I have a New Service M1909 (Target model) in 45 Colt. I have been keeping the loads down to (or just a little above) the recommended pressures for the single action Colts (they are a bit anemic!). Anybody out there with any experience with the New Service? I know that Colt put out the M1909 in 357 Mag. it would seem reasonable that I could load the 45 up to (or at least close to) the recommended Ruger loads. Anybody out there blow up a New Service recently?

They made that basic gun from 1898 to 1942. IF yours is a 1909 Target model it's made from 1900 - 1942; all but the last years were well before modern type pressures were being used in handguns and would avoid hot loads. Besides, Target Model New Services are going for good prices and it's a shame to ruin one.

Most references list the New Service as being strong, but would limit it to the same loads sanctioned for SAA's or S&W mod. 25's. Tha's were Ken Waters lists it, ahead of the Black Powder Colt SAA's and equal to the Modern Colt SAA's and S&W 1950's.

Have a .455 New Service that got converted to .45Colt sometime in the 1950's. Basically the same gun as yours, but limit the loadings to standard .45colt loads aproved for Modern Colt SAA's. Proably could take more, but thickness of steel isn't a good an idication of strength...the part you cannnot see, the heat treatment of that steel, is what determins it's strength. Considering this particular one was made in 1916, and yours could be older, it seems like stadning up to over loads (which is what it would be in comparison to the factory pressures the gun was made and proofed for) a lot to ask of 90 year old steel.

I have to concur with ribbonstone. I've worked on a lot of colt double action revolvers and if your gonna keep it accurate and functional stay with the loads you are shooting now.

If you want something hotter get a modern revolver that is designed to take the hot loads. Your new service will keep it's value or increase in value if you take care of it and feed it what it's designed to shoot.

You can take a .45 Colt 255gr. SWC to around 1,000fps with Blue Dot, and stay below SAAMI max pressures for the .45 Colt. See the current Speer manual.

I imagine that load will be about all the fun most people can stand in a light DA revolver, anyway.

I wouldn't push it, personally.

Someone forgot to tell me that the standard .45 Colt loads were anemic. That big bullet kills all out of proportion to its "low" velocity and serves as a heck of a fine everyday field piece.
I'm with Ken Waters and the others here in stating that those loads are plenty for that old Colt. We also need to keep in mind that most New Service models are nearing 80+ years old and, if used hard, metal fatigue could become a factor. Older metals do that.
While I do know that the New Service was made in target models like yours and Shooting Masters, I believe that the 1909 was made only in service models. I'd have to check for sure. I know that my '09 is marked US Army. If you find one marked USMC, hang on to it. They can bring upwards of $2500!