A question about 45 Super

[slabside1]

Hi All
first off I am a new member and if this has been discussed ad infinitum before I apologize but I am trying to find information on how to convert 1 of my 45's to 45 super. I think it can be done without the $250 or more cost but cannot find definitive answers, so if anyone knows I would appreciate your sharing your knowledge. Thanks in Advance!!
Stay Safe " DE OPPRESSO LIBER"

[stans]

Although I have not converted a pistol to 45 Super, I do think the gun needs to be set up a little differently than a run of the mill 45 ACP. The Super generates much more pressure than 45 ACP and much more energy both coming out of the barrel and operating the action, much like 10mm Auto. Many 45 ACP 1911's have only 50 to 75% barrel upper lug engagement with the slide and the lower lock up is on the link and slide stop pin. This arrangement can lead to damaged locking lugs and link. I would recommed fitting a barrel so that it has maximum engagement of the upper lugs and the lower lug should rest solidly on the slide stop pin.

I would also highly recommend treating this pistol like a 1911 chambered in 10mm. You will want a 23 or 25 pound mainspring and an EGW flat bottomed firing pin stop. These items will increase the amount of time that the barrel and slide stay locked and allow the pressures to drop before the link pulls the barrel out of breach. You will likely need a 20 or 22 pound recoil spring, maybe even 24 pounds for the really hot loads. I would also recommend a CP Bullets brand shock buffer.

These modifications should allow a Government model to survive in 45 Super, but wear and tear will be accelerated compared to a similar pistol shooting 45 ACP.

[RickB]

A friend and I converted a Kimber to Super, based mostly on my experiences with a Delta Elite. I'll echo what stans says. If the gun was going to be a permanent conversion, versus something that would be used for both ACP and Super, my mods would consist of: extra-power firing pin spring, EGW firing pin stop, 25# mainspring, 24# recoil spring, and some kind of guide rod buffer system. I have a Cominolli Frame-Saver guide rod in my Delta, and would probably choose one for a Super, as well. I'd also use my "Super mag", which is a standard Shooting Star 8-round mag, with a 10-round spring installed. This makes a 7-round mag that has more spring pressure pushing on the rounds; I think it improves feeding, and perhaps slows the slide a bit, which is good. Some people just stick a 32# recoil spring in their gun, and go for it.

[stans]

Such heavy recoil springs place tremendous stress on the slide stop pin and some of that stress is also transmitted to the pin hole in the frame. The lower lug on the barrel also takes a real beating. The result can be damaged lower lugs, damaged pin and possibly peening the slide stop pin hole.