.32 ACP too weak as a defensive round?
- Thread starter doger5
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If you are asking me,
.22LR to the left calf.My buddy did that one.
Bullet wound to the top of my left shoulder.
I am not exactly sure what rifle caused that, could have been a pistol too, it cut me open and kept going.
Both wounds caused me to stop what I was doing and seek immediate medical attention.
Oh yeah, I survived.
.22LR to the left calf.My buddy did that one.
Bullet wound to the top of my left shoulder.
I am not exactly sure what rifle caused that, could have been a pistol too, it cut me open and kept going.
Both wounds caused me to stop what I was doing and seek immediate medical attention.
Oh yeah, I survived.
PX15
Member
When you ask a question of this nature please remember we are AMERICAN's..
Generally speaking, BIGGER is always BETTER.. Firearms, carb's, motorcycles, engines, and so forth.... Or,
Mo' is better...
Now having said that. I think the 32cal round has been around a long time, and until a few decades ago it was deemed sufficient. I know my long deceased Uncle told me he relied on his "damn good 32" for protection when he was hauling and distributing moonshine here in Georgia back in the late 1930's, early 1940's.
Obviously a larger round makes a larger hole. Only trouble is most firearms firing larger rounds are by necessity large themselves. I love the guy who when asked why he carried a 45 said because "they don't make a 46"..
I would recommend you carry the absolute largest firearm firing the largest round you can... BUT..The big gun you love at home in the nightstand won't do you poop if the SHIF and you aren't located next to the nightstand.
My favorite all time cc firearm is the Sig P239, (9MM) with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. It has been 100% reliable for over ten years and is extremely accurate. I trust it without question. But there are times when circumstances (wx, wardrobe, etc) simply won't allow me to carry it concealed.
Those times I carry my KelTec P32, or my NAA Guardian 32cal. (I don't carry the 22cal Escort, but it's fun to plink with.)
JMOFO
J Pomeroy
Generally speaking, BIGGER is always BETTER.. Firearms, carb's, motorcycles, engines, and so forth.... Or,
Mo' is better...
Now having said that. I think the 32cal round has been around a long time, and until a few decades ago it was deemed sufficient. I know my long deceased Uncle told me he relied on his "damn good 32" for protection when he was hauling and distributing moonshine here in Georgia back in the late 1930's, early 1940's.
Obviously a larger round makes a larger hole. Only trouble is most firearms firing larger rounds are by necessity large themselves. I love the guy who when asked why he carried a 45 said because "they don't make a 46"..
I would recommend you carry the absolute largest firearm firing the largest round you can... BUT..The big gun you love at home in the nightstand won't do you poop if the SHIF and you aren't located next to the nightstand.
My favorite all time cc firearm is the Sig P239, (9MM) with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. It has been 100% reliable for over ten years and is extremely accurate. I trust it without question. But there are times when circumstances (wx, wardrobe, etc) simply won't allow me to carry it concealed.
Those times I carry my KelTec P32, or my NAA Guardian 32cal. (I don't carry the 22cal Escort, but it's fun to plink with.)
JMOFO
J Pomeroy
aryfrosty
Member
.32ACP
I am a believer in the .32..... I have a couple I am confident in, especially the Beretta Tomcat I bought to see if my wife would like it well enough to carry. I have a mag full of Glaser blues and a backup mag of the cutest little Hydra-Shoks I've ever seen. But it is serious business and it carries well and shoots well. No...she didn't like it well enough to carry it, but she won't let go of her Ruger SP-101. Go figure.
I am a believer in the .32..... I have a couple I am confident in, especially the Beretta Tomcat I bought to see if my wife would like it well enough to carry. I have a mag full of Glaser blues and a backup mag of the cutest little Hydra-Shoks I've ever seen. But it is serious business and it carries well and shoots well. No...she didn't like it well enough to carry it, but she won't let go of her Ruger SP-101. Go figure.
MICHAEL T
Member
aryfrosty 32 isn't the greast SD round and your Glasers made it weaker. Here a link to a bunch of 32 tested Check out you choice . These wer fired fron a KT P-32 so barrel length about the same
http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/32acp/gel32acp.htm
http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/32acp/gel32acp.htm
aryfrosty
Member
.32 ACP
Michael T; Thanks for the information on the .32 ACP. I'll keep it to refer to.
Michael T; Thanks for the information on the .32 ACP. I'll keep it to refer to.
BushyGuy
Member
did jeff cooper ever get shot with a .32acp FMJ bullet? jeff cooper only thought big bullets stop better , intelligent people tend to overthink a little. i testsed my beretta tomcat on various objects penetrations is good enough for a lethal shot.
rangerruck
Member
I have a question; the speed at the muzzle of a 32 cal;3.5 to 4 inch bbl. Is it not the same speed of a 308 cal rifle bullet, at about 1000-1200 meters? and aren't dudes in Iraq, pulling off 1000plus meter shots, kill shots, with the 308?
