Revolver · SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.41 Long Colt
US Army service revolver cartridge from 1892 to 1911, chambered in the Colt Army Model 1892 double-action revolver.
- Caliber
- 0.3882″ · 9.86 mm
- Introduced
- 1877
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .41 Short Colt
- Primary use
- Military, Self Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1877
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt
- Manufacturer
- Colt, Winchester
- Standard
- SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 27 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 13,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2150 yd
- Recoil
- 7.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .41 Long Colt — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .41 Short Colt.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.86 | 0.388 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.39 | 0.409 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 10.43 | 0.411 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.18 | 0.440 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.45 | 0.057 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 28.70 | 1.130 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 36.19 | 1.425 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .41 Long Colt is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .41 Long Colt
Lineage
History
Adopted by the US Army in 1892 for the new double-action Colt Army revolver, replacing the .45 Colt SAA in service. The .41 Long Colt was considered inadequate almost immediately — it lacked the stopping power of the .45 Colt, and service experience in the Philippines confirmed this. The Army's experience with cartridge inadequacy led directly to the .45 ACP and M1911 development. Factory ammunition is still produced in small quantities for cowboy action shooters.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .41 Long Colt use?
- .41 Long Colt typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .41 Long Colt?
- .41 Long Colt uses a 0.3882″ (9.86 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .41 Long Colt still in production?
- .41 Long Colt is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .41 Long Colt used for?
- .41 Long Colt is primarily used for military, self defense.
- What is .41 Long Colt based on?
- .41 Long Colt is derived from the .41 Short Colt case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .41 Long Colt archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 4 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
