Is there a difference between a .45 Colt and one called a .45 Long Colt? I know the difference between the ACP's but I thought a .45 Colt was a .45 Colt until somebody mentioned the Long Colt.
No difference. The "official" name is .45 Colt, never been another.
Popular usage is a bit different. Some claim the "Long Colt" name came about when the US Army bought S&W Schofields in .45 S&W. It was dimensionally the same as the .45 Colt that was the standard service revolver cartridge, but was shorter. Thus the term "long", to designate the original Colt cartridge.
I've always used the term .45 Colt myself.
I think the reason the "Long Colt" name is even still in use is just to differentiate it from the .45ACP. Nowadays when you say "45" too the general public the majority of them think 45ACP.
But the old "LC" is still alive and kickin today aint she?
RA
.45 Colt
