45 Super and 250gr

[Alaska]

For My Alaska Trail pistol Glock 21 in 45 Super
5.2” KKM
22 Pound Spring

250gr CAMPRO RNFP
8.6 Power Pistol
Fed Nickle 45 ACP Brass Small Primer Pocket
Rem 7.5 BR Primers
1.190”
1080fps

 

[fsrmg1]

I use a Sig P220 ST for Super. The factory barrel offers plenty of head support, so I was lucky not to need switching it out. I tried the heaviest Wolff mainspring, but due to the larger diameter wire needed get the added resistance, it was starting to bottom out early on the spring under recoil with full Super loads.

My solution was pure luck. I came across a recoil spring specialist (in Greece?) who makes recoil reduction assemblies similar to what H&K uses in their 45 USP. I told them what I wanted it for, so they went with extra heavy springs (inner and outer) and gave me a bunch extra for when needing replacement.

Happy shooting!

 

[Alaska338]

 

[TennesseeHunter]

I’ve only ever used a ~275 grain cast bullet and longshot powder for 45 super. Shooting them from an fnx-45 tactical with a large, almost comically so, muzzle brake. I’d shoot those at around 1100 fps. Super gentle. I mean I’d shoot that gun with 45 supers and the brake faster and more accurately than with factory ammo and no brake.

I don’t shoot much 45 super anymore because it was such a pain keeping up with the brass and making sure regular 45 auto cases didn’t get intermixed. So I really just shoot +p type loads only through that gun as it won’t cycle with less.

Anyways if I feel like I need more power In a semi auto I use a 475 Wildey instead. Usually is enough gun then.

 

[Alaska338]

I’ve only ever used a ~275 grain cast bullet and longshot powder for 45 super. Shooting them from an fnx-45 tactical with a large, almost comically so, muzzle brake. I’d shoot those at around 1100 fps. Super gentle. I mean I’d shoot that gun with 45 supers and the brake faster and more accurately than with factory ammo and no brake.

I don’t shoot much 45 super anymore because it was such a pain keeping up with the brass and making sure regular 45 auto cases didn’t get intermixed. So I really just shoot +p type loads only through that gun as it won’t cycle with less.

Anyways if I feel like I need more power In a semi auto I use a 475 Wildey instead. Usually is enough gun then.

Long Shot in 45 Super is not bad either !
For Your neck of the woods in TN !
9.0 of LS with 250gr XTP most excellent no brake needed on G21 - 4.6” KKM and 22 pound spring
1150 fps load
Here I only shoot 45 Super !

 

[flatwater bill]

Can you convert any 1911 to 45 Super? I have a Kimber. Should I stick with BB 255 grain loads or try to step up to a Super? Tripping into grizzly country next fall, just wondering. Not really a pistol guy. thanks.....FWB

 

[Alaska338]

Can you convert any 1911 to 45 Super? I have a Kimber. Should I stick with BB 255 grain loads or try to step up to a Super? Tripping into grizzly country next fall, just wondering. Not really a pistol guy. thanks.....FWB

Yes
A good steel frame 1911 makes a good conversion to 45 Super ! Some especially here in Alaska like the higher magazine capacity of the Glock 21 and 30 for conversion for Bear protection.

 

[flatwater bill]

I assume that the 1911 will still hold 7 shots after the conversion, right? Do I need to send the pistol off to a special smithy, or just order a kit?......FWB

 

[Alaska338]

I assume that the 1911 will still hold 7 shots after the conversion, right? Do I need to send the pistol off to a special smithy, or just order a kit?......FWB

No easy to do at home
Suggest KKM barrel or like for better case support. Yes still holds 7 rounds.
Suggest if you don’t reload just buy Underwood 45 Super 255gr Hardcast for Alaska Bear Protection or duplicated it with 8.6 of Power Pistol with 250gr FPJ Campro or Hardcast !
Would not hurt to add Wolff Extra Power Springs in magazines.

 

[TennesseeHunter]

There’s plenty of 45 super chatter on the internet. Theres a couple very long and useful threads on the glocktalk website.

I do still shoot 45 super through my 1911. Only thing I do for that is put in a 24 lb spring.
From what I understand some 1911 barrels are more supported in the chamber than others, but almost always more so than like a Glock. So it can depend. There are full conversions that are out there that usually include a barrel with a well supported chamber and threaded muzzle, heavy spring, a flat bottomed firing pin stop, and maybe a recoil buffer. Are these necessary? I doubt it but they really help.

I don’t try to push the hottest loads in as I’m still concerned about wear as it is just a plain muzzle, no brake or anything.
I like the 135 grain extreme defender because I can get great velocity and it has similar recoil to normal 230 grain 45 auto loads. But these are more like defense against people and such instead of bears.

I assume that the 1911 will still hold 7 shots after the conversion, right? Do I need to send the pistol off to a special smithy, or just order a kit?......FWB

 

[Alaska338]

 

[Alaska338]

There’s plenty of 45 super chatter on the internet. Theres a couple very long and useful threads on the glocktalk website.

I do still shoot 45 super through my 1911. Only thing I do for that is put in a 24 lb spring.
From what I understand some 1911 barrels are more supported in the chamber than others, but almost always more so than like a Glock. So it can depend. There are full conversions that are out there that usually include a barrel with a well supported chamber and threaded muzzle, heavy spring, a flat bottomed firing pin stop, and maybe a recoil buffer. Are these necessary? I doubt it but they really help.

I don’t try to push the hottest loads in as I’m still concerned about wear as it is just a plain muzzle, no brake or anything.
I like the 135 grain extreme defender because I can get great velocity and it has similar recoil to normal 230 grain 45 auto loads. But these are more like defense against people and such instead of bears.

Keep your handloads 1125 fps and under with 250/255 gr and you don’t need a Comp.
9.0 of LS or PP with 250gr

 

[ChrisG]

Putting a ported barrel on the .45 super slows slide velocity down. This is mine. Solid steel guide rod, 29 lb spring, efk fire dragon ported 5.75" barrel in a springfield XD. Originally, I was pushing a 250 grain RNFP at 1050fps with Power Pistol, but settled on a 200 grain WFN at 1,250fps and 694ft-lbs.

It shoots and cycles standard .45 ACP hardball and feels like a popgun with those. .45 Super drops brass about 6ft to my right. .45 ACP drops about 4ft. Perfect for the handloader

 

[Alaska338]

Are you sure it’s a 29lb recoil spring ???
Never heard of a 29lb recoil spring even on a 460 Rowland.
I run 22 pound spring in my with and without comp. With no port and 4.6” KKM G21 and 8.6 of PP easy 1065 fps with 250gr in G21.

 

[ChrisG]

Yes
A good steel frame 1911 makes a good conversion to 45 Super ! Some especially here in Alaska like the higher magazine capacity of the Glock 21 and 30 for conversion for Bear protection.

This only works with a fully supported 1911 barrel! Dont try .45 super with a standard 1911 barrel! A ramped barrel is what you need, then youd be all set. You run the risk of a case rupture with an unsupported barrel.
The ramped barrel is what you need and converting a convential barrel to it would likely cost more than a whole new gun.

 

[ChrisG]

Are you sure it’s a 29lb recoil spring ???
Never heard of a 29lb recoil spring even on a 460 Rowland.
I run 22 pound spring in my with and without comp. With no port and 4.6” KKM G21 and 8.6 of PP easy 1065 fps with 250gr in G21.

sorry, its a 20lb. Fat finger mistake. 9 is right next to 0. 29 would have been real tough to cycle haha

 

[Alaska338]

Yes you are correct about full case support.
I have KKM barrels on all my Glocks 20/21.