Colt Government: .45 Super?

[RevolvingGarbage]

I did a search and found some info, but I want to get some definitive answers, if such a thing exists.

I have an all original Colt 1911 Government stainless in .45ACP. Totally factory set up, aside from the grips, and including the factory recoil spring, and made in 1989.

What I want to do is be able to shoot .45 Super from this gun, both for the fun factor and as a hunting side arm. I don't intend to shoot it regularly, certainly not more than maybe 50 rounds a month or as much as 200-300 rounds ever.

I have heard some sources say that a limited amount of .45 Super won't hurt a steel framed gun, but still I plan to do some basic reinforcing to the gun because I don't want to risk damage. I plan on getting a wolf 20lb spring, and the plastic shock buffers. Is this all I need to safety shoot .45 Super? If so, are there specific shock buffers for GI guide rods, or are they universal?

 

[JTQ]

Here is what Clark Custom has for .460 Rowland.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/rowland.htm

I'm not sure how different .45 Super is.

The info section at the bottom of the page may be of some help.

 

[1911Tuner]

The frame isn't the concern. The frame is a gun mount. The slide takes the real pounding, and heavy springs and shock buffers won't help that a bit.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Tuner,

I take it then that you don't recommend shooting .45 Super out of a 1911 if one is concerned about causing excessive wear?

 

[1911Tuner]

Wear isn't a concern. Recoil stress on those tiny radial lugs is what worries me. If the barrel is fitted for maximum vertical lug engagement, and equalized bearing horizontally...it'll stand up to moderate use with the hot-rod cartridges like the Super and the Rowland. If the barrel fit isn't optimized...I'd hold it down to occasional, need-based use.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Wear isn't a concern. Recoil stress on those tiny radial lugs is what worries me. If the barrel is fitted for maximum vertical lug engagement, and equalized bearing horizontally...it'll stand up to moderate use with the hot-rod cartridges like the Super and the Rowland. If the barrel fit isn't optimized...I'd hold it down to occasional, need-based use.

Got it.

Is there a good simple way to check my lug engagement?

Is it as easy as putting some sharpie or dyechem on the lugs and dry cycling the gun a few times and checking for contact marks?

 

[1911Tuner]

Blue the front barrel lug faces and shoot it a few times. That might give you an idea of where you stand. If it's a factory fit barrel...essentially a drop-in...don't count on equal lug engagement.

The 1911 is a good pistol, but it's not an exceptionally strong pistol. The upper lugs are the weak points. It was designed to withstand the stresses of the .45 ACP cartridge. Pushing the envelope by doubling those stresses is a little like rechambering a Krag rifle to .30-06 and loading to maximum pressures with 200-grain bullets. You'll get away with it for a while.