1,350 FPS from a 1911? The DoubleTap 450 SMC

Updated: October 17, 2014 BY Sam Trisler

Double Tap Ammunition—The 450 SMC

The good folks over at Double Tap are always pushing the envelope on power. They might have out-done themselves with the new 450 SMC. This new round is meant to be fired through any firearm that is chambered for 45 ACP +P. It pushes a 185 gr JHP to 1350 fps, a 230 gr JHP to 1200 and a 255 gr hardcast to 1100.

Did you catch that? It came pretty fast. A 185 grain jacketed hollow point, from a 1911, running at 1,350 feet per second. For those of you keeping score at home, that is fast.

How can they do this in a chamber designed for 45 ACP you ask? They use a special cartridge case. The case is essentially a cut down .308. This gives it thicker walls to hold up to the charge. This is very important when using the 450 SMC in chamber like a Glock that leaves a good portion of the case unsupported. The biggest difference is it uses a magnum rifle primer instead of a large pistol. And it probably kicks like a mule.

Double Tap has promised to send us some rounds to test out. Look for our review in the coming weeks. Until then, check out some photos of expanded rounds. Pretty awesome stuff.

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Same bullet, same gun. Very different results.

Same bullet, same gun. Very different results.

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The 450 SMC uses a .308 case.

The 450 SMC uses a .308 case.

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A .45 ACP that moves at magnum speeds? The .45 SMC.

A .45 ACP that moves at magnum speeds? The .45 SMC.

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We'll have a live fire test coming soon. You can get the rounds with solid copper bullets, too.

We’ll have a live fire test coming soon. You can get the rounds with solid copper bullets, too.

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Alfred Oddi January 24, 2021, 9:48 am

I have a Glock 41. What do i need to change out in order to fire a 450 SMC

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Ricky Jimenez September 13, 2016, 8:38 pm

i have a Colt National Match. does anyone know if this 1911 is +P rated?

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Bill March 1, 2015, 12:43 pm

I bought some of these and installed a 22lb recoil spring in my Sig 1911, recoil is isn’t too bad, sound is way louder, shoots a flame about 6″ wide and a foot long, definitely gets your attention. Fun to shoot, but not cheap

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Alex October 24, 2014, 9:38 am

Sounds like an ideal cartridge for a H&K MK23.

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Martin Greis October 22, 2014, 7:02 pm

I own a .45 1911 made in the Philipines. It has a 4/1/4 inch barrel and has tested out as pretty darn accurate at the 25 yard range. I shoot store bought .45 ACP through it and Jasus Khrist I can’t imagine why a guy would want a .45 that goes any faster.

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Alan October 21, 2014, 6:43 am

Betting this modded round would be PERFECT in something like the Kahr/AO Thompsons!! I would prefer something like this over modding the chamber for a .460 Rowland!!!

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Bert October 21, 2014, 1:10 am

.460 Rowland is the answer…

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Mc October 20, 2014, 10:36 pm

Ill take the bullet that performed as it should and didnt expand as much. not the overexpanded garbage round that will possibly shed weight and not penetrate enough. 450smc is great as long as you used hard cast or stronger bullets.

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glenn October 20, 2014, 6:03 pm

Why? – just because you can do something, is it necessary or practical?..

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Don October 20, 2014, 2:05 pm

Isn’t this essentially what Detonic’s did with the .451 Detonics? If it is a standard length case. all one is doing is wrecking a pistol. The “cracked Colt” images show what would likely never happen with loads at a more acceptable velocity. Destroying pistols prematurely is not smart. If you want that much power, buy a good .44 Mag revolver. Carry a light weight back up.

