45 Colt vs 45 ACP

The last few years have produced a lot of new gun owners who are beginning to explore and enjoy firearm ownership. We get all kinds of questions about the ammo we carry, and rightfully so, because we have such a variety on hand. Some people want to know what’s best; others need some info on what might work in their particular firearm. The author has noticed that some newer gun owners are fairly motivated to learn, and ask questions about using the correct ammo for their gun. One such question that’s worth exploring is; “what is the difference

between 45 long colt vs 45 ACP ?”.

The .45 Long Colt Cartridge

.45LC was created post-civil war era as a joint project between Union Metallic Cartridge Company and Colt. The conflict basically led to technological improvements to self-contained metallic cartridges, and the U.S. Army along with Colt were keen utilize what they had learned. The round was originally developed for use with black powder, and was to

compliment newer revolver and lever action rifles that were quickly becoming popular at the time.  By today’s standards we tend to view the round as a ‘cowboy’ load for single action

firearms (think reproduction colt single action army pistols and lever guns). But the round does continue to enjoy use by outdoorsman who want a cartridge that can be tailored to their

needs, such as hunting small to medium game or defense against predators. Modern 45LC commercial loadings can range from pleasant to stout if you aren’t into handloading for a purpose-built cartridge. In some instances, it can even be a bit more powerful than .44 magnum. A long and ‘rimmed’ cartridge, the .45 Long Colt can typically be found in a 225 to 250 grain bullet, that will be rated at around 800 feet per second. It can be made in a variety of bullet configurations such as FMJ, JHP, SJWC and FTX. Most of the cartridges that can be commercially bought tend to be either for hunting or “outdoorsman” related purposes. There is however a contingent of ‘Cowboy-Action’ loads that utilize a fairly mild power charge with a hard-cast lead bullet. Companies like Magtech and CCI offer a version of this load for target practice and competition use.

.45ACP/.45 Auto

This is the one that most people know of when we think of .45 caliber ammunition. Most people can recognize it by its rimless, short and squat appearance denoted by the ‘.45 Auto’ or ‘ACP

‘on the bottom of the case. Designed by John Browning in 1905, this venerable cartridge has been in use for over 100 years. Made popular by its success with the U.S. Military in both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. It was also one of the few automatic pistol cartridges that could be adapted for submachine-guns and pistol caliber carbines (PCC’s) during the aforementioned eras.

Throughout the years it has enjoyed use by civilians and law enforcement as well. Its reputation was built upon the fact that it is a large and somewhat slow-moving projectile that transferrers a fair amount of kinetic energy to its target. The most common FMJ load available weighs 230 grains and is rated at 830 feet per second. This is the original configuration of the cartridge and has remained unchanged since its adoption for the 1911 service pistol. It is important to note that there is some context that needs to be realized when speaking to the claimed potency of .45ACP.

During the historical periods mentioned, controlled  expansion bullet technology wasn’t really a thing. Jacked Hollow point or even Hollow Point  ammunition wasn’t a viable option. Users of .45ACP relied upon the broad surface area and weight, to deliver a deep penetrating round that delivers 356 foot-pounds of energy.

In a modern-day context .45 ACP is popular due in part to newer bullet technology and the prior earned reputation the round has. It is a very effective for self-defense, and there are numerous manufacturers like Federal, Speer and Hornady that make self-defense and duty use ammo. The cartridge is also popular because it works well with suppressors that are becoming more prevalent in the shooting community too. Users have noted it is one of the most pleasant shooting rounds when used in conjunction with a suppressor. FMJ and JHP are the most common bullet types available.

