.32 for self defense

[Sparks]

Buffalo Bore makes a 75Gn Hard Cast Flat nose .32ACP +P cartridge rated at 1150fps at 220 ft./lbs. A snub nose .38 with 158gn Blazer +P produces 930fps at 211 ft./lbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrKDnLLUd-Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzQcVojdyj8

Your calculations are off. A .38 with 158gn at 930fps is 304 ft./lbs. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/resc...?bw=158&bv=930

Not saying I'd want to get tagged by either, but a .32 is not a +P .38

[RockIsland]

I'd be afraid to shoot those out of the P32.

If i did I'd probably duck, so when the slide blows off I wouldn't catch it with my face.

[Hawk]

Your calculations are off. A .38 with 158gn at 930fps is 304 ft./lbs. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/resc...?bw=158&bv=930

Not saying I'd want to get tagged by either, but a .32 is not a +P .38

Those are not my calculations. That is published data from Blazer regarding that specific round out of a 2 inch barrel measured at the muzzle.
The link you provided doesn't specify barrel length, load, or where the measurement is taken from.

[R L Suehr]

Those are not my calculations. That is published data from Blazer regarding that specific round out of a 2 inch barrel measured at the muzzle.
The link you provided doesn't specify barrel length, load, or where the measurement is taken from.

Barrel length, load, or where the measurement is taken is irrelevant. Calculating ftlb's of energy is a mathematical formula. Multiply the weight of the bullet in grains times the velocity in ft. per second squared and divide this number by 450400. That gives you the kinetic energy measured in ftlb's.

The differences you mentioned will effect muzzle velocity and that will change the energy of a specific load. A 158gr projectile travelling at 930fps will always have the same energy at that velocity.

Sparks calculation is right. I get 303.37 ftlb, blazers published data is wrong.

[GeneCC]

My wife and I have been looking at pocket guns for her to carry. She has held all the .380 guns and liked the tcp the best until our local gun store showed her a seecamp. Beautiful gun and she loved how small it was. They had both the 380 and .32 version but there is a huge price difference. I asked over at the see camp forum and they pretty much all suggested the .32 over the 380. From my searching online it seems the differences are negligible. Any thoughts?

Please no suggestions of going 9mm or bigger. She will not dress for the gun or carry it in her purse.

If she can swing it a 38 special revolver would be best.

The round is adequate for defense. Recoil is low. The package is small.

To carry an automatic you have to have skills in clearance drills. This means that you know how to clear jams or misfires.

A revolver? Pull the trigger again.

[Hawk]

Here's another published data source. My original source was too "generous" on the 158gn .38's velocity.

Blazer Ammunition Ballistics
Round	Type	Weight	Muzzle Energy ft·lb	Muzzle Velocity ft/sec.
38 Special	LRN	158	200	755
38 Special +P	FMJ	158	253	850
38 Special +P	JHP	125	248	945

Back to the point of my post...the Buffalo Bore load for .32 falls between a .38 and .38 +P. Which would make a .32 semi-auto with a Buffalo Bore round comparable to the commonly carried snub nose .38.

[Hawk]

Barrel length, load, or where the measurement is taken is irrelevant. Calculating ftlb's of energy is a mathematical formula. Multiply the weight of the bullet in grains times the velocity in ft. per second squared and divide this number by 450400. That gives you the kinetic energy measured in ftlb's.

The differences you mentioned will effect muzzle velocity and that will change the energy of a specific load. A 158gr projectile travelling at 930fps will always have the same energy at that velocity.

Sparks calculation is right. I get 303.37 ftlb, blazers published data is wrong.

That's correct. Calculations aside, my point was that the velocity measurement has to be taken at the same distance from the muzzle. If it's not, than a fair comparison can't be made. In addition, velocity is affected by barrel length and burn rate of the powder. A fair comparison can't be made if my published data comes from a gun with a two inch barrel and your published data comes from testing with a 4" barrel.

[R L Suehr]

Here's another published data source. My original source was too "generous" on the 158gn .38's velocity.

Blazer Ammunition Ballistics
Round	Type	Weight	Muzzle Energy ft·lb	Muzzle Velocity ft/sec.
38 Special	LRN	158	200	755
38 Special +P	FMJ	158	253	850
38 Special +P	JHP	125	248	945

Back to the point of my post...the Buffalo Bore load for .32 falls between a .38 and .38 +P. Which would make a .32 semi-auto with a Buffalo Bore round comparable to the commonly carried snub nose .38.

That would make a little bit of a difference.

That's correct. Calculations aside, my point was that the velocity measurement has to be taken at the same distance from the muzzle. If it's not, than a fair comparison can't be made. In addition, velocity is affected by barrel length and burn rate of the powder. A fair comparison can't be made if my published data comes from a gun with a two inch barrel and your published data comes from testing with a 4" barrel.

Correct, the same load will be different out of a 2, 4, or 6" barrel at say 25 feet. That would be a fair test.

[24/7dude]

"If whatever you're shooting doesn't die after you pump eight .32 caliber slugs into it, it's probably a dragon."

-Sterling Archer