Obviously, a caliber war is not going to exist between the .32 ACP, aka 7.65 Browning firing a FMJ round and the .40 S&W firing a hollow point that penetrates sufficiently.
I noticed European loads such as Sellier and Bellot, Fiocchi, and Geco are loaded hotter than say Remington. Sellier and Bellot claim 175 ft/lbs of energy. The other two claim 160 ft/lbs of energy. I think those figures are out of a 4" barrel. I saw a video of S&B .32 ammo through a 2.7" barrel Keltec penetrate almost 14" of ballstic gel. Velocity was 875 fps. I guess the same ammo through a 3.5" or 4" barrel would penetrate 2 or 3 inches further. Less assume the longer barrel for the question.
Needless to say, there are .40 S&W hollow point rounds that will penetrate 16" or 17" in gel and expand.
All that said, just how much better is the .40 S&W hollow point at ending a threat against a bad guy? Assume all other things are equal like ability to place a good shot. Again, less assume the .32 pistol being used has a 3.5" or 4" barrel and is firing European spec ammo as mentioned above.
I noticed European loads such as Sellier and Bellot, Fiocchi, and Geco are loaded hotter than say Remington. Sellier and Bellot claim 175 ft/lbs of energy. The other two claim 160 ft/lbs of energy. I think those figures are out of a 4" barrel. I saw a video of S&B .32 ammo through a 2.7" barrel Keltec penetrate almost 14" of ballstic gel. Velocity was 875 fps. I guess the same ammo through a 3.5" or 4" barrel would penetrate 2 or 3 inches further. Less assume the longer barrel for the question.
Needless to say, there are .40 S&W hollow point rounds that will penetrate 16" or 17" in gel and expand.
All that said, just how much better is the .40 S&W hollow point at ending a threat against a bad guy? Assume all other things are equal like ability to place a good shot. Again, less assume the .32 pistol being used has a 3.5" or 4" barrel and is firing European spec ammo as mentioned above.