The 7.65mm Browning cartridge — later known as the .32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) — is a semi-rimmed pistol round developed by John Moses Browning for the FN M1900. Colt Firearms later adopted the .32 ACP for its iconic M1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol, a compact sidearm ideal for personal protection. 

The cartridge quickly gained popularity across Europe and North America, especially among law enforcement agencies. Uniformed police officers carried .32 ACP pistols well into the post-WWII era, before the widespread shift to the more powerful 9mm. Colt even introduced a General Officer’s Model chambered in .32 ACP for high-ranking U.S. military personnel — most notably carried by General George S. Patton during World War II.

But is the .32 ACP still good for self-defense today? That question deserves a closer look.

Modern Uses for the .32 ACP

While there isn’t an overabundance of .32 ACP pistols on the market today, a respectable number of models are still available from several manufacturers. Although the .32 ACP has long been eclipsed by the more powerful .380 ACP — with its heavier and slightly larger bullet — a comparison of the two cartridges remains worthwhile, especially when using the same brand and type of ammunition. 

For this article, I tested the PMC Bronze .32 ACP jacketed hollow-point load in a clay block. Interestingly, PMC no longer catalogs a .380 jacketed hollow-point offering, so I’ve included a side-by-side look at the company’s full metal jacket loads in both .32 ACP and .380 ACP to illustrate how the two stack up in terms of ballistic performance.

.32 ACP vs. .380 ACP: Ballistic Power Compared

As shown in the ballistics comparison below, the .380 ACP delivers noticeably more power than the .32 ACP. However, it’s important to note that the .380 still doesn’t match the performance of the 9mm Luger. Both the .32 ACP and .380 ACP are widely regarded as compact pocket-pistol calibers.

The continued popularity of the .32 ACP doesn’t stem from raw power. If maximum stopping power is your goal, you’re better off with a .45 ACP or 10mm. What makes the .32 ACP appealing for self-defense is that it can be chambered in pistols that are compact, lightweight and easy for most people to carry, conceal and control. That’s not something you can say about many of today’s bulkier defensive handguns. Ultimately, a solid hit with a .32 ACP pocket pistol beats a miss with a 9mm or .45. This same principle explains why the .22 LR remains popular for personal protection, though the .32 ACP offers better reliability.

Best .32 ACP Hollow-Points for Self-Defense

It’s not difficult to find a variety of .32 ACP self-defense loads on the market today, largely because there are more .32 ACP handguns in circulation than many people realize.

Here are some notable options:

  • KelTec P32 (6.9 ounces): This micro pistol once had a sibling chambered in .380 ACP, but KelTec recently discontinued that version while continuing production of the P32. Kel-Tec likely came to the same conclusion I did — that the .32 ACP is more than adequate for close-range self-defense. As a bonus, the P32’s magazine holds one additional round compared to the .380 version.
  • Beretta Tomcat (.32 ACP): This tip-up barrel compact pistol has evolved into a full series, now offered in 22 different variants — a huge leap from the two original versions available when I purchased mine in the 1980s. Beretta’s investment in expanding this lineup strongly suggests that .32 ACP handguns remain commercially viable and tactically relevant.
  • Seecamp Firearms and North American Arms: Both companies offer ultra-concealable, micro-sized pocket pistols that are ideal for deep concealment. Seecamp, in particular, has an impressively broad lineup of .32 ACP models designed for discreet everyday carry.
  • Walther PP/PPK Series: Arguably the most iconic line of .32 ACP pistols, these handguns gained fame through Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels and films. Available in .22 LR, .32 ACP and .380 ACP, the .32 ACP version of the Walther PPK offers one extra round in the magazine compared to the .380. This was the test gun I used for the clay block evaluation featured later in this article.

I found several .32 ACP jacketed hollow-point loads available online. Most were similar in configuration, bullet weight, velocity, muzzle energy and hollow-point design. Among the brands I reviewed were Winchester Silvertip, Speer Gold Dot and Hornady — the latter offering two of the hottest .32 ACP loads, clocking in at 1,000 feet per second. Ultimately, I selected PMC’s Bronze 60-grain jacketed hollow-point round for testing, simply because it was available at my local gun shop.

Pro Tip: If you’re wondering when to carry hollow-points vs. full metal jacket rounds, check out this helpful guide:

Hollow-Points or Full Metal Jacket for Concealed Carry?

