GUNMIKE
US Veteran
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?
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45 APC vs 44 Special
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TomkinsSP
Member
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.
PS: I handload 225gr .429 LRNFP and 225/230gr .451 LRNFP/LRN with the EXACT SAME quantity of Unique.
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Vulcan Bob
Member
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!
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.
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.
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LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
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.
.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.
gman51
Member
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.
To each his own is what it is all about.
The_Truth
SWCA Member
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.
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.
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Valmet
Member
+1 for in the same ballpark when talking standard, factory loading. I like, shoot, and reload both!
Ignoring all else, the 44 is way cooler of a cartridge either way
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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series guy
Member
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.
moonclips
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
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
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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.
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.
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