Geco Pistol .45 ACP Ammunition for Practical Pistol Competition

Geco Practical Pistol Ammunition

The German ammunition manufacturer Geco supplied the designated match ammunition for World Shoot XVI, which took place in Rhodes, Greece in October 2011. Geco developed a variety of calibres and bullet weights and styles for use in practical pistol events. I previously carried out a series of velocity tests with a CED Millennium Chronograph and accuracy tests, both bench rest and with a Ransom Rest, on a selection of these loads. You can look at the results of these tests at

http://www.practicalhandgun.com/ammunition/geco-pistol-ammunition-for-ipsc-world-shoot.html

At the time I did not have the opportunity to test the Geco .45 ACP ammunition, but this has recently been rectified and I have completed a series of accuracy and velocity tests on the Geco .45 ACP 230 grain FMJ ammunition. Using a STI Sentry pistol and a Smith and Wesson 625 revolver, both in .45 ACP calibre, I measured the velocity of the Geco 230 grain full metal jacket loads with a CED M2 chronograph. The accuracy of the ammunition in was tested in a Ransom Rest. The Ransom Rest and grip inserts used were obtained from Brownells Inc. ( www.brownells,com ). You can also obtain Ransom Rests and grip inserts from www.ransomrest.com 
 

Accuracy Test Results

The STI Sentry pistol and Smith and Wesson 625 revolver were in turn secured in the Ransom Rest and the CED Millennium M2 Chronograph was positioned in front of the Ransom Rest. The target was set at a distance of 25 metres in front of the Ransom Rest. The following results were recorded. The bullet weight is in grains and the velocity in feet per second is an average of six shots. The Geco .45 ACP 230 grain FMJ ammunition has an overall length of 1.254 inches ( 31.8 mm ).

 

STI Sentry .45 ACP Calibre Pistol
Bullet Weight         ( grains )	Velocity      ( fps )	Power Factor	Group Size                        ( inches )
230	784	180	2.375

 



                             Testing the Geco .45 ACP calibre ammunition with a STI M1911 pistol in the
                                                   Ransom Rest gave a 2.375 inch group.

 

 

Smith and Wesson 625 .45 ACP Calibre Revolver
Bullet Weight         ( grains )	Velocity      ( fps )	Power Factor	Group Size            ( inches )
230	762	175	2.625

 



                     The Smith and Wesson 625 produced a 2.625 inch sized group with the Geco ammunition.

You can see from the results that when the Geco ammunition was tested that it produced a 2.375 inch ( 60.3 mm ) group in the STI Sentry pistol and a 2.625 inch ( 66.7 mm ) group in the Smith and Wesson 625 revolver. Also the power factor in both handguns was above the 170 minimum required to score major. In a practical pistol competition were the ammunition is supplied by the organisers, it is deemed to make major or minor irrespective of the power factor that is recorded with the chronograph. So if you are going to use this designated match ammunition, at any graded practical pistol event where it is the supplied ammunition, you will not have to worry about the power factor.

Functional Reliability

For those in Revolver Division primer sensitivity will be a major concern for the S&W 625 wheel gunners. Also with Classic Division, which mandates the use of a single stack M1911 pistol, functional reliability of the ammunition will be a major concern. From the testing that I carried out primer ignition and functional reliability was 100% in both the .45 ACP calibre STI Sentry pistol and Smith and Wesson 625 revolver used.

From the image you can see that the primers were well struck. The STI sentry has had no modifications performed on it. The action of the S&W 625 revolver has been polished. The hammer spring fitted to this revolver is the original S&W factory spring.

 



                           Primer sensitivity is a big issue with revolver shooters. The firing pin impact with the  
                             Smith and Wesson 625 revolver ignited the primers used in the Geco ammunition.

 
Geco will make this ammunition widely available. This will be of benefit to those who fly to competitions and need to purchase either additional or all of their ammunition requirements. It will also be useful to people who live in countries were you are not permitted to reload ammunition.



                          Functional reliability of the Geco .45 ACP ammunition was 100%, both during the      
                                           Ransom Rest testing and also during hand held firing.

Match Ammunition

The information in this article will also enable you to reproduce these factory loads with your own reloaded ammunition. The stated overall length and recorded velocities will enable you to check for functional reliability, accuracy and point of impact in your own pistol or revolver. This will enable you to go to a competition were Geco are supplying the match ammunition knowing that the Geco ammunition will work in your pistol or revolver. The maximum weight of ammunition that you are permitted to carry by airlines is five kilograms. This is a major problem when you are participating in a Level IV or V practical pistol competition. The ammunition requirement for the big Level III matches around Europe also exceeds this five kilogram limit. This has given the organisers of Level III and Continental and World Shoot events a big headache to ensure that competitors have enough ammunition to complete all the stages. The solution is to have Geco supply the designated match ammunition for competitors to use.


For Further Information

www.geco-ammunition.com

www.brownells.com

www.ransomrest.com