topped and not quite as good as pointed top checkering. Skateboard tape does a good job on the front strap. I put on a Wilson checkered front strap piece which I cut to length with a very fine hacksaw blade. It is very thin and held in place by the grip panels. Makes for a pretty secure grip on this little pistol.
Bob
 
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