.32 ACP drifting away?

Dean1818 writes:

Shoot what you want, but to the OP, most people have moved on to the popular calibers.....

9, 40, 45.............. So I would assume demand for 32 is also dropping

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Our culture isn't about just those of us already in it; countless members flock to gun ownership on a regular basis. Personally, I'd rather them keep up the trend of starting out with something they can get some enjoyment with, then get "bitten" and upgrade later, than to have them driven off by "nasty first impressions" (both of the guns, and their owners.)

For each one of us that sells off a .32 or other "inferior" defensive gun, there has to be a buyer.

If demand for .32 is dropping, it's because of the ready-availability and successful marketing of the mini-.380s and 9mm pistols, as well as defensive revolvers.

It's the .380 that's killing the .32, not the .45.

I called some gunshops today in my country, South Africa. I wanted to hear about the availability of the P32 as I really do want one. I was told you will not find a new .32ACP as nobody buys them anymore. And I was told I will be very lucky to find ammo for it, here, in 5 years or so from now. What a pity. I really think a well placed shot will win the day, even with a 50% less powerfull .22lr.
I think one or other type of shooting discipline should be ''invented'' just for the 32 ACP. That should ensure demand. I really think this cartridge does not deserve to die a slow death.

Sergei Mosin said:

Although I don't care for the .32 ACP as a defensive cartridge, there are a couple of classic old guns chambered in it that I wouldn't kick out of the safe - mainly the Colt Model 1903 and FN Model 1910 and 1910/22.

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And the venerable Walther PPK (West German) 007 gun!

I was told you will not find a new .32ACP as nobody buys them anymore. And I was told I will be very lucky to find ammo for it, here, in 5 years or so from now.

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You need to remember, that is only one person's personal opinion.

Hunter2011
I called some gunshops today in my country, South Africa. I wanted to hear about the availability of the P32 as I really do want one. I was told you will not find a new .32ACP as nobody buys them anymore. And I was told I will be very lucky to find ammo for it, here, in 5 years or so from now. What a pity. I really think a well placed shot will win the day, even with a 50% less powerfull .22lr.
<SNIP>

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Although I can't say with 100% certainty, because you are in a different country, I can say that millions of 32ACP's were made since its inception and new pistols are still being made - Kel Tec P32, Beretta Tomcat, Taurus 732, and NAA Guardian 32 not to mention a few of the 3rd Tier manufacturers. I seriously think your local gunshops are way off base. If you are concerned with the availability of the 32 ACP cartridge yet still want a pistol chambered for personal protection, buy a case and store it in a few different safe locations.

BTW, people are STILL carrying pistols chambered in .25 ACP. These mouse guns fit a niche that 9mm & 380's do not for various reasons.

Its a pity Ruger does not make a 32 acp. Ruger is well stocked here and I could have gotten one of those if it was only made.
Anybody got an idea why they don't make a .32?

Anybody got an idea why they don't make a .32?

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Too many people think that a .355 hole will cause way more blood loss than a .312 hole.

.32ACP/ 7.65mm use and ownership could get a shot in the arm if ammo were the same price as 9mm. Why is a box of Win or Rem .32 $5-$10 MORE than a comparable box of 9mm 115gr FMJ? :banghead:

Manufacturing volume....just a guess.

That's their excuse, but it doesn't justify the 5-10 dollar difference. When you are using less materials for .32, and the process is basically the same, the profit margin between the9mm and .32acp by mass production doesn't go to 30-50% more for the lower volume/demand product. It is just greed. If .32's were as cheap as .22's, more people would be buying .32 than 9mm.

Hunter2011 writes:

I called some gunshops today in my country, South Africa. I wanted to hear about the availability of the P32 as I really do want one. I was told you will not find a new .32ACP as nobody buys them anymore. And I was told I will be very lucky to find ammo for it, here, in 5 years or so from now. What a pity. I really think a well placed shot will win the day, even with a 50% less powerfull .22lr.

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Maybe go back and ask about 7.65mm Browning?

You'd be surprised at how many gun shops will tell you they don't have .22WMR, but will sell you some .22 Magnum instead.

I'm sure you're right, Sharp. Although I don't think profit is a dirty word...it'd be nice to see the bean counters not push so hard for every last dime.

Dan-O said:

I don't think it will go away. Luckily it seems as though it is popular on the foreign market. I prefer foreign ammo in this caliber anyways.

My Kel Tec P-32 is my always gun. I always have it on my person when I'm wearing clothing.

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I carried the P-32 for eight years... it's now in my wife's pocketbook. I now carry the Kel-Tec P3AT, only about 1.5 ounces heavier than the P-32 loaded.

.32 is a great round if carried in FMJ. There's not enough umph for JHP and the FMJ will give you 10+ inches of penetration.

