The XD .460 Rowland Project

[dglock]

Originally Posted by KingArthur

Good info, but that is kind of what I was wondering about the .45 super. Whether the XD standard barrel can withstand that pressure or not. Even if the 460 would fit, and it is intentionally set up not to, it would create an explosive situation due to the much higher pressures. That was my main concern with finding a barrel dedicated for .45 super as another conversion barrel, to insure that there would be no pressure issues with the .45 +p+ or super rounds.

It was a precautionary desire more than anything else. I like the idea of flexibility, I am just trying my best to avoid "kb's" along the way.

Check the pressure data, the 45 super only averages about
2000 psi more then the 45 acp. There would be no reason to make a 45 super barrel for that small pressure difference.

don

[KingArthur]

Originally Posted by dglock

Check the pressure data, the 45 super only averages about
2000 psi more then the 45 acp. There would be no reason to make a 45 super barrel for that small pressure difference.

don

Out of curiousity have you tried it? I have an XD .45 service and I have .45 +p for it, just not .45 +p+ or .45 super. When I was researching rounds, I almost went the Glock 21 route, because Acecustom45 in Cleveland TX does Glock 21 .45 super conversions, and there was the whole .50 GI conversion. However, none of them held a candle to the .460 Rowland in balistics. So far, I haven't seen a Glock 21 .460 Rowland conversion anywhere.

[ThumperIII]

I think there was a 45Super conversion (recoil springs, guide rod, barrel) for the Glock but it was discontinued as the design of the Glock did not hold up to the greater recoil. So it probably would not work well with 460 Rowland. The Glock slide stops directly against the end of the poly frame, where the stronger XD design uses the locking block to stop the slide recoil force. This distributes the impact better. Glocks work fine within their designed use. The XD can be pushed a bit further.
I shoot occasional 45Super from my unmodified XD45 Service without problems. The Tactical model would work better as it can be modified with a stronger recoil spring to help dissipate the force and a heavier guide rod to reduce flip. Either model can be equipped with a ported or compensated barrel to reduce recoil. If I continue with 45Super more than a few boxes, I expect to get a ported barrel
The 460 Rowland conversion is only for the XD Tactical model (not service) and can use recoil springs/guide rod/and barrel modifications to tame the kick - which should still be considerable.

[KingArthur]

Originally Posted by ThumperIII

I think there was a 45Super conversion (recoil springs, guide rod, barrel) for the Glock but it was discontinued as the design of the Glock did not hold up to the greater recoil. So it probably would not work well with 460 Rowland. The Glock slide stops directly against the end of the poly frame, where the stronger XD design uses the locking block to stop the slide recoil force. This distributes the impact better. Glocks work fine within their designed use. The XD can be pushed a bit further.
I shoot occasional 45Super from my unmodified XD45 Service without problems. The Tactical model would work better as it can be modified with a stronger recoil spring to help dissipate the force and a heavier guide rod to reduce flip. Either model can be equipped with a ported or compensated barrel to reduce recoil. If I continue with 45Super more than a few boxes, I expect to get a ported barrel
The 460 Rowland conversion is only for the XD Tactical model (not service) and can use recoil springs/guide rod/and barrel modifications to tame the kick - which should still be considerable.

I am waiting to see what the .460 conversion kit looks like. Supposedly it is a heavier spring and a barrel. From what I have been able to determine the stock spring is 18 lbs, and the heaviest commercial spring is 20 lbs. The main reason I have been kicking around the idea of a tungsten guide rod is the extra weight should absorb more recoil. My thought is less recoil, less mechanical stress and less muzzle flip for a follow up shot.

[ThumperIII]

The tungsten rod will add somewhat to the total mass of the pistol, giving more resistance to movement for the recoil spring to work against. Putting the additional weight up front can help reduce muzzle flip, but it works in both directions, so it somewhat slows your recovery also. Check the action without the heavier rod first. If you have a rail mounted light, this would have a similar effect. If your 460 Rowland kit has a ported barrel, this takes maybe 15% off the recoil force by redirecting the expanding gas away from straight out the muzzle (think rocket). Verify the new spring inside diameter before getting any new guide rods. There are heavier weight recoil springs made for the 1911, but these are smaller diameter than the normal XD spring.

Also the weight of the recoil spring effects the timing of the slide/loading cycle. A heavier spring will close the slide faster leaving less time for the next round to be properly positioned for pickup. Too heavy and you will have slide cycle problems. If you get any failures to load, check on getting some + power mag springs to get that top round pushed up faster. AGP are good. There are others.

[KingArthur]

Originally Posted by ThumperIII

The tungsten rod will add somewhat to the total mass of the pistol, giving more resistance to movement for the recoil spring to work against. Putting the additional weight up front can help reduce muzzle flip, but it works in both directions, so it somewhat slows your recovery also. Check the action without the heavier rod first. If you have a rail mounted light, this would have a similar effect. If your 460 Rowland kit has a ported barrel, this takes maybe 15% off the recoil force by redirecting the expanding gas away from straight out the muzzle (think rocket). Verify the new spring inside diameter before getting any new guide rods. There are heavier weight recoil springs made for the 1911, but these are smaller diameter than the normal XD spring.

Also the weight of the recoil spring effects the timing of the slide/loading cycle. A heavier spring will close the slide faster leaving less time for the next round to be properly positioned for pickup. Too heavy and you will have slide cycle problems. If you get any failures to load, check on getting some + power mag springs to get that top round pushed up faster. AGP are good. There are others.

All my 16 round magazines are AGP's. The 13's have the standard magazine springs.

Out of curiousity which of the following rounds would you recommend? I have a hard time making up my mind:
a) 1524 fps - 954 ft. lbs. - Item # 35A - 185gr. JHP
b) 1347 fps - 926 ft. lbs. -Item # 35B - 230gr. JHP
c) 1345 fps - 924 ft. lbs. - Item # 35C - 230gr. FMJ-FN
d) 1300 fps - 957 ft. lbs. - Item # 35D - 255gr. HC-FN

These are all made by Buffalo Bore.

[xd40sc909]

bump sounds awesome

[KingArthur]

Phase One is complete. I just picked up the XD .45 tactical.

I am still waiting on the conversion kit from Wild West Guns.

[Cloner]

Originally Posted by KingArthur

Phase One is complete. I just picked up the XD .45 tactical.

I am still waiting on the conversion kit from Wild West Guns.

I went to their web site and did not see this conversion listed. Where do I need to look or do they discuss it elsewhere??? I am very curious because I have an XD45 tactical.

Cloner

[KingArthur]

Originally Posted by Cloner

I went to their web site and did not see this conversion listed. Where do I need to look or do they discuss it elsewhere??? I am very curious because I have an XD45 tactical.

Cloner

They don't have it on their website. I called them and ordered it from one of their sale staff. I am still waiting on the kit to arrive. They are on Alaska time in Anchorage, so you can call them fairly late in the day.

I have never ordered anything from Alaska before, so I am not sure what a reasonable ammount of time to wait for the kit is.