.32 ACP

Encyclopedia : 3 : 32 : 32A : .32 ACP

The .32 ACP pistol cartridge is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning, for use in semi-automatic pistols. It is also known as the 7.65 x 17 mm Browning or 7.65 Browning. Introduced in 1899 by FN the cartridge was first used in the Browning M1900.

7.65 mm Browning rounds. Left: standard FMJ. Right: military round with nickel coating.

Contents

1 Design
2 Performance

2.1 Muzzle velocity

3 Synonyms
4 Guns
5 See also

Design

It was designed for early blowback semi-automatic pistols which lacked a breech locking mechanism; the relatively low power of the .32 ACP round made it a practical blowback round.

It is still used today in blowback semi-automatic pistols, as well in modern locked-breech, single column magazine, deep-concealment, semi-automatic pistols such as the Kel-Tec P-32 introduced in 1999 for concealed carry.

Performance

The .32 ACP and weapons chambered for it are valued for their compactness and light weight relative to larger pistol calibers. In America, it is often viewed negatively for its limited stopping power.^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]} Even so it remains a viable self defense cartridge for use in compact pistols.^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}

In Europe, the .32 ACP is more widely viewed as an adequate self-defense round than in the US. No matter how much this caliber is maligned by American gunwriters, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were both killed by a .32 ACP pistol. This event arguably sparked World War I. The pistol used was an FN Model 1910 semi-automatic pistol (serial number 19074). Although the M1910 was widely available in both .380 ACP and .32 ACP versions, it was the .32 ACP version that was used for the assassination. For many years, it was believed that the assasin, Gavrilo Princip had used a .380 ACP version of the M1910. This was discovered to be an error when Princip's pistol was rediscovered in 2004. [link],[link] Hitler reportedly committed suicide with a .32 ACP pistol, shooting himself in the right temple.

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.

Muzzle velocity

4.8 g (74 gr) full metal jacket: 290 m/s (950 ft/s)

Synonyms

32 Auto (typical designation in America)
.32 Browning Auto
7.65 x 17 mm
7.65 x 17mmSR (SR designating Semi-Rimmed)
7.65 mm Browning (typical designation in Europe)

Guns