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An observation that I must make is that the .45 Auto Rim is among a very few revolver cartridges designed from the start for use with smokeless powder. The .44-40, .45 Colt and the .44 Special are longer cases, designed to perform well with bulky black powder. The .45 Colt in particular demands attention to detail. The .45 AR is much more straightforward, with good results with practically any powder. The .45 AR can be a miser with powder, producing good results with light charges of fast burning powder. But each cartridge has its place.

If you’re not familiar with the .45 Auto Rim, perhaps bit of history is in order.

Smooth, reliable, hand-fitted. The original 1917 is a good revolver, among the best choices for personal defense.

IN THE BEGINNING

The .45 AR is something of an accident, but it was also a fortunate turn of events for the handgunner.

Big and heavy, this old Colt New Service 1917 is also very smooth and accurate.

The .45 AR came to life in 1920, using a short cartridge case that is simply a thick-rimmed .45 ACP case. This gives the .45 AR a tremendous advantage in the use of controlled amounts of faster-burning powder. A full powder burn, limited muzzle flash and blast and mild recoil are more easily realized with the .45 Auto Rim than with any other big bore cartridge.