What ammo for 32 ACP

I would stick to FMJ in 32 to avoid issues with rim lock. It should penetrate more reliably too.

Having had (and still have) both the P-32 and P3AT, I'd recommend the latter, as being of the same physical size and in the more effective .380 caliber. There are a number of fairly good self-defense rounds available in both .32 and .380, and, FWIW, I have used Silvertips in the .32 and Federal Hydra-shok in the .380, though you can find comparative studies on various types and decide for yourself. FMJ loads have the advantage of penetration, but not good stopping effect, with larger being better, and neither of these rounds are good critter stoppers (neither are some of the larger caliber FMJ types). Also, I don't know what 'rim lock' is, and have never experienced feeding or functional problems with either round, though the .32 is semi-rimmed, and the .380 is rimless.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

When deciding on my pocket-pistol choice, I chose the P32 over the P3-AT for three reasons: lighter handling and recoil, which allows for faster follow-up, a last shot slide-lock, and an extra round in capacity. I bought my P32 in June of 2011, and have pretty much always had it with me since.

Initially, I loaded it with Winchester flat-nosed FMJ because that was what was readily available locally. However, I did have an incident of rimlock the first time I had the gun at the range (the day I got it.) Rimlock can happen with the .32 round, especially in an unmodified Kel-Tec magazine, when the rim of a round gets caught behind the rim of the round beneath it. This is rare, especially if care is exercised when loading the magazine, but it will lock up your magazine if it does happen. It's a possibility because the magazine is long enough front-to-rear to allow the rounds to shuffle slightly if they are shorter.

For that reason, I switched to "full-length" .32 FMJ ammunition. The European loads seem a tick hotter, so I use either Sellier & Bellot or Fiocchi ammunition. One could always choose JHP ammunition (the Fiocchi Extrema 60-grain JHP is highly respected) for the chamber and #2 rounds (first one up in the magazine), followed by FMJ, but I have not done so. I did just purchase some JHP Fiocchi ammunition, but it's for my Seecamp pistol, which will not accept full-length rounds.

FMJ ammunition is known to be perfectly capable of meeting, or even exceeding, the penetration standards most shooters desire in a self-defense application. When HP ammunition in these smaller calibers expands, it often fails to penetrate quite as far. Incidentally, you're asking in February, during a time in which heavier clothing worn by an assailant may be a concern; penetration will be key.

Ultimately, your choice will be largely dependent on what you can afford to test sufficiently, source readily, and can score effective shot placement with. For how self-defense shooting incidents typically play out, I'm comfortable with my decision to stick with a known load using FMJ bullets. I carry the P32 in a pocket (using a DeSantis pocket holster) with its seven-round magazine in place, an eighth (okay, first?) round in the chamber, and a spare, ten-round magazine in my jeans watch pocket, hidden behind my cellphone case.

Fiocchi or S&B FMJ. The S&B can have hard primers in some guns. Here is some testing with a P-32...

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32ACP

and in video form...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BMAJ6BAgCEBE&usg=AOvVaw3oqPxW1yre_VfYEYueAUEN

With a small cartridge out of a short-barrel in my opinion penetration is the key factor second only to reliable function. No way I would want to count on a hollowpoint expanding from a P32.

To that end the Fiocchi fmj is what I settled on. It has always fed reliably and like other European loads seems to run a little hotter than American loaded .32acp.

For dog walking FMJ’s will be just fine. I have Underwood Extreme Cavitators in my .32. They are pricey and probably not what you need for your situation. You can also check out the Kel Tec Owners Group. There is an entire sub forum devoted to the P-32.

Additional thought- The Buffalo Bore hard cast LFN might have the most penetration, but suffers from $$$ issues (compared to the Euro FMJ), and has the "short" OAL that may promote rimlock.

I shoot more Geco FMJ in my 32s than any other brand followed by PPU, S&B and Fiocchi.

FWIW, I've shot feral dogs, coyotes, skunks and other critters with FMJ and lead pistol bullets of various calibers - they are not quickly effective, and the results are neither immediate nor humane, unless a truly vital first hit is made, which doesn't happen often during such unplanned encounters. Just my experience. None of your likely problem critters is very large or exceptionally tough, but a rabid one or, say, a pack of feral dogs or coyotes determined to make a run at you or your pet is not gonna be easily discouraged unless busted up as well as you can arrange, and a .32 or .380 FMJ just can't be expected to do that, and won't.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

vincyr said:

Getting a P-32, because I figured it would be a good to have a small, light pistol for walking or riding bike(plus, the Single Seven I already have can shoot the same ammo).

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I like 32s of any flavor but don't expect 32acp to be accurate in your 327 gun. They are not. The first 32s I ever shot were 32acp out of a 4" barreled model 31-1 designed for 32 long. They went bang and that was about as good as it got. When I next shot it it had real 32 long ammo in it. I became a fan of 32 caliber rounds after that. But shoot proper ammo in your gun. You will be much happier.

