An Ultimate Guide: .45 Long Colt VS .45 Colt

The .45 Long Colt and the .45 Colt are two different cartridges that are often confused with one another. The .45 Long Colt is a rimmed, straight-walled cartridge that was developed in 1872 for use in the Colt Single Action Army revolver. In contrast, the .45 Colt is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge that was developed in 1873 for use in the Colt Peacemaker revolver.

Both cartridges are popular for use in cowboy action shooting and hunting. Today, I will compare the two cartridges and discuss their differences.

 

An Overview Of The History Of The .45 Long Colt And .45 Colt

The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are two of the most iconic and widely used handgun cartridges in the world.

  • The .45 Long Colt was developed in 1873 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company for use in their single-action revolvers. It was the first metallic cartridge to be used in a handgun and was adopted by the US Army in 1873.  On the other hand, the .45 Colt was developed in 1878 by Smith & Wesson and was designed to be used in their double-action revolvers. It was adopted by the US Army in 1892.
  • The .45 Long Colt was the standard sidearm of the US Army from 1873 to 1892, when it was replaced by the .45 Colt. The .45 Long Colt was also used by the US Navy and US Marines during the same period. In contrast, the .45 Colt was used by the US Army until 1911 when it was replaced by the .45 ACP.

Key Takeaways

  1. The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are still popular today and are used by many law enforcement agencies and private citizens.
  2. They are also popular among Cowboy Action Shooters, who use them in their single-action revolvers.
  3. The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are also popular among hunters, as they are powerful enough to take down large game animals.
  4. The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are both powerful and reliable cartridges. And they have been used for over a century.
  5. In a word, they are a testament to the quality and reliability of Colt’s Manufacturing Company and Smith & Wesson firearms.

 

An Ultimate Guide: .45 Long Colt Vs .45 Colt

The .45 Long Colt and the .45 Colt are two different cartridges, so they have differences.

  • The .45 Long Colt is a longer version of the .45 Colt. It was originally designed for use in the Colt Single Action Army revolver.
  • On the contrary, the .45 Colt is a shorter version of the .45 Long Colt. It was primarily designed for use in the Colt New Service revolver.
  • But the .45 Long Colt is more powerful than the .45 Colt and is typically used for hunting and target shooting.

Comparing the Accuracy, Power, and Range

.45 Long Colt:

  • Accuracy- The .45 Long Colt is a very accurate round, with a good reputation for accuracy at medium to long range.
  • Power- The .45 Long Colt is a powerful round, with a muzzle velocity of around 900 feet per second and a muzzle energy of around 400 foot-pounds.
  • Range- The .45 Long Colt has a maximum effective range of around 100 yards.

.45 Colt:

  • Accuracy- The .45 Colt is a very accurate round, with a good reputation for accuracy at medium to long range.
  • Power- The .45 Colt is a powerful round, with a muzzle velocity of around 900 feet per second and a muzzle energy of around 400 foot pounds.
  • Range- The .45 Colt has a maximum effective range of around 150 yards.

The Different Uses of .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt

The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are two different cartridges, although they are often confused.

The .45 Long Colt is a rimmed, straight-walled cartridge that was originally designed for use in the Colt Single Action Army revolver. It is still used in some revolvers today, as well as in lever-action rifles.

On the other hand, the .45 Colt is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge that was designed for use in the Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver. It is still used in some revolvers today, as well as in some semi-automatic pistols.

Analyzing Ammunition Options

The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are two different types of ammunition used in firearms.

  • The .45 Long Colt is a longer version of the .45 Colt and is typically used in revolvers.
  • The .45 Colt is a shorter version of the .45 Long Colt and is typically used in lever-action rifles.
  • Both types of ammunition are popular for hunting and target shooting.
  • The .45 Long Colt is a more powerful round than the .45 Colt and is capable of producing higher velocities and greater energy. It is also more accurate than the .45 Colt and is better suited for long-range shooting.
  • The .45 Colt is less powerful than the .45 Long Colt but is still capable of producing good accuracy and velocities. And it is also more economical than the .45 Long Colt and is often used for plinking and target shooting.

When choosing between the .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt, it is important to consider the type of firearm being used and the intended purpose of the ammunition.

  • The .45 Long Colt is better suited for long-range shooting and hunting, while the .45 Colt is better suited for plinking and target shooting.

Understanding The Recoil Differences

The main difference between the two cartridges is the amount of recoil they produce.

The .45 Long Colt produces more recoil than the .45 Colt due to its longer case and heavier bullet. This is because the longer case allows for more powder to be used, which increases the amount of energy released when the cartridge is fired. And the heavier bullet also adds to the recoil, as it has more mass and therefore more momentum. As a result, the .45 Long Colt produces more felt recoil than the .45 Colt.

 

Are 45 Colt And 45 ACP interchangeable?

No, 45 Colt and 45 ACP are not interchangeable.

  • Primarily, the 45 Colt is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers, while the 45 ACP is a rimless cartridge designed for use in semi-automatic pistols.

Moreover, they are not interchangeable because they have different case lengths, bullet diameters, and pressures.

  • The 45 Colt has a case length of 1.285 inches, a bullet diameter of .452 inches, and a maximum pressure of 14,000 psi.
  • And the 45 ACP has a case length of .898 inches, a bullet diameter of .451 inches, and a maximum pressure of 21,000 psi.

So, Which One Is More Powerful: A 44 Or A 45?

Generally, a .45 caliber gun is more powerful than a .44 caliber gun.

But there are many other factors that can affect the power of a gun, such as the type of ammunition used, the barrel length, and the design of the gun.

 

A Guide to Proper Cleaning and Maintenance for .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt

The .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are two of the most popular and widely used handguns in the world. They are both reliable and powerful handguns that can be used for a variety of purposes. However, like any other firearm, they require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them in top condition. Here is a guide to proper cleaning and maintenance for the .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt.

  1. Disassemble the Gun:  Before you begin cleaning and maintenance, you must first disassemble the gun. This includes removing the slide, barrel, and other components. And make sure to keep track of all the parts and pieces as you disassemble the gun.
  2. Clean the Gun:  Once the gun is disassembled, you can begin cleaning it. Start by using a cleaning rod and patch to clean the barrel. Then, use a brush and solvent to clean the slide and other components. And be sure to clean all the nooks and crannies of the gun.
  3. Lubricate the Gun:  After cleaning the gun, you should lubricate it. Use a quality gun oil or lubricant to lubricate the slide, barrel, and other components. And do not forget to apply the lubricant evenly and sparingly.
  4. Reassemble the Gun:  When the gun is lubricated, you can reassemble it. And make sure to put all the parts and pieces back in the correct order.
  5. Test Fire the Gun: After reassembling the gun, you should test fire it. This will help you make sure that the gun is functioning properly.

Following these steps, any gun owner can ensure their .45 Long Colt and .45 Colt are in top condition. Also, regular cleaning and maintenance will help keep your gun in good working order and ensure that it is safe to use.

 

Some FAQs:

Are 45 Colt And 45 long Colt Used The Same Ammo?

No, the .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are two different cartridges. The .45 Colt is a shorter cartridge, while the .45 Long Colt is a longer cartridge.

What Is The Best Self Defence Caliber?

There is no single “best” self-defense caliber. The best caliber for self-defense will depend on the individual’s needs, preferences, and the type of firearm they are using.

  • Some popular self-defense calibers include 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .380 ACP, and .357 Magnum.

What Caliber Do FBI Agents Use?

The FBI uses a variety of firearms, including the Sig Sauer P226 and P229 pistols in 9mm and .40 S&W calibers, the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun in 9mm, and the Remington 870 shotgun in 12 gauge.

 

To Conclude

The .45 Long Colt and the .45 Colt are both popular and widely used handgun cartridges, but they have different uses. The .45 Long Colt is a more powerful cartridge and is typically used for hunting and self-defense, while the .45 Colt is more often seen in target shooting and competition. As long as the shooter is aware of the differences between the two cartridges, both can be effective for their respective applications.