.45 Automatic Colt Pistol

The .45 ACP (11.43×23mm) (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.


Performance:

The .45 ACP is an effective combat pistol cartridge that combines accuracy and stopping power for use against human targets. The cartridge also has relatively low muzzle blast and flash, as well as moderate recoil. The .45 ACP also operates at a relatively low maximum chamber pressure rating of 21,000 psi (145 MPa) (compared to 35,000 psi/240 MPa for 9mm Parabellum and .40 S&W, 37,500 psi/260 MPa for 10mm Auto, 40,000 psi/280 MPa for .357 SIG), which due to a low bolt thrust helps extend service life of weapons in which it is fired. Even in its non-expanding full metal jacket (FMJ) version, the .45 ACP cartridge has a reputation for effectiveness against human targets because its large diameter creates a deep and substantial permanent wound channel which lowers blood pressure more rapidly.

.380 Automatic Colt Pistol

The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) pistol cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case.[2] It was introduced in 1908 by Colt, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge ever since. Other names for .380 ACP include .380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, and 9x17mm. It is not to be confused with .38 ACP or 9mm Luger.

Performance:

The .380 ACP is compact and light, but has a relatively short range and less stopping power than other modern pistol cartridges. According to gun author Massad Ayoob, "Some experts will say it's barely adequate, and others will say it's barely inadequate. Even so, it remains a popular self-defense cartridge for shooters who want a lightweight pistol with manageable recoil. It is slightly less powerful than a standard-pressure .38 Special and uses 9 mm (.355 in) diameter bullets. The heaviest bullet that can be safely loaded into the .380 ACP is 115 grains (7.5 g), though the standard has long been 85, 90 or 95 grains (5.5, 5.8 or 6.2 g). The .380 has had something of a recent upsurge in popularity with the increase of concealed carry laws, as have the compact and inexpensive pistols that make use of it.

.32 Automatic Colt Pistol

.32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .32 Automatic is a pistol cartridge. It is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning, initially for use in the FN M1900 semi-automatic pistol. It was introduced in 1899 by Fabrique Nationale, and is also known as the 7.65x17mm Browning SR or 7.65 mm Browning.


Performance:

The .32 ACP is compact and light, but short ranged, having marginal stopping power.[8] Weapons chambered in it are often valued for their compactness and light weight relative to larger caliber pistols, particularly for concealed carry use. It offers more velocity and energy than the .32 S&W, which was a popular round for pocket defensive revolvers at the time of the .32 ACP's development. Although of lighter bullet weight, the .32 ACP also compares favorably to the .32 S&W Long in performance.

The .32 ACP is quite suitable for varmint hunting, although most handguns chambered for this round have little, if any, type of sights for improving accuracy. In Europe, where the round is commonly known as the 7.65 mm Browning, the .32 ACP has always been more widely accepted than it has in America, having a long history of use by civilians as well as military and police agencies.

.25 Automatic Colt Pistol

The .25 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) (6.35x16mmSR) centerfire pistol cartridge is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled pistol cartridge introduced by John Browning in 1905 alongside the Fabrique Nationale model 1905 pistol. In more recent years, most pistols available in .25 ACP are also available in a more effective calibre.

Performance: 

The use of the .25 ACP allows for a very compact lightweight gun, but the cartridge is relatively short ranged and low powered, putting it in the same class as the .22 LR rimfire cartridge but at a significantly higher price point. Although the .22 is slightly more powerful when fired from longer rifle barrels, the .25 ACP is viewed by some as a better choice for personal defense in handguns due to its inherently more reliable centerfire case design.

Automatic Colt Pistol

Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) denotes various John Browning cartridge designs primarily used in Colt and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal pistols. All of these cartridges appear similar with straight sides. The .25 ACP, .32 ACP and .38 ACP are semi-rimmed and headspace on the rim, while the rimless .380 ACP and .45 ACP headspace on the mouth of the case.

ACP cartridges:

• .25 ACP

• .32 ACP

• .380 ACP

• .38 ACP (Obsolete)

• .45 ACP

History:

Colt has manufactured several self-loading pistols. The first was the Colt M1900 made from 1900 to 1902 exclusively for the .38 ACP. The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer was manufactured for the same .38 ACP cartridge from 1902 to 1928. The model 1905 military pistol was manufactured for the .45 ACP cartridge from 1905 to 1912. The M1905 was replaced by the military M1911 pistol which remained in production until 1970. The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol was manufactured for the .32 ACP from 1903 to 1941 and as the Model 1908 for the .380 ACP from 1908 to 1941. The Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket pistol was manufactured for the .25 ACP from 1908 to 1941.

Bullet Designs

Bullet designs have to solve two primary problems. They must first form a seal with the gun's bore. If a strong seal is not achieved, gas from the propellant charge leaks past the bullet, reducing efficiency. The bullet must also engage the rifling without damaging the gun's bore. Bullets must have a surface which will form this seal without causing excessive friction. These interactions between bullet and bore are termed internal ballistics. Bullets must be produced to a high standard, as surface imperfections can affect firing accuracy.

A modern cartridge consists of the following:
1. the bullet, which serves as the projectile;
2. the case, which holds all parts together;
3. the propellant, for example gunpowder or cordite;
4. part of the casing used for loading;
5. the primer, which ignites the propellant.

AK-101

The AK-101 is an assault rifle of the Kalashnikov series. The AK-101 is designed for the world export market, using 5.56×45mm NATO cartridges, which is the standard of all NATO armies. The AK-101 is marketed at those looking for a weapon that combines the logistical compatibility and familiarity of the 5.56×45mm NATO round with the legendary reliability of a Kalashnikov.

Specifications:
Weight: 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) without magazine
            4 kg (8.8 lb) fully loaded[1]
Length : 943 mm (37.1 in) with stock extended
             700 mm (28 in) with stock folded
Barrel length:  415 mm (16.3 in)

Muzzle velocity: 910 m/s (3,000 ft/s)
Rate of fire:  600 rds/min  or (10rds per second)