I have read several times that the 44 Special has the same power as the 45 ACP. After looking at reloading specs this appears true. So, my question is what is the advantage of 44 Special over 45 ACP?

More revolvers are chambered for .44 spl/mag than .45 acp.

PS: I handload 225gr .429 LRNFP and 225/230gr .451 LRNFP/LRN with the EXACT SAME quantity of Unique.

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Certified Curmudgeon

I would say power, a hand loaded 250gr LSWC at 1000 FPS .44 Special load is pretty much a potent do all loading. Although a .45 AR with a 250gr LSWC at 850 FPS is nothing to sneeze at either!

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Stay safe people!

At factory power levels, there is little difference. The .45 ACP is generally much less expensive. However, the .44 can be loaded to much higher velocities, approaching .44 Magnum power levels. This assumes the gun is sufficiently strong to handle the extra pressure. Back in days of yore, when Elmer Keith was busy blowing up triple locks, the .44 mag was his goal. S&W and Remington eventually made it happen. While the .45 ACP can be hot rodded some, it can’t approach the .44 Mag in a round that’s safe in a N frame.

44 spl,45acp and 45 colt are all about the same in standard loads.They were just designed around three different types of guns.

Personally I wouldn't debate these two cartridges. There are just two many different options / variables to consider.

Sure, you can select a few standard factory loads, and they'll look similar in bullet weight & velocity, but the comparison ends there. Whats the bullet configuration, FMJ, HP, Lead Semi-Wadcutter, Lead round nosed, jacketed etc. What handgun will the cartridge be used in, what barrel length, revolver or semi-auto?

As you know, traditionally the .45 ACP is in an automatic, the .44 Special in a revolver.

I've learned over time to be less enamored with the names, history, and detail's of cartridges and focus on what you need the gun for. Answer that question first and go from there.

Do you hand load your own ammo? And if the answer is yes, do you do it for economic reasons or to tailor your loads for a certain application?

To answer your question, I see no advantage the .44 Special has over the .45 ACP. Factory loads as well as hand loading components are expensive. You can shoot the .45 ACP more, which means you'll be more proficient with it. You can find .45 ACP anywhere.

Then there is your preferred handgun platform. If you prefer a semi-auto the .45ACP is the logical choice. If you prefer a good revolver the .44 Special is the logical choice.

.45ACP uses a .451"-.452" bullet with loading from 200 grains (at or about 900-1000 FPS) to 230 grains (at or about 800 FPS).

.44 Special uses a .429-.430" bullet with loading from 200 grains (at or about 900 FPS) to 240 grains (at or about 800 FPS).

Overall, very comparable ballistic performance. From a game-stopping perspective the use of flat-point or SWC bullets in the .44 Special provides some appeal. From a self-defense perspective the more efficient reloading capability of the semi-auto provides some appeal.

Make your choice and practice faithfully with it and the end results are likely to be quite similar.

I have an 1911 45 in my nightstand but I carry a 44 special. The 44 spl defense loads are plenty for dependable defense and the simple safety of the revolver can't be beat. 5 rounds 44 spl versus 8 of 45acp but I don't feel I have lost any defense by less round count. If I can't stop a death threat with 5 rounds then I doubt 3 more rounds would do me any better.
To each his own is what it is all about.

The 44 special avoids having to deal with moon clips as well.

Ignoring all else, the 44 is way cooler of a cartridge either way

To the minimal end of shooting, 44 Special can be fit into 5 round medium frame revolvers for conceal carry, a 45 anything cannot. Thus those who want a smaller revolver, and want a big bore revolver, come to 44 Special as the solution. Its helped keep the cartridge itself more alive over the years. On the higher end of shooting, the 44 Special can typically be cooked hotter safely, especially over a long time round count, than a 45 ACP with less concern. Any gun built with proper post war steels will be able to handle maximum 44 Special loads without concern, even far hotter in many examples, the 45 ACP in revolvers is high in standard pressure and going higher is a questionable long term practice.

I've never seen S&W claim that the 45 ACP revolvers are built for +p or 45 Super, even if some handloaders on the internet claim to do so with no issues. Especially on a long term basis, a few 45 Super may not hurt your modern Thunder Ranch, but what about 10,000 rounds from now of cheap handloaded practice rounds? One day those guys might finally push their luck too far. ~22,000 psi 44 Special rounds in a post war 44 Special N frame, or a new M69, or through my M29, is a feat that can be produced perhaps a few hundred thousand times with no threat to the cylinder. I would not like to do that to my beloved range queen M-22, which I have handloaded for and shot many thousands of times.

