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!
Sigs and Non-Sigs: I enjoy having options!
December 19, 2020, 06:39 AM
Micropterus
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 enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
December 19, 2020, 10:58 AM
colt_saa
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,
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?
_____________ "I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
December 19, 2020, 09:56 PM
colt_saa
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
This message has been edited. Last edited by: colt_saa,