45 Long Colt Ballistics

The .45 Colt (or .45 Long Colt) cartridge has a wide range of available loads with varying ballistics. The performance of the cartridge can depend on factors such as bullet weight, powder charge, barrel length, and the specific ammunition manufacturer. Here are some general ballistics for commonly available .45 Colt loads:

1. Bullet Weight: .45 Colt ammunition typically ranges in bullet weights from 200 grains to 300 grains, with 250 grains being a common choice.
2. Muzzle Velocity: The muzzle velocity of 45 Colt ammo can vary depending on the specific load. It typically ranges from around 700 feet per second (fps) to 1,000 fps, with lighter bullets achieving higher velocities.
3. Muzzle Energy: The muzzle energy of .45 Colt loads can range from approximately 300 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) to 600 ft-lbs, again depending on the load.

It’s important to note that the performance of the .45 Colt can vary significantly depending on the specific ammunition chosen and the firearm it is fired from. Additionally, the performance of 45 long colt ammo may differ between modern, higher-pressure loads designed for modern firearms and older, lower-pressure loads intended for older or replica firearms.

45 ACP Ballistics

The .45 ACP (45 Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge is commonly used in semi-automatic handguns and has well-established ballistics. Here are some general ballistics for typical .45 ACP ammo

1. Bullet Weight: .45 ACP ammunition is commonly available in bullet weights ranging from 185 grains to 230 grains, with 230 grains being the most common.
2. Muzzle Velocity: The muzzle velocity of 45 ACP ammo can vary depending on the specific load, barrel length, and bullet weight. On average, typical loads achieve muzzle velocities ranging from approximately 830 feet per second (fps) to 1,000 fps.
3. Muzzle Energy: The muzzle energy of 45 ACP loads can range from around 350 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) to 550 ft-lbs, depending on the load and bullet weight.

It’s important to note that the specific ballistics of .45 ACP ammunition can vary among different manufacturers and specific loadings. Additionally, the performance can be influenced by factors such as the barrel length of the firearm used and environmental conditions.

It’s always advisable to consult the manufacturer’s product information or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date data on ballistics for a particular load of .45 ACP ammunition.

45 Colt vs 45 Long Colt

The terms “45 Colt” and “45 Long Colt” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same cartridge. The proper name for the cartridge, as designated by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI), is “.45 Colt.” However, to differentiate it from the shorter .45 Schofield cartridge, which was developed earlier, some people began using the term “.45 Long Colt” to emphasize the longer case length of the .45 Colt cartridge.

It’s worth noting that the .45 Colt (also referred to as Colt Long 45) or .45 Long Colt cartridge has a long history and is commonly associated with revolvers like the Colt Single Action Army (also known as the Colt Peacemaker). It is also occasionally used in some modern lever-action rifles designed for handgun cartridges.

Which one would work best for me?

We’ll put this into bullet points to cover the main considerations for each round just so we avoid going down the rabbit hole of what’s ‘best’: .45 ACP can be loaded into magazines due to its rimless and short case. It can be in both single and double stack configurations depending upon the firearm. 45 Long Colt is a good cartridge for revolvers, and it pairs well with lever action rifles that are made for it too. This can be handy if you want to stock up on only one ammo type.

• If you conceal carry, .45 ACP will serve you well because of a greater magazine capacity and/or reduced firearm size and weight.
• .45 Long Colt might be for you if you like to go hiking, camping or backpacking and need something to protect yourself against predators. It also works well for hunting.
• .45 ACP works well for home defense due to its utilization of magazines. Trying to reload a revolver or lever action rifle in a tense situation is less than ideal. The rounds must befed into the firearm one at a time.
• If you like revolvers, historical weapons or reproduction guns, .45 long colt might be for you.
• 45 ACP ammo suppresses well and there are pistol caliber carbines chambered for it too. It usually costs a bit less to purchase in large quantities as well.

Whichever you choose, be sure to do some deeper research into the issue. Your own situation is unique and warrants careful consideration. When you think .45 ACP, think semi auto handguns and PCC’s. And for the .45 Long Colt, think revolvers and lever action rifles. And when you think ammo, think of us here at Trueshot!

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Gun Club, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotgunclub.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more rifle ammo options.