Semi-Autos Designed for 45ACP +P Loads

[petepaaz]

     Am wondering if anyone knows of any semi-autos ( especially interested in 1911 style) that are specifically designed to handle +P loads. For most of my shooting the standard pressure loads work great.... but as a non-handloader (stupidly sold it all before moving from PA to AZ), I need something a little stouter for bear country forays. I currently own and enjoy my Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 45ACP. Am not sure beefing up the recoil spring to 22lbs is really adequate to preserve this weapon.

[Savage]

Pete,
Shoot all the +p you can afford in your Springer. Any modern 1911 will eat all you can afford without ill effect. The .45acp would not be my first choice for bear defense. If you must carry one at least load it up with some good hot loaded, heavy solid bullets, from a custom loader. If you do a search you'll find all the information you need.
Good luck,
Savage

[petepaaz]

     Thanks Savage....any thoughts on the 22lb recoil spring in lieu of the standard 16/18 lb?

[Lloyd Smale]

like savage said any good 1911 sprung properly will be capable. Personaly i dont see using them in my guns as i dont think the 100 fps buys you much. I load mine more toward accuracy and reliability.

[Mikey]

petepazz:  unless you are throwing really heavy slugs out your 45 you can probably make do easily with a 20 pound spring.  I use the 22 lb springs but that's only 'cause I'm always messin' around with heavy handloads.  Anything that comes in a box can be shot through your Springer without ill effect.

And yes, if you intend on using the 45 acp only when in bear country make certain you're packin' some heavy solid loads.  If you want to carry the 1911 you can always go for a 460 Rowland conversion.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[Savage]

Like Mikey said, the 20# spring should work just fine with most factory full power loads. If I am loading heavy, I like to have a "calibration spring set" from Wolff Gun Springs on hand to experiment with. The only cost a few bucks, and they make it easier to tune the pistol for your load. I don't know of a source for commerically loaded ammo for the .45acp with the heavy solids. Maybe Mikey or Lloyd can weigh in on this.
Savage

[petepaaz]

     Thanks Guys... these are helpful suggestions. I like the idea of the "calibration spring set" to adjust to the loads I need. I know the 45ACP isn't ideal for black-bear country, but am trying to maximize the versatility of my favorite gun. I noticed that Buffalo Bore Ammo has a +P load with     a  230gr fmj flatnose style bullet. Was thinking this may just be enough to do the job if necessary. I also was thinking of the Speer 200 gr Gold Dot HP +P for close up survival use for deer sized game here in the desert. Although rather wide open here in the Sonoran Desert, there's enough cover in the wash areas that I frequently walk w/in 50 yards of these desert mulies. The bear country is not local for me , but not too far up in the mts.
    Thanks again...Pete

[Mikey]

Pete - Savage has a darn good idea on the calibration concept and you should consider that advice.  I would get back into reloading but in the interim I think the heavier Buffalo Bore ammo would be a good choice for what you are looking for.  When you do start reloading again there are two slugs I would ask you to consider:  one is the old Lyman 452453 238 gn swc design that is available from Colorado Cast Bullets and Mt. baldy Bullets; the second is the 230 gn fmj-swc design from Mag Tech.  Both are non-deforming slugs that can be loaded to better than 900'/sec and should penetrate t&t deer at 50 yd and bust bone on small bear if need be.  HTH and good luck.  Mikey.

[petepaaz]

     Thanks Mikey...you and the others have helped relieve concerns I've had, and given some good alternatives....hopefully someday before too long I'll be a reloader again. However, when I start reloading again, this will be the first time that I'll be working with a rimless cartridge that head-spaces on the case mouth. I know the special steps needed, just need to practice them to be more familiar. Previously I had reloaded for .22 Hornet/ .357 mag/.44 mag/ and 444 Marlin.
      Pete

[Mikey]

pete:  if you're heading into serious Bear country you may wish to consider taking that 444 along with you, especially if it is a lever action and not a single shot.  There are some very heavy, absolutely good for Bear, loads for the 444.  If yours is a Marlin or Winchester you have a great package for Bear country, especially if yours is one of the shorter barrelled carbines.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[petepaaz]

      Mikey you're right....one slight glitch though....I sold the 444 Marlin years ago to finance a different gun. Kinda dumb too...that gun with a William's peep sight could get 2&1/2" grp off a rest at 100 yds (ocaisionally an inch off that too) . I used 265grJSP Hornady bullets with IMR4198 (am forgetting the exact powder charge I used...40-something I think). I do have a Ruger SBH-Hunter (purchased recently, had an old SBH yrs ago too) but am having trouble finding over-sized rubber grips that fit the non-square-backed trigger-guard properly...everything is for the square-back version and doesn't quite line up right, around the grip frame itself( I don't care about the tiny gap at the trigger guard)  feeling sloppy in my hands. Don't need that with the recoil levels. So am thinking I might trade that in on a Marlin 1895SS or combine the trade with my Mil-Spec 1911A1 Springfield and  up-grade to an MC OPERATOR...hence continued interest in a stouter 45ACP load for ocaisional forays into blackbear country. If I was wealthy, would have custom grips made for that SBH-Hunter....although in truth I hate the muzzle blast...have already had some hearing loss from hunting situations in past...always wear protection at the range of course. I'm also getting into a down-sizing mood where I want to consolidate my guns into a few that I shoot well, rather than a collection that rarely get used or familiar enough with. Just love those 1911 45's....
     

[Savage]

petepaaz,
Of course you could always convert to .45 Super if you want a little extra out of your pistol without major modifications and stressing the gun too much. I'd stay away from the .460 Roland, it's a bit much in a converted 1911.
Savage

[petepaaz]

     Savage, I vaguely remember something about the 45 Super...please refresh my memory...and where would you get the conversion unit?

[RicMic]

From what I've read, a 30 pound spring is all you need. Although many recommend a heavier firing pin spring as well.  I was going to do it until I bought a 44Mag.

[Savage]

petepaaz,
Here's some good reading on the Super.

http://www.acecustom45s.com/45super.htm

Savage

[HHI 812]

I played with the hot 45 ACP  loads for a while, getting velocities up, then playing with 260 SWC, then went the .45 Super route. Figured I didn't want to chance mixing 45 Super loads with 45 ACP loads, so got a chance a 460 Rowland conversion. http://theindependentamerican.freeyellow.com/jrinterview.html
Just love it! I had some NsCP 300 grain bullets to try in the 45 ACP, but I think I'll try it in my 460 Rowland conversion instead. http://customprojectile.com/new.htm