I once compared the penetration of a .22 Magnum versus a .38 special. But not in ballistic gelatine unfortunately. It was in wood. The .22 Magnum won the contest, albeit with a much thinner wound channel. One must remember that a smaller diametre bullet do need much less power to penetrate to the same depth as a bigger diameter bullet. I feel modern 32 ACP ammo are ten times better than ball ammo of how many years ago.

What would you choose if you had to. A .38 solid in your leg or a .32 Critical defence load at the same spot? I will rather take my chances with the .38 solid. But that is just my very humble opinion

Hunter, I'm not sure if you got my point (.22WMR vs. .22Magnum.) I was simply saying that the gun shop clerk who told you he had no .32ACP ammo might have been standing in front of a case of 7.65mm Browning, and was blissfully unaware that the two are the same.

It's not just an excuse. It is the magic of accounting.

MedWheeler said:

Hunter, I'm not sure if you got my point (.22WMR vs. .22Magnum.) I was simply saying that the gun shop clerk who told you he had no .32ACP ammo might have been standing in front of a case of 7.65mm Browning, and was blissfully unaware that the two are the same.

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No my comparing of the .22 Magnum vs .38 was not in response to your post.
I just mentioned it for the sake of interrest. My point was just too not underestimate the penetration of lesser diameter bullets

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=zjbfbBtSETw


Ballistics....... 2 layers of denim, balistics gel.......

Tell me this is not enough penetration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrKDnLLUd-Y

Hunter2011 said:

Tell me this is not enough penetration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrKDnLLUd-Y

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I will say again, carry what you like.

The bullet did penetrate through the gel block......

But.......

Look at the video at 6:09

The hole is tiny, and did not cause much of a wound channel

I would also add that you would probably get the same exact results on
Penetration with 22LR or even a 17 HMR

I would also say, that in a CCW situation, would you want a bullet that penetrates over 18 inches? You are responsible for EVERY bullet that you shoot. If you do have to shoot a guy, and it goes through him, and hits an innocent because you HAD to get penetration levels on a non expanding bullet, are you happy?

I would much rather have a bigger, expanding bullet that loses energy very fast.

I would also rather have to shoot fewer times ( less risk to others) to stop the threat.

I did some testing on a corbon DPX from the tiny Kahr CM9 9mm in a wetpack in milk jugs through denim. The bullet opened up to almost 3/4 inch wide and penetrated to 14 inches

I have also seen this test on the same bullet in ballistic gel and it opened the same, but the wound cavity in the first 4 inches was enormous.

If you have to use a non JHP to get penetration you do give up the needed wound channel.

To the OP, who is asking the question on if the 32 is drifting away, I would say Yes.

As a CCW holder I may have to protect my family.

Logic would say that the bigger bullet in JHP would be much more effective.

I would add that the cheap 9 mms are everywhere.

You didnt have those options 10 years ago...... Today I think people are just jumping ship from the smaller calibers.

I ccw a Shield in 40 with Corbon DPX

As of this writing, its a free country........ Use a 22 if you like

Take care

A small .32 makes a fine hideout gun.

Dean, I totally get what you are saying. I have a 9mm currently. But as I am not as committed to carry as most guys here, I think a pocket pistol is not a bad idea. It will make anyone carry more because is is just so much easier to carry. When at home you can put it away and take out the bigger guns. Why shoot with a .32 at home when you do have something bigger? Me, I will never shoot with solids in a defensive situation with even a .22. Even if penetration is what you should aim for in smaller calibers. I only carry hollowpoint ammo for self defence. However my first round is a solid as sometimes when I cock my pistol, it fails to feed the first round if not a solid.

Hunter2011 said:

Dean, I totally get what you are saying. I have a 9mm currently. But as I am not as committed to carry as most guys here, I think a pocket pistol is not a bad idea. It will make anyone carry more because is is just so much easier to carry. When at home you can put it away and take out the bigger guns. Why shoot with a .32 at home when you do have something bigger? Me, I will never shoot with solids in a defensive situation with even a .22. Even if penetration is what you should aim for in smaller calibers. I only carry hollowpoint ammo for self defence. However my first round is a solid as sometimes when I cock my pistol, it fails to feed the first round if not a solid.

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Hunter,

I would check the pistol to see why its not feeding correctly.

If it is used as a CCW.... Again, remember, its you or an innocent that may need the gun to be 100%.....,,,

I have had pistols that were not 100 % reliable..... They were fixed or sold.

I dont have a single safe queen...... ALL my rifles and pistols MUST be 100%



If you want to pocket carry, I would recommend an LCR with 135 grain JHP +p

Extremely reliable, and that bullet is formidable.

Its better than most 9mm offerings.

I did the whole pocket carry deal with the CM9, but quickly found that I couldnt draw quickly

A revolver without a hammer slides out of a front pocket much quicker than a semi auto

For me the shield in IWB is a good fit

Good luck on the perfect CCW.... It took me several tries....

Dean, Hunter, and others, can we please keep this as a thread about the .32ACP cartridge specifically, and not another "which caliber is best for self-defense" one?

That's what it was opened as. Thanks.