ammo ratings

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down range dan

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I have a complete newbie question. If the gun manufacturer states that a gun fires a .45 ACP round, can you still fire a round that is .45 auto? If the manufacturer states that the gun can fire +P and also states .45 ACP can it fire a .45 auto +P?
 
.45 auto = .45 ACP = .45 Automatic Colt Pistol. It's the same thing. If it can handles +P it can handle any version of +P.

.45 ACP is different from .45 Colt. 45 Colt = .45 LC = .45 Long Colt. This is a revolver round.

Some firearm manufacturers don't like to advertise for Colt so they label their guns .45 Auto rather than put ACP on their firearm.
 
^ what he said...

As you expand your firearm horizons you will run into a few weird things like this lol. Took me some research to figure it out myself as someone that didn't grow up around firearms but there is plenty of good info on the web.
Things like you can shoot .38 special in a .357 magnum revolver but you can't shoot .357 in a .38 special revolver. You can shoot .44 special in a .44 magnum revolver but not .44 magnum in a .44 special revolver. You can shoot .223 in a 5.56 rifle but you can't shoot 5.56 in a rifle designed solely for the .223 cartridge.
.45 GAP is not .45 ACP\.45 auto. I'm sure there is other stuff I'm forgetting but it's a learning experience. Just don't ever fire a cartridge in a firearm if you are at all uneasy about it without doing the research first.
 
38 special is not the same as 38 s&w... Even though your 38 special revolver might be a S&W. I made that mistake once. The only consequence was money wasted on a worthless (to me) 50 round box of ammo. :eek:
 
As said, .45 auto and .45 ACP are synonyms. There are other .45 caliber rounds designed for revolvers that are not going to be applicable.

The various 9 mms also confuse people sometimes. I had one friend who was about to buy a 9 Mak at a good price, but was surprised to know that it did not fire the readily available 9x19 cartridge, and another who inherited a Beretta 1934 and had to learn the difference between "9 corto" (more commonly known as .380 ACP on these shores) and 9x19.

OP, you found a good source of info. If you are in doubt, ask the TFL gang and you will get informed and experienced guidance.
 
It's funny you mention that JM. I had a family member make that mistake and accidentally buy me the wrong .38 as a birthday gift. It took me like 3 months to sell it too. Apparently there isn't much of a demand for that old .38 round.
 
Good on you, checking!

Down Range Dan--Don't be embarrassed--we were all noobs at one time. I like to say that there are no masters, just students at various levels.

Now, CZ9 Joe has it right: "Just don't ever fire a cartridge in a firearm if you are at all uneasy about it without doing the research first."

If you're ever unsure, DON'T!!! We are dealing with fiendish pressures, and hella hot gases here, and you do not want your favorite firearm spitting parts back in your face. Tends to louse up your whole weekend...

As to confusing cartridge designations, there is no rhyme nor reason to them. Cartridges have been named over the years by various systems, none of which takes note of any of the others. You get to know the cartridge names with which you normally deal, and there are always new, oddball, cartridge names out there. Invention and tinkering is a way of life with some gunsmith/cartridge designer/whatnots.

Other Q's?? Don't hesitate to ask! With any 4 shooters, there will be at least 5 opinions, and most are more than happy to share!
 
Having a reloading manual such as Speer will have info beyond the scope of this thread. A cart. name does not always mean the actual caliber. Example, 308 means 7.62 mm but the cart. 7.62x39 actual bullet dia. is 311.
 
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