32 ACP vs. 380 ACP: The Automatic Colt Pistol Rivalry

The 32 ACP vs. 380 ACP: Eerily similar because they were created by the same person and at about the same time. However, the differences will surprise you!

Many gun enthusiasts scoff at the idea of carrying a .32 Auto or .380 Auto. They'll claim the rounds don't have as much knockdown power as larger, more powerful ones. While those claims are accurate, they overlook the benefits of smaller pistols.

That's why we're going to compare the 32 ACP and 380 ACP objectively, giving each cartridge a fair evaluation. After you've finished this article, you'll know which is better for defense.

.32 ACP vs .380 ACP Pros and Cons

.32 ACP vs .380 ACP for Beginners

Cartridge Specs

These cartridges are very similar in size, hence why they’re often compared and contrasted. You can see how similar their dimensions are in the table above.

.380 vs. .32: Recoil

The .32 and .380 are both designed for small pocket pistols. Neither packs a hard punch, which is why shooters of advanced age and who have smaller frames often favor one or the other.

I love firing my 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. However, my wife finds it to have too much recoil. We bought her a .380 Auto pistol, and she loves it.

Comparing the recoil of these two cartridges is nothing like comparing 9mm vs. .45 ACP. The recoil difference between the .380 ACP and .32 ACP is minimal. That said, the .32 ACP has slightly less recoil than the .380 ACP overall.

.32 ACP vs. .380 ACP: Which is Better for Self-Defense?

These cartridges were created for defense. Either is an excellent option for concealed carry. They're often chambered in small, easily concealable hammerless pistols that have a decent magazine capacity.

The primary drawback of using either of these cartridges for self-defense is their lack of firepower. That shouldn't preclude them from consideration, however, because "stopping power" isn't everything when it comes to personal protection.

My wife's go-to gun for concealed carry or home defense is her Kimber chambered in .380 Auto. It has low recoil, and its small frame fits her hands well. She would be much more reluctant to pull the trigger of my .45 Auto, plus it's difficult for her to grip correctly.

Another reason why you should consider the .32 ACP or .380 ACP as a viable self-defense and home defense round is that they're less likely to penetrate walls, which would mean your family and neighbors are safer from friendly fire.

I still prefer my 12 Gauge or 20 Gauge shotguns over my pistols for home defense, as they reduce the risk of harming an innocent bystander by a larger degree.

For concealed carry, I'd prefer a .380 ACP in my waistband over a .32 ACP. It has greater knockdown power and a similar magazine capacity to most .32 Auto pistols.

The winner of this section is the .380 Auto.

Magazine Capacity

The 32 ACP typically has a slightly higher magazine capacity than the 380 ACP in pistols of similar sizes.

A 32 ACP Walther PPK has a capacity of seven rounds, whereas the 380 ACP Walther PPK has a capacity of six. While a difference of a single round may not sound significant, I always want to have as much ammo available to me as possible.

The 32 ACP’s moderately higher capacity wins this section.

Trajectory

Neither of these pistol rounds was intended for long-distance shooting. They don't have impressive trajectories.

Since these rounds are intended for self or home defense, you don't need to worry about their trajectories too much. Most defensive scenarios play out within 25 yards, and the .32 ACP and .380 Auto are still flat-shooting over that distance.

This section is a tie.

Accuracy

As you know, accuracy is crucial. You need to be able to hit the target you're aiming at.

The more accurate you are, the quicker you can stop a threat. Accuracy also reduces risk for innocent bystanders, because your bullets will be hitting the target instead of them.

The average shooter will become sufficiently accurate with either the .380 Auto or the .32 Auto after relatively little training. This is largely thanks to the rounds' comparably low recoil, which simplifies fast and accurate follow-up shots.

This category is also a tie.

.32 vs. .380: Stopping Power

Both of these rounds' stopping power is relatively weak. However, "stopping power" is an overrated metric.

A .22 LR bullet in the vitals will stop someone faster than a .45 ACP bullet in the hand. In other words, shot placement is critical.

That being said, a poorly placed .45 ACP will do more damage than a poorly placed .22 LR. That's why many people compromise and choose to carry a 9mm or .380 Auto, although most overlook the .32 Auto.

Bullet type also factors into this equation. A jacketed hollow point (JHP) will cause more damage than a full metal jacket (FMJ). The JHP inflicts more damage to its target (and mitigates the risk of over-penetration) by expanding and fragmenting after impact.

With all things being as equal as possible, the .380 ACP has more stopping power than the .32 ACP. The .380 ACP wins this section.

Read the full breakdown: 32 ACP vs. 380 ACP: The Automatic Colt Pistol Rivalry