can any one tell me the differance, if any between 45 colt and45 long colt?

The 45 Colt is sometimes called the 45 Long Colt to distinguish it from the other shorter case cartridges but the proper name is 45 Colt.

a better question might be whats the difference between a 45 long colt and a 45 40

I much prefer .45 long Colt as it diferenciates it from the .45 colt used in the late 1800's which was shorter then the .45 long Colt...

Hi

Bushmaster wrote:

I much prefer .45 long Colt as it diferenciates it from the .45 colt used in the late 1800's which was shorter then the .45 long Colt...

The actual name was the .45 Colt Government, if I remember correctly, but almost everyone that used it called it the .45 short Colt, in keeping with the short/long nomencalture of other Colt cartriges. (the .45 Colt Government from research. The short/long from anecdotal evidence of a former user of said cartridge.)

Folks just got used to calling it the .45 long Colt to tell'em apart, and it's hard to break 200 year-old habits.

[edit] HEY! Leverguns.com actually has an article about this!! [/edit]

Nice to read ya again, Al...Where ya been, for cryin' out loud...I really like what I read on that site (leverguns.com) about the "Long" and "Short" of it. In all reality that should put an end to this "name" problem, but it won't...

The 45 Colt was adopted in 1873 by the US Army. It was sometimes referred to as the "Long Colt" to differentiate it from the previous 45 S&W Schofield. The 45 Colt was originally loaded with a 225 grain lead round nose bullet atop 40 grains of FFg Black powder (45 - 40) and was much more powerful than the previous S&W 45. It was introduced the same time as the Colt Peacemaker and the Single Action Army. It was an instant success with the Army and with the public. It has remain unchanged since its introduction with one exception; It originally used a .454 inch diameter bullet and is most often chambered for 451 diameter bullets today.
The Colt short was a 38 caliber as was the "New Colt Police" round - there was a 41 Short Colt but never a 45 short colt.

I thought I read someones post, just today, that stated that they had a box of .45 Short Colt rounds from the late 1800's..Why can't I find it now???Hummmm...

aah...It's not worth it to continue trying to convience each other...We all have our own belief on this subject...Put me down for .45 Long Colt...And be done with it...

i understand what your saying,i'll stick with the long colt.thanx