7.65/.32acp: Which Ones???

[Redcoat330]

I've got a semi-decent 7.65 FEG-made "Hege Waffen" PA66. It needs some company. (It also needs a rebluing or ceracote...mechanically it's flawless....appearance-wise, not so much.)So I'm looking again...and wondering which I should be focusing on. Walthers, Manurhins, Sigs, etc. are a bit too spendy for my budget for this kind of gun. It'll be a range toy....I carry either a Shield in 9 or .45 or a Sig 245 or M&P .45 2.0.So what should I be looking at in terms of value, reliability, safety, shootability?I did a quick cruise though Gunbroker...and I'm wondering should I be considering such as: Tanfoglio, Ortgies, Savage, the CZ 50/70s, or what have you. I won't be thinking of a .380 as it's hard to beat my wife's Shield 380ez or my Sig 250 380)So what's good out there? Anyone have some experiences with these they'd like to share. (Note: I will be looking at all the higher priced guns and hoping for a "steal," but I'd like to take a look at stuff under $400 (well under!!).

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[raftman]

I think right now the best .32's you can get for well under $400 are both Eastern European surplus police pistols. Specifically the Zastava model 70 and the CZ-50 or CZ-70.

The Zastava is basically a scaled-down Tokarev (although using blowback action instead of a locked breech) whereas the CZ is somewhat similar to the Walther PP. Both are all steel, durable, reliable designs and currently available for around $250.

 

[Ownerus]

A couple or 3 decades ago, some nice retired German police Walther PP's in .32 acp were brought in. Probably still a few wandering around on the used market.

 

[taroman]

When they were available as cheap C&Rs, the little CZs were great value.
All they needed were some new (lighter) springs.

 

[SUPER X]

I've got a semi-decent 7.65 FEG-made "Hege Waffen" PA66. It needs some company. (It also needs a rebluing or ceracote...mechanically it's flawless....appearance-wise, not so much.)So I'm looking again...and wondering which I should be focusing on. Walthers, Manurhins, Sigs, etc. are a bit too spendy for my budget for this kind of gun. It'll be a range toy....I carry either a Shield in 9 or .45 or a Sig 245 or M&P .45 2.0.So what should I be looking at in terms of value, reliability, safety, shootability?I did a quick cruise though Gunbroker...and I'm wondering should I be considering such as: Tanfoglio, Ortgies, Savage, the CZ 50/70s, or what have you. I won't be thinking of a .380 as it's hard to beat my wife's Shield 380ez or my Sig 250 380)So what's good out there? Anyone have some experiences with these they'd like to share. (Note: I will be looking at all the higher priced guns and hoping for a "steal," but I'd like to take a look at stuff under $400 (well under!!).

The Ortgies is a nice slim reliable unit , but had to find parts for .I like the back strap safety and the point ability . It is alot like a John Browning creation. .If you get one buy extra firing pins. I would go with the zastava m70 32 acp Everything zastava makes is solid and built to last.

 

[raftman]

Occasionally you'll find Colt 1903's for under $400 as well, though these won't be the most pristine examples. Definitely one of the nicest .32's of all time.

 

[Medic!]

I think the 1903 is the best looking hand gun ever made.

Not as nice looking. But still great little guns, are the Savage model 1907's.

 

[Certaindeaf]

 

[ZigZagZeke]

I think the 1903 is the best looking hand gun ever made.

Not as nice looking. But still great little guns, are the Savage model 1907's.

Like this?

 

[Medic!]

Like this?
View attachment 470037

Yes!

 

[Ownerus]

I agree the Colt Pocket Hammerless is about the prettiest pocket pistol. BUT, neck and neck with it is the Remington Model 51. Made in .380 and .32.

And a Glock for comparison.

 

[Medic!]

I agree the Colt Pocket Hammerless is about the prettiest pocket pistol. BUT, neck and neck with it is the Remington Model 51. Made in .380 and .32.

And a Glock for comparison.

View attachment 470097 View attachment 470099

Always thought the 51 was a butherface.

 

[Redcoat330]

Many thanks to all who offered their expertise, experience, and opinions on which .32acp to look for.

I put an ad in the WA Armslist and got a response....a choice of a Colt 1903 for $450 or Mauser 1914 for $350. With all the advice I got I was over the Colt like a cold sweat.

Picked it up today and it's in great shape for a 100 year old gun (it was made in 1918).

Paid $400 and I'll have it to the range tomorrow or Wednesday. What a sweet little gun. Comfortable, fills the hand even for its size, bore is in good+ shape and while there's no real bluing left the finish is much better than the pictures kinda show.

Again, thanks to all who made suggestions, sort of....there were a couple of guys really behind the Savage 1907 (and I got some suggestions for a Beretta model 70), now I'll be looking for one of those!

 

[SynapticSilence]

The Ortgies is a nice slim reliable unit , but had to find parts for .I like the back strap safety and the point ability . It is alot like a John Browning creation. .If you get one buy extra firing pins. I would go with the zastava m70 32 acp Everything zastava makes is solid and built to last.

I love my Ortgies .32. I lucked out and got one that looked like it just shipped from the factory. I'd desperately like to find a .380 barrel for it, but it looks like they're all off the market now. Great firearms for their time.

 

[CountryGent]

I went a little gonzo with this particular .32 ACP (SBRed and suppressed vz61) ...



OK, more seriously, we've had good luck with the Kel-Tec P32 and Tomcat 3032 for pocket pieces. Both of those would be around the four C-note zone you're looking at. I really like the PPK/S, though ours is in .380 ACP, and I don't think an original can a had at that rate though.

Beyond that, while I have no experience with them, AIM Surplus has Zastava 70 for less than three bills.

Cheers.

 

[SynapticSilence]

Always thought the 51 was a butherface.

I have a pristine model made around 1920 or so. Shoots like a dream.

 

[SynapticSilence]

I went a little gonzo with this particular .32 ACP (SBRed and suppressed vz61) ...

View attachment 490349

OK, more seriously, we've had good luck with the Kel-Tec P32 and Tomcat 3032 for pocket pieces. Both of those would be around the four C-note zone you're looking at. I really like the PPK/S, though ours is in .380 ACP, and I don't think an original can a had at that rate though.

Beyond that, while I have no experience with them, AIM Surplus has Zastava 70 for less than three bills.

Cheers.

My wife has a Tomcat with the new wider slide they added to prevent frame cracking. Nice little pistol, especially the tip up barrel feature