.45LC or .45ACP

[williamlayton]

I do/did reload---seems like over the last few years I have gotten away from it because of the lack of desire to do it much. Just old age I guess.
For that reason, I am considering the ACP---I will admit that at this time I can't seem to come to a definitive decision---the LC holds a lot of good rasoning and "I don't have one" is nagging at me.
One of the fellows here offered me a chance at the LC, but, since I am in such a quandry I let it slide and now it's gone---isn't that always the case .
I guess I will look around and the first decent shooter, at a realistic price, in either one will get the nod-------Well, maybe----I am so wishy washy at this time---
I really appreciate the feed-back.
Blessings

 

[Smee78]

I love both rounds, but as a reloader I like the wheel guns better because I do not have to chase my brass. I also believe that you have to reload to get the most use out of the 45Colt, shelf ammo is over priced and under powerded (cowboy rounds) most of the time.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Which caliber do you prefer and why ?
Blessings

Easy. .45 ACP. Cheaper to shoot and it is chambered in firearms that are more suitable for self-defense and which hold more ammo. Although both are probably good stoppers in appropriate loadings, the ACP is better developed in this regard, with more choices of loads, all of which are more proven due to more use in actual situations since the development of low flash powders and premium projectiles designed to perform well not only in tissue, but after passing through various barriers expected to be encountered in self-defense situations, from heavy denim to walls, auto glass and so forth.

For self-defense selection, always start with the preferred caliber and then select the best firearm for that caliber AND you.

The pistol is the "launcher" only and has no part in the stopping power equation apart from its ability to be safely and more or less conveniently carried and quickly and accurately used by the person carrying the pistol.

 

[ozo]

.45colt
One of the sweetest shooting rounds ever,
and I am mostly a wheelie fan.

 

[Neumann]

I'm a dedicated fan of .45 ACP in pistols, but if I were to buy a .45 revolver, it would be .45 Colt (not sure where the "Long" came from), hands down.

I would find it a PITA to use moon clips, or search for rimmed cartridges for a revolver. Mostly though, it's about ballistics, with a bit of history thrown into the mix. The .45 Colt cartridge has been around for 140 years, and there's no end in sight.

I reload, and .45 Colt components are easy to find. Without straining, you can load the cartridge to near .357 Magnum performance, hotter than any listed load for .45 ACP or .44 SPL. The only downside is that I have several .44 Magnum revolvers, and it's hard to sort .44M cases from .45 Colt by eyeball. I just hate it when the loading handle goes crunch (or bump).

 

[BigBill]

I leave the 45acp for the 1911's. I recently picked up a ruger vaquero in 45lc with a 7 1/2" barrel in polished stainless. Now i'm like you William i been eyeing a ruger blackhawk in 45lc and a S&W model 25 in 45lc too. I figure since i have one to shoot and reload for why not more? The 45 long colt is part of our american history about the old west too.

BTW; There are special reloading spec's for the ruger super blackhawk in 45 long colt too it will out perform a 44mag ballastic wise. But only for the stronger ruger super blackhawk.

 

[Warren Sear]

... but if I were to buy a .45 revolver, it would be .45 Colt (not sure where the "Long" came from), hands down...

That goes way back into days of yore when the U.S. Army issued 45 Colt and 45 Schofield ammo and revolvers. The 45 Colt cartridge was only usable in the Colt revolvers and was long in comparison to the Schofied cartridge (which was much shorter, and was what the S&W revolvers were chambered in), and that length was the obvious visual distinction between the two. The slang name stuck, and although now redundant and unnecessary, folks know exactly and immediately which cartridge is being referenced. It also totally eliminates any confusion with the 45 ACP or 45 AR cartridges.

BTW, the Colt revolver could chamber either cartridge (although the rim diameter specification of the Schofield was slightly larger in diameter, and sometimes caused difficulty in loading), but the S&W could only chamber the Schofield.

 

[Warren Sear]

... Adding to the mix, that 625JM will also take the no-moonclips-required .45 Auto Rims, which I load to .45 Colt levels with 255gr LSWCs and 250gr Speer Gold Dots! ...

