Now that we live in a post-handgun-stopping power world, I’ve opened my eyes to a variety of cartridges that have fallen out of favor or never been taken seriously for self-defense. A handgun projectile does one type of damage, direct contact with flesh, and admittedly, a larger bullet can create more damage, but it isn’t needed to win the fight. I don’t want to completely rehash any caliber debates. I want to share my findings and information that I feel is valuable. Today’s cartridge of choice is the .32 ACP.
According to specific internet segments, the .32 ACP is John Browning’s best caliber and the One True Caliber. The cartridge dates back to 1899, making it a genuinely ancient cartridge. I love the .32 ACP, and that love started with old guns. While the price of even Mosins has risen out of control, there isn’t a massive market for .32 ACP oldies.
This has kept their prices low, ushering me into appreciating the caliber. I love shooting my various ancient .32 Autos, with the Savage M1907 and Colt M1903 being my favorites. I even trust the .32 ACP for defensive use in niche situations. It’s not my first choice for a defensive cartridge, but it’s not my last.
The Modern Allure of the .32 ACP
I usually carry a .32 H&R Magnum or a 9mm daily. My KelTec P32 gets broken out when I need to be highly discreet in my carry method. I could be in a socially nonpermissible environment or go to a water park with the kids. In either situation, it can be challenging to carry a gun discreetly. The KelTec P32 is a Speedo gun if there ever was one.
That’s the first reason the .32 ACP could be a capable defensive cartridge. Guns can be tiny and extremely light for the cartridge. The P32 weighs 6.9 ounces, and it’s super flat and thin. It’s smaller than a pocket .380, like a Ruger LCP.
However, it has about half the recoil energy. I don’t mind recoil; I tend to embrace it as a scattergun enthusiast. However, I find the recoil generated by pocket .380s to be disruptive to my performance with the gun. I’m not just capable of shooting the P32 a little better than the comparable KelTec P3AT. I can zoom through .32 ACP rounds at a rapid rate.
For example, with the P32, I can draw from a pre-staged pocket carry holster and fire five rounds in 1.76 seconds into the black of a B8 target. My performance with the P3AT resulted in a 2.5-second time with comparable accuracy. If I tried to shoot as fast as possible with the P3AT, my accuracy would fall apart.
The .380 throws a nominally more significant bullet, but the performance isn’t all that better from the short barrel. It penetrates a little better, but not enough to justify the recoil, in my opinion.
Beyond Pocket Pistols
Many folks aren’t all that interested in carrying a pocket pistol anymore. For them, calibers like the 9mm offer excellent penetration, low enough recoil, and, overall, an excellent round. With that said, there are plenty of people who find 9mm handguns to be too harsh to control. We know this because almost every major company makes low-recoil firearms, like the S&W EZ series.
There are a lot of people who can’t even handle a .380 from a moderately sized firearm. The option for these shooters is typically a .22LR. The .22LR can be a capable defensive firearm, but you risk dealing with rimfire reliability. Sitting happily between the .380 ACP and .22LR is the meek little .32 ACP.
From my Beretta 81BB, the .32 ACP doesn’t seem to have more recoil than a .22LR. Maybe a hair more, but it’s a kitten. With Beretta in mind, they are releasing the 80X in .32 ACP, which delivers a modern, optics-ready, and light-ready .32 ACP firearm that’s roughly Glock 19-sized. It’s the only production .32 ACP in this size range.
This leads us to the second reason the .32 ACP can be an excellent defensive round. With the right gun, it appeals to shooters who are recoil-sensitive. It’s more reliable than .22LR and more capable, but it is incredibly light recoiling. The projectile gains some decent velocity from a long barrel and even better penetration.
Downsides
The first downside most people rightly point out is ammo availability and cost. Finding .32 ACP cheap can be tricky. I can grab a box of 9mm FMJs for 9.99 from Academy, but if I can find a box of .32 ACP FMJs for less than 25 dollars, I’m excited. That’s if I can see it because it’s not all that common.
Another downside is that while it meets the penetration standard, it doesn’t excel at that role. I always think about the Miami Shootout, where Dove’s 9mm round rested an inch from Platt’s heart. A shot that could have stopped the fight if it went just a little deeper. In a perfect scenario, the .32 ACP will work, but it’s less likely to work if it hits an arm, hand, or other extremity before it hits the torso.
