If I ever hear of two guys being shot with each load, I'll try to get them to compare notes, but I doubt they will be able to.
Actually, the reason for the two calibers goes back a ways. Colt made ".44" caliber percussion revolvers that were actually .45 caliber. When they made a cartridge loader for the army competition, they called it a .45 caliber, partly as hype so it would seem better than competing .44 caliber revolvers.
S&W, on the other hand, had chosen .44 caliber, apparently as an offshoot of the .44 Henry rifle, and some of their early guns were chambered for the .44 Henry. So, .45 became the "Colt caliber", while .44 was the "S&W caliber". Neither company would even think of chambering a gun for the "other" company's cartridge, and cartridges like the .38 S&W became the .38 Colt New Police when Colt revolvers were chambered for it.
So, when all the discussion is done, there is no real difference. I will say that in a swingout cylinder revolver, the ejector really can miss the small rim of the .45 Colt and jam the gun. It has happened to me, and it is the reason the Army adopted a new cartridge (the .45 Model 1909) when they adopted the Model 1909 revolver rather than using .45 Colt. The Model 1909 round has a larger rim and can be used in the Model 1873 (SAA) revolver only by loading alternate chambers.
Jim
Actually, the reason for the two calibers goes back a ways. Colt made ".44" caliber percussion revolvers that were actually .45 caliber. When they made a cartridge loader for the army competition, they called it a .45 caliber, partly as hype so it would seem better than competing .44 caliber revolvers.
S&W, on the other hand, had chosen .44 caliber, apparently as an offshoot of the .44 Henry rifle, and some of their early guns were chambered for the .44 Henry. So, .45 became the "Colt caliber", while .44 was the "S&W caliber". Neither company would even think of chambering a gun for the "other" company's cartridge, and cartridges like the .38 S&W became the .38 Colt New Police when Colt revolvers were chambered for it.
So, when all the discussion is done, there is no real difference. I will say that in a swingout cylinder revolver, the ejector really can miss the small rim of the .45 Colt and jam the gun. It has happened to me, and it is the reason the Army adopted a new cartridge (the .45 Model 1909) when they adopted the Model 1909 revolver rather than using .45 Colt. The Model 1909 round has a larger rim and can be used in the Model 1873 (SAA) revolver only by loading alternate chambers.
Jim