20SF, Shoot 45ACP on the Cheap?

[sulaco]

I've got a 20SF and I'd like to be able to shoot 45ACP. I've seen different recommendations, everything from a new upper (I'd just assume spend a little more and pickup a Ruger 1911 if I went that route) to a new barrel. What's the most cost effective route? I don't plan to use it defensively, just to be able to shoot 45 is all. I've got two brand new 21SF mags so do I just need a barrel? What about the extractor or ejector?

[_The_Shadow]

Here is the issue using the g-20 for 45ACP (larger ejection rim) the breech is cut for the ejection rim of the 10mm. This is different when using the G-21 and a 10mm barrel.

[21Carrier]

Shadow is right, you CAN NOT get just a barrel. You have to get a whole top end. You can either get one from Glockmeister for $360 or try to find a used one. The G20 breech face is too small to chamber a .45ACP.

Here's what I recommend. Spend that money on a reloading setup. You can download 10mm to be as soft as .45ACP, home made ammo will be as cheap as 9mm, you can load hotter 10mm stuff than you can buy, and it's fun as hell. There's nothing that .45ACP can do that 10mm can't. Get into reloading, and it will make 10mm MUCH cheaper and more versatile. Once you start reloading 10mm, you won't have a need for any other calibers. That itch for .45ACP will disappear real quick.

[Maine1]

get a 40 barrel.

[HAMMERHEAD]

.40 is the way to go with 10mms.

[awdxtc]

or 357 sig but why have a piece of bacon when you can have the whole hog?

[cigarman454]

I agree with 12Carrier. Reload it's fun. You can even get an aftermarket barrel and cast your own bullets as I do. Now were talking cheep to shoot.

[Ebb27]

Where are you finding cheap .45acp ammo???


Most of the .45 I see is roughly comparable to what 10mm ammo runs, better availability but not really what I'd call "cheap".


I'd have to agree that if you want a conversion for cheaper factory ammo .40 is the way to go. Wally-World has lots of relatively "cheap" ammo in .40 at least when compared to .45acp anyway.

[TDC20]

I agree with 21Carrier, reload if you can. I reload, but I also have a .40 short & weak conversion barrel from Lone Wolf. The reason is .40 brass is extremely plentiful and cheap (free if you don't have a problem with range pick-ups), you can get once fired as low as $6-$8/100. Then you don't feel bad about losing your good 10mm brass when you're at the range shooting steel or whatever where it's hard to recover your brass. Plus the aftermarket barrel will allow you to shoot lead cast bullets, which are extremely economical. I load a 175 LSWC up to about 1050 fps (kinda hot for .40) and get a nice recoil that is good for training.

ETA: Another benefit of .40 is that most 10mm dies can be used to load .40S&W, so you only have to buy one set of dies.