Detonics Scoremaster

koz5614 · #1 04-07-2023, 04:18 PM

Although I originally set out to find a .451 Magnum Detonics pistol, I stumbled upon its generic .45ACP counterpart at a gun store in Easton, PA. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it came with the factory box and paperwork, and it was in great shape, so I took a chance & grabbed it. I suspect the gun was for a competition shooter, as when I picked it up, it had a “Quadra-Lok” ported barrel assembly and adjustable slide stop (never saw one of those before), skeletonized hammer, extended safety, and S&A mag well. Fortunately, the original owner kept almost all of the original parts with the exception of the factory Pachmayr rubber coated mainspring housing. He even had the extra two interchangeable Millett front sights. I ended up returning it to stock with the exception of the single sided safety, which I really like.

First Impressions:
This is a Bellevue WA gun; I believe the first ones were produced in Seattle. The owner’s manual has a sticker on it that indicates their address has changed to Bellevue. From the factory, this gun came with a bull barrel with recessed crown, extended beaver tail safety, a lowered ejection port, and an ambi safety. These things are pretty common now, but back in the 1980s, this was some high-speed stuff. The magazine release protrudes quite a bit more than my other 1911s, but it feels “right”. The wrap-around Pachmayr is very comfortable, and I’m now on a hunt to find the matching Pachmayr rubber mainspring housing.
Inside the box was paperwork pertaining to the Quadra-Lok barrel system. Apparently, the whole setup would have consisted of the barrel, slide stop and captive recoil spring system. My pistol does not have the recoil spring assembly, and uses the factory Detonics system instead. I never heard of Quadra-Lok, so I did some research on it. It appears the creator of the system was a Detonics employee, so I wonder if the owner purchased the Quadra-Lok items at the same time he bought the pistol.

But how does it shoot?
When I went to the range today, I kept an open mind about the accuracy of a 40+ year old gun. After the first magazine, I am now a Detonics fanboy. This thing is is one of the softest shooting 1911s that I have ever used, most likely because it’s a fairly heavy gun. The accuracy is freakishly good - better than most, if not all of my Colt 1911s. My 8 shot strings at ten yards resulted in one ragged hole the size of a half dollar over and over again. I put three boxes of 230gr FMJ through it without a hiccup. To say I am pleased with my purchase is an understatement.
Now, I just have to find a .451 version.

stansdds · #2 04-07-2023, 05:39 PM

I happen to have an unused Centaur Systems Quadra-Lok compensated barrel with slide stop and roller pin, but no shims nor reverse recoil spring guide rod and plug. The barrel is stainless and the dual port comp is blued carbon steel. It also happens to be chambered in 10mm Auto. I got it cheap on eBay a long time ago and I have yet to use it. Thinking that since I don't have the special reverse guide rod a plug that Centaur had for this conversion I might need a blued carbon steel slide designed for a reverse plug and bull barrel. The Quadra-Lok system was reputedly capable of incredible accuracy.

koz5614 · #3 04-07-2023, 06:52 PM

I was lucky & got 3 or 4 extra shims that came with the kit. I don’t doubt the accuracy claims as the barrel has that unusual flat area on the bottom so you could shim the slide stop and “tune” the lockup. I’ll have to swap the barrel back in to try it out.
I don’t have the recoil system either, but it functioned fine with the stock recoil spring assembly.

tmd17 · #4 04-08-2023, 08:29 AM

Very nice find. I am some what of a 1911 junky and had never heard of the slide stop shimming design until this post. Now I have to find one of the kits just so I can say "Oh yeah, I have one of those too!"

stansdds · #5 04-08-2023, 08:34 AM

You can match .451 Detonics Magnum ballistics pretty easily with 45 Super ammo. Buffalo Bore makes 45 Super ammo and Starline makes 45 Super brass for reloaders. I do not recommend using 45 ACP brass for 45 Super loads. First, there is usually a difference in case head thickness between the two, the Super brass being thicker. Second, it's not a good idea to shoot 45 Super in a pistol that is not set up for the energy the Super produces, so different case head markings can be helpful with this possibility.

.451 Detonics brass is also hard to find. It can be made from 45 Win Mag brass, just trim it down until it is 0.050" longer than 45 ACP/Super.

stansdds · #6 04-08-2023, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmd17

Very nice find. I am some what of a 1911 junky and had never heard of the slide stop shimming design until this post. Now I have to find one of the kits just so I can say "Oh yeah, I have one of those too!"

Good luck, they have been out of production for decades and they never really seemed to be a popular item, so I don't think there that many out there.

Oh, and mine is not for sale, I have plans for it.

LVSteve · #7 04-08-2023, 01:07 PM

That's different, in a good way.