The modern resurgence of pocket pistols has again raised debates over the legitimacy of smaller caliber cartridges for self-defense. Of these, perhaps the .32 ACP stands out more than others due to its historically pertinent and compact design. But does it still hold up today as a viable option for personal protection?
The .32 ACP, or Automatic Colt Pistol, was designed in 1899 by John Moses Browning for the FN Model 1900. This cartridge found quick favor and immediately became the standard for concealed carry during the early years of the 20th century. It was widely accepted by both military and police departments and became a civilian favorite during the prohibition era. With the introduction of the .380 ACP, however, the .32 ACP very quickly became less popular, gaining a niche status.
It seems that the .32 ACP was at the mercy of the .380 ACP, which many shooters would consider an overall better cartridge. With increased stopping power coupled with its higher availability, it seems most people would prefer it for carrying in-pocket pistols. That didn’t mean the .32 ACP just disappeared. It is still around but severely limited compared to its .380 sibling.
Some critics have contended that .32 ACP does not pack the wallop necessary for effective self-defense. By and large, most experts would suggest a minimum caliber of 9mm for personal protection; some accept .380 ACP for deep concealment or recoil-sensitive shooters. Therefore, against either of these, the .32 ACP carries smaller wound channels and less tissue devastation; hence, it usually requires several shots to neutralize a threat, raising the potential for collateral damage.
Another problem is the “rim lock,” inherent in the semi-rimmed cartridges of the .32 ACP. This happens when the rim of one cartridge slips behind the next round in the magazine, thus causing malfunction. This risk can be minimized by careful loading, but it could become a big concern for many shooters.
There are, however, pros to the .32 ACP. On its own, it is small in size, making it very fine for deep concealment and causing no sharp recoil that allows more confident shooting and faster follow-up shots. This is particularly so for those people who have a weak grip or those sensitive to strong recoil.
The .32 ACP does have the potential for penetration of at least the FBI standard of 12 to 18 inches in ballistic gel. Again, this means the bullet will easily reach major organs of the body to create lethal effects in self-defense situations. Performances like these are most often witnessed with full-metal-jacketed ammunition that doesn’t expand in soft tissue.
Recent developments in ammunition technology have virtually upgraded the performance of the .32 ACP. For instance, Buffalo Bore offers +P loads that hugely raise the velocity and penetration of the cartridge. However, this ammunition should only be engaged in modern handguns that can withstand this type of pressure.
Testing with Speer Gold Dot 60-grain .32 ACP rounds revealed that while it fell short of the performances seen in .380 ACP and 9mm, the cartridge still delivers fair penetration and expansion, especially from the longer-barreled pistols.
Though perhaps not the first choice of most shooters for practical self-defense, the .32 ACP does suffer from limited stopping power and the possibility of rim lock. For concealability and low recoil, it would still suffice. As with anything, the effectiveness of a cartridge in self-defense comes down to picking one you are comfortable operating, and then practicing enough so that when you need it, your shots are both accurate and reliable.