An in-depth comparison of two small, but mighty calibers – the 22 LR vs 32 ACP.
Both are considered small-caliber cartridges, sometimes called “pocket pistol” rounds. Both date back to the late nineteenth century.
But this is where the similarities end.
One is rimfire, the other is centerfire. One is used in rifles and pistols of all sorts, while the other is limited, almost exclusively, to semiautomatic pistols.
They are the .22 Long Rifle and the .32 ACP cartridges. While they have their limits (and plenty of derision), either can be used for personal protection.
Thinking of getting one of these small, manageable, easily concealed rounds for your daily carry or as a backup option? Either one is better than no gun at all, so if you are selecting a personal-protection round, you need to research thoroughly before investing in a conceal-carry pistol. After all, a personal defense weapon is arguably the most important firearm a person will ever purchase.
So let’s dive deeper to see if one or both of these rounds are up to the task…
Note: Comparing These Cartridges as Handgun Rounds Only
You can use both of these cartridges for more than personal defense. However, the .32 ACP is almost exclusively a conceal-carry personal defense round, while the .22 LR is more for plinking, small-game hunting, and varmint control. However, the .22, despite plenty of naysayers, can be used for personal protection. This is the main overlapping purpose of these rounds, so we are going to compare the two through the lens of personal defense and conceal-carry.
.22 LR vs .32 ACP Specs
| .22 Long Rifle | .32 ACP | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1887 | 1899 |
| Case Type | Rimfire | Centerfire |
| Bullet Diameter | .223 inches | .3125 inches |
| Neck Diameter | .226 inches | .3365 inches |
| Base Diameter | .226 inches | .337 inches |
| Case Length | .613 inches | .680 inches |
| Overall Length | 1 inch | .984 inches |
| Bullet Weights | Roughly 20 - 60 grains | 55 - 75 grains |
| Typical Firearm | Rifles and handguns of all types | Semiautomatic pistols |
22LR versus 32 ACP: Size and Shape Differences
If you hold both of these rounds in your hand, you’ll immediately notice that .32 ACP is wider and has more mass. This is fairly predictable given the numerical names of the two. What may be surprising, however, is that the .22 LR is just a bit longer than the .32 ACP, making the .32 appear squat by comparison.
Grain Weights
The larger diameter of the .32 ACP plays a role in the available bullet weights. With a wider diameter, the bullets in the .32 ACP can be heavier, although not by a significant margin. There is plenty of overlap, but the .32 ACP will pack larger, heavier bullets.
Market Conditions
The .32 ACP is not a rare cartridge by any means, but the .22 LR is one of the most readily available cartridges on the market. Defense-specific rounds may be harder to come by (although certainly not impossible), but you should have little trouble finding .22 rounds for a variety of purposes.
Ballistics Comparison: .22 LR vs. .32 ACP
Velocity
| Ammo | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 25-Yard Velocity |
|---|---|---|
| 22LR - Winchester 37-gr Silvertip | 1,060 | 1,011 |
| 32 ACP - Winchester 60-gr Silvertip | 970 | 930 |
| 22LR - Federal 29-gr Punch | 1,080 | N/A |
| 32 ACP - Federal 65-gr Hydra-Shok | 925 | 892 |
| 22LR - Blazer 40-gr LRN | 1,235 | N/A |
| 32 ACP - Blazer 71-gr FMJ | 900 | N/A |
For speed, 22 Long Rifle ammo is the faster round, even from pistol-length barrels. Although it doesn’t have blazing-fast velocities, the speed of the .22 LR is above 1,000 feet-per-second (fps). We even have one product in our little testing sample (the 40-grain from CCI) holding a muzzle velocity above 1,200 fps.
The .32 ACP failed to go above 1,000 fps in all three of the rounds we selected.
Energy
| Ammo | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | Energy at 25-Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 22LR - Winchester 37-gr Silvertip | 92 | 84 |
| 32 ACP - Winchester 60-gr Silvertip | 125 | 115 |
| 22LR - Federal 29-gr Punch | 75 | N/A |
| 32 ACP - Federal 65-gr Hydra-Shok | 123 | 115 |
| 22LR - Blazer 40-gr LRN | 135 | N/A |
| 32 ACP - Blazer 71-gr FMJ | 128 | N/A |
When discussing ammunition for personal protection, energy is more important than speed. Energy can make a large difference in how the bullet delivers damage to the target. That can impact whether or not you stop a threat immediately.
Neither of these rounds is considered a high-powered option, but the .32 ACP is, in general, considered the more powerful round. But as we can see from these results, the .22 LR actually holds its own against the .32. Two of the three head-to-head comparisons showed higher energy stats for the .32 ACP but the most powerful round in this sample was the 40-grain .22 LR from CCI. This may not be surprising, as this round was also the fastest; speed generally creates more energy.
Recoil?
The ideal ammunition will be powerful enough to stop a threat yet deliver a soft recoil that makes shooting comfortable and easy. With either of these rounds, recoil will not be an issue. Both deliver two of the softest kicks in the shooting industry.
The .22 LR is known for light recoil, which is why it’s the round of choice for learning to shoot with rifles and handguns. Many introductory handgun courses feature hands-on shooting with the .22. The .32 is not far behind; it too delivers a comfortable, manageable kick, although it’s a bit harder than the .22.
Recoil may be important, but most shooters will not select one or the other based solely on this factor.
Which One is “Best” for Personal Protection?
Honestly, the statistics for the .22 LR and the .32 ACP are closer than you may have expected, which makes choosing one or the other a bit more difficult. Overall, however, it’s safe to say that the .32 ACP is generally the more powerful and effective round for conceal carry and personal protection.
While many feel .32 ACP ammo is too weak to rely on, if you want a decent round that pairs with easy-to-conceal firearms, the .32 ACP is a fine choice. You won’t be shooting through car doors (nor should you), but you’ll have a weapon you can use for close-range critical situations. (We go in-depth covering 32 ACP for self-defense here.)
But .22 LR still has its uses. If you want a light pistol that can be concealed easily, something that provides a better-than-nothing means of defense, but also creates an available, affordable option for high-volume range shooting, the .22 suits you perfectly.
You Don’t Have to Overpay to Defend Yourself
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