To all of those who say "nay" to recent high-velocity, smallbore pistol cartridges...

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Captain O

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To all of those who say "nay" to recent high-velocity, smallbore pistol cartridges...

Your wives/girlfriends were likely the first women in their neighborhoods to wear "Gypsy" skirts... and probably the last!

I saw the BrassFetcher 20% gelain/energy/expansion comparion test between the .380 ACP and the .32 NAA. The smallbore cartridge won out in spades! In a 4" barrel, the .32 NAA produces over 235 fpe.

In the new Browning polymer-framed, single-stack .380, the small-bore high-velocity cartridge would likely ruin a bad guy's entire afternoon!
 
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I'm simply illustrating how new developments are difficult for the prepondrance of the shooting community to accept/embrace. Even when the evidence has been emperically proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Look at the BrassFetcher high-speed videos of the .32 NAA loads performance in the military's 20% ballisic gelatin when compared against that of the .380. The .380 consistenly undepenetrated (failing to penetrate 10 inches in the medium alone) while the .32 NAA made it with room to spare. As a "bonus" the .32 NAA tore up the medium during the preponderance of it's passage.

Let's do our "due dillegence" before dismissing a cartridge because:

a) It's not on the shelves at Wal-Mart, (The internet solves this little problem).

b) It's too expensive. (How much value do you place on your life).

c) it's not "convenient". (Life isn't always going to be "convenient").

Don't be a ballistic 'Luddite'. Do your homework, THEN make an informed decision.
 
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Inusuit said:
I'm old and slow. What point are you making exactly?
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Ditto. I don't want to get hit by even a Daisy BB. I like to carry a .38 special model 10 - 99% of the time. Borrow my son's Noisy Cricket .380 for funerals and dress up weddings. What does a ".32 NAA shoot"?
 
snuffy51 said:
Ditto. I don't want to get hit by even a Daisy BB. I like to carry a .38 special model 10 - 99% of the time. Borrow my son's Noisy Cricket .380 for funerals and dress up weddings. What does a ".32 NAA shoot"?
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A .380 that's been "necked down" to shoot a .312"- 313" (.32 cal.) projectile. From a 4" test barrel, the 60-grain Hornady JHP reached 1453 fps, yielding 287 fpe, and tearing a gaping hole as it passed through the test medium.

If you're going to use a smallbore, make certain that it will penetrate, and tear up everything in it's path. The standard .380 can't match the .32 NAA for raw power.
 
shotgun693 said:
I'm not going to give up a 9mm or .45 Colt for a .32. Carry what you want.
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No one expects you to give up your larger bores. This 60-grain slug travels @ 1225 fps from a 2.75" pocket auto.

Still driving the Edsel, eh?

Time (and technology) march on.
 
Captain O said:
A .380 that's been "necked down" to shoot a .312"- 313" (.32 cal.) projectile. From a 4" test barrel, the 60-grain Hornady JHP reached 1453 fps, yielding 287 fpe, and tearing a gaping hole as it passed through the test medium.

If you're going to use a smallbore, make certain that it will penetrate, and tear up everything in it's path. The standard .380 can't match the .32 NAA for raw power.
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Whoa, I'm too old and slow to be tactical. I have been married since 1970 to my 38 special sweetheart also and she still works for me just fine. Besides, I can't see well enough to do any long range shooting. :)
 
I figured this was going to be about 327 federal magnum. 32 NAA - no thanks...
There are 2 guns for this round that has been available since 2002. I'd say the gun buying public isn't very interested.
 
There have been a couple of manufacturers that have been making barrels for 3 1/2" barreled .380 pistols chambered for the .32 NAA. These seem to be making a decent number of sales.

Browning is currently making a polymer framed, 4.32" barreled, single action, 1911-pattern .380 (see the link to Gunblast for a complete review). While still relatively new, it appears to be selling rather well. A replacement barrel in .32 NAA would provide a healthy platform that would launch the .312" pills to the aforementioned velocities.

This conversion doesn't require anything beyond a simple barrel swap to convert the pistol to the smaller bore, yet higher velocity (and more destructive) .32 NAA.

Don't take my word for it, look at the both the data and the high speed photography where the .32 NAA is being fired into the military's test medium of 20% ballistic gelatin. Then take a look at the accompanying "energy transfer" graphs of bothe the .32 NAA and the .380 ACP (both are on the same chart). Watch and see how the .380 FAILED to adequately penetrate the test medium, while the .32 NAA both penetrated and expanded well beyond expectations... from a 2.75" barrel! Just imagine how it will perform in the 1453 fps/287 fpe envelope. (Bear in mind this kind of performance is in .327 Federal Magnum territory)! :eek:

Look at this for a conversion platform... It's PERFECT!

Browning 1911-380 Black Label 380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol

I rest my case.
 
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Personally I want my round to expend its energy in the target not against or through the wall or whatever behind it.
 
1400 fps might be close to 327 velocities but 287 fpe isn't in the range of 400 to 700 fpe of 327. 60 grain bullets vs 115 grain bullets is a big difference.
 
Though I don't plan to own one...

I've noticed though history that some famous people have been done in by .32s. Huey Long got it with a 7.65 pistol (about 1200 fps). Maybe it's not the most effective, but it can do the job. It's almost worth considering due to size and weight for concealed carry. If I ever have to pull a trigger, I'm not going to pull it just one time so it may be just as good as a single shot of something bigger. I'd think it worthwhile to upgrade the .32 ACP to something a little more powerful in a locked breech design and the velocity could make it a serious consideration for SD. Anyway, I'd be interested if it could be made a little hotter.

PS: I see the .32 NAA mentioned. I'd like to go a little faster.
 
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There are many wonder bullets that have fallen to obscurity over the years. Folks just ain't buyin' it. There's some .380 loads that do just fine and even meet or exceed the critical FBI jello standards.
 
Anyway, people put too much stake in such things, whether "stopping statistics" or other anecdotal "data," shooting into various mediums, or silly videos of folks blowing up fruit.

Hit what you aim at with what you've got.
 
Captain O said:
Don't be a ballistic 'Luddite'.
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I like being a Luddite, thank you.
waving-gadsden-tea-party-flag_zps7ed2b680.gif%7Eoriginal
 
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