For a handgunner going afield to hunt large game, the tool of choice has traditionally been a large caliber revolver. Thanks to the efforts of both factory R&D and the developments of custom gunsmiths through the years, we now have big shiny 5 and 6 shooters in calibers from .44 all the way up to .500 available from a variety of sources. And what about those marvelous single shot pistols like the Contender, chambered in everything from .17 to .500? Any way you look at it, handgun hunters have never had it so good. That is, unless you happen to prefer automatic pistols. Well, things have changed.
Now, with the AUTHENTIC.460.ROWLAND conversion system from inventor and developer Johnny Ray Rowland, (and through his new company, 460 Rowland LLC ), the auto loader aficionado can have the power of a .44 Magnum in his or her light weight, high capacity .45 auto pistol and hunt right along side the big boys without feeling undergunned.
While the .460 cartridge is not the only way to get a more potent load into an automatic pistol, I believe it is far and away the most practical. Of the many calibers tried in the 1911, the .460 comes out pretty much at the top in terms of bullet weight and energy. The 45 Super, basically a beefed up 45 case, comes close, (within 300 fps), and is a very tempting alternative. The only problem for me is the fact that the 45 Super case is the same length as the standard 45 ACP and the potential of putting Super ammo into another 45 that is not set up to take it would always be there. The fabulous 44 Auto Mag and the Wildey pistols are certainly up to the task, but they are big, expensive, and hard to find. So is the Auto Mag ammunition for that matter. The great Desert Eagle chambered in .44 Magnum or .50AE has more than enough energy for most hunting applications, but after lugging a chunk of iron that large and heavy around all day, (assuming you are able to find a holster for it), your thoughts will tend to wander toward finding something in a lighter format. The great thing about the AUTHENTIC.460.ROWLAND conversion is that it adds only a little length to the gun, due to the highly effective dual port compensator on the barrel, and that is all. The basic pistol remains unchanged and gains only a couple of ounces, again due to the compensator.
(last edited by T. Scrim@460rowland 4/5/12)
For more read http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12543/GunTechdetail/The__460_Rowland_Conversion
