Revolver · SAAMI standardized
.32 S&W Short
The original Smith & Wesson centerfire, introduced in 1876 for small pocket revolvers.
- Caliber
- 0.312″ · 7.925 mm
- Introduced
- 1876
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1876
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 6 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 17,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Recoil
- 1.2–2 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Smith & Wesson
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .32 S&W Short — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.92 | 0.312 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.48 | 0.334 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 8.53 | 0.336 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.53 | 0.375 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 15.37 | 0.605 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 23.62 | 0.930 | ✓ |
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 S&W Short 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.
Connected reference
History
The original Smith & Wesson centerfire cartridge, introduced in 1876 for their first centerfire revolvers. Fired a heeled bullet at very low velocity from a small revolver. Served as a transitional design between rimfire and modern centerfire cartridges. Succeeded by the longer .32 S&W.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .32 S&W Short use?
- .32 S&W Short typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .32 S&W Short?
- .32 S&W Short uses a 0.312″ (7.925 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .32 S&W Short still in production?
- .32 S&W Short is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .32 S&W Short used for?
- .32 S&W Short is primarily used for self-defense.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .32 S&W Short
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022 — Centerfire Pistol & Revolver Voluntary Performance Standards · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Magtech Ammunition — 32 S&W 85GR LRN (SKU 32SWA) — product page · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Remington — Performance WheelGun 32 S&W 88 Grain LRN (SKU 22206) — product page · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 9 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →