.400 Cor-Bon Explained

.400 Corbon
Origin:United States
Type:Pistol
Designer:Peter Pi
Design Date:1997
Manufacturer:Cor-Bon
Production Date:1997–present
Parent:.45 ACP
Case Type:Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet:.401
Neck:.423
Shoulder:.469
Base:.470
Rim Dia:.471
Rim Thick:.050
Case Length:.898
Length:1.20
Rifling:16
Primer:small pistol/rifle
Max Pressure:29000
Bw1:135
Btype1:JHP
Vel1:1400
En1:588
Bw2:150
Btype2:JHP
Vel2:1310
En2:572
Bw3:165
Btype3:JHP
Vel3:1250
En3:573
Balsrc:Corbon[1]

The .400 Corbon (10.2x22mm) is an automatic pistol cartridge developed by Cor-Bon in 1997.[2] It was created to mimic the ballistics of the 10 mm Auto cartridge in a .45 ACP form factor.

It is essentially a .45 ACP case, necked down to .40 caliber with a 25-degree shoulder.

History and design

Peter Pi, founder of Cor-Bon and the designer of the cartridge, explained his reason for developing the cartridge: "Velocity is the key to making hollowpoint bullets work. The added velocity assures that the hollowpoint will open up even if plugged with material. This reduces the risk of overpenetration and allows the action of the hollowpoint bullet to dump the available energy into the target."[3]

Pi said because he wanted the .400 Corbon to be easy for handloaders to make, he based the cartridge on the ubiquitous .45 ACP so that an ample supply of cases was readily available, gave the shoulder a 25-degree angle, and head-spaced it on the case shoulder rather than the mouth so that over-all-length is not critical and the bullet can take a tight roll crimp to avoid setback and to get a more efficient powder burn.[4]

Performance

According to Guns & Ammo magazine,

Performance is on a par with the 10 mm, yet pressures are much milder. Factory ammo is loaded to +P .45 levels, but the lighter bullet weights make recoil comparable to .45 hardball loads. Felt recoil is a little sharper but still very controllable.[5]

Because of its relatively high velocity for a handgun round, the .400 Corbon offers a very flat trajectory, which in turn allows the firearms chambered for it more effective range. Ed Sanow also felt recoil was equivalent to 230gr hardball in .45 ACP.[6] In addition, the bottleneck case can function better than a straight case with a wider variety of bullet shapes and sizes and allows the use of fully supported barrels.[3]

Ballistics fall somewhere between the .40 S&W and the 10 mm Auto. Unlike the 10 mm which operates at a SAAMI maximum of 37,500 psi, the .400 Corbon operates at 29,000 psi (although one source states that the pressure is 26,500 psi),[7] [8] much closer to the SAAMI maximum pressures for .45 ACP (21,000 psi), and .45 ACP +P (23,000 psi).[9] SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure for 400 Cor-Bon is 35,000 psi.[10] In 2008, Michael Shovel, then National Sales Manager for CORBON/Glaser, stated that Cor-Bon "submitted the 400 COR-BON to SAAMI and it was approved [in 2006]. Pressures for the 400 are in the 23,000 PSI range."[11] The difference between SAAMI maximum average pressure is only 2,500 psi and identical to that of the .40 S&W (35,000 psi).[10]

The .400 Corbon is a versatile cartridge useful for target shooting, practical shooting competition, self-defense, and the handgun hunting of small and medium game. The loads with the lighter bullets are appropriate for small game. Handloaders have worked up safe loads using 180gr bullets at 1250ft/s making it an adequate round for hunting some medium game at close distances.[12]

For practical shooting competitors, the .400 Corbon makes IPSC Major Power Factor of 175 and surpasses the IDPA Enhanced Service Pistol's Power Floor of 125,000 in most loads using a 5-inch barrel.[8] [13] [14] The .400 Corbon also surpasses the Steel Challenge Shooting Association's stop plate's power actor floor of 120 and qualifies for metallic silhouette Big Bore Competition under IHMSA rules.[15] [16]

According to Ed Sanow, the 135gr. JHP penetrated 9inches of ordnance gelatin and "equals the predicted stopping power of the 10mm 135gr JHP loads,"[6] and that the 165gr. JHP "penetrates an ideal 12.3inches of gelatin" and "should be a 92-percent stopper, per the Fuller Index."[7]

Ammunition and handloading

Factory-made ammunition is available from Cor-Bon in a variety of bullet weights and types: 115gr Glaser Safety Slugs; 155gr DPX; 135gr Pow'RBall; 130, 150, and 165gr tradition JHPs; and 165gr Performance Match;[17] and is sold by major mail-order retailers.[18]

