Big Ugly Tall Texan
New member
I grew up hearing .45 Long Colt but have found some folks who insist on calling the round simply .45 Colt.
Does it really make a difference?
Does it really make a difference?
Does the term .45 Long Colt bother you?
- Thread starter Big Ugly Tall Texan
- Start date
Uh oh, here we go again (some around here get all hot and bothered when someone says .45 Long Colt).
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363483
Personally, I use both terms interchangeably. However, sometimes I say .45 Lllloooooonnnngggg Colt just to be ornery.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363483
Personally, I use both terms interchangeably. However, sometimes I say .45 Lllloooooonnnngggg Colt just to be ornery.
Big Ugly Tall Texan
New member
Maybe, but I'm new.
Winchester_73
New member
Its kind of like drinking a great beer, no matter how you do it, its good. 
Big Ugly Tall Texan
New member
I was kinda hoping somebody would say yes
And maybe explain what the big deal is.
I realize there never was officially a .45 Long Colt or .45 Short Colt - it was .45 Colt or .45 S&W or Schofield. But I don't see what it hurts to use the slang terms.
When my father was young the Peacemaker was still in wide spread use as a self-defense weapon in the East Texas Piney Woods, so I grew up hearing about the .45 Long Colt as the be all and end all of self defense handgun rounds.
And maybe explain what the big deal is.
I realize there never was officially a .45 Long Colt or .45 Short Colt - it was .45 Colt or .45 S&W or Schofield. But I don't see what it hurts to use the slang terms.
When my father was young the Peacemaker was still in wide spread use as a self-defense weapon in the East Texas Piney Woods, so I grew up hearing about the .45 Long Colt as the be all and end all of self defense handgun rounds.
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SwampYankee
New member
If you really want to read a discussion on this, try the search feature.
Everytime someone says "Long Colt" someone else gets bothered and it starts again.
I wish I had one of those cool animations of a dead horse being beat so I could post it right here....
Everytime someone says "Long Colt" someone else gets bothered and it starts again.
I wish I had one of those cool animations of a dead horse being beat so I could post it right here....
So which is better, 9mm or .45ACP? :evil:
Whatever the etymology, it doesn't bother me. I usually say ".45 Colt". Sometimes I write it ".45LC", and if someone says ".45 Long Colt" I know what they are talking about.
There was also an obsolete .45 Government (or maybe it was called .45 Colt Government, I don't have Cartridges of the World handy right now) that was the length of a .45 S&W but had the rim of a .45 Colt, so it would work in a Colt or an old Schofield -- it was the worst of both worlds! I personally think that's where the term "Long Colt" originated.
Whatever the etymology, it doesn't bother me. I usually say ".45 Colt". Sometimes I write it ".45LC", and if someone says ".45 Long Colt" I know what they are talking about.
45_Shooter
New member
I thought the Gov't issued the .45 S&W in place of the .45 Colt for much of the late 1800's because the round would work in both SAA's and S&W Schofield revolvers.
Gary L. Griffiths
New member
No more than I'm bothered by those who call magazines "clips."
My bugaboo is the common (though incorrect) practice of talking about ".45 caliber." It's 45 caliber. A .45 caliber would be just shy of half of 1/100th of an inch in diameter (0.0045").
My bugaboo is the common (though incorrect) practice of talking about ".45 caliber." It's 45 caliber. A .45 caliber would be just shy of half of 1/100th of an inch in diameter (0.0045").
30-30remchester
New member
Very much so.
It makes a big difference when you are buying.
Looking for .45 Long Colt ammo, I've gone into more than a couple of gun shops or sporting good stores where the clerks were not too knowledgeable and asked for .45 Colt and was handed .45 ACP. I now always ask for .45 Long Colt (some clerks still don't know the difference even when asked that way).
It's even more frustrating if I'm looking for the same ammo in Cowboy loads for my 1858 Remmy conversion. Many stores don't even know what I'm talking about or don't know the difference.
Looking for .45 Long Colt ammo, I've gone into more than a couple of gun shops or sporting good stores where the clerks were not too knowledgeable and asked for .45 Colt and was handed .45 ACP. I now always ask for .45 Long Colt (some clerks still don't know the difference even when asked that way).
It's even more frustrating if I'm looking for the same ammo in Cowboy loads for my 1858 Remmy conversion. Many stores don't even know what I'm talking about or don't know the difference.
Considering that even Colt has used the term "Long Colt"
I think it is a valid name. I feel it is technically correct to refer to the round either by .45 Colt or .45 Long Colt.
Also recall that the .45ACP (automatic Colt pistol) was at one time commonly known as the Colt .45 or .45 Colt, and that for nearly half a century (and more) the only common .45 Auto pistol was the Colt! Just as the 9mm Luger is the 9mm Luger in the USA, because for many years the only pistols in that caliber were Lugers!
Clips vs magazines is a bit more clear cut, as there are clear definitions for each, however, there have been firearms companies that have cataloged their magazines as "clips", probably so even the uninformed would understand what they meant.
Engine and motor are clearly different terms, but are used interchangeably by some people in casual conversation. There are many other examples in English, all one can reasonably do is to remain calm, and be precise, explaining the difference when, and if, it makes a difference.
Good Luck!
I think it is a valid name. I feel it is technically correct to refer to the round either by .45 Colt or .45 Long Colt.
Also recall that the .45ACP (automatic Colt pistol) was at one time commonly known as the Colt .45 or .45 Colt, and that for nearly half a century (and more) the only common .45 Auto pistol was the Colt! Just as the 9mm Luger is the 9mm Luger in the USA, because for many years the only pistols in that caliber were Lugers!
Clips vs magazines is a bit more clear cut, as there are clear definitions for each, however, there have been firearms companies that have cataloged their magazines as "clips", probably so even the uninformed would understand what they meant.
Engine and motor are clearly different terms, but are used interchangeably by some people in casual conversation. There are many other examples in English, all one can reasonably do is to remain calm, and be precise, explaining the difference when, and if, it makes a difference.
Good Luck!