Tag: .45 ACP

The .45 ACP, also known as .45 Auto, is a rimless and straight-walled cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904. During the late 1890s and early 20^th century, the US Cavalry was on the lookout for the best handguns to use. The .38 Long Colt, however, proved to be quite ineffective during the Philippine-American War. This disastrous event led the Cavalry and the Army to decide that they should use a .45 caliber. In response to this ordinance, Browning designed the .45 ACP first for his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol, and then later on for the M1911 pistol. Since the Thompson-LaGarde Board demanded that nothing smaller than a .45 caliber should be used, the .45 ACP was then used for each service automatic issued.

The .45 ACP has a bullet diameter of .452”, a weight of 230 grain (14.9 grams), and a pressure of 21,000 psi when fired. It also comes in many variants, the most common of which is the full metal jacket and the jacketed hollow point.

The .45 ACP’s stopping power and controlled penetration is the reason why it is still being used today by many US tactical police teams. It is also considered as one of the most powerful calibers to use in suppressed weapons.