Revolver · Obsolete
.41 Short Colt
Rimmed revolver cartridge for the Colt double-action revolvers of the 1870s–1880s.
- Caliber
- 0.402″ · 10.211 mm
- Introduced
- 1874
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1874
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt
- Manufacturer
- Colt
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 18 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–4 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Colt
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .41 Short Colt — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · secondary source| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.21 | 0.402 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.31 | 0.406 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 10.31 | 0.406 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | — | — | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 16.18 | 0.637 | · |
| Overall length | 26.85 | 1.057 | ~ |
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 Short 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.
Connected reference
History
A small Colt revolver cartridge from the 1870s, chambered in Colt's small double-action "Lightning" revolvers. Fires a light lead bullet at modest velocity from a short case. Long since replaced by more practical cartridges; completely obsolete today.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .41 Short Colt use?
- .41 Short Colt typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .41 Short Colt?
- .41 Short Colt uses a 0.402″ (10.211 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .41 Short Colt still in production?
- .41 Short Colt is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .41 Short Colt used for?
- .41 Short Colt is primarily used for self-defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 5 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →