Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .460 Rowland

Anyone used a Clark 1911 .460 Rowland conversion on their 1911?

The 460 Rowland Clark kit is a great idea. What's not to like about original 44 mag performance out of a 1911 flat side semi automatic? Clark has loading data and Starline makes the brass. AA 7 is a good powder. If you use lead bullets you pick up some velocity over jacketed bullets. I use Beartooth cast with large meplat. The compensator (which is needed to protect from battering the frame) will lead up if you do not treat the slots with Carter's Fouling Preventative & Compensator Spray available from Brownells.
Get a 460 Rowland Mech Tech Systems carbine conversion unit. Great hog medicine.

I couldn't stand it so I ordered a Clark kit from Brownells and 100 rounds of 230gr HP ammo from Georgia Arms and another holster for my Sig 1911!

I did that clark conversion a few years ago on a Norinco 1911.
No issues with it at all, except chasing the brass in the rocks not wanting to lose any of it.
Not objectionable to shoot at all.
A while back i put the original norinco stuff back in and i couldn't see where the clark kit had beat up the frame at all

That stuff is the cat's azz. I spray down my revolvers with it before each IDPA/IPSC match. Makes cleanup a breeze.

If you are a handloader, any 45acp brass can take the 40,000 c.u.p. pressure of 460 Rowland loads.

The problem is recoil and case support.

The case support solutions can be found.
The recoil is too much for usable slide mass with usable recoil spring assemblies.
Even with a heavy slide, heavy spring, and recoil comp, the slide is going to hit the frame. You can take a little hammering, but it is not optimum. Cases should land 5' from the shooter.

I have done this sort of thing a few times.

0) 45 acp................. 185 gr. 7.6 gr. AA#5 jams w/stock Patriot spring
1) 45 acp..................185 gr. 10.2 gr. AA#5 1100 fps 18,000psi
2) 45 acp +P...............185 gr. 10.8 gr. AA#5 1200 fps 21,700 psi
3) 45 Super................185 gr. 12.4 gr. AA#5 1312 fps 28,000 cup
4) 460 Rowland............ 185 gr. 14.5 gr. AA#5 1500 fps 38,800 cup

Sig with the Clark unit in place:

That comp fits right in with the "tactical" (my term for black window-dressing on a firearm) look of the Sig.

I did this a couple of years ago and like the results alot. Have not noticed any undue stress on any parts altho I have not shot it too much. It packs a wallop on steel targets...I suppose I need to take it deer hunting sometime.

Okay... NOW we're talkin'!!!

The SIG P220 would be the perfect gun to adapt to 460 Rowland. I've always hesitated to try the Rowland conversion on any of my precious 1911's. But the SIG is robust enough I'm maybe gonna have to give it a try.

I know Rowland at 460Rowland.com offers the conversion for 1911s, Glock 21s, and a Springfield XD. I don't know if they have one for the P220. Mine is the Sig 1911 Extreme.

Uh-oh... my mistake, I didn't look at the photo...

I still think the P220 would be the ideal platform for a Rowland conversion, though...

There is a stainless steel framed version of the P220. That one may be the best choice...