How many rounds does a colt 45 pistol hold?

Answer 1

The original Colt 45 (1873) was a single action pistol with a revolving chamber that held 6 rounds. Single action meant that the hammer had to be cocked before pulling the trigger or, in other words, the trigger simply released the hammer, it did not arm it as well, as in the case of a double action pistol.

This is why you would often see the cowboy (Roy Rogers, for instance) madly fanning the hammer of his Colt with the palm of his hand while holding the trigger with the other, to effect rapid fire of several rounds. It does not, however, explain how they could fire so many shots without reloading.