gman51
Member
I was wondering are the 44 spl and the 45 acp pretty much a close comparable over all? I am talking 44 spl revolver versus 45 acp semi auto for comparison.
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44 special versus 45 acp
- Thread starter gman51
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IIRC the .44 special was often loaded up close to .44 magnum loads before there was a .44magnum........ same with the .38/40 vs. the .357magnum.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
IIRC the standard 44 spl far exceeds a standard 45 acp. (?)
The old factory load for the .44 Spl was a 246 gr RNL at about 700 f/s actual. That's a long way from 230 @ 850 f/s.
Now, one of the usual hand loads for large frame revolvers is/was a 250 gr. SWC at around 1000 f/s. This is a horse of a distinctly different color, but it certainly isn't/wasn't a standard factory load.
There are a few major manufacturer loads that substantially improve on the old time ballistics.
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rockquarry
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Question is much too general to answer specifically. With some loads the ballistics of the two cartridges can be virtually identical. With dissimilar loads, there could be great disparity.
As I look at my last sentence, it's no better than the original question.
As I look at my last sentence, it's no better than the original question.
Okay so lets narrow it down somewhat. Can the two be comparing apples to apples or not even close? Comparable defensive loads for CC of store bought ammo in both calibers. Would they be even close for comparison? A three inch barrel in the 44 and the 45 to make it even more comparable.
I am talking the average gun owner looking to buy a gun for CC. He is going to buy his ammo for CC off the store shelves. Are the two even in the same ball park?
I am talking the average gun owner looking to buy a gun for CC. He is going to buy his ammo for CC off the store shelves. Are the two even in the same ball park?
fiasconva
Member
Let's make it a little more interesting and add 45 colt into the mix.
flintsghost
Member
If one chooses appropriately for the 44 they can be very close. Try a comparison of the Speer .44 Special Gold Dot 200 Gr HP Short barrel with any non Plus P 45 ACP round. The two 45 ACP rounds that I like are the Remington Golden Sabre 185 grain HP Brass jacket Bonded and the Speer Gold dot 45ACP 200 grain Gold Dot hollow point. They are all in the same ball park. That said the short barrel 44 special ammo is hard to come by. I don't shoot it much but when I carry a 3" 44 mag in the woods I load it with that and have the full power 200 grain Gold Dot 44 Mag in my 2 speed loaders. I rarely carry a 45 in the woods. Also, I rarely carry a 44 as a CCW for normal wear in civilization.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Been using both for decades. I will rely on the results in any situation. .429" 240-grain SWC in .44 Special at ~800FPS or .451" 230 RNFP at ~850FPS. Run the numbers any way you like, then tell me about the customer complaints (I doubt there will be many).
With most factory loadings these two cartridges serve very similar purposes. With hand-loaded ammunition the .44 Special may have a little performance edge, but not enough to write home about.
With most factory loadings these two cartridges serve very similar purposes. With hand-loaded ammunition the .44 Special may have a little performance edge, but not enough to write home about.
Thank you all. So they basically can sit in the same dugout eating ball park franks. One probably wouldn't really be a bully over the other.
I like both rounds but I seldom carry a 45. For the last few years my carry has been a 3" 44 spl with Hornady critical defense 165gr FTX 900fps.
I like both rounds but I seldom carry a 45. For the last few years my carry has been a 3" 44 spl with Hornady critical defense 165gr FTX 900fps.
rockquarry
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I seldom buy factory ammo, but I'm sure if you shop around, you can get .44 Special, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt loads that are very similar for defensive or other purposes. Even milder loads would likely be adequate with these large diameter bullets. Keep it simple and avoid the armchair obsessive and academic stuff and you'll be way ahead. Good luck-
Groo01
Member
Groo her
As most defense ammo is made to FBI spec,[and yes I have a problem with that] it will react the same.....
With similar weights and speeds, both will work similar.
The biggest difference is seen with handloads or gun types [auto vs revolver].
In a revolver, both will throw similar design bullets but the spec will have the edge due to case size...
As most defense ammo is made to FBI spec,[and yes I have a problem with that] it will react the same.....
With similar weights and speeds, both will work similar.
The biggest difference is seen with handloads or gun types [auto vs revolver].