Not Plug and Play
The .32 ACP is not as plug-and-play as other calibers. I’ll get penetration and expansion if I grab a 9mm and a box of 115-grain JHPs. I could pick a more optimized round, but 115-grain JHPs would work in most 9mm handguns. Using .32 ACP isn’t that simple.
,I’d suggest finding a European-based load if you’re using a pocket pistol. A hot .32 ACP, like the Fiocchi 73 grain FMJs. They are excellent penetrators from short barrels. You can use FMJs without worry since the round won’t penetrate beyond 18 inches in ballistic gel.
It’s unlikely to over-penetrate the threat. Hollow points slow the projectile down too much, which causes poor penetration. That 73-grain FMJ is perfect for the P32 but not for the Beretta 3032. Why? It exceeds 130-foot pounds of muzzle energy and could crack the 3032’s frame. It’s okay for the 30X.
The JHP Problem
If you have an older, larger .32 ACP like an 81 or the brand new 80X, then you can get enough velocity to use JHPs and even get some expansion. Not all JHPs, so you ended up being picky and sticking to stuff like the 60-grain XTP, which works nicely. Not only do you need to be penetration and expansion picky, but overall length picky.
The .32 ACP is a semi-rimmed cartridge, and that rim can cause rimlock when the cartridges move back and forth in the magazine. They can move if the rounds don’t meet the correct overall length, and some hollow points trim the tip. This can cause rimlock, which can’t be fixed by a tap rack bang. It’s a complicated, pain-in-the-bum malfunction.
After speaking with the folks at Beretta, I couldn’t help but ask why the 80X is limited to 12-round magazines. The little cartridge could squeeze a few more in the same space as 12 .380s. I was informed that with double stack .32 ACP magazines, you run into rimlock when you get over 12 rounds.
The .32 ACP and Me
The .32 ACP is like the youngest child. Even with all its imperfections, it’s going to be my favorite. I love the little cartridge, but I like to think I’m realistic about its capabilities and limitations. I do think it serves as the perfect option for low recoil, centerfire performance. That use might be niche, but it’s not bad considering this round was part of the dawn of semi-auto pistols.
.32’s for a pocket full of fun and a razor in my shoe.
I’m one bad bad dude.
Until,,,,,,
The .32acp is the way to go if you live in India. It is one of the few rounds they are allowed to own, and where the ammo is domestically manufactured (and thus available).
The CZ83 was made in .32acp (as well as .380 and 9*18mak).
The CZ-82 was in 9×18 Mak. It’s identical to the CZ-83 (mine is .380 ACP).except the 82 has a polygonal bore and the 83 has traditional rifling. Even so, the same mags are compatible with both. Have never seen an 83 in .32 ACP.
My understanding is that the CZ(VZ)82 was only in 9*18mak. That is the one I own (milsurp). The CZ83 was made in all three chamberings (.380, 9*18, and .32acp).
Yeah, Art, my CZ-82 is the 9 Mak. My 83 is .380 ACP. I’m not aware of the 83 being chambered in .32 ACP (I’m not saying it wasn’t I’m just not aware of it)although the CZ-50 and the followup CZ-70 (minor mods over the 50) were both in .32 ACP and the 50 and 70 use the same mags.
Well, Art, I stand corrected. The CZ-83 WAS produced in .32 ACP in addition to the .380, but not in 9mm Mak. The CZ-82 was only produced in 9mm Mak. This info is available in the neat website Genitron.com. Check it out..
Ah, 9mm Crapperov. It not only gives you all the tremendous ballistic performance of .380, it’s also an oddball obsolete foreign round that you’ll have enormous difficulty finding in your LGS.
Oh, so that’s why the Indians make friends with tigers.
FWIW, I think they might also be able to get Enfields in .303 Brit and maybe 7.62 NATO, and also 12 gauge shotguns. While not ideal for tiger, they would probably suffice
I read some stories about a professional hunter who was tasked with tracking and killing man eating tigers in India.
His weapon of choice was a rifle in .275 Rigby, aka 7×57 Mauser.
