.32 ACP

type Pistol
designer John Browning
manufacturerFabrique Nationale
production_date1899
case_typeSemi-rimmed, straight
bullet.309
neck.336
shoulder
base.337
rim_dia.358
rim_thick.045
case_length.680
length.984
is_SI_ballistics
bw165
btype1JHP
vel1925
en1123
bw271
btype2FMJ
vel2900
en2128
bw3
btype3
vel3
en3
bw4
btype4
vel4
en4
bw5
btype5
vel5
en5
test_barrel_length4 in
balsrc Federal Cartridge


".32 ACP" (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a pistol Cartridge (weaponry)cartridge. It is a Rim (firearms)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".

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.

Adolf Hitler reportedly Death of Adolf Hitlercommitted suicide with an engraved .32 ACP Walther PPK.A.E. Hartink, 'The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers', page 368

Design
The .32 ACP was designed for Blowback (arms)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.

In Europe, where the round was commonly known as the 7.65 mm Browning, the .32 ACP was always more widely accepted than in America, having a long history of use for civilians as well as military and police agencies.

Today the cartridge increased in popularity due to modern compact concealed carry (USA)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

and 1910/22

See also


for other cartridges of similar diameter (7.0 - 7.99 mm diameter)

References


en.wikipedia.org