Here's my review reposted from GT: [snip]
First impression on opening the box is that this ammo is very *shiny*. The polished nickel cases look fantastic and the headstamp reads: TRITON and 45 SUPER to allow you to separate your cases after a trip to the range. The box also has markings specific to this build being for the US Navy Special Operations Command for use in the Mk. 23 SOCOM. Complete with the Navy SEAL eagle and trident, the packaging conveys the attention paid to the construction of the cartridges.
The 185gr truncated cone, flat point bullets were FMJ and seated to just below the angled edge of the TC. These cartridges were rated at 1350 fps, with close to 750 ft/lbs of force transmitted at that velocity. Without a chronograph, I have no way to test this claim and will leave that to the factory. Recoil effects compared to 'standard' target ammo prevents me from doubting this claim.
At the range, firing from an H&K USP45 full-size (check Triton web page for notes on use), I saved the .45 Super test until the end of the shooting session. I had been working up a .45 load for IDPA using benchrest and patience, and had fired 50-60 rounds before trying the .45 Super. Loading one round of S&B .45 Auto in the top of the magazine for recoil comparison, the blast and recoil of the .45 Super was immense.
A friend sitting nearby heard the first shot and thought nothing of it. On succeeding shots, he thought that I'd switched to firing one of the rifles that I'd brought along on the trip! He was surprised to hear the blast and recoil coming from the docile handgun that I'd been working with all morning.
From the shooter perspective, the USP45f is known for it's smooth and easily controllable recoil - these traits are retained even when firing the .45 Super. To a large degree, the compound, 2-stage recoil spring mechanism proprietary to the H&K USP's soaks up much of the initial recoil, although muzzle flip is pronounced, and a distinct 'snap' can be felt when the slide reaches maximum travel. This results in an unusual impulse at the most rearward slide travel, followed by another 'snap' as the slide is forced forward under recoil spring tension.
While certainly not a detriment to accurate shot placement, this recoil sensation takes some getting used to, and is certainly not the common recoil of a standard .45, often referred to as a 'push'.
This snappy recoil is accompanied by the cases being thrown into next week! My friend and I spent some time tracking where the casings had gone, and they ended up approximately 15-20 feet to the right 4-5 feet to the rear of the shooter (when firing offhand). Standard ammunition results in 2-3 feet right, and 1-2 feet to the rear of the shooter, for comparison.
Downrange accuracy resulted in an approximately 4" group at 15 yards, which was certainly a result of shooter flinch after the first shot. My friend was able to produce a very similar group under the exact same conditions. My impression is that a steady diet of .45 Super would result in more consistent and accurate patterns and shooters familiar with big-bore revolvers or the Desert Eagle will take to the recoil more easily.
In conclusion, I am very impressed with the quality of craftsmanship in the Triton .45 Super cartridge, and as a reloader can appreciate the exhaustive hours of development that went into producing this ammunition. With the performance increases gained, the cost of this ammunition certainly puts it on my ammo shopping list.
With the proper modifications, most 1911-style handguns, and many others, can benefit from the latest in .45 caliber handgun ammunition - in my view, the modifications would be money well spent and had my USP45f not been acceptable for use, as is, I would certainly be sending off another handgun for modification. Even in a cartridge as old as the .45, advances in technology of powder, bullets, and cases result in benefits not imagined 100 years ago.
I highly recommend Triton's .45 Super for your recreational shooting and perhaps hunting applications where legal.