Stainz, I am almost afraid to ask, but HTH are you getting 45 Colt performance out of 45 AR?

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I like them both and i like them both in the same gun. I got one of the new 45LC and had it cut for moon clips, now I can shoot them both.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Even Colt calls it a "Long Colt." That's good enough for me.

 

[williamlayton]

Bullseye
Now, why in the hades I didn't think of that should be a mystery---but since I know that my mind is a mystery---I, therefore know why I didn't think of that.
THANKYOUVERYMUCH.
Blessings

 

[Bat Guano]

You "need" both. Been shooting ACP since 1959 and I could get along nicely with that alone. Had a .45 Colt SAA since 1962 but didn't get serious about the cartridge until about 10 years ago with a Ruger Convertible. Had to ream out the chamber mouths and load cast .454 Keith SWCs to get it where I wanted it, but does it ever shoot! I also like the lighter weight of the Ruger with aluminum TG, ejector rod housing, and BIG holes in the cylinder and barrel. The plow handle grip soaks up recoil like a sponge, so it's all good.

I used to think that the .44 Special was the alpha and the omega, but it hasn't worked out that way for me.

 

[arc2x4]

I love .45 acp, I reload tons of it for my semi autos. I also have .45 colt but don't reload or shoot it much, no particular reason. For high power revolver cartridges I go with .44 magnum, which can also be down loaded, or run with heavy bullets.

 

[tek4260]

Stainz, I am almost afraid to ask, but HTH are you getting 45 Colt performance out of 45 AR?

Probably with Unique

It is easy to get 45 Colt level loads in 45 ACP and AR brass. Now you can't get Ruger Only levels, but your Smith doesn't need to see that level anyway. I personally shoot Mihec HP's in a 1911. They weight 280gr and are running 850fps which is right above what is considered a regular 45 Colt load.

 

[44 special Dave]

This is one of these questions/threads where there is no right or wrong answer.

Objectivity is not this forums strong suit. It's all subjective based on someones preferences and experiences.

So, since i'm primarily a personal defense shooter and not a hunter or sportsman, I'd go with the 45acp. I have a few revolvers and a few autos for the acp.

If I were a hunter or outdoorsman I'm might lean toward the 45 colt.

Over the counter ammo is much easier to find for the 45acp than colt and when found much cheaper.

Well there's my "objective" opinion.

Dave

 

[Jim R]

I have two model 25's one in 45ACP and one in 45 Colt. I love shooting each of them.

Moon clips used to be a pain but not anymore as I popped for the $80.00 moon clip loader/deloader and now life is simpler. We have a number of guys at the range that as soon as they saw the loader in use they ordered one. BMT Equipped Inc.

BMT Equipped, Inc.

Jim R

 

[DCWilson]

I have no preference. I am surprised that the moon clips are considered a negative by some, as they strike me as a huge positive just on the basis of reloading speed in a competitive situation.

I'm still looking for the 1911 or A1 with my name on it, but I have five revolvers in the 1917/Model 25 mold, and two old .455s that were converted to .45 Colt. I would never load up a .45 Colt cartridge to the max for shooting in these older guns, so the upside reloading potential doesn't really come into play for me. There is a 460 in the safe, but if I wanted hot loads lower than the high end 460 rounds I would probably just buy .454 Casull ammo and shoot that rather than trying to load up a .45 Colt.

It is an accident that my .45 shooting emphasizes .45 ACP; that's just the way things worked out, and I am happy with the round when I shoot it. But when I take the old guys to the range and shoot the longer rounds in them, they perform well too. Neither strikes me as preferable to the other in an absolute sense, and both have the well-deserved respect that comes from having been a reliable cartridge for a whole lot of decades and in a wide range of demanding circumstances.

 

[williamlayton]

DC
The only way for you to get a 1911 with your name on it is to figger out what you want on the Gun and get someone to make if for you---that is what I do and Ifiggered out that is what i am going to do with this revolver.
Well--a disclaimer--I aint figgered out nuthin--you boys shined the light my ways.
Blessings