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

muzzle blast
muzzle blast

Here for the Boom: How I Learned to Love the Big-Bores

A fear of recoil can turn into a longing for more kick. The author is proof of that.

Steiner Optics Debuts Overwatch Program to Support First Responders

With its new Overwatch Program, Steiner Optics now offers special pricing on select products for qualified military members, law-enforcement officers, first responders, corrections personnel and court officials.

Review: Taurus RPC

Taurus’s RPC brings a large-format pistol to the company’s lineup of revolvers and affordable semi-automatic pistols.

Old Meets New: The Springfield Armory Kuna Tri-Lug and .40 S&W Models

The iconic tri-lug muzzle of the H&K MP5 is now available on the Springfield Armory Kuna, allowing it to more closely match the original HS Produkt design while also allowing for easy mounting of suppressors.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 7, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: High Desert Cartridge Company Ammunition

Ammunition brands like High Desert Cartridge may not be as well-known as larger makers, but they can still offer excellent bang for your buck.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.