Many shooters, however, handload their own ammunition to save money. Fired .45 ACP cases can be resized and trimmed to handload .400 Corbon cartridges.[19] New brass cases are manufactured by Starline Brass and are readily available directly from them and major mail order retailers.[20] According to Starline Brass, "The primer pocket was changed from large pistol primer to small pistol/rifle primer in 12/00. Test results concluded no adverse from switching to small primer pocket. Cor-Bon is now recommending Win. small pistol works best and if using small rifle Remington 7 1/2 works the best."[20]

Lee Precision, Inc. offers a .400 Corbon 3-Die set.[21] Redding Reloading, according to their catalog, offers custom made 3-die sets for the .400 Corbon.[22] Lubricating of the bottleneck case can be avoided when starting with .400 Corbon cases by using a carbide .45 ACP sizing die before using the .400 Corbon sizing die. Using a five-stage progressive reloading press makes this less of a chore.

Setback of the bullet in the case—which can cause excessive pressure—can be avoided by using a tight roll crimp and, if necessary, Corbin's Hand Cannelure Tool for jacketed bullets.[23] Since the cartridge headspaces on the shoulder rather than the case mouth, a tight crimp will not cause headspace problems.[4]

Information on handloads for the .400 Corbon can be found online.[24] [8]

Handguns and conversions

Les Baer offers both his Baer 1911 Premier II 5" and Premier II Super-Tac pistols either in .400 Corbon or as a .400 Corbon and .45 ACP dual caliber combination.[25]

Nearly any .45 ACP pistol can be converted to utilize the .400 Cor-Bon cartridge with only a drop-in replacement barrel, and sometimes a heavier recoil spring (for 1911s this is usually an 18-20 lb. spring, although a few need a 22–24 lb. spring).[26] [27] Suitable recoil springs are easily installed when changing barrels and readily available from many gun parts suppliers, including Wolff Gunsprings.[28] There is no need to buy new magazines, guide rods, or change extractors. Feed reliability with this cartridge improves with very stiff magazine springs, particularly in 1911 style pistols, as too light a magazine spring can cause nose dive jams when the magazine is fully loaded.

Because the .400 Corbon operates at much lower pressures than the 10 mm, modern 1911s can be converted to it without suffering the cracked frames and slide rails that plagued the 10 mm Colt Delta Elite.[29] [30] Since a .400 Corbon conversion virtually matches the performance of the 10 mm yet does not require purchasing another handgun, some call it the "poor man's 10 mm".[19] Plus, one retains the versatility of easily switching back to .45 ACP whenever you desire.

As Gun & Ammo wrote,

The .400 Cor-Bon is one of the more useful of the current crop of .45 ACP offspring. There are faster rounds, but the .400 Cor-Bon is simply easy to get along with. You don't need extra-heavy springs or tricked-out guns for this round -- just drop a .400 Cor-Bon barrel in your favorite .45 and you are good to go.

