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Anyone have a 45 Super conversion on their 1911? How does the 1911 hold up and how does it ballistically compare to a hot 45 Colt or 10mm?

I have a V-16 longslide in .45 Super. The pistol performs quite well with full power loads, the 1911 frame hold up just fine. I do use a shock buff but, this is not unique to the Super, I use a shock buffer in all my semi-autos. I'll assume you want to compare it ballistically to the .45 ACP. You state "hot 45 colt". I wouldn't recommend doing anything beyond published ACP data. (and though I don't know the internal components of the load but, Cor-bon +P advertises 1125 fps with a 185gn bullet) Velocities being the measure, for example a .45 ACP with a 185 grain bullet and a load of 5.6 grains of bullseye will achieve roughly 975 fps through a 5 inch barrel with a 1-16 twist. A .45 Super with a load of 11.3 grains of Power Pistol will attain roughly 1400 fps through a 5 inch barrel with the same twist. So, it certainly pushes a bullet much faster. ACP data from Lyman's 47th. Super data from realguns archive 11/25/01. The 10mm comparing a 180 grain bullet and a 6.5 grain load of Bullseye will achieve roughly 1088 through a 5 inch barrel with a 1-16 twist. So, a 5 grain lighter bullet faster than an ACP but slower than a Super. I hope that answers your questions. However, since I'm going on here I'll add a few considerations. Externally the .45 Super cases and the .45 acp cases are exact in every dimension. The difference is in the case web. The Super is thicker, to handle the increased pressure. The barrel chamber is also stronger in the Super conversions. The consideration here is if you load these for yourself you do not want to use ACP brass when loading Super charges. Super brass is expensive but, so is 10mm so it's you're preference there. 10mm is more readily available comercially however, neither one can be found everywhere. The good thing with the Super is you can shoot ACP ammo in it just fine. The .45 Super did suffer through some trademark litigation so this did kind of kill off further development but, it's still out there and available you just have to look. The 10mm kind of lost out to the .40 S&W and until the recent use by H&K in the subgun interest had sort of waned too. So, I don't know your intention with the pistol but, it is likely the 10mm or the .45 Super will achieve whatever it is you want to do. I'm glad you're interested. Both can be used to hunt deer. Both can be had in the 1911 frame. Both can cost quite a bit to shoot. Both are something different. I hope this helps. Have fun.

I'm having one built ("in process" ) using a ramped Barsto barrel.

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I use a Glock 10mm as a backpacking / camping gun. I have smaller hands and thought that something that can be had in a 1911 format would be cool. The area I live requires CCW guns to be on the "approved" list and the Glock 10mm was the most powerful cartridge / gun combo I could put on my license.

Looking for alternative!

The Hindman .45 Super "conversion" was nothing more than a basic reliability job and really heavy set of springs.

Fact is you can take ANY 5" 1911 that has a well fitted extractor and preferably a longish ejector, add a 24-28# recoil spring and 23# hammer spring and pretty much have a ".45 Super Conversion"..I have fired .45 Super ammo through unaltered but respring Kimber's and Colts, Baers and completely stock HK USP45's. Hindman's original conversion used a 32# spring!!!

In a 1911, 100% reliability will require a magazine with stout springs.

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I think the Hindman conversion also included an oversize firing pin, to reduce the likelihood of primer flow. I've done a bit of experimentation with a 10mm Delta and a .45 Super conversion for a buddy, and I'd say the most important parts, by far, are a heavy MAINspring, and an EGW square-edge firing pin stop. I also put mag springs for 10-round mags in my 8-round mag tube, creating a 7-round mag that can keep up with the added slide velocity. 200 @ 1200 is as high as I went before giving the Super back to its owner, but the gun (early, Clackamas Kimber) seemed to like that load, just fine.
180 @ 1088 from a 10mm isn't nearly as fast as that bullet can be driven. There are published loads for well over 1200, and some that run right up to 1300.

You and I are on the same page, Rick. The oversize stop is essential as well as the heavy mainspring. I have also used the 10rd springs in Metalform tubes and they work exceptionally well. We have also been using some aluminum shock buffs made by dawson precision and they are also working out well too.
We have some doubletap that pushes the 180 GD at a solid 1350.

You should also try some of the flat wire, Glock type 22# springs that ISMI sells. They don't seem to ever shrink..

I think Hindman shortened the firing pin and changed the radius of tip, but I have nevr done that and never seen any primer flow with either the Triton or texas ammo loads.

The best gun to shoot .45 super out of is a comp gun, bar none. You can use much lighter springs.

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I built one out of an HK USP .45 Compact. I used a Bar-Sto barrel, had an action job by Teddy Jacobson and night sights. Other than that, it
was bone stock.....just replaced the recoil spring after 1k no matter what.

It was a handful to shoot, but no harder than say a J-frame .357.

Wish I had that baby back....

What do you think of this round as a woods backup (cougars, small bears and the like). I want one with a light attachment and large revolvers don't have that (like a Smith 44 mag).

I think I would go 10mm for a variety of reasons, ammo selection being the main one.

Mark,
I had a Teddy J USP-he did a nice job!
The USP compact gobbled up .45 super but once or twice the magazine self-ejected so i didn't shoot too much more through it..
Great gun mechanically, but not the most ergo for me..

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Hey Hoser, hows it been, havent talked to you in a while. I would go with 10mm as well. 10mm damn near has the ballistics of a 41mag, good woods walking gun.

Stay safe brother, in Cali you need any help you can get now a days, thats why I left.

What kinda mileage can one expect out of a frame and slide if shooting full house loads?

I have a stock Springfield 5" non-ported gun made by the factory in .45 super. You are more than welcome to borrow it if we can figure out when and where to meet. I also had a 6" V-16 at one point but the blast through the porting was pretty prominent when shooting super rounds. I'm not real big on ported guns so I sold it off but my 5" non-port is a keeper. Let me know if you want to try it out.

My thought, if you want something that goes bigger boom than your 10mm, I can also let you borrow my LAR Grizzley in 45 Win Mag. Now thats a hiking back up gun!

but not on CA approved list!

I've built a number of compensated guns with the 45 super in mind.
Cool thing is, muzzle flip was LESS than 45acp. Felt recoil was about the same.
The guns ran fine with a 20lb spring, and no need to change the spring for function with standard 230gr hardball.
Having said that, I believe the 1911 is at its best with the 45acp at mil-spec loadings. If you want/need a magnum, look at an S&W revo.

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