I have been following the exact same path as you. I already did a 460 and was anxious to build an AR carbine and convert it to Rowland also. I built the carbine using the radial delayed blowback barrel and bolt set from CMMG. I was going to get a reamer and lengthen the chamber. However, in the process of researching the CMMG parts I learned that they developed their RDB 45 system using 45 Super ammo. When I learned about 45 Super that was perfect! I have a second 1911 that I converted to 45 Super also. The only drawback is that most 45 Super reloading data that you find isn't really 45S at all. Most loads stop at 45ACP+P pressure levels. Thankfully I have a lot of Starline brass and have been able to work up some satisfying loads. This is good because there aren't many bullets that are compatible with the Rowland case. Many are designed only for ACP loaded length. It's been fun and I'm going to follow you since you're on the same trajectory. 👍
I’ve gotten the configuration in my Springfield 1911, down to a 23 lb recoil spring & a 25 lb mainspring. I use the square bottom firing pin stop plate, the Shok-Buff & a full-size recoil spring guide rod too. I’ve had no problems shooting either the 450 SMC or standard target loads with this setup. Polishing the feed ramp & barrel throat eliminated the occasional hard cast jam as well.
That’s good to hear, I just went heavy and figured I’d work it from there but so far my conversion has shot 45 acp and 45 super perfect. Although with the caveat that slide is hard to pull back. Which is surprising to me it is cycling 45 acp good
As an extra safety factor, you want to make sure your barrel has full chamber support, if you're going to shoot mostly .45 super. Some OEM barrels have very good support, and some don't. Glocks in particular have very poor chamber support. With 1911s…ymmv. As a side note, the .460 Rowland and the .45 super cartridges have the same powder capacity when loaded to the correct OAL. The .460 case is longer, but the bullet has to be seated deeper to fit into the magazine, which takes up powder space. So for the handloader, the .45 super can equal the .460 Rowland in power. I've done it myself, with several modifications to my Glock 21.
I could be wrong , but from my understanding most 45 1911s don’t have a fully supported chamber and the 45 super case was thicker in the web area to address this. Not to say it wouldn’t be safer in a fully supported chamber, just that it’s not really unsafe in an unsupported chamber.
Can’t disagree on the 10mm, I’ve owned many and it’s a fun cartridge . 45 super is great for people who already own a 45 acp and want to convert for the cost of like 40 bucks in springs.
Well that gun is available in 10mm. I don't know what springs it has and I think it comes with a shock buff too, but it follows that with similar modifications the .45ACP version could handle the .45 Super at similar power levels to 10mm.
Ya most of the magic in 45 super is on the case design , thicker heat treated brass for unsupported chamber. Most 10 mm 1911s are ramped barrels with more support. The mods in question only help long term longevity
It’s not that the bullets to fast, otherwise 10 mm would wear out every gun made. Super actually comes in lower power and speeds than 10mm, but have some similar characteristics. Now 460 Rowland. Is much faster and abusive on guns. I think it’s key to keep a long lasting 45 super is to do the correct modifications to keep the gun safe. Plus side is I also shoot 45 acp out of my super with no issues. Have had no over pressurization issues with the 45 super. I have seen flattened primers and case deformation with 460 rowland
Ok sure yes you can but I got like 50 bucks into a conversion and 1911s shoot great. But also their guns are built for 45 acp+p+ not 45 super sure they’re built tough and can handle it but how much wear can the stock springs and parts take before wear out. Where as there is a lot of expirence of tuning 1911s for high octane power. Would I consider an hk45 sure , they look solid
A full-length recoil spring guide on a 1911 is the most useless piece of crap you can purchase. The original design completely controls the recoil spring from the front and the rear the front with an outside control and the rear with an interior control. There is no reason to put a full-length guide rod the other Advantage you have with not putting a full-length guide rod is you can literally cock the gun by putting it against something underneath the barrel and pushing the gun forward. That is a design feature because the gun was originally designed to be carried on a horse. And you had to be able to reload the firearm and cock it with one hand, while your other hand was leading the horse. And you did that sometimes you had to put a magazine in the gun and take the muzzle of the pistol and push it against the saddle horn and rack the slide. You do not need an extra power firing pin spring. When exhibited to drop test. The firearm has to fall about 68 or 69 ft and falls directly on its muzzle on concrete in order for there to be enough inertia in the firing pin to make the firearm go off if you fall off of a building and fall 69 ft to the concrete you're going to want that gun to go off and put you out of your misery.