44 Special looks worse today than it really is because SAAMi hamstrings it with a 14,000 MAP because of old prewar steel guns and 45 ACP looks better because its MAP stays much, much higher. The irony being that this should be the opposite case in most postwar, well built revolvers. This gives the 45 ACP equality/superiority on paper within established theoretical limits, not taking into account all other factors. In a way, this is just plain unfair and makes one looks worse than what it is; with people pushing their luck on the other cartridge it makes this unfair comparison more unfair.

Down the middle of the road is where the 45er' probably wins. As in "if you are going to carry an N frame revolver, and you are going to choose between standard 45 ACP and standard 44 Special loadings, the 45 is as good if not better" you can make a great argument. The 45's bigger bullet gives it the tiniest of edges, its shorter cartridge, or the 45 AR's, means easier loading and extraction. If i exclusively carried 44 Specials standard SAAMI reloads in my M29-2 you would have a great argument telling me to carry my 22-4 1917 instead, I've got a hell of a 255 SWC load for my 1917. The argument i should carry my 1911 instead would be stronger. This is where OP's question probably finally lands us.

In the end, I think the medium power 44 Magnum or hot 44 Special is probably, with the right bullets, one of the best choices for shot for shot terminal performance, general carry for hunting, barrier penetration. This is where my M29 leaves my other N frame far behind and the 45 argument becomes moot.

If I owned a M25 or 625, I'd likely use Auto Rim brass for heavier loads. And yes, I need one.

+1 for in the same ballpark when talking standard, factory loading. I like, shoot, and reload both!

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Some Might Say.

Exactly what does that statement mean?

Not to start an argument here, but tell me if I an wrong. I always understood the 45 LC was designed around weaker old time revolvers, and is generally a more lame cartridge than a 45 ACP. Although the case is bigger than the 45 ACP I understood that ammo manufacturers won’t load the 45LC hotter for fear it might blow up older guns.


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Any factory ammo is loaded to the lowest common denominator. But a Freedom Arms with some 300gr .45 Colts will make you rethink the weak part.

Have owned both .44 Special and .45 ACP S&W revolvers. The L-frame in .44 Special is right nice! Had a 24-1 that I liked very much. If my hands didn't have arthritis I'd still be shooting it. But, I could use my 625 w/ milds loads and Pachmayr grips w/o so much pain. Any kind of a serious load in either revolver and I'd end up going w/ the 625. If and when I can get a wider beaver tail type safety, my one and only RIA 1911 will get some use. Oh well. Either round is fine in its factory form. Neither is a all purpose drop it in its tracks game round unless one hots it up a good bit. For the purposes envisioned when designed, the .44 Special or the .45 ACP will handle any situation with aplomb. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

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Rimmed case,rolled crimp 44 special, revolver
no rim case , tapered crimp 45 ACP, Auto loader

NO! Not the dreaded moonclips......they load 6 at one time and eject 6 at one time! I can't deal with that. Loading them is SO difficult, unloading them is even worse. You have to use very specialized tools like a pair of pliers or your hands.......

Randy

PS. Sarcasm intended

The biggest advantage is they fit in my S&W 69 and 45 autos don't.

Other pluses are 44 bullets usually have a cannelure and and stronger crimp so they are less likely to jump the crimp. And no moon clips. I know some people like moon clips but I really found them to be a pain at the range with my 610. Just dropping cartridges in is a lot simpler. I usually just dropped the rounds in and plucked the empties out with a fingernail instead of using moon clips.

But 45 auto being less expensive and easier to buy in bulk is a real advantage.

If you are looking to buy a revolver and already own a 45 pistol I would stick with that caliber. But if you don't I would get a 44 magnum and shoot specials through it. Unless it is for carry the extra weight of the magnum guns makes them more versatile and enjoyable to shoot.

45 ACP vs 44 SPL? It depends on what the gun I am carrying is chambered for. I only require that a cartridge does what it is designed to do, I am a fan of all calibers, and a fan boy of none.

Commercial .44 SPL loads are pretty wimpy compared to their potential, as are .45 Colt. .45 ACP must be loaded to function properly in a 1911, although some load lighter for revolvers. Any can whack your knuckle up a bit.

Hornady "Critical Defense" and "Critical Duty" .44 SPL are a possible exception at 240 grains, 1000 fps. I use these in place of .44 Magnum when I'm inclined to carry that revolver for urban self defense. Magnum loads can be brutal in a 3" revolver, but .44 SP, even hot ones, aren't punishing at all.

The original .45 Colt cartridges with a 255 grain bullet over 40 grains of black powder had a lot more oomph than the typical loading table today, 950 fps or more. Those were balloon cartridges, and you can't even stuff 40 grains of BP into a modern case with a tapered web.

