Pistol · Not SAAMI standardized
.45 Super
Enhanced .45 ACP with lengthened case for significantly higher pressure and velocity.
- Caliber
- 0.451″ · 11.455 mm
- Introduced
- 1988
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .45 ACP
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1988
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Dean Grennell / Ace Hindman
- Manufacturer
- Dean Grennell / Ace Hindman
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 25 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 28,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2450 yd
- Recoil
- 6–10 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .45 Super. Parent case: .45 ACP.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.09 | 0.476 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 22.81 | 0.898 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 32.39 | 1.275 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .45 Super is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .45 Super
Lineage
History
Developed in the late 1980s by Dean Grennell and Ace Hindman as an extended .45 ACP variant. The lengthened case allows significantly higher pressures and velocities than standard .45 ACP while using the same bullet diameter. Requires a reinforced slide and barrel; remains a niche competition and hunting cartridge.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .45 Super use?
- .45 Super typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .45 Super?
- .45 Super uses a 0.451″ (11.455 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .45 Super still in production?
- .45 Super is active; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .45 Super used for?
- .45 Super is primarily used for self-defense.
- What is .45 Super based on?
- .45 Super is derived from the .45 ACP case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .45 Super archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 20 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
