.32 ACP

.32 ACP
7.65 mm Browning rounds. Left: standard FMJ. Right: military FMJ with nickel coating.
Type	Pistol
Country of Origin	USA
Specifications
Case Type	Semi-rimmed, straight
Bullet Ø	.309 in (7.8 mm)
Neck Ø	.336 in (8.5 mm)
Base Ø	.337 in (8.6 mm)
Rim Ø	.358 in (9.1 mm)
Rim Thickness	.045 in (1.1 mm)
Case Length	.680 in (17.3 mm)
Full Length	.984 in (25.0 mm)
Production & Service
Designer	John Browning
Design Date	late 1890s
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale (originally)
Production Dates	1899-present
Ballistic Performance Sampling
Bullet Wt./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

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

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 was a success and was adopted by dozens of countries and countless governmental agencies. It has the distinction of being the cartridge that arguably ended World War II in Europe. Adolf Hitler reportedly committed suicide with an engraved .32 ACP Walther PPK.

Design

Diagram showing dimensions of a .32 ACP cartridge

Another diagram showing dimensions of a .32 ACP cartridge

The .32 ACP 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 functionality in .30-caliber hunting rifles.

Performance

The .32 ACP is compact and light, but short ranged, having marginal stopping power. Weapons chambered in it are often valued for their compactness and light weight relative to larger caliber pistols, particularly for concealed carry use. While able to kill, the small, low-velocity bullets do not incapacitate people readily. Hollowpoint ammunition has been available for decades and is known to increase stopping power, if only marginally.

In Europe, the .32 ACP is more widely accepted than in America having a long history of use for civilians as well as military and police agencies. 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
• Walther PPK
• Škorpion vz. 61
• vz. 50

See also

• .32 NAA
• List of handgun cartridges
• 7 mm caliber for other cartridges of similar diameter (7.0 - 7.99 mm diameter)