Who Carries .32 ACP? as BUG or?

[Outpost75]

The .32 ACP mouseguns like the Keltec P32 and Beretta Tomcat remain popular as a minimalist BUG. I carried Beretta Tomcats as backup or NPE for years, but found they would not stand up to heavy training use with the most effective Euro-CIP ammo.

My original blued version failed due to frame cracking above the trigger pivot after about 500 rounds of RWS 73-grain FMJ. Accokeek replaced it with a Model 3032 INOX heavy slide version which was supposed to mitigate the frame cracking issue. That gun was better, but failed in the same manner and also cracked at the barrel hinge pin after about 2000 rounds of Euro 73-77 grain FMJ of various brands, Geco, RWS, S-B, Hirtenberg, Norma. Beretta would not replace it because they said my "high volume use" of Euro-CIP ammo constituted " abuse".

I sold the Beretta and spare mags as gunsmith parts. I used the proceeds to replace it with an original version Ruger LCP DAO. I have carried that as BUG and NPE for over ten years. It has run over 2000 rounds of Winchester 95-grain FMJ flatnose with no issues. I standardized on that ammo based upon recommendation of a DEA-Quantico instructor I have known for years.It has a good field record.

I prefer FMJ in mouseguns because few JHP loads expand from barrels shorter than 3 inches. Those which are constructed fragile enough to do so usually fail to provide adequate penetration.

The only .32 ACP I occasionally carry in my bibs now retired, when I want something with less bulge than a .38 snubby is a WW2-era steel frame Beretta M1935 loaded with Euro heavy ball.

If you carried a .32 in the past or currently do, please share your experiences. A .32 ACP is NOT your first choice for sure, but any gun is better than no gun and a .32 in the pocket for fun beats the .45 left locked in the car console because it was inconvenient....

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[ma96782]

View: https://youtu.be/tU98uP7pXA8?si=z_8jdxkY44ZVoxbB


BUT, But, but..... I carry a Kel Tec P-32.
Mostly because the weight of a Walther would pull my pants down.

Aloha, Mark

PS.......

View: https://youtu.be/PrLcxqWsM94?si=OipGG12xMmgQv4OA


Me too.
I carry my P-32 (with FMJs) more than I actually shoot it.

 

[Outpost75]

View: https://youtu.be/tU98uP7pXA8?si=z_8jdxkY44ZVoxbB


BUT, But, but..... I carry a Kel Tec P-32.
Mostly because the weight of a Walther would pull my pants down.

Aloha, Mark

Understood. Many people do.
What ammo do you carry?
Have you shot it much?
Any idea of round count?
Do you find it difficult to shoot accurately beyond 20 feet or so? Inquiring minds would like to know.

 

[ma96782]

It's been so long that.....I guess I have to take it shooting again really soon.

Round count? I don't really care. My pistol is a USED firearm. And so is a lot of my firearms collection.

As for a particular brand of ammo? I haven't given THAT SUBJECT much deep thought. I just figured/hope that .....the FMJs will be enough. Since it's all about "compromise" and after all, I'm carrying a .32 acp. Not to mention, "bullet placement and luck"........blah, blah......

Aloha, Mark

 

[thorborg]

The pistols you first mentioned have their purpose for the pocket, and could last a life time with care and still be safe and reliable.
I have use both on and off.
But added to the rest of the post, I endeavored to try hard not to visualize entering a Geo metro in the Baja 1000.

I prefer Lehigh over FMJ for SD. Stemming from my Levi draped over a deer's neck at 6 feet trials one hunting season.
Although technically, it is, a FMJ, though with a square drive screwdriver head, but makes a better mess than the standard FMJ.

 

[ma96782]

Well, you made me do it......I took a range trip this morning and found "problems" with my Kel Tac P-32.


I found some old ammo that I had gotten from someone/somewhere.


I have no idea how many grains the bullet actually is. I'll guess.... it's about 73 grains.


I was not impressed.


It's about a 6" black.
6 o'clock hold and again at a 12 o'clock hold. Even at 21 feet. Dammm.....I can't even see the sights clearly. Not to mention the "problem" with the trigger.


I also tried some old Remington FMJ stuff. It was a little bit better. IMHO.


Sort of center hold. LOL.


BUT.....the trigger problem persisted. Altogether, fewer than 100 rounds in total. Ouch.....my finger hurts. It wasn't a fun day for me.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Juniper9mm]

Yes, a Seecamp .32 for light carry when the PPK, or level up G19 are ill suited for dress.

 

[Outpost75]

Yes, a Seecamp .32 for light carry when the PPK, or level up G19 are ill suited for dress.

Which ammo do you use in your Seecamp?

My understanding is that magazine length was dimensioned for the 60-grain Winchester Silvertip, which is no longer loaded. I am told the Speer GD and Hornady CD 60-65 grain JHPs are short enough and I am also told the Buffalo Bore 75-grain is too, but rounds shorter than 0.95 are subject to rimlock and are Jam-O-Matic in my Beretta M1935. Just curious.

 

[Outpost75]

Well, you made me do it......I took a range trip this morning and found "problems" with my Kel Tac P-32.

View attachment 2155044
I found some old ammo that I had gotten from someone/somewhere.

View attachment 2155055
I have no idea how many grains the bullet actually is. I'll guess.... it's about 73 grains.

View attachment 2155045
I was not impressed.

View attachment 2155048
It's about a 6" black.
6 o'clock hold and again at a 12 o'clock hold. Even at 21 feet. Dammm.....I can't even see the sights clearly. Not to mention the "problem" with the trigger.

View attachment 2155052
I also tried some old Remington FMJ stuff. It was a little bit better. IMHO.

View attachment 2155062
Sort of center hold. LOL.

View attachment 2155053
BUT.....the trigger problem persisted. It wasn't a fun day for me.

Aloha, Mark

Velocity is typical for US ammo fired l in a short barrel. Watching Gun Sam's videos on You Tube even at low velocities FMJ penetrates well. From the short barrel it often tumbles on impact, increasing lethality.

 

[Juniper9mm]

Which ammo do you use in your Seecamp?

My understanding is that magazine length was dimensioned for the 60-grain Winchester Silvertip, which I am notvsure is still loaded. Some other current 60-85 grain JHPs are short enough and I am told the Buffalo Bore 75-grain is. Just curious.

Yeah, Speer Gold Dot - Personal Protection 60 gr GDHP has been a go to since Win Silvertip left the stage.

 

[Alexx1401]

Bought a couple of the KT's in .32 back when you had to get on a waiting list to get them. The one Wife carried for many years I still use when home for the night. When I am wearing sweat pants to watch TV I drop it in pocket as I can carry it with no holster. I have LONG used ball ammo for my .32's and .380's. Figuring I want the weak rounds to drill as deep as possible if I have to depend on them. Still have an old Beretta .32 that Wife had a short time. She soon gave up on it as its so heavy for such a mouse gun. Dream to shoot due to that weight. So its now one of the hidden guns for just in case. I REALLY wish Ruger would run the LCPII in .32. Does not look like its going to happen though. Be a perfect little gun for people like my Wife.

 

[1911Fanatic]

The .32 ACP mouseguns like the Keltec P32 and Beretta Tomcat remain popular as a minimalist BUG. I carried Beretta Tomcats as backup or NPE for years, but found they would not stand up to heavy training use with the most effective Euro-CIP ammo.

My original blued version failed due to frame cracking above the trigger pivot after about 500 rounds of RWS 73-grain FMJ. Accokeek replaced it with a Model 3032 INOX heavy slide version which was supposed to mitigate the frame cracking issue. That gun was better, but failed in the same manner and also cracked at the barrel hinge pin after about 2000 rounds of Euro 73-77 grain FMJ of various brands, Geco, RWS, S-B, Hirtenberg, Norma. Beretta would not replace it because they said my "high volume use" of Euro-CIP ammo constituted " abuse".

I sold the Beretta and spare mags as gunsmith parts. I used the proceeds to replace it with an original version Ruger LCP DAO. I have carried that as BUG and NPE for over ten years. It has run over 2000 rounds of Winchester 95-grain FMJ flatnose with no issues. I standardized on that ammo based upon recommendation of a DEA-Quantico instructor I have known for years.It has a good field record.

I prefer FMJ in mouseguns because few JHP loads expand from barrels shorter than 3 inches. Those which are constructed fragile enough to do so usually fail to provide adequate penetration.

