Difference in .45 cartridges?

M

model14

New member
What is the difference between a .45 Auto, .45 ACP, and ,45 Colt cartridge. Will all three of these work in the S&W Model 25? Thanks
 
45 auto and 45 ACP are the same thing (Automatic Colt Pistol) but the 45 Colt is usually used to describe the revolver cartridge that has been around since 1873 or so. Then to add confusion, there is a 45 Auto Rim cartridge, which is designed to work in revolvers that are made for the 45 ACP only, so that the metal clips are not required to load them. But you always go by the caliber marked on the barrel. Physically the revolver cartridge 45 Colt and the auto round for the 1911 pistol and some revolvers, are quite physically different things. Just bore size is nearly identical.
 
What is the difference with the .45 GAP from glock? I bought a .45 ACP but I pondered the GAP. Just didn't know the difference
 
Some moron at GLock thought it be a great way to shave some W" off the grip. So they commissioned CCI/Speer to provide a cartridge that would equal the power of the .45 ACP but was shorter to fit in a more compact handgun, and with a stronger case head to reduce the possibility of case neck blowouts. Be thankful you didnt get one.
 
Thanks for that clarification. Knowing that I am indeed glad I didn't get the GAP and went with the ACP. I think the grip is perfect size even with the double stack.
 
I was under the impression that the Gap was invented in part, because in certain countries, no citizen is allowed to own any handgun that fires a military round. By cutting the .45 acp case down .1" the gap cannot be fired in an ACP gun since it will fall to far into the chamber for a proper firing pin strike, as well as being marked on the gun, .45 Gap instead of .45 ACP.
 
Will all three of these work in the S&W Model 25?
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Answer: No and Yes ;)

But not in the same version of the Model 25. The Model 25-5 is for the .45 Colt revolver cartridge. Since the cylinder for the Model 25 is shorter, the barrel is longer (sticking back into the frame) so you can't just change cylinders.

Unless you are talking the Ruger single actions. They made (sitll make???) a convertible model that comes with one .45 ACP cylinder and one .45 Colt cylinder.

Bart Noir
 
I had a Model 25 in 45 ACP. I sent it back to the factory to have a 45 LC cylender made for it. By simply change the cylenders I could shoot both.

Forgot what I traded it for but I now realize what ever it was, I was a dumb a$$ for letting it go.

Lots of guns in my past I sure wish I had held onto. One is gonna be hard pressed to get me to swap any more of my guns. I need something I'll buy it. I dont want to go through the missery of wishing I kept something I traded for.

Hind Side
 
kraigwy, that is very interesting. The .45 ACP cyclinder is certainly a bit shorter, so the .45 Colt cylinder had to be the same (shorter) length.

Did you have to be careful not to load the heavier (meaning longer) .45 Colt rounds? I don't know if you had the chance to find any 300-grain Buffalo Bore rounds, but they are longer and might not fit.

Did it seem like the .45 Colt rounds had the bullet almost out the front end of the cylinder?

Bart Noir
 
The .45 ACP cyclinder is certainly a bit shorter, so the .45 Colt cylinder had to be the same (shorter) length.
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No, not at all. The Model 25 is an N-frame revolver, same frame as the Model 29, and therefore will easily accommodate a 45 LC cylinder.
 
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