Travis, I just get the thought of shopping for a 32 out of my head, and then you go and write about them again. Give a man a break, maybe get a Deagle to write about, or a box of S&W revolvers, neither of which I want unless they were like half price and pristine.
KelTec you say?
The KelTec P-32 is a nifty little pistola.
Well you took the subject and wore it out. Good job
The only reason I can think of for carrying a 32 is…I own a 32 already and I can’t be bothered to purchase another firearm.
Or the only threat you concerned about is being attacked by french miniature poodles.
Or Central Asians/Eastern Europeans.
Ya gotta watch out for them thar little French ankle biters.
Years ago I collected .32 pistols. They were cheap and there are lots of neat European designs. Ortgies, Frommer Stop, Sauer 38H, (my favorite) Femaru, Mauser, FN 1900, CZ. Plus Colt & Savage. Pre WWII .32 ACP was the most popular caliber in Europe.
.32 H&R Magnum is one thing, and .32 Fed Magnum as well, but the .32 ACP another all together. The former two I can see, the latter is only for close up and very personal.
Face it, Travis. You like the cartidge because of the guns that take it.
I enjoy my Walther PP and Beretta 81, and all the other “service pistols” that take the round.
But they are a reminder of a time when cops carried small pistols and expected the general populace to be unarmed.
The German border guards that used my PP32 replaced it with a 9mm single stack (P6?). They later replaced that with a double stack.
Don’t get wrong. I sometimes carry the PP in Hugh Noon Mr Softy or Bianchi suede IWB holster.
Super thin and comfortable. And I do carry it with Winchester Silvertips.
I may buy one of the new Walther PPs in stainless. But something needs to done about that bulbous beaver tail on the new guns.
“The German border guards that used my PP32 replaced it with a 9mm single stack”
After the PP but before the 9 mm, the BGS carried the 4 caliber HK4 (P11).
“Bundesgrenzschutz is the former name of the German Bundespolizei. Established on 16 March 1951 as a subordinate agency of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the BGS originally was primarily focused on protecting the West German borders.”
Interesting fact, because of the armistice agreement, Berlin units carried a French Manurhin assembled HK4.
I would qualify for this category. I don’t own a .32ACP, but the Beretta 81(?)Tomcat & Colt 1903 sure are sexy. I likely wouldn’t CC one, but would love to own & fondle them.
And that is reason enough…….
Specialist, I concur with your opinion. The Beretta 81 is a sexy little thing. Has a good feel in the hand, too.
“The P32 weighs 6.9 ounces, and it’s super flat and thin. It’s smaller than a pocket .380, like a Ruger LCP.”
Lay the P32 down next to a P3AT and then tell us how much smaller it is.
“I can grab a box of 9mm FMJs for 9.99 from Academy”
Oh! Lucky you. No Academy near me has 9mm for that price.
If I had to choose a mouse gun…I’d take a .22lr ove a .32 any day.
Hopefully Hi-Point will make a YC32 or .32 ACP carbine. I think the market is there if they’d just release it.
I really like the idea of the diameter, bullet weight, and muzzle velocity of the .32 ACP cartridge for situations where .380 ACP and larger calibers are not an option (for whatever reason).
Having said that, I don’t like the fact that .32 ACP has a semi-rimmed case, can exhibit feeding problems depending on the specific handgun and cartridge combination, and are not suitable for expanding hollowpoint bullets (due to insufficient penetration when the bullet expands).
It sounds to me like we need a newer version of a .32 ACP cartridge which is fully rimless and perhaps allows for a +P loading for people who want a bit more oomph over standard pressure loads. And it would be even more fantastic if the cartridge and handguns would allow for “special” bullets such as the Underwood Extreme Penetrator bullet design or even semi-wadcutter bullets that we see for revolvers. The objective is to be able to use a non-expanding bullet design which nevertheless makes a significantly larger diameter permanent wound channel than the bullet diameter. That enables sufficient penetration AND a larger permanent wound channel.
I would be VERY much interested in a smaller semi-auto pistol chambered in a modernized version of .32 ACP that I described in the paragraph above. The only question in my mind would be whether or not I would carry two of them for primary everyday carry or just one as backup to my larger caliber everyday carry handgun.