Hey don’t shoot the messenger, I put together my own 45 super conversion kit sourcing various forums and message boards. The full length guide rod is not overtly required but I got the 1/4 guide rod that allows you to use flat recoil spring which in a heavier recoiling 45 super would just last longer. And even how minimal the extra weight it can help with muzzle rise. The extra power firing pin spring is not needed for a regular 45 acp. It is recommended for 45 super and 460 Rowland. It’s more to do with the inertia and the speed the slide is now moving with the hot loads compared to 45 acp. The talk about horseback is plausible. I do know riding and any horseman worth his weight, can let go of the reigns to complete whatever task at hand. I would not try a 45 super round in a regular gi spec 1911 at all. The accessories I talk about are for much different than 110 years ago. I get a purist 1911 and I appreciate them and own them. But this video is clearly not about one.
In my research digging through old articles and forum posts, people made it seem as if it wasn’t a great idea for a conversion in a commander size 1911. Something along the lines of less mass to slow the action down. That being said I’m sure it could be done especially with new modern parts. I mean the conversion is simple enough and translates easily across the different sizes of 1911.
@josemanuelruiz-soto8867 I know a couple people who have done them in commander 1911s (4.25 inch) with success. Spring weights that are needed are all available from wolf springs. It is the same concept of slowing down the action. It can be done, but a little more tweaking and spring weights will be different. 🍻
I converted my CZ 97 b to handle 450 SMC mainly in 45 super occasionally I installed adpm recoil damper system and a recoil spring and that was it, but then again a CZ is a different gun totally I think a lot more sturdier that a 1911 is mainly because you have the inside the frame slide system which allows the going to lock up a lot tighter, but that said I have never had any issues out of it not one I would advise using 450 SMC over 45 super there is a little more recoil but it is more powerful than a 45 super that's for sure 4,000 PSI difference 45 super 28,450 SMC 32000 it's a true Magnum cartridge 45 super isn't
I will check out 450 smc for sure I’m not worried about recoil . I originally wanted 460 Rowland but conversion kits are pricey and seem to be back ordered all the time. That said I like the 45 super, 450smc , 460 Rowland family. It’s a shame that due to the proprietary nature of the cartridges when they were released it really stifled growth. My mind 45 Super , 450smc should replace the 45 acp. But the 10mm is doing a decent job at that I suppose
I have been following the exact same path as you. I already did a 460 and was anxious to build an AR carbine and convert it to Rowland also. I built the carbine using the radial delayed blowback barrel and bolt set from CMMG. I was going to get a reamer and lengthen the chamber. However, in the process of researching the CMMG parts I learned that they developed their RDB 45 system using 45 Super ammo. When I learned about 45 Super that was perfect! I have a second 1911 that I converted to 45 Super also. The only drawback is that most 45 Super reloading data that you find isn't really 45S at all. Most loads stop at 45ACP+P pressure levels. Thankfully I have a lot of Starline brass and have been able to work up some satisfying loads. This is good because there aren't many bullets that are compatible with the Rowland case. Many are designed only for ACP loaded length. It's been fun and I'm going to follow you since you're on the same trajectory. 👍
I’ve gotten the configuration in my Springfield 1911, down to a 23 lb recoil spring & a 25 lb mainspring. I use the square bottom firing pin stop plate, the Shok-Buff & a full-size recoil spring guide rod too. I’ve had no problems shooting either the 450 SMC or standard target loads with this setup. Polishing the feed ramp & barrel throat eliminated the occasional hard cast jam as well.
That’s good to hear, I just went heavy and figured I’d work it from there but so far my conversion has shot 45 acp and 45 super perfect. Although with the caveat that slide is hard to pull back. Which is surprising to me it is cycling 45 acp good
As an extra safety factor, you want to make sure your barrel has full chamber support, if you're going to shoot mostly .45 super. Some OEM barrels have very good support, and some don't. Glocks in particular have very poor chamber support. With 1911s…ymmv. As a side note, the .460 Rowland and the .45 super cartridges have the same powder capacity when loaded to the correct OAL. The .460 case is longer, but the bullet has to be seated deeper to fit into the magazine, which takes up powder space. So for the handloader, the .45 super can equal the .460 Rowland in power. I've done it myself, with several modifications to my Glock 21.
I could be wrong , but from my understanding most 45 1911s don’t have a fully supported chamber and the 45 super case was thicker in the web area to address this. Not to say it wouldn’t be safer in a fully supported chamber, just that it’s not really unsafe in an unsupported chamber.
Cool build and project. I'd go with 10mm if you want extra power and a more common cartridge. Or even 22 TCM for a fun caliber.
Can’t disagree on the 10mm, I’ve owned many and it’s a fun cartridge . 45 super is great for people who already own a 45 acp and want to convert for the cost of like 40 bucks in springs.
Well that gun is available in 10mm. I don't know what springs it has and I think it comes with a shock buff too, but it follows that with similar modifications the .45ACP version could handle the .45 Super at similar power levels to 10mm.
