.32 auto rimlock is real

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Candiru

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On Sunday I was preparing to take my Kel-Tec P-32 to the range by unloading my carry ammo, Cor-Bon hollowpoints. After popping the mag and ejecting the round in the chamber, I went to strip the hollowpoints from the magazine when I discovered that the top round had rimlocked. I had been carrying a .32 derringer all week! What makes this really interesting was the fact that the magazine that experienced the rimlock had a Kel-Tec factory rimlock prevention kit installed.

I had been on the fence over the efficacy of .32 auto hollowpoints, but this cinches it for me: FMJ all the way, baby! (Besides, the bulging in ejected Cor-Bon cases was kinda scary.) If you're carrying hollowpoints in your .32, be very careful. I have always been very conscientious about loading my magazines, but the round must have shifted back of its own accord during everyday movement. I wanted to share this with everyone so that hopefully nobody will ever personally encounter rimlock in anything but innocuous circumstances.
 
I experienced the same thing with my P32 & Fiocchi JHPs. Fortunately, at the range, not on the street!

Rattled me so badly that I retired the P32, and reverted to a NAA .22 WMR Black Widow, loaded with CCI +Vs, for my deep-concealment needs. Less capacity, forget a "tactical relaod," and slower on follow-up shots, but I am more confident it'll function!

Not really "Six for Sure," ..... maybe "Five for Fertain??????" :D
 
I had a rimlock occur with my Kel-Tec P32 using GECO full metal jacket ammunition.
I haven't given up on the gun, was and am not impressed with any of the .32 auto hollowpoint loadings that are available, and I load magazines much more carefully now.
My boo boo also occurred on the shooting range and taught me a valuable lesson, load all magazines like I intend to use them for defense.
 
I had the problem with a few different JHPs in my P32, went to FMJ only. No problems since, about 700-800 rounds.
Candiru, I would suggest that you don't unload carry mags, but fire them at the beginning of the range session instead. It not only refreshes your carry ammo, it also (hopefully) gives you the confidence and reassurance that your choice of weapon and ammo were correct.
 
jonnyc beat me to it.

you had a rimlock while unloading a magazine, not while firing the gun; you'll never know how it would have actually performed.
 
To clarify for those who noted that I encountered rimlock while unloading, the first round in the magazine was rimlocked when I ejected the mag.
 
Rimlock Preventor

Kel-Tec sells a P-32 Rimlock Preventor for $8.65 as I recall (1-800-515-9983 to verify price). Those that prefer JHP ammo would be well served to set up a separate magazine for those rounds while keeping a second for longer FMJ.
 
My wife's P32 did the same thing. I took hers out of her purse to clean it and when I ejected the mag, I could not get hte top round out. Had to take the mag apart from the bottom so I could unload it. It was immediately put in the box and sold. It had been 100% reliable up until that point. This is exactly why I will only carry the P3AT or a j-frame in .38spl.


W
 
I've owned a P32 for nearly 4 years (and 1500rnds). In that time, I've experienced 2 actual rimlocks. None have occured during firing. I also fire my "carry ammo" when I take that gun to the range for the purpose of checking what I was carrying and refreshing the carry load. Not once has a rimlock tied up the gun during actual firing. I'm not convinced it will stop the gun.

Chris
 
rimlock

I carry a hollow point in the tube and one on top of the magazine. The rest below are all fmj. I also watch out for WWB as some of them are flat nose which has the same dimensions as a hollowpoint.

I've never had a rimlock with my P32, and I hope this prevents one from ever happening. Some doubt the efficacy of hollow points in .32s anyway, so I'll throw a couple of each style of bullets at the BG and see which ones he catches.
 
My sixth and very last kel-tec .32 rim-locked on Winch. ball ammo.I knew of the situation with shorter OAL ammo but ball??I'm done with them..tom. :fire:
 
I shoot a mixed mag loaded in my Guardian. Never had a problem. Another reason I bought a Guardian, rather than a Kel Tec, or Seecamp.
 
I don't think you can actually blame the gun.
This could happen with pistol chambering the .32 ACP

Before I sold my KT .32 I just carried FMJ.
I sold mine to help finance another purchase.
 
Any .32 pistol magazine that will accept ball can be rimlocked with shorter ammo such as JHP. A great explanation of this with pictures can be found here http://1bad69.com/keltec/rimlock.htm For those shooting JHP ammo in a P-32, Kel-Tec sells a rimlock spacer kit for your extra magazine or you can make a Flyer Wire for free.

As for myself, I carry JHP Cor-Bon in the pipe and the top round in the magazine with the remainder FMJ. This also avoids rimlock.
 
I shoot a mixed mag loaded in my Guardian. Never had a problem. Another reason I bought a Guardian, rather than a Kel Tec, or Seecamp.
Click to expand...
I had a guardian before I switched to a P-32
and I did have a rimlock with the guardian too.
 
you had a rimlock while unloading a magazine, not while firing the gun; you'll never know how it would have actually performed
Click to expand...

Exactly. The rounds are stripped from the magazine with a great deal more force when the gun is fired than what you can exert with your thumb (without causing pain).

I've never had rimlock cause a stoppage in my .25's and .32's during firing, even though I've damaged finger nails trying to empty the magazines by hand.
 
A .25 can rimlock but you would have to work awfully hard to make it happen.

I sometimes wonder if old JMB came up with the rimless .380acp and .45acp to alleviate the rimlock issue with .32 and .38 auto/Super guns.
Too bad the .380 has a habit of erratic extraction.
I think he may have got it just right with the .45acp.
 
My wife had an actual rimlock problem with her P32 at the range. It occured on a mag change from slide lock with a spare mag carried loose in her pocket. The load was the 60gr Silvertip.[.915 oal] After looking into the problem, her loadout is now; Win in chamber, mags full up with Magtech 71gr JHP. [.965 oal.]
No scientific testing, but the Magtech is a barky little load
 
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