45 Colt vs. 45 Long Colt: Are They the Same or Different?

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2025

What’s the difference between 45 Colt vs. 45 Long Colt – or is there no difference at all?

There isn’t. The .45 Colt and .45 Long Colt are the exact same cartridge.

That begs the question: Why did this .45 caliber pistol cartridge come to be known by two different names in the first place?

Difference Between 45 Colt and 45 Long Colt

There is no difference between “45 Colt” and “45 Long Colt.” Those are just two different names for the same pistol cartridge.

Bullet	Barrel Length (in)	G1 BC	Velocity (fps)					Energy (ft-lbs)					Elevation (in)
Bullet	Barrel Length (in)	G1 BC	0yds	25yds	50yds	75yds	100yds	0yds	25yds	50yds	75yds	100yds	0yds	25yds	50yds	75yds	100yds
185gr FTX	3	0.140	920	894	870	847	826	348	328	311	295	281	0.2	1.3	0.0	-4.1	-11.3
200gr JHP	Not Specified	0.141	1000	966	935	908	883	444	414	389	366	347	0.2	1.1	0.0	-3.5	-9.7
225gr JSP	4	0.194	860	844	829	814	800	370	356	343	331	320	0.2	1.5	0.0	-4.6	-12.4
225gr FTX	4.75	0.140	960	930	903	878	855	461	432	408	386	366	0.2	1.2	0.0	-3.8	-10.5
230gr JHP	4	0.227	830	817	805	793	782	352	341	331	322	312	0.2	1.6	0.0	-4.9	-13.2
230gr FMJ	4	0.196	824	810	796	782	770	347	335	323	313	302	0.2	1.6	0.0	-5.0	-13.5
250gr LFN	4	0.206	709	698	688	677	667	279	271	263	255	247	0.2	2.2	0.0	-6.7	-18.2
255gr LFN	4.75	0.117	725	706	687	669	651	298	282	267	235	240	0.2	2.1	0.0	-6.7	-18.2

These ballistics show the performance characteristics you can expect from the 45 (Long) Colt cartridge. To see how this classic revolver round compares against another legendary cartridge, check out our detailed 45 Long Colt vs 44 Magnum comparison.

What Does “Long Colt" Stand For?

The inclusion of “Long” in “45 Long Colt” was originally intended to help people differentiate the cartridge from 45 Schofield, which is essentially a shorter version of the 45 Colt.

Parting Shots: 45 Long Colt vs. 45 Colt

Now that you know these are simply two names for the same cartridge, check out our 45 Long Colt page to get some of the best ammo prices on the internet!

Written by

Wes Littlefield