Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
While the 32 ACP wasn’t the first cartridge designed for semi-auto pistols, it certainly became one of the world’s most prolific. It was designed by John Browning and was the first of his commercially successful semi-auto cartridges. Known in the U.S.A. as the 32 ACP [Automatic Colt Pistol], it is better known outside of the U.S.A. as the 7,65 Browning. There are other designations such as 7.65 Browning Short, 7.65 x 17mmSR and a few others. Most Americans will simply call it the 32 Auto and most Europeans know it as the “7,65 Browning”.
The 32 ACP is certainly not a powerhouse, but it is capable of fine accuracy. The low recoil is also a plus. The real strength of the cartridge is its longevity and the multitude of pistols chambered for it. When I refer to the multitude of pistols chambered for the 32 ACP, I’m referring not only to the vast array of models chambered for it but also the staggering total number of pistols made for that cartridge. The number of FN Model 1900 pistols produced in just the first 9 years of production exceeded half a million pistols and that is just one model of one manufacturer.
Outpost75 has far more knowledge of the 32 ACP stored in his head than I could possibly scrounge up from all the reference material I could hope to find. I will say that in my efforts to study that diminutive cartridge, I’ve gained a new respect for it.
Many people have commented about the cartridge’s ability to “punch above its weight class”. This may be a function of the projectile’s small frontal area that allows for better than anticipated penetration. Of course, its ability to operate in simple blowback actions is a huge plus. When the cartridge is loaded to its European pressure levels, it achieves its full potential.
From the early 1900’s to about WWII, American made pistols such as the Colt 1903, Savage Automatic and Remington Model 51 sold in significant numbers. There are numerous references to 32 Automatic pistols and 32 Auto ammunition in pre-WWII publications. Some from advertising, some from legal documents, some from news articles and other sources. The cartridge was clearly well known and accepted in the U.S.A.
But the American acceptance of the 7,65 Browning pales in comparison to the level it was embraced by Europeans. Just the pistol production numbers alone are amazing. The production of the model 1900 exceeded 724,000 pistols in 1910 when it was replaced by the model 1910. And that was just pre-WWI FN pistols. The Great War resulted in tremendous numbers of pistols utilizing the 7,65 Browning cartridge. In the inter-war years, the cartridge continued to thrive in Europe and makers such as Walther, Mauser, Sauer, Beretta, and many others provided solid, well-made pistols. The 7,65 Browning remained incredibly popular in Europe long after WWII.
Outpost 75 previously wrote about the usefulness of the ubiquitous 32 ACP when other cartridges would draw attention in some environments. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I find it interesting that as late as 1976, Beretta was introducing a new model, DA pistol, chambered for the 32 ACP [The Model 81]. More than 75 years after the cartridge was introduced, a high quality, newly designed pistol chambered for the cartridge appeared on the market. And there are the Tomcats, the Kel-Tecs and other tiny 32’s now available.
And the number of older high-quality pistols that still exist on the market is impressive. You’ll pay a premium for a pristine Colt 1903 or super nice Walther PP, but they are still out there if you want one.
If one looks at the 32 Auto in the harsh light of available self-defense cartridges, it rarely appears as a first choice. However, the cartridge clearly has been used in that capacity with some positive outcomes for the user. I knew a wise man that carried a Colt 1903, and he was extremely proficient with that pistol. He could have carried any gun he wanted for self-defense and had lots of options, but he chose to stick with that 32 Auto. I don’t think that was a bad choice for him. The cartridge has been with us for over 124 years and while it may not be my first choice for serious work, it has some great history.
The 32 ACP is certainly not a powerhouse, but it is capable of fine accuracy. The low recoil is also a plus. The real strength of the cartridge is its longevity and the multitude of pistols chambered for it. When I refer to the multitude of pistols chambered for the 32 ACP, I’m referring not only to the vast array of models chambered for it but also the staggering total number of pistols made for that cartridge. The number of FN Model 1900 pistols produced in just the first 9 years of production exceeded half a million pistols and that is just one model of one manufacturer.
Outpost75 has far more knowledge of the 32 ACP stored in his head than I could possibly scrounge up from all the reference material I could hope to find. I will say that in my efforts to study that diminutive cartridge, I’ve gained a new respect for it.
Many people have commented about the cartridge’s ability to “punch above its weight class”. This may be a function of the projectile’s small frontal area that allows for better than anticipated penetration. Of course, its ability to operate in simple blowback actions is a huge plus. When the cartridge is loaded to its European pressure levels, it achieves its full potential.
From the early 1900’s to about WWII, American made pistols such as the Colt 1903, Savage Automatic and Remington Model 51 sold in significant numbers. There are numerous references to 32 Automatic pistols and 32 Auto ammunition in pre-WWII publications. Some from advertising, some from legal documents, some from news articles and other sources. The cartridge was clearly well known and accepted in the U.S.A.
But the American acceptance of the 7,65 Browning pales in comparison to the level it was embraced by Europeans. Just the pistol production numbers alone are amazing. The production of the model 1900 exceeded 724,000 pistols in 1910 when it was replaced by the model 1910. And that was just pre-WWI FN pistols. The Great War resulted in tremendous numbers of pistols utilizing the 7,65 Browning cartridge. In the inter-war years, the cartridge continued to thrive in Europe and makers such as Walther, Mauser, Sauer, Beretta, and many others provided solid, well-made pistols. The 7,65 Browning remained incredibly popular in Europe long after WWII.
Outpost 75 previously wrote about the usefulness of the ubiquitous 32 ACP when other cartridges would draw attention in some environments. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I find it interesting that as late as 1976, Beretta was introducing a new model, DA pistol, chambered for the 32 ACP [The Model 81]. More than 75 years after the cartridge was introduced, a high quality, newly designed pistol chambered for the cartridge appeared on the market. And there are the Tomcats, the Kel-Tecs and other tiny 32’s now available.
And the number of older high-quality pistols that still exist on the market is impressive. You’ll pay a premium for a pristine Colt 1903 or super nice Walther PP, but they are still out there if you want one.
If one looks at the 32 Auto in the harsh light of available self-defense cartridges, it rarely appears as a first choice. However, the cartridge clearly has been used in that capacity with some positive outcomes for the user. I knew a wise man that carried a Colt 1903, and he was extremely proficient with that pistol. He could have carried any gun he wanted for self-defense and had lots of options, but he chose to stick with that 32 Auto. I don’t think that was a bad choice for him. The cartridge has been with us for over 124 years and while it may not be my first choice for serious work, it has some great history.
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