.32 ACP
| .32 ACP | ||
|---|---|---|
 7.65 mm Browning rounds. Left: standard FMJ. Right: military FMJ with nickel coating. |
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| Type | Pistol | |
| Place of origin |  United States |
|
| Production history | ||
| Designer | John Browning | |
| Manufacturer | Fabrique Nationale | |
| Produced | 1899 | |
| Specifications | ||
| Case type | Semi-rimmed, straight | |
| Bullet diameter | .309 in (7.8 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | .336 in (8.5 mm) | |
| Base diameter | .337 in (8.6 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | .358 in (9.1 mm) | |
| Rim thickness | .045 in (1.1 mm) | |
| Case length | .680 in (17.3 mm) | |
| Overall length | .984 in (25.0 mm) | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 65 gr (4.2 g) JHP | 925 ft/s (282 m/s) | 123 ft·lbf (167 J) |
| 71 gr (4.6 g) FMJ | 900 ft/s (270 m/s) | 128 ft·lbf (174 J) |
| Test barrel length: 4 in Source: Federal Cartridge[1] |
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.32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) 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.[2]
Contents |
History
John Browning engineered most modern semi-automatic pistol mechanisms and cartridges. As his first pistol cartridge, the .32 ACP needed a straight wall for reliable blowback operation as well as a small rim for reliable feeding from a box magazine. The cartridge headspaces on the rim.[3] The cartridge was a success and was adopted by dozens of countries and countless governmental agencies.
Adolf Hitler reportedly committed suicide with an engraved .32 ACP Walther PPK.[4]
This caliber cartridge also was used in the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip.
Design
The .32 ACP was designed for blowback semi-automatic pistols which lacked a breech locking mechanism. The relatively low power made it a practical blowback round. It is still used today primarily in compact, inexpensive pistols. Cartridges in .32 ACP are also sometimes used in caliber conversion sleeves, also known as supplemental chambers, for providing an alternative pistol caliber carbine function in .30-caliber hunting rifles.
Performance
The .32 ACP is compact and light, but short ranged, having marginal stopping power.[5] 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 at the time of the .32 ACP's development in pocket defense revolvers. 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 small game 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.[2]
Today the cartridge increased in popularity due to modern compact concealed carry pistols chambered for it, such as the Kel-Tec P-32, Beretta Tomcat and the Seecamp LWS 32. This increase in popularity has led many ammunition manufacturers to develop new, better-performing loads for the cartridge.
Synonyms
- 32 Auto (typical designation in America)
- .32 Browning Auto
- 7.65x17mm
- 7.65x17mmSR (SR — Semi-Rimmed)
- 7.65 mm Browning (typical designation in Europe)
Prominent firearms chambered in .32 ACP
- FN M1900
- FN Model 1910 and 1910/22
- Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless
- Mauser HSc
- Sauer 38H
- CZ-50
- Walther PP
- Walther PPK
- Seecamp LWS 32
- Škorpion vz. 61 Machine pistol
- Kel-Tec P-32
See also
- .32 NAA
- List of handgun cartridges
- 7 mm caliber for other cartridges of similar diameter (7.0 - 7.99 mm diameter)
References
- ↑ Federal Cartridge Co. ballistics page
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan. ed. Cartridges of the World (11th Edition ed.). Iola, WI, USA: Gun Digest Books. pp. 289. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.
- ↑ Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols, p.254. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943.
- ↑ A.E. Hartink, The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers, page 368
- ↑ Hornady (2003). Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading. vol I (6th Edition ed.). Grand Island, NE, USA: Hornady Mfg Co. pp. 710.
External links
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