Designed for small, pocket-type revolvers, the .32 Smith & Wesson gained immense popularity in American and Europe, despite being underpowered.
What You Need To Know About The .32 Smith & Wesson:
- Originally loaded with balckpowder, it's exclusively used smokeless since 1940.
- Comparable to the .32 Automatic, though the revolver cartridge is less powerful.
- Despite being somewhat obscure at this point, factory loaded ammunition is still available.
Historical Notes
Designed for the Smith & Wesson Model 1½ hinged-frame, single-action revolver introduced in 1878, the .32 Smith & Wesson is an old and very popular cartridge that’s widely used in the United States and Europe for low-priced, pocket-type revolvers. Originally a black-powder cartridge, it’s been loaded with smokeless powder exclusively since 1940. In the United States, Colt, Harrington & Richardson, Hopkins & Allen, Iver Johnson, Smith & Wesson and others have made revolvers for this cartridge. In England, Webley & Scott made revolvers for it. Elsewhere in Europe, Bayard and Pickert revolvers chambered it. The original loading used nine grains of black powder.
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General Comments
The .32 Smith & Wesson formerly ranked with the .32 Automatic in general popularity—and for the same reasons. It’s low powered and adaptable to small, light, inexpensive, pocket-type handguns. Ballistically, it’s not quite as good as the .32 Automatic. It’s very similar to the .32 Short Colt, but the two aren’t interchangeable because of a difference in bullet and case diameter. Like the .32 Automatic, the .32 S&W is about the minimum cartridge for self-defense. It’s considered inadequate for police work. It’s used occasionally for hunting small game at very short ranges, but it’s too underpowered for consideration as a sporting cartridge. This ammunition is still available.
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World, 16th Edition.
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NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack
62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills - Rifle Range in YARDS This impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes are in MOA. Ideal for long-range shooting!Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and we'll send your print-at-home target pack right away. Just enter your email address below.