Lindcott Armory Pistol · Obsolete / Non-standard
.32 Rimfire
The cartridge that launched the modern American handgun industry.
- Caliber
- 0.316″ · 8.026 mm
- Introduced
- 1857
- Case
- Rimfire
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1857
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Various (historical)
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 6.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 10,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 1.5–2.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.03 | 0.316 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.08 | 0.318 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 8.08 | 0.318 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.58 | 0.377 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | — | — | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 14.61 | 0.575 | · |
| Overall length | 24.08 | 0.948 | ~ |
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 Rimfire is highlighted below.
Factory loads
18 catalogued loads. Top 15 shown · see all 18 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 82 | LRN | 950 | 164 | — |
| Old Western Scrounger | OWS Heritage | 82 | Lead RN | 950 | 164 | — |
| Bertram | Bertram Reloads | 82 | Lead RN | 950 | 164 | — |
| Jamison | Jamison Heritage | 82 | Lead RN | 950 | 164 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Standard | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 925 | 171 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 925 | 171 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 925 | 171 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 925 | 171 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 925 | 171 | — |
| Eley | Sport | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 925 | 171 | — |
| Graf | Standard | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 825 | 136 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 90 | Lead Round Nose | 825 | 136 | — |
| Eley | Lead RN | 82 | Lead RN | 820 | 122 | — |
| Remington | Lead RN Short | 82 | Lead RN | 820 | 122 | — |
| Winchester | Lead RN Short | 82 | Lead RN | 820 | 122 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Firearms chambered in .32 Rimfire
3 models in the database chamber .32 Rimfire. Browse all →
Connected reference
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 pistol cartridge of the Civil War era. Doctors, officers, gamblers, and civilians across America carried S&W No. 1 and No. 1½ revolvers in .32 rimfire. After the Rollin White patent expired in 1869, Colt and other manufacturers flooded the market with competitive designs and the centerfire era began. The .32 S&W centerfire superseded the rimfire by the 1880s. No current production exists; original S&W No. 1 revolvers in working condition are among the most collected American antique firearms.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .32 Rimfire use?
- .32 Rimfire typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .32 Rimfire?
- .32 Rimfire uses a 0.316″ (8.026 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .32 Rimfire still in production?
- .32 Rimfire is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is .32 Rimfire used for?
- .32 Rimfire is primarily used for self-defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →