380 ACP to 32 NAA conversion

[Philly3458]

I am considering having a barrel made that can accommodate the 32 NAA cartridge in my bodyguard 389 or sig P238. Terminal ballistics in these mouse guns is better with this cartridge.

Anyone have any experience with this? Is there any other considerations I should think about?

 

[Philly3458]

No comments?


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[whatluck]

Terminal ballistics in these mouse guns is better with this cartridge.

Could you expand on this a little? I'm not sure what you mean by 'terminal ballistics' and how it relates to lethality.

 

[Philly3458]

Based on my research 380ACP out of 2.5-2.8 inch barrel doesn't have enough velocity for most JHP to open and penetrate 12 inches (my preference). Some suggest a FMJ for this reason but I don't like FMJ due to over penetration (collateral damage) and nominal wound track.

32 NAA rounds have been proven to penetrate at least 12 inches as they are moving much faster and feed more reliably in mouse guns due to the tapered neck.


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[whatluck]

Hey, if you want to spend the money to do it then that's up to you.

You'll probably want the correct extractor and ejector if you want good reliability. You may need a different recoil spring too.

For all that trouble I'd have to suggest a j frame, in .327 mag with 6 rounds or .38 or even a scandium .357 with 5. 5 rounds of low recoil speer 130Gr delivers 50% more energy than the .32 and is still quite manageable. I can hit a pie plate at 11 yards with it, and that's about as good as I am with most mouse guns. Except for the HSc, for some reason that thing's a tackdriver in my hands.

 

[Philly3458]

Yes - I am with you on the 38. Was just thinking semi-auto, smaller form factor, easier to reload but gonna go with an LCR and buffalo Barnes 110g 38sp. 1000FPS from a 2 inch barrel

 

[Wadcutter]

You'll probably want the correct extractor and ejector if you want good reliability. You may need a different recoil spring too. .

I don't think you'd have to since it's a necked down 380.

I think it's technically and interesting idea, but I would never carry a modified defensive gun. Doesn't look good in a court room.

 

[Philly3458]

You only need to modify the barrel.


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[Nick Fury]

I have been following this trend for quite some time. It all started for me with the 400 Corbon. On the surface it seems like such a great idea. More powder behind less bullet. Flatter trajectory, more penetration, more expansion. All from a drop in barrel. What's not to like?

It turns out to not be quite so simple. Things like over expansion, excessive recoil, and ballistics that mimic already existing calibers come into play.

But if your like me you need to find it out for yourself. Go read about the CZ-82 conversion kits for .32 NAA that were available for a time. Auto pistols don't get made much more rugged than those. The info there will explain the shortcomings of such conversions. Blowback operated pistols (Pretty much all .380 and under) have limits and bottle necked cartridges exceed them. And the required lighter bullets may have impressive numbers on paper but do not translate well in real situations.

But I have not given up this quest for the ultimate defensive round in a pocket caliber. Sadly though I have mostly given up on the .380 for this purpose because when pushed (I reload) to maximum velocities I end up with 9mm recoil levels without much else.

Now the .32 ACP is turning out to be a different story. A hot FMJ or RN gets some impressive penetration. But the standard fare of hollow points for this caliber are far too light to be of much use. I am currently flirting with an 85 grain XTP that I hope to get up into expansion velocities. I have pushed 75 grain bullets to around 1050 fps without any issues so I remain optimistic. I did however replace my mainspring with a 16lb spring to help handle the additional abuse. And it still remains a pleasantly soft shooting accurate pistol with potential. At least in the pocket pistol catagory...

 

[Philly3458]

That's very helpful. regarding the 380 I came to the same conclusion but looking at the BB hard nose lead 100g. It may change the equation. In the meantime I am back to the my standby 5 shot 38.


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[WallHack]

I think it's technically and interesting idea, but I would never carry a modified defensive gun. Doesn't look good in a court room.

This is one of the stupidest arguments anyone's ever made, and every time someone repeats it, everyone who reads it gets significantly dumber.

You're in a court room, evidently shooting the bastard already looked bad to someone. If Gary Fadden can go full-auto on a biker and win in court, you'll be alright with a tiny gun modified to take a smaller caliber.

 

[Wadcutter]

This is one of the stupidest arguments anyone's ever made, and every time someone repeats it, everyone who reads it gets significantly dumber.

You're in a court room, evidently shooting the bastard already looked bad to someone. If Gary Fadden can go full-auto on a biker and win in court, you'll be alright with a tiny gun modified to take a smaller caliber.

It's not an argument. It's a personal preference. I siad "I would never carry a modified defensive gun". Carry whatever you want.

 

[FordTruckinthemud]

You only need to modify the barrel.


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I want that done to a RM 380 barrel