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Old 05-19-2017, 02:24 PM
black_hog_down black_hog_down is offline
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Default 45 super in 4506? 4566? 4516?

Anybody have experience converting a 4506 to 45 super? Is it just a spring change?
How about the smaller 66 or 16? I'd really like to try the compact 16 but I'm worried the slide is too light. Matbe the midsize 66 is a better option?
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Old 05-20-2017, 02:00 AM
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BLUEDOT37 BLUEDOT37 is offline
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Besides using S-L 45 Super cases (a must) it's a spring change in the S&Ws.

I setup my 4586 for 45 Super. Used a 22# recoil spring. Also installed a new XP firing pin spring & XP magazine spring so they are in top shape & can keep up with the extra slide speed.

You can bump up the hammer (main) spring to 22# or 23#, if you want to add a little more resistance to the slide opening, but it'll make the trigger pull a little harder too.

No problem using the 4-3/4" & 5" barrel pistols for 45 Super, but I don't recall if anyone's doing it on the 3-1/2" barrels as they have lighter slide/bbl. weight.

Going to be reloading or factory ammo?

.
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Old 05-20-2017, 07:44 AM
black_hog_down black_hog_down is offline
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I will be reloading.
How do I find reliable load data? Any powder recommendation?
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Old 05-20-2017, 09:52 AM
Charlie Foxtrott Charlie Foxtrott is offline
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Default I just got my 4506-1 back from my smith.

All set up for 45 Super. All new springs is all that is required, including extra power magazine springs which are all available from Wolff. Ammo should show up Monday, We will see.
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Old 05-21-2017, 03:22 AM
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BLUEDOT37 BLUEDOT37 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by black_hog_down View Post
I will be reloading.
How do I find reliable load data? Any powder recommendation?
Honestly not much available, since it's not a SAAMI spec'd cartridge.

Triton originally sourced reloading data for it which seems to be what most people have worked from.

"Real Guns" has the most data available for 45 Super loads:

Real Guns - A kimber in .45 Super for $8

Real Guns - Handload Data - .45 Super

.

- - - For pistols in good repair. Work-up slowly & use at your own risk - - -



Nosler 185 gr JHP: - COAL: 1.200" or longer-
Power Pistol - starting load: 9.5 grs. (1,105 fps) - max. 11.3 grs. (1,307 fps)

Hornady 200 gr. XTP: - COAL: 1.200" or longer-
Power Pistol - starting load: 8.5 grs. (1,037 fps) - max 10.3 grs. (1,196 fps)


.

Hogdon's Longshot 45 Super data is weak at 20K CUP & is no more that +P. Their 460 Rowland Longshot (starting) data is too hot for 45 Super. Longshot is (from side-by-side data I've seen) slightly slower than Power Pistol & I've used Power Pistol's data for Longshot loads with no apparent difference.

I load mainly 185gr JHPs, either Nosler or Zero, using P-P.

.

One caution on shooting 45 Super in 1911's; they often lack the full case support of the S&W 3rd Gens & they require heavier springs & a radiused firing pin stop mod.

.
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Old 05-22-2017, 08:50 AM
kingrj kingrj is offline
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My .45 super conversion was to a full sized 4506-2. I had to install a extra power Wolff firing pin spring and an 18 pound recoil spring...That was it and it functions perfectly with stock mag springs. Load is 10 grains of Power Pistol using a cast SWC 200 grain bullet. Very accurate and I have killed three deer with it. Chronographed velocity is 1230 fps.
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:26 PM
Charlie Foxtrott Charlie Foxtrott is offline
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Default I got some ammo from Buffalo bore the other day.

My 4506-1 45 Super conversion runs like a top with their 255 grain outdoorsman load running at 1075 fps.
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Old 05-27-2017, 08:00 AM
black_hog_down black_hog_down is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Foxtrott View Post
My 4506-1 45 Super conversion runs like a top with their 255 grain outdoorsman load running at 1075 fps.
Can you still run standard pressure 45 acp after the spring change?
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Old 05-27-2017, 08:34 AM
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Lots of good information on the 45 Super over on this forum thread: 45 Super? | The Leading Glock Forum and Community - GlockTalk.com .

Not much on the S&W 4506 specifically but good info from people who put a lot of time into developing loads for the Super.
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Old 05-28-2017, 01:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by black_hog_down View Post
Can you still run standard pressure 45 acp after the spring change?
My 45ACP handloads are either full or (+P) loads, no light loads, & they all function without issue.

