The cartridge that launched the modern American handgun industry. Developed by Smith & Wesson for the Model 1 revolver — the first commercially successful revolver to use self-contained metallic cartridges. Dominated the pocket pistol market from 1857 through the 1880s.
Type: Pistol
Introduced: 1857, United States
Parent case: None
Standardization: Obsolete / Non-standard
Bullet diameter: 0.317" (8.05 mm)
Case length: 0.625" (15.88 mm)
Overall length: 0.92" (23.37 mm)
Max pressure: 10,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimfire
Primer: Rimfire
Typical twist rate: 1:18
Muzzle velocity: 700–850 fps
Muzzle energy: 89–144 ft-lbs
Effective range: 15 yd
Common bullet weights: 82, 90 gr
Primary use: Self-Defense
Production status: Obsolete
Also known as: .32 Short RF · .32 Long RF · .32 Extra Long RF · .32 S&W RF
History: Smith & Wesson introduced the .32 rimfire in 1857 with the Model 1 revolver, the first American revolver designed from the ground up for metallic cartridges. The timing was perfect: the Rollin White patent gave S&W a monopoly on bored-through cylinders, blocking competitors from making metallic cartridge revolvers until 1869. The .32 Short rimfire — loaded in a 7-shot cylinder — was the pocket…
Notable firearms: Smith & Wesson Model 1, Smith & Wesson Model 1½, Various pocket revolvers of the 1860s–1880s
Similar cartridges: .32 S&W, .38 Rimfire, .41 Short