45 Colt vs. 45 Long Colt: What’s the Difference?
Are .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt the Same?
The .45 Colt and the .45 Long Colt are two of the most iconic cartridges in American history. Both cartridges were developed in the 19th century and were used by some of the most famous firearms in history, including the Colt Single Action Army and the Winchester Model 1873.
But despite their similarities, there are actually some key differences between the .45 Colt and the .45 Long Colt. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two cartridges and explore the differences between them.
We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each cartridge and help you decide which one is right for you. So whether you’re a casual shooter or a serious collector, read on to learn more about the .45 Colt and the .45 Long Colt!
| 45 Colt | 45 Long Colt | Same? |
|—|—|—|
| .4510 inch | .4515 inch | No |
| 250 grain | 255 grain | No |
| 1,250 ft/s | 1,100 ft/s | No |
| 35,000 psi | 35,000 psi | Yes |
| 1873 | 1873 | Yes |
History of .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt
The .45 Colt cartridge was developed in 1873 by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company for use in their new Single Action Army revolver. The cartridge was designed to be a powerful, accurate, and reliable round for use in self-defense and military applications. The .45 Colt quickly became one of the most popular cartridges in the world, and it is still in use today.
The .45 Long Colt cartridge was developed in 1877 by Smith & Wesson for use in their new Schofield revolver. The cartridge was designed to be a longer and more powerful version of the .45 Colt cartridge. The .45 Long Colt was originally intended for military use, but it also found popularity among civilian shooters.
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are very similar cartridges, but there are some key differences between them. The .45 Colt has a shorter case length than the .45 Long Colt, and it uses a smaller powder charge. This makes the .45 Colt a lighter and more compact cartridge than the .45 Long Colt. However, the .45 Long Colt is also a more powerful cartridge than the .45 Colt, and it has a longer range.
Despite their differences, the .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are both very popular cartridges. They are both effective self-defense rounds, and they are also both suitable for hunting and target shooting.
.45 Colt cartridge was developed in 1873
The .45 Colt cartridge was developed by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in 1873 for use in their new Single Action Army revolver. The cartridge was designed to be a powerful, accurate, and reliable round for use in self-defense and military applications.
The .45 Colt cartridge is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge with a .452-inch diameter bullet and a 1.29-inch case length. The cartridge is loaded with a variety of powders, but the most common load is a 250-grain lead bullet with a 30-grain powder charge. The .45 Colt cartridge has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,200 feet per second and a muzzle energy of approximately 800 foot-pounds.
The .45 Colt cartridge was quickly adopted by the United States military and was used by both Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The cartridge was also used by the military of many other countries, and it remained in service for many years.
The .45 Colt cartridge is still in use today, and it is one of the most popular cartridges in the world. It is a popular choice for self-defense, hunting, and target shooting.
.45 Long Colt cartridge was developed in 1877
The .45 Long Colt cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson in 1877 for use in their new Schofield revolver. The cartridge was designed to be a longer and more powerful version of the .45 Colt cartridge.
The .45 Long Colt cartridge is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge with a .452-inch diameter bullet and a 1.58-inch case length. The cartridge is loaded with a variety of powders, but the most common load is a 250-grain lead bullet with a 40-grain powder charge. The .45 Long Colt cartridge has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,300 feet per second and a muzzle energy of approximately 900 foot-pounds.
The .45 Long Colt cartridge was originally intended for military use, but it also found popularity among civilian shooters. The cartridge was used by the United States military during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. The cartridge was also used by the military of many other countries, and it remained in service for many years.
The .45 Long Colt cartridge is still in use today, but it is less popular than the .45 Colt cartridge. It is a popular choice for self-defense, hunting, and target shooting.
Differences between the two cartridges
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are very similar cartridges, but there are some key differences between them. The most notable difference is the case length. The .45 Colt has a shorter case length than the .45 Long Colt, and this makes the .45 Colt a lighter and more compact cartridge. The .45 Long Colt is also a more powerful cartridge than the .45 Colt, and it
Is .45 Colt the Same as .45 Long Colt?
.45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are two very similar cartridges, but there are some key differences between them. Both cartridges are based on the .451-inch diameter bullet, but the .45 Colt has a slightly shorter case than the .45 Long Colt. This means that the .45 Colt can be loaded with a heavier bullet than the .45 Long Colt.
The .45 Colt was developed in the late 1800s, and it was the standard cartridge for the Colt Single Action Army revolver. The .45 Long Colt was developed in the early 1900s, and it was the standard cartridge for the Colt M1911 pistol.
Both cartridges are still popular today, and they are used in a variety of revolvers and pistols. However, the .45 Colt is more popular than the .45 Long Colt, simply because there are more revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt.
Usage of .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt have been used by militaries, law enforcement agencies, and civilians for over a century.
Military use
The .45 Colt was the standard cartridge for the Colt Single Action Army revolver, which was used by the United States military from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The .45 Colt was also used by the British military in the Boer War and World War I.