Ballistics Test: Clay Block Results

PMC Bronze jacketed hollow-point ammunition — like many of the .32 ACP self-defense loads I reviewed — delivers impressive performance for a small-caliber round. Its 60-grain jacketed hollow-point exits the muzzle at 980 feet per second, producing 117 foot-pounds of energy. For perspective, that’s just 23 foot-pounds less than a high-speed 40-grain .22 LR fired from a rifle. However, when that same .22 LR round is fired from a handgun with a barrel length similar to the Walther PPK’s 3.3 inches, its velocity will drop significantly, giving the .32 ACP a notable advantage in short-barreled pistols. After all, the .32 ACP was purpose-built to perform well in short-barreled, centerfire handguns.

To test the PMC Bronze .32 ACP’s ballistic performance, I headed to the range with a 25-pound block of Hobby Lobby moist modeling clay. I set up the block and took a position 15 feet away, assuming a modified seated stance that placed me directly in line with the target. The Walther PPK — chambered in .32 ACP and loaded with a single round of PMC jacketed hollow-point — was ready for the shot.

Once in position, I disengaged the safety and thumbed the hammer back to place the Walther PPK into single-action mode, reducing the trigger pull to a more precise, defensive shooting weight. I aligned my sights using a 6 o’clock hold, aiming at the center of the clay block.

I was genuinely surprised when I squeezed off the shot. The .32 ACP jacketed hollow-point round struck the clay block dead center. The kinetic energy transferred on impact created a perfectly round entry hole nearly 3 inches in diameter. The force displaced the clay outward in a circular pattern, resembling a lunar crater with visible ejecta around the edge. After inspecting the rear of the block, I confirmed there was no exit — the hollow-point bullet remained contained within the block.

After sectioning the clay block, I found the expanded .32 ACP slug fully intact. It had penetrated 7.5 inches. The resulting wound cavity measured a maximum diameter of 3 1/2 inches, tapering down to 1 1/4 inches at the point where the expanded bullet came to rest.

This was textbook expansion for a modern, minor-caliber hollow-point pistol round. The projectile stayed intact, with the lead core securely bonded to the copper jacket’s expanded petals. Its performance closely mirrored what I’ve observed with bullets fired into ballistic gelatin, a standard medium for testing self-defense ammunition. In contrast, slugs from major calibers typically produce massive internal cavities and exit the clay block entirely.

Is the .32 ACP Enough for Self-Defense?

The .32 ACP wouldn’t be my first choice for defending against a heavily armed active shooter, but it’s certainly better than throwing trash cans or erasers. In high-threat environments such as a church, I’d much rather have a 9mm or .45 ACP handgun at my side. Still, even with those larger calibers, you’re at a theoretical disadvantage against an assailant armed with a rifle or carbine.

That said, most people don’t want to haul around full-sized hardware every day, especially as they age. In routine, lower-risk situations, carrying a flat, narrow and lightweight Walther PPK in .32 ACP, along with a couple of spare magazines, is far more comfortable and practical than strapping on a full-size 9mm, .40 or .45 ACP. And if you shoot the .32 ACP better, that alone makes it a smarter choice for concealed carry and day-to-day self-defense.

When weighing your options for personal defense, remember the first rule of a gunfight: Have a gun. The choice is ultimately yours. I’m simply offering the .32 ACP as a viable, often overlooked option — one that balances concealability, comfort and capability in a way that might suit your needs better than you expect. 

Sources
PMC Ammunition: PMCAmmo.com

.32 ACP vs. .380 ACP Ballistics: Which Performs Better?

Bullet Weight
.32 ACP: 71 grains
.380 ACP: 90 grains

Muzzle Velocity
.32 ACP: 900 feet per second
.380 ACP: 961 feet per second

Muzzle Energy
.32 ACP: 126 foot-pounds
.380 ACP: 185 foot-pounds

Velocity at 100 Yards
.32 ACP: 781 feet per second
.380 ACP: 878 feet per second

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is .32 ACP stronger than 9mm or .380 ACP?
As shown in the ballistics comparison, the .380 ACP delivers noticeably more power than the .32 ACP. However, the .380 still doesn’t match the performance of the 9mm Luger. Both the .32 ACP and .380 ACP are considered compact pocket-pistol calibers.

For a detailed side-by-side analysis, see:

Head to Head: .32 ACP vs. .380 ACP

Who still makes .32 ACP pistols?
Current .32 ACP handguns include:

  • The KelTec P32
  • The Beretta Tomcat
  • Seecamp Firearms and North American Arms micro-sized pocket pistols
  • The Walther PP/PPK series in .32 ACP

These models are still in production and serve as viable options for concealed carry and close-range self-defense.

Is .32 ACP ammo still produced?
Yes. Several .32 ACP jacketed hollow-point loads are available online, including options from Winchester Silvertip, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady and PMC. .32 ACP ammunition continues to be actively manufactured and sold.