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
45 Long Colt | .45 ACP | |
Released | 1873 | 1904 |
Bullet Diameter | .452 inches | .452 inches |
Base Diameter | .480 inches | .476 inches |
Rim diameter | .512 inches | .480 inches |
Case Length | 1.285 inches | 0.898 inches |
Case Capacity | 41.6 grains | 27.4 grains |
Overall Length | 1.6 inches | 1.275 inches |
Common bullet weight | 180 - 300 grains | 135 - 250 grains |
Typical firearm | 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 LC 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
45 Colt | Muzzle (fps) | 50 yards |
200-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) | 850 | 805 |
225-grain American Eagle JSP (Federal) | 860 | 828 |
230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) | 830 | 805 |
230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) | 850 | 811 |
AVERAGE FOR 45 LC | 847 | 812 |
.45 ACP | Muzzle (fps) | 50 yards |
185-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) | 1,060 | 992 |
210-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok (Federal) | 980 | 927 |
230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) | 853 | 824 |
230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) | 835 | 800 |
AVERAGE FOR 45 ACP | 932 | 885 |
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
.45 Colt | Muzzle (ft-lbs) | 50 yards |
200-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) | 321 | 288 |
225-grain American Eagle JSP (Federal) | 369 | 343 |
230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) | 352 | 331 |
230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) | 369 | 336 |
Average for 45 LC | 353 | 325 |
.45 ACP | Muzzle (ft-lbs) | 50 yards |
185-grain VOR-TX Handgun (Barnes) | 462 | 404 |
210-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok (Federal) | 448 | 400 |
230-grain JHP (Sellier & Bellot) | 404 | 377 |
230-grain High Terminal Performance JHP (Remington) | 356 | 327 |
Average for 45 ACP | 418 | 377 |
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.
More Energy: .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.
At factory loading levels, 45LC is losing because it loses pressure between the cylinder and barrel, and it loses it the full travel of the bullet through the barrel. I’d be interested in a comparison using a non-repeating single shot pistol of same length to make a more direct analysis of the round itself away from a gun that leaks pressure.
As a handloader, I do see where .45LC can be loaded to idiotic levels using the TC Contender platform or just stupid levels with modern revolvers.
I have sent many thousand .45ACP rounds downrange and have carried one for years.
Between the two, a (modern) .45LC revolver and lever gun combo would be the ticket for back country carry (chest/shoulder holster)
Both have their place and we happily have carried both (Wife’s fave: S&W 25-5 in .45 LC, I carried a 1911 in a IWB holster)
ooops – y’all said “45 ACP ammo cartridges are much longer” . Somebody needs a new proofreader !
Thanks Mitch – new proofreader and stronger coffee would both we welcome additions to the staff! 🙂
Most factory 45 colt ammo is anemic just like most 45/70 factory. Most factory ammo is loaded for black powder specs on both cartridges. A 45 colt with a decent modern factory load you cant even compair to a 230 45 acp.
You should point out that in strong guns like Ruger Blackhawks, the .45 Colt can be loaded to equal or exceed the .44 Magnum. The .45 ACP in +P+ loads rises into the hotter 10mm range, so it is certainly no dog, but it falls well short of the .45 Colt’s peak.
Hi – 45 Colt tends to be more expensive, but can be had in loadings that make the fastest .45 ACP look like a turtle, 44 Mag equivalent. The original 45 Colt loads equaled the 45 ACP in velocity, but most readily available modern ammo for 45 Colt is cowboy action stuff, having reduced velocity for reduced recoil.
But the ACP is a fun round and cheaper. My 45 Colt revolvers have an additional cylinder for 45 ACP, when I could have that. For everything except hunting and bear defense, the 45 ACP is equal, and cheaper, so that’s what I shoot at the range. The commonly available ball bullet isn’t for hunting.
I’ve seen case lots of .45 ACP ball ammo for 39 cents per round in the last month. I can load them for a bit under 30 cents per round. Berry bullets are nice, bright and cheap. I load them in 45 ACP and have loaded a small number in 45 Colt. The 45 Colt rounds functioned well, but I haven’t accuracy-tested them.
Please check your post – I think there is an error:
However, there is a significant difference in case length. 45 ACP ammo cartridges are much longer.
You’re correct Lloyd – we’ve updated it!
“45 ACP ammo cartridges are much longer. ” Perhaps a typo? Otherwise, a fine article!
Thanks Gary – You’re correct and we’ve updated it!