44 Magnum velocity/energy from a 1911 is tough on the firearm no matter what you do. The 45 SUPER provides a significant performance increase
I have never felt the need for the expense of converting to a Rowland when so many 45ACPs can handle 45 SUPER with very minor and inexpensive changes. If I need 44 Magnum performance, I chose a firearm that is built from the ground up to withstand that kind of pressure.
I have been shooting 45 SUPER for years.
This Springfield is one of the few factory offering in 45 SUPER
With a 45 SUPER, we are not reaching the 36,000 PSI of the 44 Magnum or the 460 Rowland's 40,000 PSI. 45 ACP runs at a max of 21,000 PSI, 45 ACP +P tops out at 23,000 PSI and 45 Super only reaches 28,000 PSI.
Using the 45 caliber 230 grain JHP as a reference velocities from a 5" barrel are as follows:
45ACP: 880FPS
45ACP+P: 980FPS
45SMC/45 SUPER: 1160FPS
460 Rowland: 1340FPS
Energy is as follows:
45ACP: 395 ft-lbs
45ACP+P: 490 ft-lbs
45SMC/45 SUPER: 650 ft-lbs
460 Rowland: 930 ft-lbs
The 45 SUPER has more than 50% extra energy over the standard 45 ACP and is very controllable without the need for a comped barrel assembly and without the need to almost double the operating pressures.
45 SUPER can even be used in some firearms with zero modification. The S&W 625 revolvers as well as any of the full size HK USPs
