Full pistol write up plus a range trip
Hello all,
Finally got a range trip in with the 460 Rowland. Since I've gotten a few requests for info, have decided to post this write-up. Sorry it is a bit of a long read. Skip to the end for a range report if that's all you're interested in
The 1911 Rowland
"Drop-In" kit was imported through Inkster @
http://www.praetoriantactical.com/
Great guy to deal with and I'd recommend him if you want to import stuff from the states. All in, at the time came to just under 400 CDN.
There was a kit posted on the EE for around 250, whoever got it made out like a bandit!
The package was sent to Gunnar for fitting into my Norc 1911.
While the kit says it's a
"Drop-In", I wanted a known 1911 smith to look it over just in case.
Over the years I've learned that
"Drop-In" or
"Bolt-On" doesn't always mean that.
With the 460 Rowland, the margin for error gets really small. The cartridge pushes the 1911 platform to it's limit and the pressures can climb very quickly when max loads are used. Basically, it doubles the operating pressure of the original 45ACP.
Glad I did send it in, as some work was required to get the whole thing working properly.
I suppled some 460 Rowland brass (available at DoubleTap the CGN Sponsor) and Gunnar did some test firing.
As delivered, the kit did work but it literally beat the s**t out of the brass and the comp while slowing down the slide didn't work as well as it should even with the 24lb recoil spring.
Additionally, there were some issues with extraction due to the heavy recoil.
Gunnar added a smaller top port at the back of the comp (a "Venturi" Port I think he called it), replaced the extractor with a Wilson Combat unit and tweaked the whole unit to work.
It was tested again, got the thumbs up from Gunnar and shipped back.
This might seem a little long winded but I wanted to explain the bottom line on the conversion.
Gunnar's work came out to around 500 bucks.
Add in the initial 400 for the conversion kit and the price to play with an odd-ball combination starts moving upward very quickly.
So if you have a suitable 1911 already, you'er looking at around 1000+ to get rolling properly on the Rowland train (including brass).
For comparison, My 44 Mag Desert Eagle cost me about 1500 with 3 mags, grips and a few parts.
This isn't meant to discourage you, just a friendly heads-up from one CGN'er to another.
The main reason I wanted the Rowland is to have a comparable cartridge in a smaller platform than the DE While I love the DE, it's kind of a Clown Gun meaning it's big, kinda silly but fun.
RANGE REPORT
Finally, the part you guys requested. Loaded up some 230gr Hornady XTP Jacketed Hollow-Points over 10.5 grains of Hogdon LongShot (10gr starting, 12gr max load). Getting the OAL length was a bit of a pain for me as I usually load revolver rounds where OAL isn't as critical.
So loaded up a single round and pulled the trigger, Boom! Great noise and the recoil isn't what you'd expect. It definitely has a good snap to it but it is in no way uncontrollable or even offensive. It just let's you know something serious is happening when you pull the trigger. Loaded up another mag and let her rip! Awesome.
It's a fun beastie, easy to keep on target and recovers from recoil quickly. Loaded up another mag and same thing, pure joy. My range buddy also tried out a mag and liked it. Didn't mind the recoil and commented it's a pretty enjoyable shot.
Just to let you know it does knock stuff around, my grip screws (Extra heavy pewter grips from Wilson Combat, I just like the heft of them) would work loose and the mag well screw also got loose. Will have to swap grips or break out the loctite it seems.
So all in all I'm very happy. I've got a 1911 sized package that shots a ballistic twin of the vaulted 44MAG (Big fan of the 44 so that's not a knock). Great trigger, awesome handling and the reliability of the 1911.
Was it more expensive than I had planned? Yes.
Am I happy with the result? Most definitely!
Can hardly wait to bump the loads in the 230gr loading and try out the 185gr recipe. If the 44MAG is anything to go by, the 185gr load should be spectacular!!!
Only downside other than the money? The DE is going to be looking for a new home shortly. Sorry old boy, there a new kid in town and he's got your number
Sorry for the long winded message, just want to pass on my experience so far.
Best regards,
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