.32 LONG COLT BALLISTICS

[BUSSMAN69]

I have spent alot of time trying to find this out already, with no success. So how does the .32 Long Colt cartridge measure up when fired out of a 24" rifle barrel. From a Marlin Model 1891 or 1892. Not from a revolver. How much punch does it have out of a rifle barrel ?? Does it compare at all with a .32-20 fired out of a 24" rifle barrel ?? I'm thinking that the .32-20 will have more power, but how much more ?? Are the 2 rounds comparable at all ?

[marlinman93]

The .32-20 is a magnum cartridge when compared to the .32 Long in any firearm, rifle or pistol.
.32-20 loads can often break 2000 fps, and quite common to be up around 1700-1800 fps, where the .32 Long never breaks 1000 fps, and generally run around 850 fps.

[BUSSMAN69]

Thanks for that information. I figured there was probably a big difference between the two, but I didn't think it was that drastic. So the .32 Long Colt is a pretty wimpy round. Although I definitely wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one. So the .32 Short round must really be a pooch then.

[marlinman93]

Both the .32 Long, and .38 Long are much less powerful than their cousins the .32 S&W Long, and .38 Special. Not the least powerful cartridges made, but way down near the bottom. That's why the little .22 frames of the 1891 and 1892 Marlins were strong enough to be reworked to accept the .32 Long.
As you say, I wouldn't want to be shot at close range with one, but at 100 yds. a heavy coat might protect the person whose shot at.

[BUSSMAN69]

Well thank you again Marlinman for that information. I was wondering if there was much difference frame wise, between the .22 caliber models 1891 and 1892 versus the .32 caliber rifles. I couldn't see that there was much if any difference between the two. So yes the .32 Long Colt must be a pretty weak round if it is fired in the same frame rifle as a .22 rimfire.