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- saa1903 October 23, 2014, 3:16 pm
  
  It’s exactly what they did. The .451 Detonics Magnum was strictly a handload proposition – they manufactured the brass, but there was never any factory ammo made to my knowledge. It was a beefed up .45 ACP case that was a little longer to keep it from chambering in a stock .45 ACP. Their published load data listed 185 and 200 grain JHPs at 1345 fps and 1281 fps respectively. I have a Combat Master in .451 Detonics Mag and have made cases by cutting and reaming .308 brass. The recoil is nasty with 7 grains of Bullseye; the max recommended load is 10 grains. I can only imagine.
  
  Nothing going on here that wasn’t in the works 35 years ago.
  
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dink winkerson October 20, 2014, 12:48 pm

Can you say over penetration.

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Stephen Deshler October 20, 2014, 12:28 pm

Sounds like 45 Super to me. I just finished test firing three different 45 Super cartridges from my Springfield Armory 45 XDm compact. It has an upgraded recoil reduction system from DPM and the chamber is fully supported. I fired Underwood 185 grain, Buffalo Bore 200 grain and Underwood 230 grain. They run at 1300, 1200 and 1000 fps respectively. Buffalo Bore makes a 255 grain hardcast but I haven’t tried that. The Underwood 185 grain kicks like a mother. The other two seem closer to a hot +P in felt recoil. I plan to try the Double Tap when available.

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Max Hoyle October 20, 2014, 11:24 am

They are way behind! Ever hear of the Aguilla IQ? or Libertys .45 acp load? Both use light bullets to get speeds this high or higer, but don’t need special (and probably VERY expensive brass). I haven’t tried Liberty’s .45 offer yet but have shot a lot of the IQ in .45acp and 9mm with never a problem. I have shot Liberty’s .380 shoots great with .380 bullets going 1500fps!

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- Rick P February 4, 2016, 1:48 am
  
  I haven’t used the IQ either, but the Liberty rounds are very light and very high velocity hollow points and designed for law-enforcement. After a couple inches of penetration it fragments and it is very unlikely to exit therefore if you have to take someone out in a crowd (i.e. Sporting event, Concert etc.) the person next to, or behind is relatively safe. In home defense, especially a row house the Liberty in any caliber won’t penetrate sheet rock for your neighbors safety. In NJ beware we the people must use FMJ’s meaning people 100yds plus away can be shot. Smart legislature, you’d think they might read something about ballistics before voting.. Magsafe has a light epoxy filled HP that is high velocity, light and fragmenting, haven’t tried yet. Also in various calibers.
  
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tulsamal October 20, 2014, 7:43 am

There are pistols other than the 1911 that chamber and fire .45 ACP. To suggest “I would not suggest running it in anything other than a 1911 with upgraded springs to handle the increased recoil” seems incorrect to me. I’m sure there are others….. IMO…. anything any 1911 can handle, an HK45 can use with no problem.

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Carl October 20, 2014, 6:50 am

Don’t think I would want to shoot those in my glock 30s. Maybe my Kimber custom 5″ barrel.

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Bob October 20, 2014, 6:34 am

Here is the link to Karl Lippard

http://karllippard.com/military/docs/45-ACP-Barrel-Safety.pdf

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theCRASE.com October 18, 2014, 10:15 am

Sounds like they are loading a .45 super. Nothing new but does your weapon actually support it? I would not suggest running it in anything other than a 1911 with upgraded springs to handle the increased recoil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Super

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- Daniel E. Watters October 18, 2014, 9:51 pm
  
  That’s correct. The .450 SMC was Triton Cartridge’s response to Garey Hindman’s hard line on demanding licensing fees for use of the trademarked .45 Super name. While SMC officially stands for “Short Magnum Cartridge,” former Triton president Fernando Coelho admitted that it originated from a vulgar one-liner delivered by one of his associates.
  
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  - Bob October 20, 2014, 6:32 am
    
    For safety reasons, one item comes to mind, and the only person that has explained it best, even to the government is Karl Lippard. If you own a Colt, or similar, and plan to use anything over 800FPS, do you due diligence. Check Karl Lippard’s data and research, you will be surprised and happy (safe) to find out. Ignorance is danger.
    Call Mr. Lippard as I did. Nice guy and an encyclopedia when it comes to firearms.
    