How about using that Peak Alloy Steel for the case and some fancy propellant for higher velocity, as long as your making a whole new cartridge? ^L^
Somehow I don’t see that playing well with blowback actions. But not a terrible general idea for a modernized version with a pistol with an action that can handle the pressure.
30sc and they did make a rimless version of 32acp to get even more obscure. Either way would love to see more of all of the above especially in the smg space.
You’re looking for the 30 super carry. It gets rid of the rimlock and has more oomph. Unfortunately there’s only a handful of platforms available and the only one that does it any semblance of justice is the S&W Shield plus. That one can carry 16+1 in a concealed carry size. I daydream of an m&p duty size with a 20 round flush mag. I have the 9mm version in 5 inch but would also like it in 30sc.
Everyone used to poopoo 9 and now it’s what everyone has.
That kinda sounds like the .30 super carry.
That is a round well positioned for fun things if the NFA ever gets reduced let alone repealed.
I liked this idea better when it was called 7.65x20mm French Longue.
I couldn’t agree more! Add in the potential of Federal’s new alloy case stuff and all copper bullets, it could be wicked and small.
Instead the last handgun caliber we got was .30super carry which is the same size as a 9mm basically but gave you another 2 or 3 rounds. Oh yay.
In summary, adding in my vote for a new style .32acp type cartridge using modern materials and cranking the velocity way up out of short 2″ type barrels. A .32 Super Doo would be super coo’.
Quick comment on the site changes.
Short version: now highly unusable on my preferred devices (tablet and phone).
Formatting seems screwed up, at least on tablets (Android). Zero, and I mean no, left and right margins between screen edge and characters make it hard to read the page.
The homepage seems to list the same article several times in multiple places, with little to indicate one is now viewing by category and not purely time of publication.
Sorry … This is a big step back on several fronts, and the margin issue alone is enough to make me not want to visit during the day when I need to be on a mobile device.
I concur!
Travis, I also like the .32 ACP, especially for it’s soft shooting. I really like my P-32 for very inconspicuous carry. I’ve got a couple of CZ-70’s which are very reliable but tend to occasionally nick me with slidebite. For really fun shooting it’s my Beretta 81’s Cheeta’s. One thought on ammo, don’t overlook .32 ACP Underwood Extreme Defender with the fluted, monolithic copper Honey Badger style projectiles. Penetration + fluid displacement =‘s much larger permanent wound cavities is a winner when the chips are down, or so I read. I don’t want to find out for real but that’s what I keep loaded when carrying one of the .32 autos (unless it’s one of the .32 revolvers then it’s .32 H&R Mag or .327 Fed Mag.).
Them be some goofy looking bullets. I swear these ammo manufacturers are getting as bad as fishing lure marketers.
XEO, FOR REAL.. How many of us purchase lures because they look good to us guessing that they’ll look good to the fishies, too?
Oh now , I’m just going to have to disagree with you on that.
Its been my experience the only difference you’ll see inside of 289 yards between the .300 Win Mag and the .300 Weatherby Mag is so minuscule it’s not worth the price of the Weatherby Proprietary ammunition.
Where, when, and if you shoot enough it becomes apparent however the Weatherby does have the advantage when expelling projectiles above the weight of 200grains. If your not going to shoot anything above 180gr.s, my advice would be to stay with your less expensive. 300win mag.
Weatherby Fan Boieeee here.
Radical radius.
Roy watched a Croc Dundee movie and came up with.
” Bottul neck? You call that a Bottul Neck. Now earsss a bottul neck. ” and pulled out the .257
I can see where the 21 sharp might be the final nail for the 32acp. That’s if they ever make a mouse gun for it, lol…
It definitely looks to be a step up from 22 lr.
It’s just .22LR with a non-heeled bullet, and only really makes sense where lead is illegal. It does nothing about the main hangup (literally) of LR for defensive purposes, which is that snaggy and unreliable rimfire primer.
.22LR lags other cartridges by every objective measure of performance, but it’s popular because economies of scale have made everything related to it much cheaper. Switching to a nonstandard bore diameter is a sprint in the opposite direction of everything that made LR so successful. It’s bizarre that they didn’t just base it on WMR bullets, barrels, and a shortened case.