This is where the 44 family has its advantage/disadvantage in the long term of popularity and safety over its long time competitor 45 Colt. 45 Colt has kept its wild west cowboy persona in some part because the cartridge never changes, a brand new 45 Colt still is the same cartridge harkening back to the good old days of the frontier, the 44 Special came long after the west was won, the 44 Magnum several decades after that, the 44 Russian was almost completely buried in the sands of time by its bigger relatives. Thus the 45 Colt is a "living legend" and a true cowboy cartridge, the 44 Special is just too new and too fancy from the smokeless age to carry that nostalgia and appeal. Its helped 45 Colt and hurt 44 Russian, even 44 Special.

However, the safety margins are far greater for the 44 family. You can't put 44 Special cartridges, especially hot loads like Keith grade loads, into a 44 Russian, especially a blackpowder 44 Russian. You can't stuff 44 Magnum into a 44 Special chamber, especially a prewar steel gun. The succession process has hurt the old cartridges popularity, but it makes for a safer family. The real concern comes down to the fact that a brand new 45 Colt handload, good and hot for a Ruger or even a 460 Magnum revolver, will slip into the oldest blackpowder 45 Colt revolver and fire, to perhaps tragic results.

SAAMI is aware of all of this, the low pressures are standard for early prewar steel smokeless guns primarily, but one could say they give the guy jamming them into a stronger blackpowder gun a chance to not blow up his gun. The fact 45 Colt is on par with 44 Speical in SAAMI spec pressure shows that this is all about prewar steel and smokeless powder guns only (someone on this forum referenced that there was factory blackpowder 44 Special ammunition; yet there were never any revolvers in this cartridge that weren't smokeless proofed), not even older guns that are blackpowder only. The fact that there were enough years of prewar steel guns to standardize the ENTIRE standard line down for everyone who has a later date gun with better metal is sometimes frustrating, but we forget about all the people who aren't blowing up nice triple locks and old Colts because of this factory standard.

This is the constant concern for 45 ACP and 45 Colt reloads, which are less of an issue for 44. People have shaved down cylinders in Webleys to shoot 45 ACP, these require low pressure loads for safety, so what's to keep Johnny Hotloader's 45+p and 45 Super for his 1911 from falling into his, or another's, Webley? its been advised by some that original WW1 prewar steel 1917 revolvers be loaded down closer to 16,000psi or lower in relation to softer gun iron. That handloader who shoots classic guns like a converted Webley and an original 1917 but also shoots modern postwar steel guns, shoots high pressure in his custom 1911 or other gun, must be on constant vigilance, or use 45AR ONLY in his classic revolvers. Otherwise his souped up 45 Super rounds might just fit in those old guns just as well as his new ones. The cowboy who shoots 45 Colt +p in his modern Ruger but also has original blackpowder Colt's must be on constant guard.

This is redundant to old shooters, but this tl;dr message is for the fact its an open forum and those who don't know need to know. Be well informed about what you shoot in what guns you have, better to be careful than not. Just because it fits doesn't mean its safe; and those "stupid SAAMI light loads" are there for a reason, and still might not save you from a blown up gun.

It means 44 Special is cooler than 45 ACP!

Do you also post on OCDO as Walkingwolf?

Ayup, and I am guessing you are the same on OCDO.

I’ve got a 629 that was factory cut for moonclips, so I guess I could shoot 44 spl’s with moonclips in it as well.

Is this a corollary of:

"You are what your record says you are."
-Bill Parcells

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Certified Curmudgeon

In revolvers , 45 acp vs 44 special . I'll take 44 special . 44 special vs 45 colt . Give me 45 Colt . Regards, Paul

Yes, the ammo makers have over time downloaded the 45 Colt because of fear of blowing up older guns. That does not mean the original Colt was weak, it means there are a lot of week old guns chambered in 45 Colt. Colt was not the only gun maker in the 1800s. Plus the cartridge was originally loaded with black powder. Black powder residue, unless cleaned thoroughly and quickly, can promote rust. So from a liability standpoint add up 100 year old gun, with built up rust, and weak steal to start with and you understand why the ammo makers have water downed the load.

Now back in the day the 45 Colt was the Magnum of it's day. It's my understanding the load was a 250 gr bullet at about 950 fps. Way way hotter then today's load, and hotter then 45 ACP.

Actually , going to Alliants website , they have loads there pushing a 255 gr cast bullet faster than 950 fps and it does not exceed 14K psi , the saami std for 45 Colt using 5.5" test barrel . Regards, Paul