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  - bob October 20, 2014, 6:50 am
    
    Here are the pictures of failed tested pistols :http://soldiersystems.net/2012/07/20/marsoc-winning-colt-guns/
    
    The explanation http://karllippard.com/military/docs/45-ACP-Barrel-Safety.pdf
    
    Karl Lippard’s 1911A2- The technology is century current and battle tested. The pistol is the most accurate 1911 known. For the purists that debate this point, try to shoot 400 & 600 yard shots with open sights with your prized Colt 1911, and land the shots on the target.
    
    All metal parts of the gun, except for springs, are made of S7 ~ Vacuum Arc Melt Steel, certainly one of the strongest and best metal found in the world today. Tolerances are built at below .050 microns. That is a slide fit worthy of a Marine, say no more. In remote areas, the pistol’s instructions call to be cleaned with sand and any type of liquid (in battle, another way of saying urine) and you will be ready to go. It is guaranteed for life, guaranteed for life even if abused. Now there is an interesting concept here, guarantee for life, even if abused. Wouldn’t that produce a huge saving to the Military? One wonders.
    
    The Lippard barrel will take pressures upwards of 78,000 PSI. In essence, you could very comfortable fire 460 Rowland cartridge pressures with his barrels and still have plenty of strength to handle the load. Most 1911 barrels don’t test at 1/2 of the tested pressures that of a Lippard, actually more like 21% but I was being generous.
    
    History of the 1911 A2 Combat NCO® The proto-type “Combat NCO® Grade 1911 A1®” pistols were made in 1987-88 at Pachmayr Gunworks in Los Angeles, CA under the fine direction shop foreman Lester Pittman. A modified 1911 A1 they were called NCO’s and protected their otherwise Classified nature. The design and tactics for the Combat NCO originated from then General Manager of Pachmayr, Karl C. Lippard, former USMC Drill Instructor, Jungle Instructor and Hand to Hand Combat instructor who had combat experience using the 1911 A1 in an offensive mode.
    
    These 1911 A1 series 70 pistols were modified to military specifications for specific combat use in small quantities.There were three types of pistols produced for the military. They were marked “NCO Grade Combat” in which a detailed criteria was given; an Officer Grade Combat in 9mm for military officers only; and General Grade Officer” .45 for General Grade officers only with their respective officer service number on the pistols.The NCO Grade pistols were requested by the Marine Corps for special unit use such as Force Recon, Delta Force and other special weapons units of the government for use against terrorists.
    
    A manual was written to tactical engagement. Also designed for the criteria was a special knife made of A2 steel out of one solid bar. There were 27 knives made. It too was design specific to the military task of close quarter combat as taught by Marine Corps Hand to Hand Combat Instructors and Sgt. Lippard.All these military pistols and knives were warranted for life against everything from Pachmayr, including abuse. None that were made were ever been returned or seen again.
    
    These pistols were made exclusively for the military and not sold to the general public until resurrected and updated in 2007. The Combat NCO knives and subsequent variations were sold and well known to the public. The knives were tested and used on combat operations by Karl Lippard’s old unit of 1st Force Recon and returned in 1999 upon retirement of the Unit Commanding Officer.The word “Combat” in the “Combat NCO” name is a statement of origin and identified it from common 1911 A1’s.
    
    The acronym “NCO” in the name was used because he was the man who used it. The man and the pistol are both called Combat NCO’s. Born in Combat and tested there by Marines, Delta and CIA since 1987 the Combat NCO remains the only “Offensive use” 400 yard accurate military pistol designed for that duty in the world today.
    
    Offensive Use Pistols in military service as a norm are defensive in nature. Specifically the 1911 A1 in discussion must be defined as defensive as it has none of the attributes to be used in an offensive mode. The sights are small giving poor results in most light conditions for accurate shooting at any distance beyond 10 feet for most users in a defensive mode. Its loose function made of 8620, and 4340 steel material allowed for functionality but limited its long term use, accuracy and survivability beyond the official life span of 16,000 rounds. Its redeeming feature however was the caliber of choice being the 45 ACP. In this it excelled in its assigned duty since 1911.
    
