Load for Colt Officer vs standard?

[medalguy]

I'm hoping someone can easily answer a question for me. I load .45 ACP for my standard 1911A1 with 6.0 gr Unique behind a 230 gr FMJ, and it functions my 1911A1 very well. My son just received an Officer model and I'm wondering if I should produce a different load for that model. Anyone know if the Officer needs a lighter load, or will it run OK with my standard load for 1911A1?

 

[v8stang289]

I think the only real way to know is to try it and see how it does, but it should function fine. I use the same load in my 3" 1911 and 5" 1911 and it functions great in both.

 

[mebe007]

Should be fine but different weight recoil springs can do a lot to how a 1911 runs. The shorter the 1911 is the more perfect things have to be as it has to accomplish the same thing as a full size but in a shorter duration

That's my understanding at least

 

[Clark]

Your Colt commander probably peaks out around 12 pounds, not 60, like mine.

They are available form this outfit from 12 to 27 pounds
http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto Pistols/COLT/COMMANDER SERIES PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID2

I think you should either tune you load to get the cases to land 5 feet away, or tune your spring to your load to do that.

 

[Havok7416]

I use the same load for my Colt Defender (shorter than Officer length) that I use for my Taurus PT1911 (full size), IMI Baby Eagle and HK USC. YMMV but there shouldn't be any issues with the round based on the size of the gun.

 

[Steve C]

6.0grs of Unique behind a 230gr FMJ run at right around 850 fps from my Government, Commander and Sig 220 with no significant velocity differences. Pretty much right at military ball spec. This is a bit faster than some commercial FMJ that's usually closer to 800 fps from the same guns.

No reason the load shouldn't run fine in your son's officers model if its unaltered from OEM as should any 230gr FMJ commercial ammo. Ball ammo is about as universally reliable as one can find for .45 acp semi autos. Where you usually find problems is with guns that have been modified by the owner without finding out if they work in unmodified form first.

 

[Slamfire]

When I tested 6.0 grs Unique behind a 230 FMJ it was a mild load.

You just have to test it, those shorty M1911's can be finky so go to the range with factory ammunition and your reloads. Just see what works.

 

[rcmodel]

Anyone know if the Officer needs a lighter load, or will it run OK with my standard load for 1911A1?

Do you know of any ammo manufacture selling 'Officer's Model Only' .45 ACP ammo??

I thought not.

SAAMI spec for the .45 ACP cartridge is what it is.
And the guns, regardless of size, are all built to work with it.

Not the other way around.

rc

 

[TexasShooter59]

My Officers Model is finicky with factory ammo, but I have not started loading for it. Yet.

 

[medalguy]

Thanks guys. No, I've never seen "Officers only" ammo but then I'm not shooting factory ammo. I didn't want to shoot up a couple hundred rounds of my ammo only to discover the load was too hot for a shorter barrel. I'd rather see if anyone has had similar experience before and learn fron any mistakes they discovered.

I suppose we'll go with my loads and see if they work in his pistol as well. Sounds like they should. Thanks to all for the information.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks guys. No, I've never seen "Officers only" ammo but then I'm not shooting factory ammo. I didn't want to shoot up a couple hundred rounds of my ammo only to discover the load was too hot for a shorter barrel. I'd rather see if anyone has had similar experience before and learn fron any mistakes they discovered.

I suppose we'll go with my loads and see if they work in his pistol as well. Sounds like they should. Thanks to all for the information.

Wow, that's a switch. Usually when someone is shooting a short barrel they worry about ammo not being hot enough to retain enough velocity to reliable expand the bullet. (Yes, I know what you were saying)

Like the others said, not to worry, your ammo will be just fine.