Revolver · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.44 Long Colt
Early Colt revolver cartridge for the Model 1872 Open-Top.
- Caliber
- 0.451″ · 11.455 mm
- Introduced
- 1871
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1871
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt
- Manufacturer
- Colt
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 31 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2000 yd
- Recoil
- 6.9–7.8 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Colt
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .44 Long 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 · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.58 | 0.456 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.27 | 0.483 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.44 | 0.057 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 27.94 | 1.100 | · |
| Overall length | 38.10 | 1.500 | · |
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. .44 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.
Lineage
History
An early Colt revolver cartridge from 1872, designed for the Colt 1872 Open-Top revolver. Uses a heeled bullet design where the base is narrower than the case mouth. One of the transitional cartridges as the firearms industry moved from cap-and-ball to metallic cartridges. Long obsolete.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .44 Long Colt use?
- .44 Long Colt typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .44 Long Colt?
- .44 Long Colt uses a 0.451″ (11.455 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .44 Long Colt still in production?
- .44 Long Colt is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .44 Long Colt used for?
- .44 Long Colt is primarily used for self-defense.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .44 Long Colt archived
- Standard Obsolete — no current SAAMI or CIP standard
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 3 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
