Lindcott Armory Revolver · SAAMI standardized
.32 S&W Short
The original Smith & Wesson centerfire, introduced in 1876 for small pocket revolvers.
- Introduced
- 1876
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.312″
- Case length
- 0.61″
- Overall length
- 0.92″
- Base ⌀
- 0.335″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.375″
- Case capacity
- 6 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 17,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 1.2–2 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 680–705 fps
- Energy
- 97–105 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 680–680 fps · 9 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 9 active loads across 7 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 21 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiocchi | Lead RN | 88 | Lead RN | 680 | 90 | — | $0.85 |
| Winchester | Standard | 85 | LRN | 680 | 87 | — | $0.85 |
| Remington | Standard | 88 | LRN | 680 | 90 | — | $0.85 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Standard | 100 | LRN | 680 | 103 | — | $0.85 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Lead RN | 88 | Lead RN | 680 | 90 | — | $0.85 |
| Fiocchi | Standard | 97 | LRN | 680 | 100 | — | $0.85 |
| GECO | Handgun | 85 | LRN | 680 | 87 | — | $0.38 |
| Lapua | Center-X | 83 | LWC | 680 | 85 | — | $0.23 |
| Black Hills | Cowboy | 80 | LRN | 680 | 82 | — | $0.85 |
| Norma | Classic | 88 | Lead Round Nose | 680 | 90 | — | — |
| RWS | Classic | 88 | Lead Round Nose | 680 | 90 | — | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 88 | Lead Round Nose | 680 | 90 | — | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 88 | Lead Round Nose | 680 | 90 | — | — |
| Western Cartridge Co. | Lead RN | 88 | Lead RN | 680 | 90 | — | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 88 | Lead Round Nose | 680 | 90 | — | $0.06 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Reloading cost
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 S&W Short
2 models in the database chamber .32 S&W Short. Browse all →
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″ (7.9248 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.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 9 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →