Im running a Springfield TRP Operator fit with a .460 Rowland kit for my back-country backup. However, I am going to be spending several months back east this year, most of it in Kentucky. I actually want to keep carrying the weapon for my EDC (I know, it's really big for most folks, but it works for me) but I don't want to be loaded with bear medicine in town. The set-up will shoot both .45 acp and .45 Super as it is right now, but the spring is too strong to cycle reliable with lighter .45 acp rounds. What I want to do is get a regular GI guide rod and standard spring for regular carry, but keep the .460 bbl and comp on the gun. Then just switch the spring, guide rod and ammo when headed back out west. Am I missing something? is this viable?

The question is not about the length or weight of the gun, or the comfort of carrying it, ease of concealing it and how it compares to what you prefer to carry. I have a mechanical question, but I'm not without experience. Thanks.

No such thing as a "GI" guide rod. The 1911 was not designed to use one. It's an aftermarket invention. I'm not familiar with that particular version or the conversion kit, but would think that if the barrel shoots standard ACP rounds, then you just need a standard recoil spring, bushing, and recoil spring plug. Should be cheap and easy. I carried a 1911 on duty for a number of years and that's a lot of gun to tote around!

You can load 45 ACP data in Rowland cases and switch springs. Works fine. The slightly longer case with thicker web doesn't change powder capacity enough to matter. The web only changes capacity about 1/10th of a grain. I don't like shooting ACP or Super cases because they don't head space properly in the Rowland chamber.

I'd agree with reflex264. Lighten up on your 260 loads and swap to a 18 or 20# spring or just load 185 gr'ers with normal 260 data and run 'um with the spring that's in there. I do.

Thanks, Guys. That's pretty much the direction my thoughts were going. For now, I decided to just drop the original bbl back in, as I'm on the road full time now and not set up for re-loading.