The .32 NAA Conversion for the Makarov Pistol

What is the .32 NAA ?

At the 2002 NRA Convention in Reno NV, the partnership of North American Arms (NAA) and Cor-Bon Ammunition introduced the .32NAA, a new cartridge and gun combination designed for the law enforcement (backup) and personal protection markets.  “As the only caliber to exceed 1000 f.p.s. from a pocket pistol, we expect the .32NAA to attract some attention,” said Sandy Chisholm, NAA’s president.  When asked about production plans and availability, Chisholm responded that both firms had already begun production and shipments to distributors from both factories were scheduled for the first week of May 2002.

The .32NAA was built from the foundation of an ordinary .380ACP case, necked-down to house a .32 caliber bullet.  Behind the neck, all case dimensions and configurations, including the extractor groove, rimless case, cartridge diameter and bolt face engagement are identical to the .380ACP.  Cor-Bon determined that a headspace on the shoulder allowed a solid crimp on the bullet, reducing the possibility of the bullet pushing into the case from recoil and chambering.  After finalizing a case design which maximized case capacity of the cartridge as well as allowing sufficient case neck so that a bullet would be held securely, Cor-Bon spent several months testing a wide variety of bullets of different weights and configurations, finally settling upon a proprietary design from Hornady.  The platform for this new system is the existent .380ACP Guardian, appropriately bored and chambered for this cartridge – no other mechanical changes were found necessary. (above information curtursy of the NAA and Corbon Websites)

Makarov.com and North American Arms begain working on the Makarov conversion barrels for this hot little round, with some ground work done by North American Arms, in Feb of 2003 at the 2003 Shot Show in Orlando Fla.

The two completed Makarov pistols shown below were assembled by George Fisher, and included a custom built two tone 8rd Makarov with a stock length barrel, and a stock Russian IJ70-17AH (originally .380 ACP, Hi Cap) that only had the barrel changed out, and a new recoil spring installed.

Custom .32 NAA Makarov (Left), IJ70-17AH converted to .32 NAA (center), Muzzle view comparison of .32 NAA and 9x18 Makarov Barrels (right)

The original factory ammunition, for testing, was provided by CorBon, by way of Ken Friel of North American Arms, and consisted of a 60 JHP at a quoted 1200 fps out of the cartridges orginal pistol, the North American Arms Guardian.

Makarov Preformance Overview

First off, I gotta say, this setup performs much better than I could have hoped for. After a few rounds to figure out the proper recoil spring weight, both pistols worked flawlessly, feeding and ejecting without a hitch. Due to the limited ammo available for Testing, the data is not as extenstive as I would have liked (and it was a ball shooting it) but that will change when the next batch of ammo arrives, along with some handload data when the Dies arrive.

The recoil is not as stout as the Makarov in 9x18, more like a .380 ACP recoil, however the muzzle blast and flash were more along the lines of a tame CZ-52. Accuracy was good considering the limited amount of shooting we got to do today, with Karl turning in the best group with 5rds in a nice 3 1/2 inch group fired @ 7yds.

Later testing turned up groups as small as 2 inches at 15yds (I think the barrel needed a few rounds to break in)

The Velocity champ was the Extreme Shock 60 gr "Fang Face" load, which clocked an outstanding 1817 fps from the extended length Makarov barrel.

Below is a chart of various test results:

Other tests preformed with the .32 NAA Corbon 60gr JHP:
Penatration of water was about 14 inches, with Total Expansion of the bullet. (see pic)
Penatration of 3/4 Plywood with a pine 2x4 backing, Total penatration of both.
.32 NAA one gallon water jug shoot, download the video clip !

.32 NAA Video in RM format - .32 NAA video in .mpg format - .32 NAA video in .mov format

The Conversion Process, How hard is it ?

Changing the barrel on the Makarov is a fairly simple and straight foreward process. See the online website for more info on this process. There are a few changes that are made when installing the .32 NAA Conversion barrels, due to the smaller bore diameter. The removel process is the same, but the normal practice upon installing the new barrel is to use a threaded rod through the center of the barrel to pull the new barrel in place. There has been some discussion in the past if this practice would damage or mark the rifling. George Fisher of Makarov.com devised a way to use the standard barrel press to push the new barrel in place, without use of any tooling intruding into the chamber or rifling of the new barrel.

The Barrel press is reversed and a spacer block is used between the rear of the barrel and the muzzle block, and the nuts tighten down evenly to push the new barrel in place. See Picture. This process can also be used with any caliber Makarov barrel. A standard socket can be used as the spacer, or one will be included with purchase of the .32 NAA barrels upon request. Once the new barrel is installed, the barrel pin hole must be drilled with a #31 drill bit (available below), and can be done with a standard hand drill.

All other parts of the Makarov remain the same, including the extractor and Magazines.

Handloading the .32 NAA:

Reloading Dies

Currently reloading dies for the .32 NAA are being custom made by CH Tooling & Dies, and will be available through Makarov.com (see item listing below)

Brass

Once fired brass can be used for reloads of course, and is the best choice for the proper headstamp. The good news is that since the .32 NAA is just a necked down .380 ACP case, brass can be made by just lubing .380 ACP brass and running it through the .32 NAA sizing die. Use of new brass is recomended for this, unless you know the history of the used brass you have on hand.

Bullet Selection

Just about any bullet suitable for reloading the .32 ACP will work for the .32 NAA. These include the popular 60 grain Jacketed Hollow Points, the 71 grain FMJ, 76 grain FMJ, and various cast bullets in the same bullet weight range.

Reloading Data - < coming Soon >

.32 NAA Barrels and Accessories (Please note, the barrels are in limited production now, and should start shipping in late June, 2003 at the latest. We are currently accepting pre-Orders for the barrels, but your Card will not be charged, or check or MO cashed until your barrel ships.)

Stainless Steel .32 NAA Makarov Stock Length barrel, with Wolff recoil spring	$65.00
Stainless Steel .32 NAA Makarov 4.2 inch Extended barrel, with Wolff recoil spring	$65.00
Stainless Steel .32 NAA Makarov Extended and Threaded (1/2-32 tpi) barrel with Wolff recoil spring (special order, please allow an extra 10 days shipping time)	$70.00
Match Grade .32 NAA Stock length barrel, blued steel, made by Lother Walther, includes Wolff recoil spring	$80.00	< coming soon >
Replacement 17# Wolff recoil spring for all .32 NAA Makarov barrels	$9.00
Makarov replacement barrel pin	$2.50
Makarov Barrel Press	$34.00
Number 31 HSS Drill Bit, for drilling the barrel pin hole in Makarov barrels	$3.00
Custom .32 NAA Steel reloading 3-Die set		< coming soon >
.380 ACP brass, new unprimed, per 200	$25.00
.380 ACP Nickel brass, new unprimed, per 200	$28.00
Hornady .32 XTP 60 grain Jacketed Hollow Point Bullets, box of 100 (projectiles for reloading, not loaded ammo) .32 ACP, .32 NAA, 7.62x25,  or .30 caliber rifle, per 100	$14.00
Speer .32 Gold Dot 60 grain Jacketed Hollow Point Bullets, box of 100 (projectiles for reloading, not loaded ammo) .32 ACP, .32 NAA, 7.62x25,  or .30 caliber rifle, per 100	$14.00
71 gr FMJ .30-caliber bullets, suggested use for .32 ACP, .32 NAA, 7.62x25,  or .30 caliber rifle, per 100	$10.00