Lindcott Armory Pistol · SAAMI
.32 ACP
John Browning's compact semi-rimmed pistol cartridge, designed for small pocket pistols.
- Caliber
- 0.3125″ · 7.938 mm
- Introduced
- 1899
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self-Defense, Concealed Carry
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1899
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Belgium
- Inventor
- John Browning
- Manufacturer
- FN Herstal (John Browning)
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 8.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 20,500 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 150 yd
- Recoil
- 1.5–2.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 900–1,000 fps · 184 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .32 ACP ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.94 | 0.313 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.55 | 0.336 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 8.56 | 0.337 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.09 | 0.358 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.14 | 0.045 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 17.27 | 0.680 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 24.99 | 0.984 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .32 ACP is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 184 active loads across 47 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 185 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inceptor | ARX | 49 | ARX | 1,225 | 163 | — |
| Lehigh Defense | Xtreme Penetrator | 50 | XP | 1,100 | 134 | — |
| Lehigh Defense | Maximum Expansion 50gr | 50 | Maximum Expansion | 1,100 | 134 | — |
| Liberty Defense | Halo Point | 50 | HP | 1,050 | 122 | — |
| Cor-Bon | DPX TTSX | 60 | TTSX BT | 1,050 | 147 | — |
| DoubleTap | JHP | 60 | JHP | 1,050 | 147 | — |
| Cor-Bon | DPX | 60 | Barnes XPB | 1,050 | 147 | — |
| Cor-Bon | DPX 60gr +P | 60 | DPX | 1,050 | 147 | — |
| Underwood Ammo | JHP | 65 | JHP | 1,025 | 152 | — |
| Speer | Lawman FMJ | 65 | TMJ FMJ | 1,000 | 144 | — |
| Hornady | Custom XTP JHP | 60 | XTP JHP | 1,000 | 133 | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 75 | Hard Cast | 1,000 | 167 | — |
| Hornady | Critical Defense FTX | 60 | FTX HP | 1,000 | 133 | — |
| MKEK | FMJ 73gr | 73 | FMJ | 1,000 | 162 | — |
| Buffalo Bore | JHP | 75 | JHP | 1,000 | 167 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
5 reloading powders listed for .32 ACP, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .32 ACP
12 models in the database chamber .32 ACP. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Designed by John Browning for FN and introduced with the FN Model 1900. Became the standard cartridge for European police and military sidearms. Known as 7.65mm Browning in Europe. Chambered in the iconic Walther PPK (James Bond's pistol).
FAQs
- What twist rate does .32 ACP use?
- .32 ACP typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .32 ACP?
- .32 ACP uses a 0.3125″ (7.938 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .32 ACP still in production?
- .32 ACP is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .32 ACP used for?
- .32 ACP is primarily used for self-defense, concealed carry.
- What are the best powders for .32 ACP?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .32 ACP include No. 2, N310, Bull's-Eye, Universal, among 5 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- StandardSAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .32 ACP
- StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawingsarchived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 184 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →