AboutGCH Expertise I CAN answer questions related to defensive use of firearms, tactics, prudent modifications of firearms, utility of certain types of firearms. My greatest knowledge is in the area of handguns.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SENDING QUESTIONS:
I CAN NOT identify antique guns or those that are old and out-of-production. I CAN NOT tell you the value of your firearms. I CAN NOT tell you the history of your guns. I CAN NOT supply information about cheap, inherently unsafe firearms (e.g. Jimenez, Jennings, Lorcin).
Experience Primary Instructor, F2v (armed and unarmed self-defense); NRA Certified Instructor; NRA Distinguished Expert, Handgun; International Defensive Pistol Association certified Safety Officer; IDPA classified Expert, Stock Service Pistol Division; Multiple graduate, Practical Firearms Training, Tactical Carbine and Advanced Defensive Handgun; Insights Training Center, Defensive Folding Knife; Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems, Unarmed Defense and Fixed Blade Knife; Range qualified with local police department, handgun and shotgun; Kukkiwon Ildan Black Belt, ETS certified Self-Defense Instructor
Organizations National Rifle Association, International Defensive Pistol Association, Virginia Citizens' Defense League; Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems; Personal Defense Group
Publications Tactical Journal
Education/Credentials Bachelor's and Master's degrees; Graduate Practical Firearms Training, Handgun levels 1, 2, and 3, and Tactical Carbine; Kukiwan certified Ildan black belt.
Awards and Honors Multiple trophies from various tactical pistol competitions.
Question I am trying to find out if I can use 45 ACP +P AMMO in my Firestorm 45 ACP Gov't pistol. I can not find anything in the manual that specifies but do not want to try without some advice on this. Please let me know something if you can.
Answer I believe these guns are manufactured in Argentina, and I don't have a great deal of confidence in the metallurgy of them. It is standard in the industry that unless the manual specifically tells you that the gun is +P rate, it is probably not, and you should assume that it's not.
As Firestorm's warranty states that it is voided for "use of unauthorized ammunition," and it does not specifically say that +P ammunition may be used, I would assume that using it would void your warranty.
My advice would be to use only standard pressure ammunition in this gun. And as the Government model generally has a throated barrel that does not fully support the case head, that's a good practice for all 1911 style pistols.