The author actually carries a Kel-Tec? Really? And it’s a 30 version? Hard to believe…but then he hasn’t had to use it. A big handgun gets big cooperation as stated by ones with extensive experience in interpersonal relations. Quoting Clint Smith: It’s a big gun when I put it on, but its a big gun when I pull it out.
Personally? T5 .45 25 ounces…example: How much you got in your wallet? Answer: Got a couple hundred in my wallet and fifteen hundred in my pistol, interested?
Crickets…
I have my grandfather’s Colt 1903. Based on the serial number, it was manufactured in 1921. I bring it out and shoot it about once a year. It’s a lovely pistol.
Reckon your grandkids will be doing that with a 103 year old Glock someday.
The Glock wouldn’t be from me. Glocks don’t feel right in my hand. It would be my SIG P-228. The older P-series SIGs just feel at home when I shoot them. I think it’s because they feel similar to a Hilti DX-35, something I’ve shot tens of thousands of times during my construction career.
Thank you for not blathering about the “hydrostatic shock” allegedly generated by more powerful guns that fire “supersonic” bullets. Just FYI, the speed of sound in human software tissues is about 1,500 meters per second. That is over 4,900 feet per second. Sonic velocity in bone is even higher.
A lot of verbage to prove St Browning was fallible?
That is a round to be reloaded if the cases are not damaged bt firing, extracting and landing on the ground.
I have been shooting the .32 ACP, .32 Long, and .32 Magnum for many years. You either shoot European-CIP loads, the hot Buffalo Bore 75-grain hot loads, or the Underwood Lehigh “Extreme Defender” loads.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT rely on JHP or standard hollow point loads. They lack the ability to penetrate and reach the vital organs.
Captain “O” knows of what he speaks. We have shared this conversation many times. The key to avoid rimlock is to ensure that free space ahead of cartridges in the magazine box exceeds the thickness of the semi-rim. This is necessary to prevent rounds from “shuffling in the stack” during recoil. The magic number is 0.95″ minimum overall cartridge length. If loading flatnosed bullets having a meplat larger than half of bullet diameter, this number can be tweaked to that in which the nose contour of the chosen bullet achieves contact with the magazine box. In STEEL framed .32 ACP pistols the .309″ diameter, 90-grain Hornady XTP hollowpoints can be loaded with 3 grains of Unique or Autocomp in Winchester cases with CCI500 primer at 0.979″ OAL for 900 fps from a 3.5″ barrel at 20,800 psi. 87-93-grain 7.62×25 FMJ pulled bullets can be safely substituted, approaching .380 ACP payload and energy. Great loads for your WW2-era Beretta M1935, Cz27, Cz50 or Colt 1903 but absolutely NOT your Keltec or Beretta Tomcat, as in light alloy frames these loads are ” frame crackers.”
My wife used her Tomcat(32ACP) to kill a rabid racoon that my 3 stupid little dogs were engaging. Yes she’s a good shot with it as she shoots it a lot because I handload for it. Like the Bobcat ( 22 LR) load the magazine with one less round. Keep the chamber oil free. Use Dry Slide on the slide frame rails. The Beretta pop up barrel is a wonderful mechanism.
The P32 is the way to go with the .32 ACP… hideout gun.
Yes I have a real fun Mauser 1914 (very very good condition made in 1917) but for the size…
If I have to use a bigger gun… get one with bigger bullet to.
Why bother. My Sig 938 does everything I need it to do. And does it better. Way better.
If you have a moment, Paul Harrell (may he rest in peace) gave an excellent analysis of the FBI Maimi-Dade Shootout. I believe it is a direct quote “The .357 Magnum is an excellent weapon but I am steadfast of hte opinion that it is virtually useless unless you are capable of hitting what you’re shooting at.” If you read the report of the Newhall incident, there were similar issues.
The first critical hit wins the gun fight. Period. Aim your shots. Pocket carry calibers are absolutely sufficient for personal defense. When people raise issues about bullet deflection, barrier penetration, and body armor, they have left the realm of personal defense.
I am working with meek first time shooters with small hands. I am urging them to go into a gun shop and pick up as many handguns as possible. Until a handgun FITS their hand, it is not a good selection. Definitely, I would be comfortable with my daughter having a .32 or .380 for defense as long as she has trained and practiced for proficiency.