    The Combat NCO®1911 A2® is an Offensive weapon by design.Before we can come to the designation of “Combat NCO, NCO or 1911 A2” model changes, we need to have a background on the differences from the 1911 A1. To even USE the term 1911 A2, or propose it, one would have to assume the original pistol in production designed by John Browning has been significantly modified in patent or design that improves the accuracy, economic life, function, effective range, interchangeability and military use of the A1. This has been done to such a degree that the 1911 A1 is not the same pistol except in conceptual thought
    
    Some subsystems remain KLD classified even today. Furthermore, there are continued advancements in design for patent called the “A3 and A4” models taking the original 1911 out in upgrades to the end of this platform design set to be year 2100.These changes in the way barrels are made and replaced, it’s barrel bushing, nosepiece ~ bushing and it’s use; the slide stop, safety, hammer, sear, frame, slide, front sight, rear sight fixed, rear sight adjustable and, to include the material used, constitutes a “1911 A2” and acknowledges its origins.
    
    Now that we possess accuracy and safety in the Combat NCO®1911 A2® we can think about for the first time extending its maximum range. And while this data is found in great detail in patent we can say here that the sights specific to the Combat NCO®allows it to give good results up to 400 yards. Some discussion there as to thickness of the front sight blade comes into play as it is an Offensive Weapon; how targets are measured in distance by that; how targets are engaged to maximum range if necessary, and in qualified hands, even extend the range from 400 to 600 yards without sight adjustment.
    
    When all the criteria are satisfied of an accurate Offensive Weapon on a 1911 design platform, and all patented components are present, collectively it is called a Combat NCO®model 1911 A2®. It’s not who makes the gun that is important; but what’s inside it.
    
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    - Eric Kutchins October 20, 2014, 1:50 pm
      
      Are you the president of the Karl Lippard fan club or just a groupie?
      
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    - pkoning November 19, 2014, 9:34 am
      
      “Tolerances are built at below .050 microns.” you said.
      Nonsense. Unless you’re in the computer chip making business, you’re not building things to those tolerances. If you meant mils (thousandths of an inch) instead of microns, I might just barely believe it, though even that is highly unlikely.
      So I guess we should treat your story as a pile of marketing fiction; it certainly isn’t an accurate engineering description of your product.
      
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  - Survival Outfitters October 20, 2014, 7:00 am
    
    We have been selling and configuring the MechTech Carbine Conversions, which we have been adapting to the “.45 Super” and +P+ sub-machine gun 9MM ammo for quite a while. We have a new cartridge, which will be out next year, that will beat these velocities – loosely based on a similar concept. These high velocity cartridges, while hot in a handgun, really show their stuff in a 16″ or longer carbine that is capable of the pressure for an extended period of time.
    
    Dorian Jones
    Store Manager
    Survival Outfitters
    
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- harley October 20, 2014, 10:47 am
  
  so I assume there is some kind of slight difference between this and a 45 super case? not a new design. 45 super is strengthened brass that still has same external messurements as a 45acp and can fire from a hundgun that is setup to handle the extra abuse. Im running 45 super through an M&P45 mostly 255gr at 1100 fps. DoubleTap I understand need to sell products but this is nothing new.
  
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  - Daniel E. Watters October 21, 2014, 1:32 am
    
    The Triton .450 SMC cases used a small primer pocket versus the large pistol primer pocket of the .45 Super and .45 ACP. With the small primer pocket, you can run pistol or rifle primers. Fernando Coelho once stated that he got the best results with Federal’s Small Rifle primers.
    
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  - bob May 10, 2015, 9:07 am
    
    does anybody use 450 smc in standard m&p 45? what if any changes were needed?
    
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