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Old 06-24-2017, 09:05 PM
Nodrama43 Nodrama43 is offline
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I am currently searching for a 4506 for this same reason. I am running 250 gr hard cast at 1200 fps out of a Colt LW government but not getting 100 percent function. Planning of fine tuning a 4506 for the same load. Using longshot powder...
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Old 06-26-2017, 10:21 AM
kingrj kingrj is offline
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When I first bought my 4506 new years ago..it had a very narrow feed ramp that would not feed anything but hardball! It would jam on SWC's and JHP's all the time. I sent it to Wayne Novak and he reshaped the feed ramp and it will feed empty cases from the mag now. If you have the same narrow feed ramp I had it will never be reliable with a good cast SWC's without modification..
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Old 06-26-2017, 11:20 AM
Charlie Foxtrott Charlie Foxtrott is offline
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Default I do not knw.

Quote:
Originally Posted by black_hog_down View Post
Can you still run standard pressure 45 acp after the spring change?
But I will check it.
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Old 06-27-2017, 12:40 PM
Charlie Foxtrott Charlie Foxtrott is offline
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Default I shot a full magazine of Winchester White box.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Foxtrott View Post
But I will check it.
Out of my 4506 set up for 45 Super, yesterday with no issues. I would not say that this is conclusive, but certainly indicative. That the gun will run well with standard pressure 45 acp.
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Old 01-06-2019, 01:30 PM
steelholder steelholder is offline
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Bumping an oldie, just came across this as im looking to convert my 4506 (no dash) to super. Ive heard the no dash models were thinner than the later 4506-1 and had less support. Anyone successfully run super out of the no dash model?

Which recoil spring is ideal 18,20,22? Thanks.
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Old 01-06-2019, 01:35 PM
squidsix squidsix is offline
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I shot .45 Griz out of my 645 many moons ago. I think there was a spring recommended for it. 21 pounds I think.
Anyway the 645 can handle it easily so I assume the 4506 no dash will give the same results. People do it in 1911 pistols regularly with spring changes or long slides and they are arguably less robust than a 45xx S&W.
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Old 01-06-2019, 11:58 PM
steelholder steelholder is offline
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Quote:
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I shot .45 Griz out of my 645 many moons ago. I think there was a spring recommended for it. 21 pounds I think.
Anyway the 645 can handle it easily so I assume the 4506 no dash will give the same results. People do it in 1911 pistols regularly with spring changes or long slides and they are arguably less robust than a 45xx S&W.
Thanks, so far I'm thinking about going with a 20lb recoil spring and tighter firing pin spring. Anyone chime in if something else is missing.
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Old 01-07-2019, 09:24 AM
squidsix squidsix is offline
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Maybe magazine springs. Theoretically, the slide is going home faster with the heavier recoil spring, and COULD impact the magazine's ability to keep up feeding rounds to the top. Maybe.
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Old 01-07-2019, 12:21 PM
steelholder steelholder is offline
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Got some tighter mag springs as well.

I've noticed older threads mention special buffers to reduce slide beating but newer threads only mention spring upgrades. Years ago there was Menck recoil spring with built in buffers, if I remember correctly.
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Old 01-09-2019, 11:23 AM
kingrj kingrj is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelholder View Post
Bumping an oldie, just came across this as im looking to convert my 4506 (no dash) to super. Ive heard the no dash models were thinner than the later 4506-1 and had less support. Anyone successfully run super out of the no dash model?

Which recoil spring is ideal 18,20,22? Thanks.
Actually any 4506 work will work just fine in .45 super. As far as the recoil spring rate goes use anything that makes you feel good because going from a 15 lb spring up to a 22 lb spring makes VERY LITTLE difference in the slide impact energy at the frame stop. If you go too high then you will have feed problems with stock mag springs. I use an 18 lb spring and have had no operating or feeding problems at all. However you will want to install an extra power firing pin spring because you will see lots of dragging of the firing pin on the primers of fired cases. Now this is not really a problem but it "bothered" me so I just put in a stronger firing pin spring. The biggest factor in managing the increased monentum impulse in the super is the combined barrel and slide mass. I would not want to shoot super in a shorty very much..full sized is better but no matter what length SW gen 3 you shoot super in it will NOT blow up..it just takes a worse beating...
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