The only .32 ACP I occasionally carry in my bibs now retired, when I want something with less bulge than a .38 snubby is a WW2-era steel frame Beretta M1935 loaded with Euro heavy ball.

If you carried a .32 in the past or currently do, please share your experiences. A .32 ACP is NOT your first choice for sure, but any gun is better than no gun and a .32 in the pocket for fun beats the .45 left locked in the car console because it was inconvenient....

My son carry's a Walther PP in 7.65….he's willing to pack it day in and day out because it;'s so small and very concealable. He also has a 380 PPK that is stainless and carries that sometime. I want to get a PP in 32 myself. I would trust a Walther in 32 before I would trust a Beretta Tomcat. Much more reliable.

I had a PP that was a German Police trade in. Carried it for years. Now, My current carry pieces are much larger guns. I have a P365 to use with summer clothing and a Glock 19X and Ruger RXM, plus several 911's. I even have a 357 mag revolver.

 

[dangerranger60]

I have a few 32cal carry guns. I am pretty comfortable with them and their performance. I will say this there is a world of difference between a 32 fired from a 1 or 2" barrel and a 32 fired from a 3 to 4" barrel.
the other thing is I only use Euro spec ammo SAAMI spec has a 71 gr bullet traveling at 950 fps where Euro spec has that same bullet going just over 1000 fps. when you are talking small margins that's a lot.
My favorite 32 cal guns are a Beretta 70, a Walther PP, and a Colt model M. All of them shoot S&B ammo [Euro Spec] like they were made for it! And they use Hornaday Critical Defense bullets in their defensive line. from a 3 to 4" Barrel all will easily pass the 12" of penetration. and the solids will drive deeper than that. but none of these are tiny guns. All were designed for police use.
The only reason I no longer carry any of them is Ca laws. not because I don't think I could defend myself with one. DR

 

[CountryGent]

Though relatively rare for of us now, both yours-truly and my better half have carried .32 ACPs for deep concealment. Mine a KelTec P32 (with extended magazine) and here's a Beretta 3032. I, essentially, never carry that one any more having moved on to other options, but retained it; it runs flawlessly and it just isn't worth the time to sell off. Wife carries the Tomcat more often. (Beyond that, we have a couple vz61 Škorpions in .32 ACP, but those aren't BUGs. One is SBRed, for the matter.)

 

[Outpost75]

BIG difference in .32 ACP velocity between a Beretta Tomcat and the M1935. You would not think one inch of additional barrel length would matter this much! These data from The Fouling Shot No.246 of March-April 2017:
.........................Tomcat 2.4".............M1935 3.4"
Geco 73 FMJ - 907 fps 14 Sd........977 fps 11 Sd
RWS 73 FMJ - 896 fps 29 Sd........981 fps 16 Sd
Fiocchi 73 FMJ- 848 fps 32 Sd......917 fps 11 Sd
Buffalo Bore 75LFN- 883 fps 6 Sd...997 fps 7 Sd
R-P 71 FMJ - 822 fps 29 Sd...........901 fps 17 Sd
W-W 71 FMJ - 846 fps 24 Sd.........957 fps 18 Sd

 

[BillM]

Carried a P32 for years, loaded with Silvertips. Right front pocket in a DeSantis Nemisis holster. Wife was carrying a 3032 at the time. One day at the range I said "here, try mine"--and the P32 became hers. Current mousegun is a first gen LCP in a Alabama Holster Company kydex pocket holster.

 

[titsonritz]

Yes, a Seecamp .32 for light carry when the PPK, or level up G19 are ill suited for dress.

I've always wanted a Seecamp, made mistake of buying the NAA knock-off instead.

 

[Outpost75]

I've always wanted a Seecamp, made mistake of buying the NAA knock-off instead.

What were the issues with the NAA?

 

[titsonritz]

What were the issues with the NAA?

The Browning style mag release over the Euro heel style was the biggest mistake and the "improved" sights still sucked at everything except snagging on the pocket.

 

[gmerkt]

failed in the same manner and also cracked at the barrel hinge pin after about 2000 rounds of Euro 73-77 grain FMJ of various brands

It seems unlikely that most such guns will see this kind of round count. Most will see round counts of a few hundred at most, I'm guessing.