.32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.32 S&W Long (Colt New Police): At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Revolver |
| Primer Type | Small Pistol |
| Used For | Self-defense, Target Shooting, Police Use |
| Case Design | Rimmed, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1896 |
.32 S&W Long (Colt New Police): At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Low recoil, suitable for shooters with limited hand strength
- ✔ Good accuracy potential for a small caliber
- ✔ Effective for self-defense at close range
- ✔ Historically popular for police use
- ✔ Can be used in some .32 H&R Magnum revolvers
Cons
- ✘ Limited stopping power compared to larger calibers
- ✘ Not as widely available as more modern cartridges
- ✘ Limited choice of modern firearms chambered for this round
- ✘ Relatively low capacity in most revolvers
- ✘ Not suitable for hunting larger game
.32 S&W Long (Colt New Police): A Comprehensive Overview
The .32 S&W Long, also known as the Colt New Police, is a rimmed, straight-walled handgun cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1896. It was designed as an improvement over the earlier .32 S&W cartridge, offering increased power and accuracy. The .32 S&W Long became popular among law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters for its low recoil and good accuracy in small-frame revolvers.
History and Development
The .32 S&W Long was introduced in 1896 by Smith & Wesson for their Hand Ejector Model 1896 revolver. It was created by extending the case length of the existing .32 S&W cartridge. This allowed for a heavier bullet and more powder, resulting in improved ballistics while maintaining manageable recoil in small-frame revolvers.
Colt's Manufacturing Company adopted the cartridge for their Police Positive revolver in 1902, marketing it as the .32 Colt New Police. This helped to further popularize the round among law enforcement agencies in the United States. The cartridge remained in widespread use by police departments until the mid-20th century when it was gradually replaced by more powerful calibers.
The .32 S&W Long gained a reputation for accuracy and was used in competitive target shooting. It was particularly popular in Europe for this purpose, where it was known as the 7.65mm Long or 7.65x23mm. The cartridge's low recoil and good accuracy made it well-suited for training new shooters and for use in small-frame revolvers intended for concealed carry.
Cartridge Specifications
The .32 S&W Long cartridge typically uses a bullet diameter of .312 inches (7.92mm). Standard loadings feature a 98-grain (6.4g) lead round nose bullet, although other bullet weights and types have been produced. The case length is .920 inches (23.4mm), and the overall cartridge length is 1.31 inches (33.3mm). Factory loads generally produce muzzle velocities around 705 feet per second (215 m/s), generating approximately 108 ft-lbs (146 J) of muzzle energy.
Timeline of .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) Development:
.32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) Performance
The .32 S&W Long offers moderate performance characteristics that made it suitable for law enforcement and civilian use in the early 20th century. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 98 grains (6.4g) Standard loading, other weights available |
| Muzzle Velocity | 705 feet per second (215 m/s) With standard 98-grain bullet |
| Muzzle Energy | 108 ft-lbs (146 J) With standard 98-grain bullet |
| Effective Range | 50 yards (46 meters) For self-defense purposes |
| Recoil | Low Manageable in small-frame revolvers, suitable for novice shooters |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) loads.
.32 S&W Long (Colt New Police): Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement | 0-50 | Historically used by police forces, now largely obsolete |
| Target Shooting | 0-75 | Popular for target practice and competitive shooting |
| Self-Defense | 0-25 | Limited stopping power, but low recoil and good accuracy |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) is known for its mild recoil and good accuracy at short ranges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police)
The .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) cartridge has a specific set of applications due to its characteristics:
Caliber Comparisons: .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police)
The .32 S&W Long, also known as Colt New Police, is a rimmed, straight-walled handgun cartridge. To understand its place in the world of handgun ammunition, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .32 S&W Long with other similar handgun cartridges. (Based on a 2 lb handgun)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .32 S&W Long with other similar handgun cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .32 S&W Long with other similar handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .32 S&W Long with other similar handgun cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police)
The .32 S&W Long, also known as Colt New Police, is a rimmed, straight-walled handgun cartridge. It was introduced in 1896 as an improvement over the earlier .32 S&W cartridge.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .32 S&W Long | 98 | 0.150 |
| .32 S&W Long | 100 | 0.153 |
| .32 S&W Long | 115 | 0.176 |
Note: The .32 S&W Long cartridge is known for its low recoil and moderate power, making it suitable for target shooting and self-defense in compact revolvers. Its sectional density values indicate moderate penetration capabilities compared to larger caliber handgun rounds.