32 ACP vs 380 Auto Ammo
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to compare the
.32 ACP and
.380 ACP cartridges today. These two small cartridges helped to legitimize the concept of semi-automatic pistols and were early concealed carry favorites. We are going to compare aspects such as the background of each cartridge, uses for each cartridge, and more in this blog post. Without further ado, let’s delve into the differences between the .32 ACP and .380 ACP.
What is .32 ACP?
Like the name suggests, the
.32 Automatic Colt Pistol, or
.32 ACP was developed by John Moses Browning. Introduced in 1899, the cartridge is commonly referred to as
.32 Auto. The cartridge helped legitimize the new-at-the-time concept of a semi-automatic handgun. The cartridge debuted alongside the FN Browning M1900 semi-automatic handgun. Notably, this pistol was the first to make use of a slide. Pistols and submachine guns have been chambered in this cartridge. Notable examples include the legendary Walther PPK and the Czechoslovak vz. 61 submachine gun. Like the
.25 ACP, the
.32 ACP was also incredibly popular in Europe during the height of its popularity. In metric nomenclature, the cartridge is known as the
7.65 Browning.
What is .380 ACP?
The
.380 ACP, or
.380 Automatic Colt Pistol, was designed by John Moses Browning in 1908. Production of the cartridge began in the same year and saw immediate use in Colt’s Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless handgun. The .380 ACP was derived from the .38 ACP, or .38 Auto cartridge which was introduced in 1900 by Browning. The cartridge features a recessed rim, a design trait conducive to use in autoloaders and a departure from established norms. Many cartridges of the era and earlier featured distinct, pronounced rims which aided in achieving proper headspacing and ensuring rounds indexed properly in cylinders.
.380 ACP notably headspaces off the case mouth as opposed to a rim to promote accuracy.
Purchase .32 ACP Ammo
Light Recoiling Pistol Cartridges
Both the
.32 ACP and
.380 ACP notably feature light recoil impulses and low velocities. Due to the size of many of the original handguns and their designs, both cartridges were intended to have low pressures. For blowback operated firearms, calibers such as 9mm Makarov and .380 ACP are at the end of the threshold as far as calibers that the mechanism can withstand. This low pressure translates to a low report and mild recoil impulse with both rounds. Between the two rounds, the .32 ACP recoils less than its larger .380 ACP counterpart. This is because casings are smaller, loadings are lighter, and projectiles are lighter than their larger counterpart.
What is .32 ACP Used For?
In the modern era, the
.32 ACP is primarily utilized for recreational shooting, by collectors, and in some cases, self-defense. The cartridge, like others, is well-suited to recreational and casual target shooting applications. The light recoil of the cartridge makes it easy for shooters of all skill levels to shoot accurately and effectively. Many collectors also enjoy the cartridge for its historical relevance and use in firearms such as the Walther PPK and vz. 61 semi-auto clones. Of course, some shooters rely on the cartridge for self-defense and make use of defensive loadings available on the market. In short, the cartridge still has many uses today.
What is .380 ACP Used For?
The
.380 ACP cartridge is most employed in recreational and defensive capacities. Many shooters also collect historic firearms chambered in the caliber. The cartridge’s light recoil and shootability makes it a joy to shoot at the range as shooters of all types can easily master the round. In terms of defense, the cartridge is supported by modern
ammunition and firearms which increase its viability in this realm. Today, shooters can easily find viable defensive
ammo in addition to modern pistols which accommodate accessories and feature increased magazine capacities. With these modern offerings, one can effectively defend themselves against threats with a .380 ACP chambered firearm.
Availability of Ammunition
At this point in time, one will find that
.380 ACP is more common than
.32 ACP. This is to say that one will find more
.380 ACP ammunition for sale than they will find
.32 ACP ammo for sale. Put plainly,
.380 ACP ammo is simply more plentiful and readily available than
.32 ACP ammunition is.
PMC,
Aguila,
Sellier & Bellot, and
Federal are among the companies who produce
ammunition for either caliber. Shooters can find ammunition loaded for range and target use or specialized for self-defense. In short, .380 ACP ammunition is more common than .32 ACP ammo is.
Purchase .380 ACP Ammo
Availability of Firearms
Like ammunition, shooters will find that there are far more
.380 ACP firearm options available than there are chambered in
.32 ACP. The .380 ACP cartridge simply sees a higher degree of support from the industry than the .32 ACP does. Sig Sauer, Beretta, Glock, and Ruger are among the producers of .380 ACP firearms. Currently, companies such as North American Arms, Keltec, and Beretta produce firearms chambered in .32 ACP. Most of these handguns are small in nature and optimized for concealed carry or self-defense. In short, shooters will find more firearms chambered in .380 ACP than they will in .32 ACP.
Conclusion
And there we have it. Both the
.32 ACP and .380 ACP are well-known pistol calibers that employed by shooters of all types in the United States for various purposes. One cannot go wrong with either cartridge if they are using them for their appropriate use cases. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both
.32 ACP ammunition and
.380 ACP ammo in our large inventory. Whether you want to
buy .32 ACP ammo or purchase
.380 ACP ammunition, we have you covered. Regardless of whether you want to
buy bulk ammo or individual boxes of either caliber, we can help you get stocked up. As always, happy shooting.
