Origins and Invention
The .45 Colt cartridge, an emblematic symbol of the American frontier, is a piece of firearms history that has stood the test of time. Also known as the .45 Long Colt or simply .45 LC, this round was originally developed by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in 1872.
The .45 Colt was designed for the iconic Colt Single Action Army revolver, often known as the "Peacemaker" or "Frontier Six-Shooter." The creation of this cartridge was intended to meet the U.S. Army's desire for a more potent caliber than the .36 and .44 calibers used during the Civil War. In 1872, Colt successfully designed the .45 Colt round, combining it with their innovative Single Action Army revolver, which was officially adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873.
The .45 Schofield Problem
The .45 Colt was not the Army's only .45-caliber option. The Army also purchased the Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver, chambered in the shorter .45 Schofield round. Because the .45 Colt was too long to fit in the Schofield revolver, the Army eventually standardized a shortened version that could be used in both handguns. However, the original full-length .45 Colt remained a favorite among civilians, lawmen, and frontiersmen where ammunition logistics were not an issue.
Military Service and the .38 Long Colt Debacle
The .45 Colt quickly proved itself in combat. The Army used it extensively in the Indian Wars and later in the Spanish-American War. In 1892, the Army made the controversial decision to replace the .45 Colt with the .38 Long Colt, based on a preference for lighter recoil and increased ammunition capacity.
That turned out to be a mistake. The inadequacy of the .38 Long Colt became apparent during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). American soldiers reported that the cartridge lacked stopping power against the Moro warriors, who continued fighting even after being hit multiple times. This led to a reassessment of military sidearm effectiveness, and by 1904, the Army began developing a more powerful semi-automatic round -- the .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) -- which would ultimately be adopted in 1911 with the Colt M1911 pistol.
Despite this shift, the .45 Colt never faded from civilian use. It remained a favorite among cowboys, lawmen, and hunters, thanks to its proven effectiveness in the field.
Weapons Using the .45 Colt
Over the years, the .45 Colt cartridge has been used in a variety of firearms, primarily revolvers and lever-action rifles. Beyond the Colt SAA, it was used in several other Colt models including the Bisley and the New Service. Other manufacturers have produced weapons chambered for this cartridge: the Smith & Wesson Model 25, the Ruger Blackhawk, and the Ruger Redhawk. Lever-action rifles like the Winchester Model 1892 and the Marlin Model 1894 have also been produced in .45 Colt.
Many modern revolvers chambered for the .454 Casull can safely fire .45 Colt, making it a versatile option for shooters who want both power and lower-recoil practice ammunition.
Performance
The original load of the .45 Colt cartridge consisted of 40 grains of black powder propelling a 255-grain bullet at about 850-900 feet per second, producing roughly 400-450 foot-pounds of energy. This provided ample stopping power and was well-suited for its intended roles in military service, law enforcement, and frontier defense.
Modern .45 Colt ammunition, typically loaded with smokeless powder, maintains similar performance characteristics with standard factory loads running 225-255 grain bullets at 750-900 fps at safe pressures (~14,000 psi MAP (Maximum Average Pressure)) for all revolvers. "Ruger-only" high-pressure loads push 260-325 grain bullets to 1,100-1,300 fps at 25,000+ psi -- but these are strictly for stronger revolvers like the Ruger Blackhawk, Thompson/Center Contender, and Freedom Arms Model 83.
The .45 Colt round is notable for its low pressure compared to many modern rounds. This makes it a comfortable round to shoot, with moderate recoil. Those hotter handloads make the .45 Colt viable for hunting medium to large game, including deer, wild boar, and even black bear.
Cowboy Action Shooting and Modern Use
The .45 Colt is one of the most commonly used cartridges in Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS), where competitors use period-correct firearms to re-create Old West shooting scenarios. It's also one of the most flexible handgun cartridges for reloading, allowing shooters to fine-tune loads for everything from light target shooting to heavy hunting loads that rival the .44 Magnum.
Conclusion
The .45 Colt cartridge is a timeless icon of the American West and a testament to the innovative spirit of Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company. Its substantial power, combined with its use in iconic weapons like the Single Action Army revolver, helped shape the firearms landscape and win the West. Even over a century after its inception, the .45 Colt continues to serve as a reliable round for shooting, hunting, and sport.
Is there a difference between .45 ACP and .45 Colt? Check it out here.
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