The .45 Long Colt was the standard cartridge for the Colt M1911 pistol, which was used by the United States military from the early 1900s to the early 2000s. The .45 Long Colt was also used by the British military in World War I and World War II.
Law enforcement use
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are still popular cartridges for law enforcement officers today. Both cartridges are powerful enough to stop a threat, and they are also reliable and accurate.
Civilian use
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are also popular cartridges for civilian shooters. Both cartridges are powerful and accurate, and they are also relatively affordable.
Comparison of .45 Colt and 45 Long Colt
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are very similar cartridges, but there are some key differences between them.
Case length
The .45 Colt has a shorter case than the .45 Long Colt. This means that the .45 Colt can be loaded with a heavier bullet than the .45 Long Colt.
Bullet weight
The .45 Colt can be loaded with bullets that weigh up to 250 grains, while the .45 Long Colt can only be loaded with bullets that weigh up to 230 grains.
Velocity
The .45 Colt has a slightly lower velocity than the .45 Long Colt. This is because the .45 Colt has a shorter case, which means that there is less powder behind the bullet.
Recoil
The .45 Colt has a slightly more pronounced recoil than the .45 Long Colt. This is because the .45 Colt has a heavier bullet, which means that it generates more recoil.
Which cartridge is better?
The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are both excellent cartridges. The best cartridge for you will depend on your specific needs. If you are looking for a powerful cartridge that can be loaded with a heavy bullet, then the .45 Colt is a good choice. If you are looking for a cartridge that is relatively easy to shoot, then the .45 Long Colt is a good choice.
Pros and cons of each cartridge
.45 Colt
- Pros:
- Powerful cartridge
- Can be loaded with a heavy bullet
- Relatively affordable
- Cons:
- Shorter case than .45 Long Colt
- Slightly more pronounced recoil
.45 Long Colt
- Pros:
- Relatively easy to shoot
- Shorter case than .45 Colt
- Can be loaded with a variety of bullets
- Cons:
- Not as powerful
Is 45 Colt the same as 45 Long Colt?
No, 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt are not the same cartridges. 45 Colt is a straight-walled cartridge with a rim diameter of 0.451 inch and a case length of 1.25 inches. 45 Long Colt is a tapered cartridge with a rim diameter of 0.472 inch and a case length of 1.54 inches.
What are the differences between 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt?
The main difference between 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt is the case length. 45 Colt cartridges are shorter than 45 Long Colt cartridges, which means that they can be loaded into a wider variety of revolvers. 45 Long Colt cartridges are also more powerful than 45 Colt cartridges, due to the longer case length.
**Can I use 45 Colt ammunition in a 45 Long Colt revolver?
Yes, you can use 45 Colt ammunition in a 45 Long Colt revolver. However, you should be aware that 45 Colt cartridges are shorter than 45 Long Colt cartridges, so they may not fully engage the chamber of the revolver. This could lead to the cartridge being ejected prematurely, which could be dangerous.
**Can I use 45 Long Colt ammunition in a 45 Colt revolver?
No, you cannot use 45 Long Colt ammunition in a 45 Colt revolver. 45 Long Colt cartridges are longer than 45 Colt cartridges, and they will not fit in the chamber of a 45 Colt revolver.
**What are some common uses for 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt cartridges?
45 Colt and 45 Long Colt cartridges are both popular for use in revolvers. They are also used in some rifles and carbines. 45 Colt cartridges are a good choice for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense. 45 Long Colt cartridges are a good choice for hunting and self-defense.
**What are some safety precautions to take when using 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt cartridges?
When using 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt cartridges, it is important to take the following safety precautions:
- Use only high-quality ammunition that is specifically designed for the firearm you are using.
- Never mix different types of ammunition in the same magazine.
- Always wear eye protection and hearing protection when shooting.
- Be aware of your surroundings and never point your firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.
.45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are two very similar cartridges, but there are a few key differences between them. The most important difference is the case length. .45 Colt cartridges have a case length of 1.14 inches, while .45 Long Colt cartridges have a case length of 1.25 inches. This difference in case length means that .45 Long Colt cartridges can hold more powder, which results in a higher muzzle velocity. Additionally, .45 Long Colt cartridges are typically loaded to a higher pressure than .45 Colt cartridges. This means that .45 Long Colt cartridges can produce more energy and are more powerful than .45 Colt cartridges.
It is important to note that both .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt cartridges are very powerful and should be handled with respect. They are both capable of causing serious injury or death, so it is important to use them responsibly.
If you are looking for a powerful cartridge for hunting or self-defense, then .45 Long Colt is a good option. However, if you are looking for a cartridge that is easier to control and has less recoil, then .45 Colt is a better choice.
Ultimately, the best cartridge for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, both .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are excellent cartridges that are capable of providing reliable performance in a variety of applications.