Mech Tech CCU in .460 Rowland--anyone have any experience??

[SHOOT1SAM]

A friend of mine is looking at a Mech Tech CCU (Carbine Conversion Unit) in
.460 Rowland.

I've searched, but can't find where anyone has had one of these units in this caliber.

I've read about the strain being more on the slide & lugs (Old Fuff) than necessarily on the frame, but about everything I can find relates to the
.460 Rowland conversion strictly in terms of being done with a handgun frame & slide.

We're wondering if the carbine unit, even though it's still blowback operated, will still place an inordinant amount of strain on the frame. The pistol he has is a Taurus PT-1911, a terrific pistol, & I'd hate to see him do anything to it that will not be in his best interests.

Edit starts here: I don't need opinions on what would be a more powerful rifle or one that would shoot cheaper ammunition; the Mech Tech unit is available locally and has piqued my friend's interest. He knows there's no "need" or utilitarian purpose for it-he's just thinking it might be a fun conversion unit to play around with.


Any related experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Sam

 

[JImbothefiveth]

A .30-06 would probably be more powerfull if he just wants a powerful rifle.

 

[Kilgor]

A Ruger .44 mag semiauto would be more powerful and the ammo would be cheaper and more available.

 

[Tim L]

Several members of this board have them in .460. User Nimble1 was the only one I found in a quick search. Mine is a lowly .45acp and admittedly I haven't shot it much.

Tim

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Bump to get it noticed.

 

[e-dub]

mech tech 460 rowland

I've got one of these in 460 rowland. I have a Para double stack frame that I use exclusively for this. I also own a taurus pt1911 but have never used it with the mech tech. I've got a cheap 30 or 40 mm red dot mounted to it and it works great.

I think the mech tech in 460 rowland is great. I actually shoot .45 acp out of it also (without any problems). I just read on their web site that shooting .45 out of it can cause "unsafe conditions" (I don't see how, if any one knows why let me know) however when I first bought mine I asked them about this and they said it was fine to do. I have never had any problems shooting either 460 row or .45 acp. By the way when you shoot 460 rowland out of this thing (especially compared to .45 acp) you will be amazed. I figure you can also shoot +P and 45 super.

The Para frame I use doesn't seem to show any wear and when I shoot 460 rowloand I don't really feel any pressure or stress in the frame. If you think about it you are putting the "slide" up against your sholder. In a regular rowland pistol conversion the slide would be moving back and the frame (and spring) would be stopping the slide. WIth the mech tech the bolt is hitting a rubber stopper. Really the only thing the lower is doing is feeding bullets and activating the trigger.

The pt 1911 has a weeker finish than the para so it might get worn a little if it is inserted and removed often and not carefullly but but I don't see any reason why it would hurt the frame or strength of a pistol.

This is a fun gun and in my opinion very versitile. You can put any 1911 style frame on it shoot, 45 or 460, and it is very acurate. In a pinch you could cary this unit and a 1911 and have a nice pistol and the option for a longer range carbine that both fire the same caliber. What else would you need.

 

[Yoda]

I once called MecTech about the Rowland...

An individual in the Tampa area was advertising a MechTech CCU in 460 Rowland, and he assured me it would also work fine with 45 ACP. I was suspicious, so I did some internet research then called the MechTech people to hear what they had to say.

The internet research indicated that the Rowland case is slightly longer than a standard 45 ACP case, but they both have the same bore and use the same bullets. Thus, a CCU chambered for 460 would have a case somewhat too long for a 45 ACP, and the 45 ACP case would be supported by the ejector only. There would also be a small gap that the bullet would have to transverse enroute to the bore. Overall, this could eventually lead to a broken ejector, a failure to extract, or chamber fouling.

The good folks at MechTech said pretty much the same about the potential problems, although they weren't aware of anyone actually having those problems in actual use. However, they also noted that a standard .45 ACP 1911 could be used with the Rowland CCU, as all the 1911 frame does is feed the rounds into the chamber and activate the trigger. All the recoil and such is handled by the CCU, and no stresses associated with the Rowland are transferred to the attached 1911.

So, be sure what you're getting and what you want to do with it. I elected to get a "normal" CCU and forego the 460 Rowland model that was being offered. The price was good, though. Maybe it's still being advertised. Check Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, or Auctionguns... It was on one of those sites several months ago. I think the owner was in Sarasota.

- - - Yoda

----------------