.32 ACP as SD round

[silicon wolverine]

I havent seen a thread on this one yet. My local shop has CZ's in .32 for 130 and theyre the small frame guns so ive been thinking about getting one for summer carry. IF i would need it, the range would likely be very short. What do you guys think about the .32?

SW

 

[WeedWhacker]

- Any firearm is better than no firearm at all.
- It is preferable to have "more gun" if possible; 9mm is better than .22, 10mm is better than .45, .308 is better than 10mm...
- Still, any firearm is better than no firearm at all.
- Whichever firearm you carry: practice, practice, practice.

I usually carry 9mm. If I can't do that, I carry a .22 magnum.

 

[StrikeEagle]

I agree with WeedWhacker here...

1) More gun would be better
2) .32 is better than nothing (assuming those are the choices)
3) Whatever you carry, learn to shoot it well

StrikeEagle

 

[Onmilo]

"Any firearm is better than no firearm at all."

More often than anything else, I will be found carrying a Kel-Tec P-32 or a S&W 317 .22lr revolver on my property.
Never felt undergunned but we don't get a lot of bad boy attitude out here in the twigs.
I can't legally carry in this godforsaken state.
If I could carry and went into populated or urban areas I would choose to carry one of my G26 9mm Glocks.

Bigger is usually better.

 

[usp9]

My everyday carry is a .32. Haven't bumped into anyone yet that said "Hope I get shot by a .32". The advantage over other carry guns, especially large frame hand cannons, is that I can carry mine most anywhere, anytime, any weather, any mode of dress.

Unless you're in a war zone or a dangerous foreign country like Somolia or New Jersey, a .32 should get you out of trouble. Sure bigger is better, but sometimes bigger is not practical or necessary. I know this; when I shoot my trusty little Seecamp I much prefer to be on the good side of it...not the other.

 

[Roadkill]

I have two .32s (Walther PP & Browning 1922) I carry regularly, especially in the summer. Sometimes the large frame guns just aren't practical.

rk

 

[Browns Fan]

Roadkill, How do like the Walther? I have seen a couple of used ones at my gunshop for about $250 each. I'd like a steel framed one to go with my p32.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm not high on the .32. Beats a .25 or a .22, but that's no real endorsement. I'd rather have the .380 in the same size gun (P3-AT in Kel Tecs) and .380 doesn't do a lot for me, either, but the concealability of such small guns sometimes warrants carrying the caliber. I don't knock those who like the .32, but it just don't make me warm and fuzzy.

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

Definitely check out the CZ, regardless of caliber their nice little pistols, if only a bit heavy compared to other brands in that same caliber. Is it a model 83 or 82?

My father carries a Colt 1903 in .32acp. My brother pockets a Beretta Tomcat .32 in his khakis daily. We've done "testing" at our private range.
With the right ammo, the .32 is totally acceptable within 7 yards.

My mother, however, carries a Colt mustang, in .380

 

[fast97rs]

That brings up a question that I've been meaning to ask....


I am planning on getting a Walther PPK/S in .380....


Would you guys rather have the .32 or the .380? What are the advantages and losses of each?

Does Walther make a PPK or PPK/S in .9mm? That would be great! But do they?

Jorgy

 

[oh blanky]

.32 should theoretically feed better than .380

Stopping power-wise they are quite similar.

 

[ARTiger]

My smallest gun which I carry only when it's necessary and nothing else I own could possibly be concealed properly is a .380 AMT backup. I use Corbon's DPX load (80 grain Barnes X bullet at 1050 fps). This is the bare minimum I feel comfortable with. That said, everyone's "comfort factor" is different.

My personal theory behind CCW is that probably the only time I'll ever draw down on someone is if they are after me or mine with a knife, gun or other weapon. In that case I want to drop them as fast and certain as I can. If the only thing available was a .32, I'd carry it, but it's not something, given a choice, I would intentionally purchase.

There are CZ's in .380 out there as well as 9X18 Makarovs, Also a ton of .38 snubbie revolvers I'd be looking at for that kind of money.

 

[justsurvivingincalifornia]

Rule number 1 for Gunfighters: BRING A LOADED GUN
130$ is in the bargan basment so you must be on a buget. CZs from what little I know about them are reliable shooters. Just remember there are limitation with any caliber. The lower the power the lower the lethality. Don't expect them to drop over dead with a single shot to the chest.

