Rifleman Q & A: 7.65 mm Or .32 ACP?

by
posted on December 13, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
765.jpg

Q: I have a German 7.65 mm Browning-chambered Ortgies semi-automatic pistol, and when using .32 ACP cartridges (as local dealers recommend) it tends to jam after shooting three to five rounds. The jamming appears to be at the time of ejection of a spent case. My question is: Are .32 ACP cartridges really the same as 7.65 mm Browning or is there a slight difference? If so, where can I purchase 7.65 mm ammunition, as no one locally supplies true 7.65 mm, and places like Sportsman’s Guide or Cabela’s, etc., don’t handle that exact cartridge either?

A: While the .32 ACP and 7.65 mm Browning cartridges are dimensionally identical, some early European ammunition was loaded to slightly higher pressures, which can cause a problem similar to yours. The best way to address that is at the gun. First, I would make sure it is clean and well-lubricated. Then, if the problem persists, contact Wolff Gunsprings at (800) 545-0077 or at gunsprings.com. The company is very knowledgeable and should be able to suggest a reduced-power mainspring.

—Charles E. Petty

Latest

Chuck Yeager’s Beretta Model 1935 pistol
Chuck Yeager’s Beretta Model 1935 pistol

Take a Safe Queen to the Range

With few exceptions, there’s no reason not to shoot your classic firearm periodically.

9 New 1911s & 2011s for 2026

There is a host of new 1911s and 2011s available to today's handgun enthusiasts, with each design bringing a unique feature set to the table.

Wyoming Breaks Ground on State Shooting Sports Complex

Wyoming state officials were on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony for the state's new shooting complex, which is expected to open in mid-2027.

Beretta Holding and Ruger Agree to Partnership

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. and Beretta Holding S.A. have announced that both companies are entering into a strategic cooperation agreement.

Return of the Encore: T/C Arms Brings Back Its Iconic Single-Shot

In 2024, former owner Gregg Ritz purchased Thompson/Center Arms. Now the company has introduced a modern take on its classic Contender/Encore concept: the ENCORE PROHunter.

7 New ARs for 2026

While it's certainly a saturated marketplace these days, the AR-15 has never been more popular with American firearm enthusiasts, and many manufacturers are continuing to feed the need with new options loaded with new features.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.