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.32 NAA
File:Corbon .32 NAA JHP.jpgFile:Dpx32naa60.jpgFile:CORBON's .32 NAA 71gr Performance Match FMJ.jpg
Various .32 NAA cartridges by Corbon.
Type Pistol
Place of origin USA
Production history
Designer North American Arms / Ed Sanow
Manufacturer North American Arms
Produced 2002
Specifications
Parent case .380 ACP
Case type Rimless, bottlenecked
Bullet diameter .3129 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Neck diameter .3365 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Shoulder diameter .3729 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Base diameter .3740 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Rim diameter .3740 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Rim thickness .045 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Case length .680 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Overall length .984 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Case capacity 10.5 gr H2O (0.683 cm³)
Rifling twist 1 in 16 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Primer type small pistol
Maximum pressure 25,700 psi (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
60 gr (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". g) JHP 1,222 ft/s (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". m/s) 199 ft·lbf (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". J)
71 gr (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". g) FMJ 1,000 ft/s (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". m/s) 158 ft·lbf (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". J)
Test barrel length: 2.5
Source(s): Cartridges of the World [1]

The .32 NAA is a cartridge/firearm 'system' designed and developed by the partnership of North American Arms and Corbon Ammunition. The cartridge is a .380 ACP case necked-down to hold a .32 caliber bullet with the goal of improved ballistic performance over the .32 ACP.

History and Design[]

Bottleneck handgun cartridge designs experienced early success and have had continuing development since at least the 7.65x25mm Borchardt or earlier, which lead to the development of the 7.63x25 Mauser (also known as the .30 Mauser), followed by the 7.62x25 Tokarev. The benefits of bottleneck designs include smooth feeding and chambering and simple, robust headspacing.

The .32 NAA uses the .312" diameter bullet of the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and .327 Federal Magnum, not the .309" diameter bullet of the .32 ACP.

The .32 NAA is the most recent of a line of commercial bottleneck handgun cartridges. Renewed western interest in bottleneck handgun cartridges began with the .357 SIG in 1994 (necking a .40 S&W case down to a .355 bullet); followed by the .400 Corbon in 1996 (necking a .45 ACP case down to hold a .40 cal. bullet); and then the .25 NAA in 1999 (necking a .32 ACP case down to hold a .25 cal. bullet).

Performance[]

The cartridge delivers in excess of 1,222 ft/s (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". m/s) velocity to a 60 grain (3.9 gram) proprietary bullet from Hornady. This generates 199 ft·lbf (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". J) of energy from the 2.5" Guardian barrel (1453 ft/s & 287 ft·lbf (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". J) from a 4" test barrel).[2]

According to Phil W. Johnston, the 60 gr Corbon cartridge averaged 1204 fps, with an extreme spread of 69 fps and a standard deviation of 19 fps, for 193.09 ft-lbs of energy. When fired at ballistic gelatin, he obtained 6.25" of penetration, with expansion to 0.528" and 72% weight retention.[3]

Extreme Shock Ammunition offers an "Enhanced Penetration Round" that sends a 60 gr. bullet at 1196 fps for 190 ft lbs of energy.[4]

In fall 2012, Hornady released a .32 NAA Critical Defense load that propels a relatively heavy (thus higher sectional density), 80 grain JHP FTX bullet at 1,000 fps.[5]

Handguns[]

The North American Arms Guardian 32 NAA is designed around this cartridge.

Diamondback Firearms offers .32 NAA conversion barrels (2.8") for their DB380 pistols.[6]

Makarov.com once stocked barrels of two different lengths for converting Makarov pistols to .32 NAA.[7]

See also[]

References[]

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