Later:

I did talk with my friend, Bill, who reported 2 critters shot with his .32: a medium-sized javelina, shot in his own back yard with a Silvertip - it ran away and was not seen again. Second, an adult coyote shot during one of his walks, with a Glaser - it ran about 75 yards and died. Bill is a good pistol shot, very familiar with animal behavior, and would not have fired if he didn't consider it necessary - he did not say where, exactly, the animals were struck, but I'd assume center body shots. He did say that animals usually run off at the sound of a shot, but that is not something to depend on if you find it necessary to shoot in the first place. And the incidents reported show that even high-rated self defense loads in the .32 cannot be expected to produce a one-shot stop when it is clearly needed.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

I’ve had a P3AT for several years that has seen quite a bit of pocket carry. But I always wanted the P32.
In fact, I was looking for one when I got the P3aT.
I saw a P32 come up for sale on Armslist. It came with three spare mags, a grip sleeve, and a steel recoil spring guide. Sent an email and ended up buying it. Turned out to be like new. A cop bought it for his wife, and she had trouble working the slide. She has a 327 snub, now.
I took it to a local range and put 50rds of American Eagle FMJ, and a couple mags of Hornady XTP. What a great shooting pistol! Just seems nicer than my P3AT, and the lower recoil 32acp makes it easy to shoot. Add an extra round and last round hold open, and it’s a real winner.
Liked it so much, I immediately ordered 200rds of S&B FMJ. Waiting for it to arrive tomorrow.
Here's the P32 above the P3AT. I installed a set of Tractiongrip rubber overlays on the P32, and lost the grip sleeve.

With a kel tec 32 I use FMJ's. Oddly, Blazers seem to be one of the hotter options out there. I thought the European stuff would be hotter but in my limited test they weren't.

I have two Keltec P32s (a 1st and 2nd gen) and love them. The only problem I have with them, which really isn't a problem, is that you will absolutely forget you're carrying one on occasion.

As with all sub-9mm cartridges used in a defensive role, the .32acp can use all the help it can IMO. Though quite a bit more expensive than ball ammunition, Lehigh Defense and Underwood provide that extra umph in the form of the Lehigh Defense Extreme Defender (loaded by Underwood). They work perfectly from both my P32 and I'm fairly confident it will increase the wounding potential of the diminutive 7.65 Browning.

Might as well use FMJ. The hp ammo rarely expands when fired from short-barreled guns. Shoot it through a full 4” barrel and _maybe_ it’ll expand.

I might shoot a lead bullet with as wide and flat a nose shape as I could find, in your situation.

Any of the solid copper bullets from Lehigh or Underwood or Doubltap (does Doubletap make a .32 ACP ammo???) would work best. If you had a longer barrel I would say Corbon or Hornady Critical Defense.

There is a very cheap .32 JHP load I found that PPU makes that I'm intending to test expansion in water jugs when the weather warms up. It's a bit of an oddball given it's a 71 grain JHP (most .32 ACP that is a hollow point are 60 grains) and the cavity is huge, a small pistol primer almost fits inside it.



Given PPU is a Serbian company and .32 is popular in Europe, I think they designed this bullet themselves intending for it to expand at low velocities. I'll find out soon enough. If it works, this may be a game changer for .32 given the price, if it doesn't it's typical PPU hollow point.

The most important thing is that the OAL is plenty long. The shorter ones can hang up in the magazine. WWB are bad about that.

I use European FMJ like S&B or Fiochi. It will do its job against a coyote or whatever, if I do mine.

TTv2 said:

There is a very cheap .32 JHP load I found that PPU makes that I'm intending to test expansion in water jugs when the weather warms up. It's a bit of an oddball given it's a 71 grain JHP (most .32 ACP that is a hollow point are 60 grains) and the cavity is huge, a small pistol primer almost fits inside it.

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Be careful with those small pistol primers. If you drill the nose of the hollow point with a .170 drill the primer will fit inside the nose. And don't grind up 3F black powder into a fine dust and put in the nose first and then the primer anvil side down against the powder and glue in place. If you do this and then shoot a target with it the nose will blow off and send nose fragments all through your target and it makes a very dangerous bullet. It may be illegal too.

But I do hope you test these soon in water jugs or something and tell us how they work.

I carry Fiocchi FMJ in my P32. 100% reliable, very accurate and excellent penetration.

.455_Hunter said:

Additional thought- The Buffalo Bore hard cast LFN might have the most penetration, but suffers from $$$ issues (compared to the Euro FMJ), and has the "short" OAL that may promote rimlock.

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I tried the Buffalo Bore .32 lead. It rim locked worse than the silvertips. I sent them (Tim Sundles) several emails asking him to seat the bullet out a little farther to prevent rim lock. Since he never experienced a r/l he declined. It would be ok to load one in the pipe and one on top of the mag.

Ratshooter said:

Be careful with those small pistol primers. If you drill the nose of the hollow point with a .170 drill the primer will fit inside the nose. And don't grind up 3F black powder into a fine dust and put in the nose first and then the primer anvil side down against the powder and glue in place. If you do this and then shoot a target with it the nose will blow off and send nose fragments all through your target and it makes a very dangerous bullet. It may be illegal too.

But I do hope you test these soon in water jugs or something and tell us how they work.

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Then on top of the black powder filled cavity and primer, I'll get the coronavirus and sneeze on the bullet. Actually, that might make it a biological weapon and make me a terrorist. Nope, nvr mind.

As for the testing, I've also got PPU's 9mm 115 grain and 7.62x25 Defense Line ammo. That 7.62x25 is the only JHP ammo I know of in the chambering and there is a youtube video that showed it performed well in gel. The PPU 9mm cost something like $15, so if it works, it's a good option for stocking up cheap ammo. Another member here has been testing budget ammo from Fiocchi and Magtech, but he hasn't touched any of this newer PPU ammo, so I'm stuck doing it.