Where to get 45 super ammo?

Longgong67

Longgong67

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Hey Gn'ers, I'm In the process of selling the house and moving, so all of my loading gear is packed away unfortunately. Does anyone know where to get 45 super ammo in Canada? Wanting to try it out if I can find a heavier recoil spring for my glock 21 and then once moved I'll start handloading for it. Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Ian
 
I've never seen it for sale in Canada, sorry. I'd be interested to hear if someone has. It's hard enough finding 45 Super brass to reload.
 
So, this is a new cartridge for me. I've never heard of .45 Super, and I'm a big fan of all things .45.

Ballistically speaking where does the .45 Super sit? .45 Colt +P+? .45 acp +P+? 10mm?

As you mention the G21, I assume the gun can shoot .45 Super without the need for any conversion?
 
I shoot Super in a Springfield XD with a 22lb spring and out of my S&W 625. I’ve loaded 230gr JHP’s to just over 1100 fps. I bought my brass years ago, but Starline makes it.
 
Swapping the recoil and mainspring is usually advised for 1911s. You are typically fine with just a heavier recoil spring in more modern designs. There are plenty of sources down south, like Underwood, Wilson, Double-Tap etc but I think only Buffalo Bore is "approved" up here. Good luck finding some.

From my experience the order would be ACP, Super, 10mm Auto, .460 Rowland in terms of ft/lbs of energy. There is a good video from MAC showing how terribly Super can perform with the wrong bullet, as in 4-6" of penetration...
 
Try a want to buy ad. I've only seen the brass for sale in Canada (rusty's). Lots of +P around but mainly Hornady and that is not particularly strong compared to other brands. Some +P starts to come close.
 
Painkillers said:
So, this is a new cartridge for me. I've never heard of .45 Super, and I'm a big fan of all things .45.

Ballistically speaking where does the .45 Super sit? .45 Colt +P+? .45 acp +P+? 10mm?

As you mention the G21, I assume the gun can shoot .45 Super without the need for any conversion?
Click to expand...

There are some great threads on the merits of the 45 Super, there are a lot of details to consider. Several American forums have excellent, extensive threads on the subject. (glocktalk springs to mind, there are others)

Briefly, I'll say that in theory the 45 Super is capable of pressures equal to the 460 Rowland - COAL is the same and brass thickness is the same, so they have the same working case capacity. In practice, it may be hard to do because of bullet length, barrel throat and potential crimp issues (but lots of guys claim truly impressive performance with handloads). 460 Rowland brass is longer than 45 Super brass to prevent accidentally chambering it in a 45 ACP, that's been observed as the only difference.

45 Super conversion is worth doing your own detailed research on. I don't think you can just drop in a heavy spring and expect your G21 to run a steady diet of 45 Super loads without shortening its lifespan. Different pistol designs have different implications, but if you're running it outside of it's normal parameters, that extra energy is going somewhere. Many people would say that it's not a "real" 45 Super conversion unless you add a compensator to the barrel (and consequently tune all of the springs to work in concert).

I think that the Springfield XD is the only current production auto pistol that the manufacturer claims is rated to run with 45 Super, mark k probably knows more...
 
Painkillers said:
So, this is a new cartridge for me. I've never heard of .45 Super, and I'm a big fan of all things .45.

Ballistically speaking where does the .45 Super sit? .45 Colt +P+? .45 acp +P+? 10mm?

As you mention the G21, I assume the gun can shoot .45 Super without the need for any conversion?
Click to expand...


It is loaded up to the equivalent of full power 10mm. Same dimensions as the ACP but stronger brass to handle higher pressures, so yes, typically just a heavier recoil spring for the glock.


B said:
Swapping the recoil and mainspring is usually advised for 1911s.
Click to expand...

Yes it you are shooting a steady diet of heavier stuff, don't over look the mainspring. A flat bottom or zero radius firing pin stop is also a good idea for 1911s along with the heavier mainspring. Some just go to the flat FPS and heavier mainspring because the heavy recoil spring can also stress the frame and will speed up fatigue on the slide release. I've added the flat FPS to my 10mm 1911s but they were a pita to fit
 
I had a 1911 completely done out for .45Super probably 12, 15 years ago - compensator, springs, etc. It wouldn't even cycle with factory .45ACP rounds, but it ran hot .45Super beautifully. I bought the brass from the US, and a guy I knew was loading it hot for me. Sold the gun as I don't reload and getting more brass was a pain anyway, but that was a fun gun!
 
alpining said:
Painkillers, just FYI: Hot 460 Rowland loads are comparable to factory 44 Magnum loads.
Click to expand...

:cheers: Thanks for the info friend. I'm reluctant to report that this handgun ban has me thinking about adapting or modifying the guns I have, to shoot different calibers. The .45 Super sound to be a bit of a pain to get components for here anyhow, but I appreciate the lesson. I'd never even heard of .45 Super before.
 
Thanks to everyone for all of the input. I have brass on the way from Rusty's, just looking for a heavier spring now and once I find that I can start playing around a bit. My G21 won't be seeing a steady diet of the supers, just something new to play around with is all.
Ian
 
Its above + P when you work up a hot batch. The G21 can shoot them with a heavier recoil spring from what I have researched.
 
The 21 is based off the 20 which preceded it. It's an absolute tank, you don't need to worry about it getting beat up. I wouldn't be worried even with the stock dual spring assembly as long as you are sticking to proper and safe Super load data. If your gun is a single spring setup (gen 3.5 or lower) throw in a 20 or 22lbs spring. Anything heavier is unnecessary and will just hammer the slide home.
 
Painkillers said:
So, this is a new cartridge for me. I've never heard of .45 Super, and I'm a big fan of all things .45.

Ballistically speaking where does the .45 Super sit? .45 Colt +P+? .45 acp +P+? 10mm?

As you mention the G21, I assume the gun can shoot .45 Super without the need for any conversion?
Click to expand...

To shoot .45 Super..a supported chamber is needed.
It’s not me stating it, but the inventor of the .45 Super - Dean Grennell did specify that way back in late 1980.
Still got some articles written by him on it.

Glock are notorious to produce the ‘glock bulge’ on 9 mm - .40 and 45 acp.
I doupt very much this is a proper gun for the .45 Super.

The .45 Super never took off and no big name commercial ammo maker ever produced it.
If it was not for Starline to offer case..this will be a dead cartridge like the .451 Detonic.
 
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