Hello All,

I've read about the .45Super round and find it interesting.

From many forums, what I've read indicates that you need a frame that can take the power [not aluminum], a barrel with full chamber support, and a stiffer recoil spring.

Do you think this can be done relatively safely with a P220 Elite Stainless Carry model?

I would think the frame and barrel meet the criteria, but am not sure about stiffer recoil springs or anything else I am missing.

I am in CA, so a 10mm Sig is not an option, and I prefer .45acp for the majority of my 'big bore' handgun use.

Thanks!

I looked into the .45 Super myself. Either converting a Glock 21 or my stainless P220. With respect to the P220, I understand the only thing really needed is a stiffer recoil spring, something in the 24lb range. In the end, I decided against it. .45 Super pressure is something like 8,000 psi (something like 40%) higher than standard .45 ACP and the performance difference out of shorter barrels is not all that great. It may be worth it out of a long slide gun, or one with an extended barrel. Out of my standard length barrel, I decided it wasn't worth the extra wear and tear on a gun Sig doesn't make anymore. Buffalo Bore makes for pretty hot +P load for the ACP. Maybe worth looking into those.

Good luck on your decision.

I have been shooting 45 SUPER since the mid 90s

10 of thousands of rounds have been put downrange in my 4" Smith & Wesson 625 pin gun and my USP pistols. A much smaller amount has been shout through my Springfield V16 chambered in 45 SUPER







45ACP runs at 21,000 PSI
45ACP+P runs at 23,000 PSI
45SUPER runs at 28,000 PSI

Chronographed from various full size USP45s the ammunition numbers look like . . . .
230JHP 45 ACP most brands run around 850-880 FPS
230JHP 45 ACP+P most brands run around 950-980 FPS
230JHP 45 SUPER hand loads run at 1100 FPS


When we look at energy the increase is much more impressive . . . . .
230JHP 45 ACP most brands run around 395 LbFt
230JHP 45 ACP+P most brands run around 490 LbFt
230JHP 45 SUPER hand loads run at 618 LbFt


So from a traditional length barrels, the 45 SUPER will get 50% more energy than the 45 ACP cartridge when shooting similar projectiles.


As to using a P220 Combat, I personally would not use that firearm. The shorter slide has less mass and will be harder to slow down. So it need a heavier recoil spring than a full size P200 would. The heavier spring makes racking more difficult for some folks

If you want to use the P220, you might seek out a standard length slide or even better a 5" slide and then just swap top ends

The Stainless Match Elites would make a good basis for the 45 SUPER

This message has been edited. Last edited by: colt_saa,

quote:

Originally posted by colt_saa:

Chronographed from various full size USP45s the ammunition numbers look like . . . .
230JHP 45 ACP most brands run around 850-880 FPS
230JHP 45 ACP+P most brands run around 950-980 FPS
230JHP 45 SUPER hand loads run at 1100 FPS

When we look at energy the increase is much more impressive . . . . .
230JHP 45 ACP most brands run around 435 LbFt
230JHP 45 ACP+P most brands run around 688 LbFt
230JHP 45 SUPER hand loads run at 922 LbFt

Those energies look really high. I look at Buffalo Bore loadings which are typically pretty hot-for-factory loads.

Their +P loads average in the high 400s ft/lbs, with one 185 gr load at 1,159 ft/s making 543 ft/lbs.

With respect to the Super loads, your 922 ft/lbs is more than 300 ft/lbs more than Buffalo Bore with a 230 gr JHP at the same 1,100 ft/s. In fact, their hottest .45 Super load, 185 gr JHP at 1,300 ft/s is making 694 ft/lbs. 922 ft/lbs is approaching .44 Magnum territory. How are you getting 922 ft/lbs with the same bullet and velocity as BB?

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:

quote:

Originally posted by colt_saa:

Chronographed from various full size USP45s the ammunition numbers look like . . . .
230JHP 45 ACP most brands run around 850-880 FPS
230JHP 45 ACP+P most brands run around 950-980 FPS
230JHP 45 SUPER hand loads run at 1100 FPS

When we look at energy the increase is much more impressive . . . . .
230JHP 45 ACP most brands run around 435 LbFt
230JHP 45 ACP+P most brands run around 688 LbFt
230JHP 45 SUPER hand loads run at 922 LbFt

Those energies look really high. I look at Buffalo Bore loadings which are typically pretty hot-for-factory loads.

Their +P loads average in the high 400s ft/lbs, with one 185 gr load at 1,159 ft/s making 543 ft/lbs.

With respect to the Super loads, your 922 ft/lbs is more than 300 ft/lbs more than Buffalo Bore with a 230 gr JHP at the same 1,100 ft/s. In fact, their hottest .45 Super load, 185 gr JHP at 1,300 ft/s is making 694 ft/lbs. 922 ft/lbs is approaching .44 Magnum territory. How are you getting 922 ft/lbs with the same bullet and velocity as BB?

Micropterus,
You are right, they were high

I had googled an on-line muzzle energy program because I was not at home where I could use mine. Obviously something was in error with it

Thanks for catching that

No problem.

Nice S&W. If I were going to shoot .45 Super, that seems to be best way to do it.

Hmmm.

Some great insight here- thank you!

I am thinking that, unless I find a stainless full-length [or 5"] upper for my P220, I should pass on doing this.


I guess I can always use .45Super from my Ruger Blackhawk 45LC/45acp convertible.

Thanks!