32 ACP Day

I rather like .32 ACP/6.35mm as well. I have - uh - several. However, I do not collect anything that was not designed prior to the Second World War. So my .32 Beretta is a 1935.
I share in the appreciation of the Colt 1903. With the exception of the caliber, it is quite perfect.

Currently, I carry larger calibers for every day comfort. But time hurries on and in another few years, I will possibly be carrying a 1903 as my self-defense arm. I suppose life could be worse.

Argument for use of FMJ over JHP in .32 ACP:

The FMJ ammunition had great penetration ability which saved many of its user’s lives in tight spots as it shot through a lot of the cover their enemy was attempting to use. Giving up this penetration for the negligible increase in stopping power of expanding .32 caliber bullets is a bad trade off. You can’t make a .45 out of a .32 but you can quickly give up the .32 ACP’s big ace in the hole, penetration, by going to expanding bullets.

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http://www.thegunmag.com/the-32-acp-when-less-is-more/

I have been toying with picking up a Zastava M70. Seems to be good shooters.

aaaaa said:

Argument for use of FMJ over JHP in .32 ACP:

http://www.thegunmag.com/the-32-acp-when-less-is-more/

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I agree with the concept. I prefer penetration to expansion with the limited power available. I have the same preference with the .25 ACP. Lord, please don't let me be stuck with a .25 Auto for actual defense.
If I carried the .32 ACP as a defensive round I would like to find a heavier bullet. I might try the Tokarev bullet (85 or 90 grain) in experimentation.

You motivated me. Kinda rare Stainless PPK in .32.

I suppose since everyone’s posting all their .32’s. I’ll post mine. Including the stainless PPK in the target picture.

All been shot except the engraved one.

sgt127 said:

I suppose since everyone’s posting all their .32’s. I’ll pot mine. Including the stainless PPK in the target picture.
All been shot except the engraved one.

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What do you think of the Seacamp vs the NAA Guardian? I had a Seacamp and it was so horrible to shoot that I traded it in on a Tomcat .32. The Guardian looks like the grip is bigger from front strap to back strap, and so might be easier to grip. I think it took me about 7 trips to the range before i could get the Seacamp to not jam. Maybe was limpwristing it, but the final good run was with FMJ and the magazine spacer removed.

One thing for sure, field stripping the Seacamp was difficult.

I’ve had the Seecamp forever. With Silvertips, it ran good. I kinda got the NAA when they offered special serial numbers and, I ordered it on a whim.

it’s chunkier than the Seecamp. Both whack my trigger finger with the trigger guard. Neither are fun to shoot.

The Tomcat is actually a gun I’d shoot.

I had a Keltec .32. Gave it to a friend. Pity. That locked breech made it a really useable little gun.

I also have a Seecamp .25. That’s fun to shoot. Not ammo sensitive.

sgt127 said:

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I suppose since everyone’s posting all their .32’s. I’ll post mine. Including the stainless PPK in the target picture.

All been shot except the engraved one.

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Wow ! That is my first and second thought. Thank you for sharing, especially like the engraved Walther PP and the 1903 Colt.

Glad to see the love for the .32 ACP.
Great pics you folks have there and appreciate all the fans of this caliber.
I have three Zastava M70s, one Berreta 81, 2- Taurus PT-132 Pros, and one Beretta 3032.

Tomorrow will be my honest 7.65; it has the port on the port side.

It's also a century old now.






It also has a four pound pivoted trigger with no side to side play, almost no take up, crisp smooth break and nearly immediate reset. Not bad for something designed before WWI.

I need more .32s. Besides my KelTec P32 BUG, I have the Beretta Tomcat along with a decent quantity of ammo:

This one was accepted into German Imperial service during WW1.

I found the picture of my Beretta Model 100. I need to take this one to the range again soon!

sgt127 said:

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I suppose since everyone’s posting all their .32’s. I’ll post mine. Including the stainless PPK in the target picture.

All been shot except the engraved one.

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I like the 03 and the Walthers. The one has a Waffen stamp. That's an oldie.

EMC45 said:

I like the 03 and the Walthers. The one has a Waffen stamp. That's an oldie.

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Good eye. The PPK with black grips is stamped with the Nazi Police Eagle C. (The original mottled grey grips are slightly cracked and brittle, stored off the gun). Very late war. Milled finish. Thin blueing.

The one with brown grips is a German Polizei gun from 1975 and has a crossed out stamp from Baden-Württemberg.

The engraved PP was presented to my dad when he took over the Walther factory, as a gift, at the end of WWII.

Here are a few more of my 32’s. Some have a bit of wear but all function fine. One of the reasons I like the 32acp is the many variations of design.

Top left is a Piper Bayard from Belgium.
Top right is a 1930 Sauer and Sohn.
Middle left is an Astra 300.
Middle right is an H&R.
Bottom left is a CZ-27.
Bottom right is a Sauer and Sohn 38H.

jstert writes:

i’ve written this many times before, so forgive yet another time: every modern, top-shelf, compact 380acp pistol ought to be offered in 32acp! ruger, s&w, taurus, sig, beretta…even glock!

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Taurus did briefly offer the TCP in .32, as the PT732. I've kind of been keeping an eye out for one, but probably would end up not buying it now. Unlike the Kel-Tecs, the .32 version holds the same number of rounds as its bigger sister.

Taurus also sold a bigger, striker-fired .32, the PT-132 or something like that. Moderator @Walkalong here has one. He seems to like it.

I got a little concerned that I didn't see a picture of the first striker-fired pistol I've ever owned: Ortgies! Interesting little fella



Also figured I'd add a zastava M-70 to show I'm basic... sans the stupid import rear sight - filed my own

I'm assuming everyone has the basics, like a Kel-Tec, Colt 1903, and Walther PP or clone thereof. I put a picture of the Taurus PT132 on a post on the first page.

I pulled some out of the safe today for a group shot.

Jimbo80

Outstanding .32 ACP collection you've got there! I had a few of these at one time or another. My favorites were a Beretta Model 90 "Roma", a Browning 1910, and a Manurhin PP.

I'll join on the .32 ACP bandwagon.
I have two Taurus PT132 Pros and 2Taurus 732s. Add one Beretta 3032 and 3 Zastava M70s to the mix.
I like the cartridges qualities and user friendliness. It strikes a good balance for most shooters