.32 acp question

[triumph]

hey! i have a .32 acp derringer, i also have a bunch of .32 s&w (not longs) laying around, can i safely shoot them in my .32 acp derringer? i was looking at them and they look almost the same, the only difference being the .32 acp is longer than the s&w.... the derringer is a davis industries p-32, thanks!! chris

[Baldy]

Simple answer NO! ACP stands for Automatic Colt Pistol and is a totally different cartridge than a .32 S&W. You may blow the pistol up if it goes off.

[triumph]

ok thanks for the quick response!!

[g.willikers]

It can get mighty confusing with all the different calibers that have similar names.
Anyone attending a public range long enough will no doubt witness attempts to use very unsuitable ammo.
Like the guy who brings a box of .380 to use in his .38 special.
Or worse a box of 38-40.
Heck they all say .38, don't they?
Sometimes, though, you can see really strange stuff.

Like using 9mm in a .38 Super 1911.
That can actually work.
I once saw a guy doing just that.
He said he always does it when he can't find .38 Super.
It didn't sound at all right.
Especially considering the only thing in common between these two calibers is the bullet diameter.
The cases are very different, in length, shape, taper, and especially the rim.
The Super has a large rim, more like a revolver cartridge, while the 9mm is rimless.
There's no way the extractor, let alone the magazine is gonna' work with both. Right?
But it did work.
After running out of .38 Super, he switched to 9mm without hesitation.
All the 9 mm rounds chambered, fired and ejected perfectly, no problems at all.
Could have fooled me.
Yup, I was watching from a safe distance.