Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 10mm or 45 Super

Have been doing some homework on various pistol platforms and found a couple I don't care for. I really like the Kimber 1911 but have been spooked by the number of feeding issues I came across on the interweb.

I also came across the 45 Super and the 'ease' of converting an ACP to Super. I really like the idea of being able to shoot 45 ACP ammo - its way cheaper than 10mm.

A) Is 45 Super in the same league as the 10mm
B) Is the conversion as simple as it seems on the interweb
c) Any long term issues if the conversion is done correctly

Anything else I should be aware of with an ACP to Super conversion?

Thanks.

BIL carries a Glock 20 for such occasions. I mildly looked into it awhile back and the 45 Super made sense from the standpoint I already have dies. I was looking at a HK 45 Expert as they are already set to handle the higher pressures. Haven't pulled the trigger yet as I have been acquiring other things.

The 10mm180 grain XTP Underwood about the same as the 230 XTP Underwood 45 Super in my comparison but the 45 made a much larger hole.

John - thats my assessment as well.

I have both in the same gun...a Kimber Stainless Target II that has slides for both 10mm and .45...either caliber works fine...




The 10mm is limited to a 220 grain bullet 1200 fps while the .45 will run 255s at almost 1100.

I've settled on 200 grain Hard Cast 10mms at 1250 fps and 155/165s Jacketed, Plated and Cast at 1300.

.45 Super, 230s at 1100 and 240-255s at 1050. I pushed up quite a bit further but backed down to the velocities Buffalo Bore are getting...


As to converting a .45 ACP to Super:

Flat Bottom Firing Pin Stop
Extra Power Firing Pin Return Spring
24#+- Recoil Spring
26-30# Main Spring
Shock Buff is a nice addition

Bob

3 slides and 6 barrels?
22?


What all you have going there?

Lots of fun, apparently! It's like Legos for grown-ups.

Thank you!

A couple of really stupid questions - recall I'm a bit of noob with semi pistol modification: how tough is it to put all these parts together? It would seem a rather simple process. Any fitting required on your Kimber?

Also, I assume your Kimber doesn't have any of the feeding issues noted all over the internet? I really like the fit/feel of the Kimber 1911.............

I love my DW 10mm, but it's no 45 Super, had my 'Smith do a simple spring swap on an all steel 5" Springfield Trophy Match, had previously ordered Starline 45 Super brass, took the 230gr full metal jacket flat points to an even 1200 fps, it was a hell of an accurate and powerful load, after firing 11 rounds in rapid succession with a CM 10 round mag you definitely knew you just done something.

Probably put 3-400 rounds like that through the pistol with no ill effects, had a buddy wanting to buy it, took it back to 'Smith for a checking over, all good, sold bud the pistol, brass and remaining ammo, he's still shooting it today and that was better than five years ago.

The H&K USP is a great platform for the 45 Super and requires no modifications to the recoil system. I shoot 45 ACP target wadcutters and 45 Super 230gr rounds interchangeably out of my H&K USP Elite and it feeds perfectly with both rounds, and also is quite accurate with both.

If you want to test the waters of 45 Super, a police trade-in H&K USP 45 is a great choice and substantially cheaper than buying and modifying a 1911--although a dedicated 45 Super 1911 is on my list of guns I "need" to have and RJM's picture is not helping! I've seen trade-in H&K's on Gunbroker in the $500 range.

I prefer 45 Super to 10mm because I prefer larger, and heavier, bullets out of handguns. I'd rather have an extra 10-20gr of bullet weight (and an increase in diameter and meplat) than an additional 100-200fps of velocity for handgun hunting or field use.

Here's my 45 Super launcher:

The HK USP is extremely strong and makes an excellent 45 Super

One gun...
9mm
.38 Super
9x23 Winchester
9mm Largo
.40 S&W
10mm
.45 ACP
.45 Super
.22 Conversion Unit

Possibilities for the future:
.357 SIG
.400 CorBon
.40 Super
7.62x25
.22 TCM


http://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/24056/all-1911

Only thing that needed fitting was the oversize flat bottom firing pin stop...everything else is a drop-in...

Zero feeding problems with the two Kimbers I have...

Bob

I made the decision to go with a 45 Super recently, after looking at the 10 mm. JWP was very helpful and advised what was necessary for the conversion and what velocities to expect. It was easy. I'm pleased with the accuracy and reliability of the 45 Super and with the ability to shoot inexpensive 45 acp for practice. At most indoor ranges, you can't help but lose some of your brass and I'd rather lose 45 acp brass than 10 mm brass.

Funny you post that. I found the exact same comment on the HK45 and HK 45 compact last night. I'm looking to handle an HK this week.

I also watched several Youtube videos on the conversion and it doesn't seem that tough.

Thanks.

What platform did you use?

I'm leaning 45 ACP/Super real strong.

Might want to consider the 460 Rowland

Looked at it last night. I'm not crazy about the compensator hanging out the front.

The .45 has the benefit of better bullets. You can get 220gr 10mm's from Rimrock but data is scarce.

I used a Kimber 1911. It is easy to shoot well, is reliable and accurate.