In a revolver, both will throw similar design bullets but the spec will have the edge due to case size...
Rick_A
Member
Do you like moon clips?
I came to choose between a Model 21 and 22. It came down to whether I wanted to hot rod a .44 or stick to factory(ish) .45 loads.
In the end it was .45ACP, for less expensive and more available target ammo as well as wider variety of defense loads, ammo commonality with my auto, and the speed of loading/unloading full moon clips. I can also use 45 Auto Rim brass for +P+ loads that could never end up in my auto. There was no point in getting set up for another cartridge.
They're both excellent cartridges.
I came to choose between a Model 21 and 22. It came down to whether I wanted to hot rod a .44 or stick to factory(ish) .45 loads.
In the end it was .45ACP, for less expensive and more available target ammo as well as wider variety of defense loads, ammo commonality with my auto, and the speed of loading/unloading full moon clips. I can also use 45 Auto Rim brass for +P+ loads that could never end up in my auto. There was no point in getting set up for another cartridge.
They're both excellent cartridges.
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
45 ACP is little cheaper to feed. That's about the only real difference I can see. All of my 45 ACP brass has been free range pick up. Never found any 44 SPL brass at the range. Because so many people shoot 45 ACP the bullets are pretty cheap. I think the last shipment was about 0.13/pc for 230 FMJ.
I don't load for 44 SPL but I looked up bullets from the same mfg (Speer) and same supplier for 44 SPL. Cost was about 0.19/pc for a basic no frills bullet.
Powder and primers would be about the same. I could probably use the same powder for both.
So really not a lot of difference even to reload.
You can't shoot a 44 SPL in a 1911 however, but you can shoot 45 APC in a revolver.
I don't load for 44 SPL but I looked up bullets from the same mfg (Speer) and same supplier for 44 SPL. Cost was about 0.19/pc for a basic no frills bullet.
Powder and primers would be about the same. I could probably use the same powder for both.
So really not a lot of difference even to reload.
You can't shoot a 44 SPL in a 1911 however, but you can shoot 45 APC in a revolver.
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
IMO the are pretty much equal, especially when the 45 Auto is shot from a revolver like the S&W M625.
The only major difference is, if you don't load your own ammo, there are much more jacketed bullet loads available for the 45 Auto than the 44 Special in commercial ammo. If you don't load your own ammo and don't want to shoot cast bullets to with the 45 Auto.
44 Special
200gr to 246gr bullet, .429/.430" diameter , @750-950 fps
45 ACP
200gr to 230gr bullet, .451/.452" diameter , @800-950 fps
Please don't nitpick the above numbers, they are meant to be an average. I know different weight bullets are use and higher velocities can be generated. Those numbers are just averages with mostly Cast bullets.
The only major difference is, if you don't load your own ammo, there are much more jacketed bullet loads available for the 45 Auto than the 44 Special in commercial ammo. If you don't load your own ammo and don't want to shoot cast bullets to with the 45 Auto.
44 Special
200gr to 246gr bullet, .429/.430" diameter , @750-950 fps
45 ACP
200gr to 230gr bullet, .451/.452" diameter , @800-950 fps
Please don't nitpick the above numbers, they are meant to be an average. I know different weight bullets are use and higher velocities can be generated. Those numbers are just averages with mostly Cast bullets.
I think you have the acCENT on the wrong syllABLE. If you're talking concealed carry, you should focus on the firearm you intend to carry. Can you hit with it? Would you like to be limited to 6 rounds before reloading somehow? The actual cartridge is a subject that's been debated for eons; and will likely continue forever. You want a gun that works for you, irrespective of its chambering.
jwk
Member
For concealed carry 45 ACP in a LW 1911. For a field gun I'd take a full size 44 Special particularly since I handload. On animals a 250 grain LSW w a flat nose kills better than the 45 ACP RN or JHP out of a 1911.
I was going to post something similar, but ArchAngelCD has already taken the words out of my mouth.
Factory ammo is going to be very close. 44 Special gets extra points for bullet section because you don't have to worry about feeding from a magazine. 45 gets extra points because the diameter starts slightly larger, generally much cheaper, and more available. If shooting 45 ACP from a revolver the bullet selection is a moot point.