Ya most of the magic in 45 super is on the case design , thicker heat treated brass for unsupported chamber. Most 10 mm 1911s are ramped barrels with more support. The mods in question only help long term longevity
The biggest problem with the Super is it's too fast for available bullets. Guns don't last long.
It’s not that the bullets to fast, otherwise 10 mm would wear out every gun made. Super actually comes in lower power and speeds than 10mm, but have some similar characteristics. Now 460 Rowland. Is much faster and abusive on guns. I think it’s key to keep a long lasting 45 super is to do the correct modifications to keep the gun safe. Plus side is I also shoot 45 acp out of my super with no issues. Have had no over pressurization issues with the 45 super. I have seen flattened primers and case deformation with 460 rowland
Buy an H&K .45 and you won't have to change 1 thing...Their guns are built for .45 Super...You're welcome...
Ok sure yes you can but I got like 50 bucks into a conversion and 1911s shoot great. But also their guns are built for 45 acp+p+ not 45 super sure they’re built tough and can handle it but how much wear can the stock springs and parts take before wear out. Where as there is a lot of expirence of tuning 1911s for high octane power. Would I consider an hk45 sure , they look solid
A full-length recoil spring guide on a 1911 is the most useless piece of crap you can purchase. The original design completely controls the recoil spring from the front and the rear the front with an outside control and the rear with an interior control. There is no reason to put a full-length guide rod the other Advantage you have with not putting a full-length guide rod is you can literally cock the gun by putting it against something underneath the barrel and pushing the gun forward. That is a design feature because the gun was originally designed to be carried on a horse. And you had to be able to reload the firearm and cock it with one hand, while your other hand was leading the horse. And you did that sometimes you had to put a magazine in the gun and take the muzzle of the pistol and push it against the saddle horn and rack the slide.
You do not need an extra power firing pin spring. When exhibited to drop test. The firearm has to fall about 68 or 69 ft and falls directly on its muzzle on concrete in order for there to be enough inertia in the firing pin to make the firearm go off if you fall off of a building and fall 69 ft to the concrete you're going to want that gun to go off and put you out of your misery.
Hey don’t shoot the messenger, I put together my own 45 super conversion kit sourcing various forums and message boards. The full length guide rod is not overtly required but I got the 1/4 guide rod that allows you to use flat recoil spring which in a heavier recoiling 45 super would just last longer. And even how minimal the extra weight it can help with muzzle rise. The extra power firing pin spring is not needed for a regular 45 acp. It is recommended for 45 super and 460 Rowland. It’s more to do with the inertia and the speed the slide is now moving with the hot loads compared to 45 acp. The talk about horseback is plausible. I do know riding and any horseman worth his weight, can let go of the reigns to complete whatever task at hand. I would not try a 45 super round in a regular gi spec 1911 at all. The accessories I talk about are for much different than 110 years ago. I get a purist 1911 and I appreciate them and own them. But this video is clearly not about one.
Anybody have experience shooting 45 super through a commander model 1911 if so are there any differences from the government models???
In my research digging through old articles and forum posts, people made it seem as if it wasn’t a great idea for a conversion in a commander size 1911. Something along the lines of less mass to slow the action down. That being said I’m sure it could be done especially with new modern parts. I mean the conversion is simple enough and translates easily across the different sizes of 1911.
@@Conklikov thanks for the info man
@josemanuelruiz-soto8867 I know a couple people who have done them in commander 1911s (4.25 inch) with success. Spring weights that are needed are all available from wolf springs. It is the same concept of slowing down the action. It can be done, but a little more tweaking and spring weights will be different. 🍻
460 is worth the wait
Still waiting to get one, I have a buddy with one had to have a bit more work to get it work right but it’s sweet shooter
I converted my CZ 97 b to handle 450 SMC mainly in 45 super occasionally I installed adpm recoil damper system and a recoil spring and that was it, but then again a CZ is a different gun totally I think a lot more sturdier that a 1911 is mainly because you have the inside the frame slide system which allows the going to lock up a lot tighter, but that said I have never had any issues out of it not one I would advise using 450 SMC over 45 super there is a little more recoil but it is more powerful than a 45 super that's for sure 4,000 PSI difference 45 super 28,450 SMC 32000 it's a true Magnum cartridge 45 super isn't
I will check out 450 smc for sure I’m not worried about recoil . I originally wanted 460 Rowland but conversion kits are pricey and seem to be back ordered all the time. That said I like the 45 super, 450smc , 460 Rowland family. It’s a shame that due to the proprietary nature of the cartridges when they were released it really stifled growth. My mind 45 Super , 450smc should replace the 45 acp. But the 10mm is doing a decent job at that I suppose
Not in my book
About what? The conversion ? Or what you referring to