The Fabulous .45 Colt ~ Not so popular back in the day!

Published on December 16, 2021
Duration: 40:42

This video provides an in-depth look at the .45 Colt cartridge and its historical context, contrasting its popularity with the .44-40 WCF. The presenter, with apparent expertise in firearms, discusses the cartridge's military origins, its role in cavalry warfare, and its perceived lack of popularity in the West compared to modern notions. He also shares personal experiences with various firearms chambered in .45 Colt, including a Colt Single Action Army and a Smith & Wesson Model 25, offering insights into their handling, accuracy, and suitability for hunting and self-defense.

Quick Summary

The .45 Colt cartridge was not as popular in the American West as commonly believed, with the .44-40 WCF being the preferred choice due to its compatibility with the Winchester Model 1873 rifle. The .45 Colt's development was driven by military needs for a large caliber round capable of incapacitating horses and enemy combatants.

Chapters

  1. 00:36Introduction & Winchester 94-22
  2. 00:54Introducing the .45 Colt
  3. 01:07Colt Single Action Army (Peacemaker)
  4. 01:52Clarification: This is a .32-20 WCF
  5. 02:46.45 Colt: A Unique Cartridge for its Time
  6. 03:00Pre-Cartridge Era Handguns
  7. 03:30Colt's Novel Cartridge Concept
  8. 04:17Why the .45 Colt Came About
  9. 04:32.45 Colt: Primarily a Military Cartridge
  10. 04:54Cavalry Warfare and the Need for Large Caliber
  11. 06:05The Role of Horses in Warfare
  12. 07:29Handgun Capability for Incapacitating Horses
  13. 08:47Reason for Large Calibers in the Military
  14. 09:24.45 Colt: Not Popular in the West?
  15. 09:36The .44-40 WCF: The Running Favorite
  16. 09:51Winchester's Chambering Choices
  17. 10:23The .32-20 WCF Round
  18. 11:04Why .45 Colt Wasn't Popular for Rifle Pairing
  19. 11:16Popularity with Lawmen
  20. 11:59Personal Fondness for .45 Colt
  21. 12:09Acquiring a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible
  22. 13:51Handloading .45 Colt: The Elmer Keith Approach
  23. 14:46First Reloading Problems: Powder Density
  24. 15:57Increasing the Load: Accuracy and Power
  25. 16:25Deer Hunting with .45 Colt
  26. 16:49Traditional .45 Colt Loadings
  27. 17:01Smith & Wesson Model 25
  28. 17:37200 Grain Cowboy Loads
  29. 18:13.45 Colt vs. .44-40 Popularity Revisited
  30. 18:40Value of First/Second Generation .45 Colts
  31. 19:26The .32-20 WCF's Popularity
  32. 19:53Morton's Smith & Wesson Model 25-5
  33. 20:50N-Frame Revolver Introduction
  34. 21:24N-Frame Popularity Post-Dirty Harry
  35. 21:43Rarity of Model 25 in .45 Colt
  36. 22:20.45 Colt as an Aficionado's Cartridge
  37. 23:06Loading the Model 25
  38. 23:25Safety: Colt SAA vs. N-Frame Loading
  39. 23:50Shooting the Model 25 at 35 Yards
  40. 24:44.45 Colt for Big Game
  41. 25:38.45 Colt vs. .44 Magnum for Self-Defense
  42. 26:08Limitations of Souped-Up Loads
  43. 27:14Target Shooting with Model 25
  44. 29:45Shooting the Winchester 94-22
  45. 30:06Boy Scout Commemorative Model 94-22
  46. 30:30Electroless Nickel Finish
  47. 31:03Philosophy: Shoot, Don't Just Collect
  48. 31:32Parable of the Farmer
  49. 33:12Winchester 94-22 Shooting Impressions
  50. 35:00Winchester 94-22 Introduction and Design
  51. 35:15Winchester's Reputation and the 94-22
  52. 35:55Original Design for .22 Magnum
  53. 36:36Well-Conceived Design and Workmanship
  54. 36:43Current Value of Winchester 94-22
  55. 37:43Enjoying the Outdoors in New Hampshire
  56. 39:13Benny the Dog
  57. 40:29Conclusion & Merry Christmas

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the .45 Colt cartridge popular in the American West?

Contrary to popular belief, the .45 Colt was not the most popular cartridge in the American West. The .44-40 WCF was favored because it could be chambered in both revolvers and the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, which required a bottlenecked cartridge for reliable feeding.

Why was the .45 Colt cartridge developed?

The .45 Colt was primarily developed as a military cartridge, especially for cavalry. The military required a large caliber handgun round capable of incapacitating horses and enemy combatants effectively, making it a strategic choice for warfare of the era.

How does the .45 Colt compare to the .44 Magnum for self-defense?

For self-defense, the .45 Colt offers a significant advantage in bullet diameter, being a true .45 caliber compared to the .44 Magnum's .430 diameter. When loaded to modern pressures in appropriate firearms, the .45 Colt can be a more effective round due to its larger diameter and potential for tissue destruction.

Are Colt Single Action Army revolvers safe to carry fully loaded?

No, Colt Single Action Army revolvers are not considered safe to carry fully loaded. The hammer's firing pin could potentially strike the primer of a cartridge under the hammer, leading to accidental discharge. They were traditionally carried with an empty chamber positioned under the hammer.

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