If you want to fire the most important handgun cartridge in American history, your choice would likely come down to two options.
First, you’d have the .45 Colt, often referred to as the .45 Long Colt, a round that dates back to 1873 and was created for the Colt Single Action Army revolver. This cartridge was too late for the American Civil War, but it played a prominent role in the American Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War, as well as numerous small conflicts across the globe.
Or you could select the .45 ACP (for Automatic Colt Pistol), made famous by the M1911, which has been a staple for military and civilians since World War I. This round was a main sidearm for American soldiers in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and more. It remained a standard for American personnel into the 1980s.
So which is best? Which is right for your needs? These .45-caliber rounds have a lot of similarities and plenty of differences. Understanding the characteristics will help you make the best choice for your needs…
Specs: 45 Long Colt vs .45 ACP
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Revolvers and lever-action rifles |
Semiauto pistols (1911-style) |
Case Differences
The main difference between these two rounds is the case. They share the same bullet diameter, and the overall width is (essentially) the same. However, there is a significant difference in case length. 45 ACP ammo cartridges are much longer. With a bigger case, it also has a larger case capacity. The .45 Colt was originally designed for black powder, while the .45 ACP was made with modern smokeless power, but this case capacity will be an important factor when we examine speed and velocity.
Bullet Differences
While the .45 Colt can load heavier bullets, most of the common projectiles for these two rounds overlap. The vast majority of products, for both cartridges, fall between 200 and 230 grains. However, the .45 Colt tends to carry slightly heavier bullets. For example, Barnes offers .45 Colt ammo with 200- and 250-grain bullets, while their .45 ACP is only available with 185-grain bullets.
Cost and Availability
The .45 ACP, thanks in large part to the massive popularity of 1911-style handguns, enjoys stronger market support, more options, and slightly lower prices. For instance, when this article was written there were 22 options for the .45 Colt, ranging in price from $0.80 to $2.75 per round. However, there were 73 .45 ACP choices ranging from $0.39 to $2.50. Again we see overlap, but the .45 ACP is a bit more consumer friendly.
Firearms
Both are made for handguns, but they are fired from very different firearms. The .45 Colt is a revolver round, typically fired from classic single-action weapons. It can also be loaded into lever-action rifles, creating a one-two punch with your box of ammo. The .45 ACP, however, is made for semiautomatic pistols, especially the popular M1911 and handguns that mimic this style.
45 Long Colt Ballistics versus 45 ACP
Whether you’re adopting the round for target, self-defense, or even hunting, you need to know how these cartridges perform so you can make the best possible choice…
Velocity
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200-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) |
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225-grain American Eagle JSP (Federal) |
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230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) |
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230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) |
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185-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) |
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210-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok (Federal) |
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230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) |
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230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) |
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The advantage is not massive, but we see a slight victory for .45 ACP ammo. It seems to have higher potential for speed, including muzzle and 50-yard velocities. The results, however, are mixed. For instance, the 230-grain products from Sellier & Bellot show an advantage for the .45 ACP, while the Remington products give faster speeds to the .45 Colt. Speed may not be a major factor in your decision, but we see slightly faster velocities for the .45 ACP.
Faster Caliber – 45 ACP
Energy
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200-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) |
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225-grain American Eagle JSP (Federal) |
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230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) |
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230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) |
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185-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) |
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210-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok (Federal) |
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230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) |
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230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) |
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Again, we see a slight advantage for the .45 ACP. It has stronger muzzle energies and maintains this advantage downrange. This suggests that the .45 ACP could be more effective for hunting and personal defense. With the potential for higher energies, penetration and expansion should be more effective with a .45 ACP.
Choosing the .45 Colt or the .45 ACP
The stats are similar, which makes the decision difficult. Honestly, most users won’t select the .45 Colt or the .45 ACP based on velocity or energy; the stats are too close, even though the ACP shows better potential for overall energy.
The choice often comes down to firearm preferences. If you like the versatility and performance of the 1911 handgun (which countless Americans do), then you’ll be happier with the .45 ACP. However, there is a popular following for the .45 Colt, a throwback round that can be used in revolvers and lever-action rifles.
For personal defense, the .45 ACP is likely a better option simply because of the firearms. It can be loaded to a higher capacity, providing greater opportunity to defend yourself and your home. Most .45 ACP pistols are bulkier (compared to, say, a typical 9mm or .380 Auto handgun), but they tend to be easier for concealed carry than a .45 caliber revolver.
Cheap Rounds from America’s Ultimate Discounter
CheaperThanDirt.com carries a robust line-up of in-stock 45 ACP ammo and a good assortment of 45 Long Colt ammunition as well. Check out our selection today and be sure you’re ready for your next trip to the range.
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