Pistol · SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.32 Long Colt
The longer, more capable companion to the .32 Short Colt.
- Caliber
- 0.3138″ · 7.97 mm
- Introduced
- 1873
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .32 Short Colt
- Primary use
- Self-Defense, Military
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1873
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt's Manufacturing Company
- Manufacturer
- Various (historical)
- Standard
- SAAMI · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 12.3 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 14,504 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 1850 yd
- Recoil
- 2.6–3 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .32 Long Colt — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .32 Short Colt.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.97 | 0.314 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.08 | 0.318 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 8.08 | 0.318 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.68 | 0.381 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.35 | 0.053 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 23.27 | 0.916 | ~ |
| Overall length | 30.89 | 1.216 | ~ |
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 Long Colt is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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 Long Colt
Lineage
History
Adopted for the Colt Model 1892 'New Army and Navy' revolver alongside .38 Long Colt. The Army primarily issued the .38 Long Colt variant, but the .32 Long Colt version saw some Navy and Marine use. Both cartridges proved critically underpowered during the Philippine-American War (1899–1902), where Moro warriors charging under the influence of adrenaline reportedly required multiple hits to stop. The .45 Colt Single Action Army had to be reissued from storage while a replacement was developed — eventually leading to the .45 ACP and the 1911 pistol. No current commercial production.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .32 Long Colt use?
- .32 Long Colt typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .32 Long Colt?
- .32 Long Colt uses a 0.3138″ (7.97 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .32 Long Colt still in production?
- .32 Long Colt is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is .32 Long Colt used for?
- .32 Long Colt is primarily used for self-defense, military.
- What is .32 Long Colt based on?
- .32 Long Colt is derived from the .32 Short Colt case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .32 Long Colt archived
- Standard Obsolete — no current SAAMI or CIP standard
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 2 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
