Thoughts on .32ACP pocket pistols
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Old Dog
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Beretta Tomcat. Bit on the heavier side for pocket carry in lighter-weight trousers. But accurate, tip-up barrel a nice feature, plus a frame-mounted safety.
Sovblocgunfan
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I think North American Arms offers a .32 acp in their Guardian model. (Edited to add: never mind. Their .32 is a proprietary .32 bottleneck round.)
Then there is the PPK.
There are also several milsurp .32’s out there, as well as the oldies that arent made anymore.
The “Not Sure Why” premise was how I ended up with a CZ-70. Still not sure why.
Then there is the PPK.
There are also several milsurp .32’s out there, as well as the oldies that arent made anymore.
The “Not Sure Why” premise was how I ended up with a CZ-70. Still not sure why.
Dunross
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The KelTec P32 is one of my carry pistols.
It's not a target pistol or a regular range gun. It's for close range shooting out to about 7 yards max, but for that purpose it works well.
A decent pocket holster and it pretty well disappears. I like them a lot.
If you can find one of the 10 round extended mags it greatly improves controllability in my extra-large hand, albeit at the cost of taking up more pocket room.
The type of trousers you wear factors heavily into this. Jeans as a rule have smallish pockets. The khakis I favor have larger ones.
It's not a target pistol or a regular range gun. It's for close range shooting out to about 7 yards max, but for that purpose it works well.
A decent pocket holster and it pretty well disappears. I like them a lot.
If you can find one of the 10 round extended mags it greatly improves controllability in my extra-large hand, albeit at the cost of taking up more pocket room.
The type of trousers you wear factors heavily into this. Jeans as a rule have smallish pockets. The khakis I favor have larger ones.
wnycollector
Member
Another vote for the Kel-Tec P32. It's my warm weather pocket carry pistol. I use a sticky holster and a +1 extension on my mag. The P32 with 8+1 of Fiocchi FMJ weighs just 10 oz. It goes with me everywhere.
halfmoonclip
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Understand the .32 jones; have an assortment of older ones, plus a Scorpion.
I reload .32s to feed them, but they are range toys.
The KelTec .32 was a personal stop along the road for an EDC. There are more powerful alternatives that are the same size (P3AT/LCP).
There are some caveats. The .32 is semi-rimmed, and if incorrectly inserted in the magazine, it can cause rimlock. The powerful spring on, say, a PPK will (at least sometimes) override the rim lock; the less powerful spring on a locked-breech P3AT no so much, causing a stoppage.
Using shorter hollowpoints compounds the rimlock mischief; the NAA .32 used a blocked magazine, so that only hollowpoints would work. Between rimlock concerns and the round's low power, just use FMJ. It's harder, if not impossible, to get the longer FMJs stacked wrong in the mag.
Everyone in the USA wanted the bigger .380 version of, say, the Walther, so finding a .32 (the gun's original caliber, and much more pleasant to shoot) here can be challenging. New production in Ft. Smith is strictly .380.
Moon
I reload .32s to feed them, but they are range toys.
The KelTec .32 was a personal stop along the road for an EDC. There are more powerful alternatives that are the same size (P3AT/LCP).
There are some caveats. The .32 is semi-rimmed, and if incorrectly inserted in the magazine, it can cause rimlock. The powerful spring on, say, a PPK will (at least sometimes) override the rim lock; the less powerful spring on a locked-breech P3AT no so much, causing a stoppage.
Using shorter hollowpoints compounds the rimlock mischief; the NAA .32 used a blocked magazine, so that only hollowpoints would work. Between rimlock concerns and the round's low power, just use FMJ. It's harder, if not impossible, to get the longer FMJs stacked wrong in the mag.
Everyone in the USA wanted the bigger .380 version of, say, the Walther, so finding a .32 (the gun's original caliber, and much more pleasant to shoot) here can be challenging. New production in Ft. Smith is strictly .380.
Moon
I've had trouble with mine failing to completely eject. What ammo do you use?
Ohen Cepel
Member
I like the Kel tec for carry but don't skip the Seecamp for a bit more $$ and weight. Seecamp is a great little pistol.
They both go at the round a different way. Kel Tec prefers FMJ's while the Seecamp has a spacer in the mag to make it a HP only gun. Spacer can be removed, or you can put one in the Kel Tec if you like and want it to be HP focused and to address the possible rim lock issue.
I think FMJ's are the way to go with the .32 so that is what I stick with in the Kel Tec, plus saves me on the spacer hassle. Yes, there are more powerful options out there like the .380 but you give up ammo and gain weight.
I'm a pretty big Kel Tec .32 fan and think it is hard to beat if you want a light option, but there are trade offs with everything.
They both go at the round a different way. Kel Tec prefers FMJ's while the Seecamp has a spacer in the mag to make it a HP only gun. Spacer can be removed, or you can put one in the Kel Tec if you like and want it to be HP focused and to address the possible rim lock issue.
I think FMJ's are the way to go with the .32 so that is what I stick with in the Kel Tec, plus saves me on the spacer hassle. Yes, there are more powerful options out there like the .380 but you give up ammo and gain weight.
I'm a pretty big Kel Tec .32 fan and think it is hard to beat if you want a light option, but there are trade offs with everything.
Oldschool shooter
Member
I carry a 32 Seecamp as a backup. Mine was built in the 80s and it is a solid little pistol. I also have a Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. They must have had much bigger pockets back then. Fun gun to shoot, buta bit big to call a pocket gun, IMHO
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brutus51
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Took a look at a Berreta Tomcat yesterday, really liked the tip up barrel feature but the gun itself is bigger than my Colt pocket lite.