 

[LanEvo`]

Any firearm that I would carry for SD or have on-hand for HD is one that I'm going to shoot like crazy. If I'm betting my life on a gun, I want to make sure that it works and that I'm 100% familiar and comfortable with it.

Which brings me to the .380 and .32ACP.

These are very common calibers in Europe, but less so here in the USA. It's much easier to find a variety of 9mm or .38SPL around here. Paradoxically, 9mm or .38SPL ammo will generally end up costing you less than .380 or .32ACP even though they perform much better.

In a gun that's going to be shot a lot, the cost and availability of ammo should be a significant consideration.

 

[Geronimo-7]

For those wanting a real life example, I personally know of someone that was shot 3 times by a .32 acp. He was hit twice in the face and once in the shoulder from a distance of about 10 yards. At first he thought he was stung by bees as he didn't see the guy shooting at him. Once he found out he was shot he sat down to check himself, but he was unaffected otherwise. I don't know what the ammo was, but that is enough for me to doubt a .32.
Don't ask me about the details of the shooting. It was a practical joke gone bad.

 

[usp9]

Quote:
oh blanky
Member

.32 should theoretically feed better than .380

Stopping power-wise they are quite similar.


ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr



I'm not sure how you figure a .32 feeds better. A .32 is subject to rim-lock for one thing :banghead: which the .380 isn't liable to experience, and has a smaller hole to find.

 

[Dr.Rob]

.32 downfalls:

Rimlock in magazine, low bullet weight, many older guns designed for FMJ only.

Though in .32 FMJ is probably the way to go.

 

[Sleuth]

IF (big IF) that is all you can afford, go for it.

On the other hand, why are you carrying a gun? If you intend to protect your loved ones, you must consider: Anyone who attacks me is more likely to look like Hulk Hogan than Pee Wee Herman.

Do I truely believe that a .32 is lilely to stop a drugged up biker? You are only betting your loved one's life.

I set my personal "power floor" at 9mm. I love my wife too much to compromise her safety with anything less.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have a P-32 in pocket Only time in my life I ever heard of rim lock in a 32 has been a Kel Tec. I belive most of that comes from lite weight of pistol. As a Boy I don't remember the old men bitching about rimlock in the 32 auto's Carry a 32 if you feel comfortable with it.

 

[the naked prophet]

I would be SERIOUSLY more freaked out if I was attacked by Pee Wee Herman than if I was attacked by Hulk Hogan.

That said, I have a WWI Ruby pistol chambered in .32 auto, and with JHP (or truncated nose FMJ that have the same profile and shorter bullet shape) it would experience rimlock. It was fine with FMJ longer nose ammo.

 

[MCgunner]

"Stopping power"? Neither is great, but the 380 is better. It has more energy and shoots a heavier bullet. But, it's no 9mm by a long shot.

NO, there is no PPK in 9mm and if you're getting a PPK, why on earth would you want a .32 over the .380???? But, I say, if you are looking at PPK size guns, do yourself a favor and look at compact 9s and compact .40s. Much more power in often a smaller, lighter, more concealable gun. They are bigger, however, than one of the small .32s or .380s like the NAA Guardian or the P3 AT or little .32 Kel Tecs. A normal jeans pocket will swallow one of the smaller .32s or .380s. The PPK is a good gun, it's just sorta bigger than it should be. It will never be built in 9mm because it's a blow back operated weapon.

 

[ugaarguy]

I have to agree with a gun is better than no gun. I also agree that the more gun the better. If my budget was tight I'd look for a used 3" S&W, Ruger, or Taurus revolver in 38 Spl that is +P rated. You should be able to find one for $200 or less. 38 Spl + P is my power bottom. In the mid $200 price range you could also get a Kel-Tec P-11 in 9mm. I'd feel much better with a 38 or 9mm plus either will be cheaper to practice with than a 32 or 380.

 

[Rob Rocket]

For some reason I'm drawn to a Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP in stainless. Very cool look, very compact in size, easy to conceal.

Anyone have one? Experience with it, accuracy, reliabilty?

 

[littlelefty]

My opinions
1) ANY gun is WAY better than throwing rocks.
2) If running is an option, TAKE it.
3) 0-7 yards w/.32 = empty the mag. to COM. >7 yds, see #2.
4) Hands on = under the chin until mag is empty or activity stops.
5) House & car = 1911 .45acp

 

[Mortech]

CZ? Yeah I like my lik CZ70 in 32 but my Bulgarian Makarov in 9MM Mak is just the same size and weight so it gives the nod for summer carry .