I sure as hell don't wanna get hit by one, in the chest, eye, ear, or head, or gut, or jewel factory, for that matter.
I sure as hell don't wanna get hit by one, in the chest, eye, ear, or head, or gut, or jewel factory, for that matter.
The 308 at 1000 yards still carries way more energy than a 32 ACP at the muzzle (almost comparable to a 357 Magnum out of a revolver) and with a much much higher SD....with FMJ match ammo we are in the 500 ft/lb range if not more....
The 308 is not really a 1K cartridge (human targets) anyway.....I'm not an expert on US military equipment and operational procedures but I don't think the 308 is routinely used for that kind of task...if I recall correctly they step up to a 300 Win Mag when shots like that are required.
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I frequently trust my life to a .32. As many have said, a .22 on the side is better than the .45 in the safe. Call me lazy, but I just don't like dressing around my CCW. If it so happens that I can conveniently carry my BDE compact 9mm, I will. Shorts and flip flops aren't conducive to me concealing it. So then I stick my little astra falcon in the pocket. It really is my primary gun in the summertime.
Also, something to bear in mind. If you get some of the European ammo it's quiet a bit hotter than American .32. S&B's 71 grain FMJ pushes 175 ft lbs out of a 4" barrel. You'll be looking at 150 or so out of a snub gun. Go with FMJs and penetration. I personally thank a lead HP pushed as hot as S&B pushes their FMJ would be the most effective SD round for this pistol. The non-jacketed lead would probably be more conducive to expansion than jacketed rounds. At a minimum, it would flatten and act like a SWC out of a revolver.
BTW, I'm not advocating that you ditch the real calibers and opt out for the .32. If I wasn't lazy, I would carry my BDE everywhere. It IS always in the car, and it's also the HD weapon on the nightstand. If you're lazy, any gun is better than no gun. I hear the Kel tecs 9mm is very compact and easy to carry... I just can't afford another gun right now
Also, something to bear in mind. If you get some of the European ammo it's quiet a bit hotter than American .32. S&B's 71 grain FMJ pushes 175 ft lbs out of a 4" barrel. You'll be looking at 150 or so out of a snub gun. Go with FMJs and penetration. I personally thank a lead HP pushed as hot as S&B pushes their FMJ would be the most effective SD round for this pistol. The non-jacketed lead would probably be more conducive to expansion than jacketed rounds. At a minimum, it would flatten and act like a SWC out of a revolver.
BTW, I'm not advocating that you ditch the real calibers and opt out for the .32. If I wasn't lazy, I would carry my BDE everywhere. It IS always in the car, and it's also the HD weapon on the nightstand. If you're lazy, any gun is better than no gun. I hear the Kel tecs 9mm is very compact and easy to carry... I just can't afford another gun right now
SeekHer
Member
Two of my oldest, married, daughters and their grandmother (my M-I-L) went out and bought lavender and pink Charter Arms snubbies in .32 H&R (2) Mag and .327 Federal (1) and are very pleased with them...They’re being compared to small .357 mags in velocity and energy…
I've shot my daughters' SAA style Ruger Vaqueros (?) in .32 H&R and they were a hoot; no recoil, not very loud, barely any muzzle flash and knocked over the steel targets with ease (those that I hit)...which is why they bought the snubbies, commonality of cartridges...Next on the list is a pair of lever guns...
The 7.65mm (Kurtz) pistol round was a typical police weapon just not very effective except at very close range like when Stalin's henchmen would shoot people in the back of the head...Also you have to consider what was available at that time 1900 to 1910…The military switched from heavy revolvers and used the 9x19mm Luger round in various pistols and during WW2 the Gestapo (who were really consider as police) used it but later switched to the Walther P38.
As stated, bullet placement and type of bullet and velocity of bullet is key to survival and for a backup gun concealment...As a backup gun, perfect, but I'm a little hesitant to have to wait for the assailant to get to nose touching distance before I pull the trigger...
Everybody knows of somebody, somewhere and at sometime that has been killed (or not) by every calibre under the sun, from the 12.7mm/.50 BMG to a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun...
I want a cartridge that will do it the vast majority of the time, >95% as long as I do my part properly--not occasionally like once in a blue moon...That's why I carried various revolvers in .41 mag! Yes, a little too big for your daughter, now, but wait until she’s 12 like mine did and want to try one of them…All my girls have shot them, granted with a “little” less powder, equal to a light .357 Mag load, but they all got used to it quickly…
The aforementioned mags, I wouldn't have any qualms whatsoever about carrying one; the .32 ACP and .25 ACP sorry, just a little too, too light for my tastes...I even signed petitions to get the .25 ACP off the market, permanently...If Charter Arms made it as a 2” snubby Off Duty (hammerless) DAO in .327 Ruger I’d buy one in a second as an ideal pocket holster piece...
