Caliber matchup
| Metric | .38 Special | .45 Colt |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bullet | 130 gr | 250 gr |
| Muzzle velocity | 890 fps | 860 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 229 ft·lb | 411 ft·lb |
| Cost per round | $0.40 | $0.75 |
| Recoil | Light-moderate | Moderate push |
| Introduced | 1898 | 1873 |
| Best role | Revolver classic | Big-bore revolver |
.38 Special: Soft-shooting revolver staple; +P loads close some of the gap to 9mm.
.45 Colt: The original cowboy round; big, slow and heavy-hitting.
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