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How about a Beretta "Cheetah" converted to .32 NAA?

C

Captain O

Elite
The .32 NAA is based on the .380 and runs at 1453 fps/287 fpe from a 4" test barrel. (25,700 psi). This would make the Beretta Cheetah a controllable but hot number.

Changing a barrel would get it done.

Comments? Opinions?
 
I gotta admit that I never heard of this cartridge until now. So I took a quick look around the internet. It does look interesting with impressive ballistics, but one article said in only got 6.5" penetration in ballistic gel.
Looks like its a non-starter. Currently no guns or ammo available that I can find.
Re-barreling a Beretta would likely require a custom made barrel. That could be quite expensive.
My opinion is forget it.
 
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Grayfox.

You take a .32 Beretta Cheetah barrel and ream it out. Simple. Brass can be obtained from Starline. You can also have resizing dies made. Problem solved.
People are looking for expansion. I am looking for penetration.

North American Arms is still making pistols.

1. Shot placement is king.
2. Penetration is queen.
3. Everything else is "angels dancing on the heads of pins".

73-grain bullets can be loaded to at least 1425 fps.

Works for me.
 
The 32NAA was an interesting cartridge primarily intended for their micro sized Guardian pistol. I dont think I ever saw any other pistols made for it. Im just guessing but I suspect there wound be a lot more involved than just reaming out the chamber. More power to you, if you can find a gunsmith to take on the project.

Is anyone still making factory 32Naa ammo?

I like the concept; but then I liked 357Sig and 7.62x25.

I dont mean to be the Blue Meany; but isnt 32Naa in the same wing of the hospital as 30 Super Carry? As in on life support until the family can say goodbye?
 
The .32 NAA can be made by resizing its parent case (the .380). This should make this an easy conversion. It doesn't take that much. The 4,500 psi increase over the maximum pressure for the .32 NAA over the max pressures for the .380.

Take that into consideration.
 
I wish to correct myself. Starline is NOT making .32 NAA brass. If there is a special request, they'll run off 100,000-500,000 brass.
 
Shooters are so intransigent. The .30 Super Carry is a wonderful cartridge. The .32 caliber is sublimely accurate, and the .30 SC is the self-loading version of the .327 Federal Magnum. (Yet another good idea that has declined, but shouldn't have.)
 
I remember the .32NAA
I frequently like quirky , interesting cartridges
I appreciate the concept of hot .32 's
And l can appreciate taking on unusual , very niche projects " just because " .

All that said , right now Shields in .30 Super Carry are being blown out dirt cheap , and the ammo / brass is still being made .
 
It would be an easy conversion.
I don't know the availability of the chamber reamer though.
Its best to use a lathe for the most of reaming that chamber, drilling most of the material first with a drill bit.

Another thing I don't know, how interchangeable are those Beretta parts?

You can get or could get Dies from Ch4d.
But if you really wanted to, probably can use a number of regular sets.
The 380 set to size the body.
32 acp to size the neck.

Any more of this, (can't do err need a gun smiff) talk and you'll force me to build a Cz82 in 32naa.

I already converted a cz82 to 32 acp.
15rnd 32 acp magazine
Now those 32 parts are scarce and obtaining them might be an issue now.
There was certainly a difference in barrel diameter with needing a bushing for in the slide.

But is it worth it?
That's something you would have to decide.
Lot of headaches involved.
 
The .380 is "okay", but it lacks the power for decent penetration. However, properly loaded (with the right propellants), the .32 NAA is easily sourced through resizing and trimming brass. It isn't rocket science.

  1. The penetration factor is not to be dismissed.
  2. A 73-grain JHP will have the desired expansion, yet penetrate as well.
This is the general premise for this conversion.
 
The .32 ACP works well with the 73-grain Fiocchi FMJ ammunition. The 4" barrel is where the penetrative power of JMB's original 1899 cartridge shines. It trucks right through a person, poking a hole as it passes through. More frontal area/mass isn't always better.

A CZ82 converted to .32 NAA, oddly enough, makes sense.
 
Well it was a Century throw together and didn't shoot well.
It made sense to modify it.
So I own the modded one, a near new cz83 nickle in 380 and a nice cz82 in mak.
 
meistermash said:
Going to try it on your Thunder 32?
Click to expand...
No. If I wanted to do this, I'd buy another CZ82 and replace the current barrel with a barrel properly chambered for the cartridge.
You can also buy a Bersa Thunder .380 and have that barrel replaced with one chambered for the .32 NAA cartridge. This would be a cost-effective alteration.
 
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