I've shot my daughters' SAA style Ruger Vaqueros (?) in .32 H&R and they were a hoot; no recoil, not very loud, barely any muzzle flash and knocked over the steel targets with ease (those that I hit)...which is why they bought the snubbies, commonality of cartridges...Next on the list is a pair of lever guns...
The 7.65mm (Kurtz) pistol round was a typical police weapon just not very effective except at very close range like when Stalin's henchmen would shoot people in the back of the head...Also you have to consider what was available at that time 1900 to 1910…The military switched from heavy revolvers and used the 9x19mm Luger round in various pistols and during WW2 the Gestapo (who were really consider as police) used it but later switched to the Walther P38.
As stated, bullet placement and type of bullet and velocity of bullet is key to survival and for a backup gun concealment...As a backup gun, perfect, but I'm a little hesitant to have to wait for the assailant to get to nose touching distance before I pull the trigger...
Everybody knows of somebody, somewhere and at sometime that has been killed (or not) by every calibre under the sun, from the 12.7mm/.50 BMG to a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun...
I want a cartridge that will do it the vast majority of the time, >95% as long as I do my part properly--not occasionally like once in a blue moon...That's why I carried various revolvers in .41 mag! Yes, a little too big for your daughter, now, but wait until she’s 12 like mine did and want to try one of them…All my girls have shot them, granted with a “little” less powder, equal to a light .357 Mag load, but they all got used to it quickly…
The aforementioned mags, I wouldn't have any qualms whatsoever about carrying one; the .32 ACP and .25 ACP sorry, just a little too, too light for my tastes...I even signed petitions to get the .25 ACP off the market, permanently...If Charter Arms made it as a 2” snubby Off Duty (hammerless) DAO in .327 Ruger I’d buy one in a second as an ideal pocket holster piece...
Big_John1961
Member
This is an old thread, but this is a very good point. I feel very good with my LWS 32 in my pocket, and it's the only pistol I'll consistently carry. It's designed for close-quarter encounters and within the confines of that definition it excels. It's also supremely small and easy to shoot. I certainly would not want to have 7 rounds of .32 ACP pumped into my midsection.
As someone else said, YMMV.
gimlet1/21
Member
I wouldn't let you shot it at me!
JImbothefiveth
Member
Well, a small .32 usually isn't easy to shoot well. Also, who says you can't hit with a bigger caliber?
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Sure, it's weak. Its raison d'etre, IMO, is for little pocket guns - guns that you can always have with you when the big gun must be left at home.
SharpsDressedMan
member
The tiny sights on my Colt .32 auto make me shoot slower, but the first time out with my latest 1903 put 5 shots into a hand sized group at 50 yards, standing, two hands, dead center (I'll never tap those sights!). Some .32's are more accurate than larger bore, name brand, defensive guns. My Walther PPK (.32) is another one tha can do 2.5-3" groups at 25 yds (although centered,about 6 inches high). Other gunners having problems keeping their groups on a paper plate at those ranges are amazed when they see what pocket guns CAN do.
sarduy
Member
hey hawkeye, what kind of holster is that?
If you are going to carry a .32, you might as well as carry a .380. Try the Ruger LCP (.380) and I would be surprised if you really notice any difference in weight and size in comparison to any .32 out there.
I understand that there are some lifestyles that prohibit carrying anything larger. So, go ahead and carry a small gun. But there are other choices in the small gun category than a .32. Again, carry a Ruger LCP instead. And by the way, if you can carry one LCP in your front pocket...you surely can carry another LCP in the other front pocket. Then carry some spare mags...and you are good to go.
I understand that there are some lifestyles that prohibit carrying anything larger. So, go ahead and carry a small gun. But there are other choices in the small gun category than a .32. Again, carry a Ruger LCP instead. And by the way, if you can carry one LCP in your front pocket...you surely can carry another LCP in the other front pocket. Then carry some spare mags...and you are good to go.
m_kirk2001
Member
I agree. I don't want to bring a knife to fight with someone who has a pistol, and I don't want to bring a pistol to fight with someone who has a rifle, etc. If you are in Iraq fighting insurgents the .32 ACP is too "weak." If you are in the grocery store a block from home wearing shorts and a t-shirt you will be in much better shape than the majority of the population. I carry a .40 for concealed carry, and if I am squeezed hard enough I carry .22 MAG in an NAA revolver. Even though more is usually better and a lot of people think you will just make someone mad if you shoot them with a .32 ACP, I am sure you won't find any volunteers to take a .32 ACP center of mass to illustrate their preceived lack in its performance. Why? Because it will stop them from wanting to do any further testing and there is a good chance it will kill them!
usp9
Member
Clearly the answer is NO.
Deanimator
Member
I wouldn't trust it.
Still it's better than a .25acp and that's better than nothing.
searcher451
Member
The .32 was the standard round for police units around the world for years and years and years. All else being equal, it will get the job done ... as time and history have both proven, time and again.
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