Quote:
Originally Posted by johnlives4christ
concerning the quote , i wanted to say? how can you shoot a 32ACP in a 32 s&w long? the reason i ask is, if i recall correctly the 32 S&W is a rimmed cartridge, while the 32 acp is a Semi rimmed or rimless as it's sometimes called.
~john
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When the all-wise JMB
invented the 25 auto and the 32 auto, he intended for them to headspace on the mouth. He found that they were too small in diameter to reliably do so, however. But, knowing that a rimmed cartridge would cause feeding problems in a stacked magazine, he came up with one of his genius ideas. Semi-rimmed. It had just enough rim to catch the mouth of the chamber (providing reliable headspacing) while not getting "rim-locked" in the magazine (providing reliable feeding). The 25 needed it. The 32 needed it. And he put it on the 38 (that's 38 ACP, not to be confused with 380 ACP), which did not need it. When he made the 380, he made it rimless, because he had found out (from the 38 ACP) that it was unneccessary.
Because of the semi-rim, the 32 ACP will work in the 32 revolvers. There is enough rim to catch hold of the chamber mouths.
The 38 ACP (by the way) was later hot-rodded and renamed the 38 Super. So you can shoot 38 ACP (if you can find the obselete expensive things) in your 38 Super automatic. It probably won't have enough power to operate the slide, but it will shoot in it. Putting 38 Super ammo in a 38 ACP pistol (where it will fit perfectly) however, will cause you mass pain as your pistol disintegrates in your hand.