As of July 4, 2008, the following companies offer .400 Corbon conversion barrels: Clark Custom Guns offers drop-in standard and compensated barrels for 1911s;[31] EFK Fire Dragon offers them for 1911s, Glocks, Sig 200, HK USP, and the Springfield XD;[32] Jarvis Inc. offers them for 1911s;[33] King's Gun Works also offers them for 1911s;[34] and Les Baer offers them for 1911s in National Match grade in 5" and 6-inch barrel lengths.[35] Bar-Sto no longer offers them.[36]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/corbon/caliberloaddata.htm .400 Corbon load data from Corbon
  2. Web site: Dakota Ammo.net - Shop for and Buy Guns Online. Dakota Ammo.net. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20090919213847/http://www.dakotaammo.net/custserv/catalog.pdf. September 19, 2009. dead. mdy-all.
  3. http://www.bren-ten.com/website/id7.html The 10mm Auto Cartridge, "Part 5: 10mm "Offspring" and "Stepchildren," quoting an expired Cor-bon webpage. Retrieved July 5, 2008
  4. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_6_45/ai_55605616 GUNS Magazine, "Storm from the East," by Clair Rees (1999). Retrieved from Bnet on July 5, 2008
  5. http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/1911_hot_rods/index1.html Guns & Ammo, "1911 Hot Rods"
  6. Web site: Handguns, "400 Cor-Bon: Sizzling New Auto Pistol Cartridge," by Ed Sanow, p. 57, August 1996. Tripod.com. June 27, 2017.
  7. Web site: Handguns, "400 Cor-Bon: Sizzling New Auto Pistol Cartridge," by Ed Sanow, p. 55, August 1996. Tripod.com. June 27, 2017.
  8. Web site: recguns.com. www.Recguns.com. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160116012707/http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IVG12.html. January 16, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  9. Web site: Max Chamber Pressure - SAAMI Specs. www.LASC.us. June 27, 2017.
  10. Web site: Velocity and Piezoelectric Transducer Pressure: Centerfire Pistol & Revolver. January 30, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150319133613/http://saami.org/specifications_and_information/specifications/Velocity_Pressure_CfPR.pdf . March 19, 2015 .
  11. Web site: 10mm vs. .400 Corbon - 1911Forum. forums.1911forum.com. 28 December 2016 . June 27, 2017.
  12. Web site: 400 Corbon vs. 10mm -- conclusions. BananaFufu.Blogspot.com. June 27, 2017.
  13. Web site: International Practical Shooting Confederation. www.IPSC.org. June 27, 2017.
  14. Web site: IDPA - Welcome! . IDPA.com. June 27, 2017. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906010628/http://www.idpa.com/. dead.
  15. http://steelchallenge.com/scsa-clubs/scsa-rules/ SCSA Match Rules and Conditions
  16. Web site: IHMSA Official Rules. Retrieved July 4, 2008. . IHMSA.org. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20151107123431/http://www.ihmsa.org/2007%20Rules%20Revised_files/2007%20Rules%20Revised.htm. November 7, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
  17. http://www.dakotaammo.net/index.html Dakota Ammo. Retrieved July 4, 2008
  18. Web site: Cheap Ammunition & Bulk Ammo for Sale - Cheaper Than Dirt!. www.CheaperThanDirt.com. June 27, 2017. February 10, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120210041813/http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ammowizard.asp. dead.
  19. Web site: 400 Corbon: A cheap man's 10mm. BananaFufu.Blogspot.com. June 27, 2017.
  20. Web site: Starline Brass - Rifle, Handgun and Pistol Reloading Brass. www.StarlineBrass.com . June 27, 2017.
  21. Web site: Lee Precision, 3-Die Steel, 400 Corbon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210422015552/https://leeprecision.com/3-die-steel-400-cor-bon.html . 22 April 2021 . 28 March 2022 . LeePrecision.com.
  22. http://www.reddingreloading.com/pages/onlinecat.html Redding Reloading, Online Catalog, Die Caliber Reference Chart. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  23. Web site: Corbin HCT-1 Hand Cannelure Tool. www.Corbins.com. June 27, 2017.
  24. Web site: 400 Corbon Load Data - Handloads.Com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310111821/http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=400+Corbon&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=. dead . March 10, 2018. www.Handloads.org. June 27, 2017.
  25. Web site: Les Baer. Retrieved July 4, 2008. . LesBaer.com. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617211105/http://lesbaer.com/Duty.html . June 17, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
  26. Book: Barnes , Frank C. . Skinner, Stan . Cartridges of the World . 11th . 1965 . 2006 . Gun Digest Books . Iola, WI, US . 263, 285 . 0-89689-297-2.
  27. http://www.dakotaammo.net/faq.htm "Dakota Ammo FAQs". Retrieved July 5, 2008
  28. Web site: Wolff Gunsprings - Firearm Springs for Semi-Auto Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, & Shotguns. www.Gunsprings.com. June 27, 2017.
  29. [Colt Delta Elite#Generation 1 (1987-1996)|Colt Delta Elite, Design. Retrieved July 4, 2008]
  30. [10mm Auto#History|10mm Auto History. Retrieved July 4, 2008]
  31. Web site: Clark Custom Guns, Parts -- 130 and 165 Series. Retrieved July 4, 2008.. ClarkCustomGuns.com. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20150316072152/http://clarkcustomguns.com/1911dtl.htm. March 16, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
  32. Web site: Buy Pistol Barrels Online - Buy Standard Pistol Barrels - Pistol Accessories . www.EFKFireDragon.com . June 27, 2017.
  33. Web site: Jarvis Inc. 1911 Pistol Barrels. Retrieved July 4, 2008.. Jarvis-Custom.com. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20090208163438/http://www.jarvis-custom.com/Products/tabid/53/ctl/ProductDetail/productId/49/mid/388/Default.aspx. February 8, 2009. dead. mdy-all.
  34. Web site: King's Gun Work's catalog. Retrieved July 4, 2008. . KingsGunWorks.com . June 27, 2017. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170400/http://www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/page10.html. dead.
  35. http://www.lesbaer.com/parts3.html Les Baer High Performance Components and Parts. Retrieved July 4, 2008
  36. Web site: Bar-Sto Precision Machine. www.BarSto.com. June 27, 2017. June 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170627004705/http://www.barsto.com/contact.cfm. dead.