What appealed to me about the Seecamp was it's size, as mentioned it looked like it would fit perfectly in a pair of jeans.
What appealed to me about the Seecamp was it's size, as mentioned it looked like it would fit perfectly in a pair of jeans.
.455_Hunter
Member
The small frame Guardian is made in .32 acp and .25 NAA. The large frame Guardian is made in .380 and .32 NAA.
My .32 acp Guardian has given me over a decade of reliable service. I carry it with Fiocchi 73 gr FMJ and have no issues.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm a fan of the .32 ACP cartridge in pocket pistols and prefer FMJ ammo made by S&B or Fiocchi for them.
I owned a NAA Guardian in .32 ACP for something over a decade and still own a Taurus TCP732 in .32 ACP that I've had close to the same amount of time. I've resisted getting a KelTec P32 for that whole time, but I think I need to finally get one just because it's still being made.
I swear every time I see that pic of @Old Dog 's Tomcat, I'm tempted to get one. If only they made a double action only model with no safety lever, it'd be a done deal.
I owned a NAA Guardian in .32 ACP for something over a decade and still own a Taurus TCP732 in .32 ACP that I've had close to the same amount of time. I've resisted getting a KelTec P32 for that whole time, but I think I need to finally get one just because it's still being made.
I swear every time I see that pic of @Old Dog 's Tomcat, I'm tempted to get one. If only they made a double action only model with no safety lever, it'd be a done deal.
.455_Hunter
Member
Yes, and that is a problem why?
The words "pocket gun" and "light trigger" should NEVER be describing the same firearm.
berettaprofessor
Member
Do not buy a Tomcat! I love Beretta's but the Tomcats are a flawed design unless they're the titanium frame (which are pricey). Frames crack, heavy to carry, lots of issues. I've had two and finally gave them both up as impractical; when the manual restricts ammo use to certain power factors, you know you've got a marginal frame.
81's and 82's are okay for 32ACP, but big for pocket carry. Model 70's were better sized.
81's and 82's are okay for 32ACP, but big for pocket carry. Model 70's were better sized.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Some of us got into .32 ACP before the Ruger LCP and the pocket .380 tidal wave that followed. Sure, there was the KelTec before that and a sprinkling of others, but it is what it is.
I've always thought that if most pocket .380s could be also had in .32 ACP, they would make a credible option for those that are recoil sensitive. In particular, I was thinking of my wife and daughters. Beats having a pocket .22LR, IMO.
I'd buy at least two Ruger LCPs in .32 ACP right now, if Ruger made them.
I do have a pocket .380 as well and carry it the most. But, my wife sure ain't gonna shoot it.
The NAA and the Seecamp are true double action pistols like a DA revolver. Lot's of people carry pocket revolvers.
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Maybe I should have said NAA has an exceptionally heavy trigger pull.......to me.
tlynch
Member
They are a hoot to shoot. Make sure to seat the magazine fully.Would love to own a 1903 Pocket Hammerless but not for carry, just to have.
jar
Contributing Member
They are a great carry choice as well. I usually carry one on one of my shoulder holsters.Would love to own a 1903 Pocket Hammerless but not for carry, just to have.
Tallball
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To me the Kel-Tec P32 is the ultimate light, tiny pocket pistol. I have a half-dozen or so other 32acp pistols, but none are as easy to carry.
I don't carry 32acp for SD, so I actually carry my LCPII instead, but my P32 has been 100% reliable and it's noticeably lighter.
I paid around $150 for it used OTD a couple of years ago. That's a cheap price for an amusing range toy. I wish it had real sights, but I can still get decent groups at seven yards.
I don't carry 32acp for SD, so I actually carry my LCPII instead, but my P32 has been 100% reliable and it's noticeably lighter.
I paid around $150 for it used OTD a couple of years ago. That's a cheap price for an amusing range toy. I wish it had real sights, but I can still get decent groups at seven yards.
ozarkhillbilly
Member
"Do not buy a Tomcat! I love Beretta's but the Tomcats are a flawed design unless they're the titanium frame (which are pricey). Frames crack, heavy to carry, lots of issues."
Yes the slides due tend to crack at the end cross bar, but i have never heard of one braking and they still shoot fine. They like to be well lubricated and they are big for what they are but the size makes them easy to shoot. Mine shoots great with every ammo i have tried. I would not pay list price for one because i think they are over priced, but if you find a good deal on one i would not pass it up.
Yes the slides due tend to crack at the end cross bar, but i have never heard of one braking and they still shoot fine. They like to be well lubricated and they are big for what they are but the size makes them easy to shoot. Mine shoots great with every ammo i have tried. I would not pay list price for one because i think they are over priced, but if you find a good deal on one i would not pass it up.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Interesting tidbit within this video about .32 ACP pistols made (sold?) versus .380 ACP pistols made in the U.S.
Three .380 pistols made to each .32 pistol made in 2007.
Over one hundred .380 pistols made to each .32 pistol made in 2017.
Yet another interesting point made about ammo sales between the two at Lucky Gunner around the 11:50 mark.
Three .380 pistols made to each .32 pistol made in 2007.
Over one hundred .380 pistols made to each .32 pistol made in 2017.
Yet another interesting point made about ammo sales between the two at Lucky Gunner around the 11:50 mark.
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