Corbon 45Colt+P!

[SgtSam]

I spoke with one of the technicians at Corbon today concerning their 45 Colt +P "Self Defense" ammo. They have two rounds and they're quite powerful. In fact one of them is very powerful. I was curious about the possibility of using them in my M25 Mountain Gun. He said that these two, rounds, while very heavy, should be safe in the M25. He didn't recommend using any of the "hunting" loads that Corbon makes.

I like the idea of the extra power, but, I'm not convinced of the safety. Maybe the 200 grain one, but the 225 is loaded to between 25,000 and 28,000 PSI. The 200 is around 20,000 from what he said.

Do any of you have any experience with either of these rounds and what's the overall opinion of the group on using them? I wouldn't shoot a lot, just a cylinder load each time I go the the range after I've shot a couple hundred rounds of Federal USAs or Blazers. They would also be loaded in the gun for "actual" purposes.

Thanks for the help.

Take Care, God Bless, And WATCH Your Back!

 

[flop-shank]

I think you'll be fine. Look at the pressure .44 magnum N frames deal with.

 

[Dave]

According to John Linebaugh, the N frame S&W in .45 Colt is safe with pressures up to around 32,000 psi (as an absolute maximum)

"The Smith & Wesson Model 25-5 chambered for the .45 Colt is a fine gun and one I pack daily myself. The problem with the Smith &Wesson guns in general is not so much a strength factor but rather a design factor. Before you S&W people beat up on me please listen. It has long been evident that the Model 29 in .44 Magnum very quickly beats itself apart with full-power loads. This is not technically a "strength" problem as much as a design problem and the assemblage of several small parts that are not as rugged as the Single Action design. In the course of time if all the little parts wear a tiny bit this soon adds up to a lot of play in the overall fit and lock-up of the gun. This in turn allows the gun to get a further "run" at itself under discharge and thus hastens the battering process.

In reality the Model 25-5 is about 80% as strong as the Model 29 in the cylinder area. The frames are the same and are designed for a 40,000 psi load level even though we know this is a bit more than they are happy with. It's too bad S&W built a 40,00 psi cylinder and installed it in a 30,000 psi frame, so to speak. (note: since this writing S&W has worked on the problem of the cylinder unlatching and rolling back under recoil after it gets a bit worn) The 25-5 in .45 Colt is safe to 80% of the 40,000 psi of the .44 Magnum Model 29. This allows a load of 32,000 psi in this frame. I have shot hundreds of the 32,000 psi class loads listed at the beginning of this article in several Model 25-5's. Recoil is heavy due to the S&W "hump" on the grip, but I do not see these loads as being dangerous in this fine gun. I do consider 32,000 to be ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM for this gun and prefer to hold my personal loads to 5% under those listed loads for approximately 25,000 psi. I carry a S&W 4" in .45 Colt daily and shoot a 260 gr. Keith at 900 fps for general duty. When I saddle up and go into the hills I pack the same gun with a 310 gr. NEI Keith over 23 gr. H-110. This gives me about 1080 fps and all the punch I need for anything on our mountain. As with any gun and load data, work up carefully. I assume responsibility only for the ammo I myself assemble.

Best regards. John L."
For more:
John Linebaugh's Gunnotes
Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5

 

[Jellybean]

I've always felt the .45 Colt was a fine manstopper without going over standard pressure loads, as long as a good bullet is used. However, since you asked...

John Linebaugh is right, it's not a matter of the S&Ws blowing up from over pressure loads, such as the "Ruger only" in some manuals, it just beats them to death over a preriod of time. And that time depends on how much pressure and how often it's used.