.32 for within a room defense?

[el Godfather]

Look, when someone earlier mentioned HD, I immediately said no we are not discussing HD rather SD in room like situation. This means we are not talking about what to pack while at home rather a place where discreet carry is advised and its indoors like large room at best. So, in essence you are using .32 to get out of a pickle or tough situation.

 

[C0untZer0]

I know the OP said "room" but he didn't say home... maybe he should have just specified distance and left the location out of it - I don't know.

But anyway, just because there are small nines available now doesn't mean it negates all reasons for carrying a 32.

I carry a Rohrbaugh R9, the Kel Tec P-32 is awfully tempting for a secondary because it doesn't weigh that much and it doesn't cost that much.

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 13.5 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec P-32
Caliber: 32 ACP
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 3.5 in
Width: .75 in
Weight: 6.6 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

 

[willypete]

So, in essence you are using .32 to get out of a pickle or tough situation.

Looks like you have a consensus: .32 ACP sucks for getting out of pickles and/or tough situations.

Sure, it's a romantic little round with a great history. So are .22 short and .41 Remington rimfire.

Don't see too many people recommending those for SD, do you? That's because they suck at it, as does .32 ACP.

There are so many other, BETTER choices available in better platforms that it boggles the mind why someone would want to argue for .32 ACP if not for sheer pig-headedness.

 

[PRM]

OK, the consensus is in... the .32 has outlived its time. Not even worth the price of scrap metal. If you ever shoot someone with one, they may find out at some point and will be mad:banghead:

Out of the goodness of my heart, all you guys who hate em and want to get rid of them, I'll take em in and find a place for them.

 

[C0untZer0]

There are so many other, BETTER choices available in better platforms that it boggles the mind why someone would want to argue for .32 ACP if not for sheer pig-headedness.

There is more than one round out there capable of penetrating to 14" after 4 layers of denim. It's attractive as a secondary because it doesn't weigh that much and the Kel Tec at least, doesn't cost that much.

 

[Walkalong]

No reason to be lazy home in your room. This thread is about room defense. Largest, most powerful you can handle,highest capacity.

In the original post he never said a room at home where you are waiting for a bad guy.

Dear THR:
Assuming under 10 yards (large room), what is your take on using .32 acp as SD weapon? Sufficient or not?

To use a .32 ACP at home if you are proficient with something bigger would be ridiculous, and far worse than lazy on my part. It would be just plain stupid.

I answered the question as if you were out and about and ended up in a room needing to defend yourself, and I do carry a .32, so answered accordingly.

If the question is defense in your home, my .45 Auto is what I keep handy. Always have, with extra mags.

Oh yea, there is a loaded Mini 14, an AK, and an AR handy as well.

And since your post, the OP made it clear.

Look, when someone earlier mentioned HD, I immediately said no we are not discussing HD rather SD in room like situation. This means we are not talking about what to pack while at home rather a place where discreet carry is advised and its indoors like large room at best. So, in essence you are using .32 to get out of a pickle or tough situation.

 

[Mayvik]

NFA Skorpion mag dump? Sure, sign me up. Otherwise not my top pick but better than a letter opener and harsh language.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

There is more than one round out there capable of penetrating to 14" after 4 layers of denim. It's attractive as a secondary because it doesn't weigh that much and the Kel Tec at least, doesn't cost that much.

As an inexpensive backup weapon, the small Kel-Tec P32 certainly makes sense, but... almost everybody talked with (or messaged) who has one did not (does not) use it as a back up weapon.

A serious question for everyone here: except for LEOs, does anyone participating in this discussion have personal knowledge of someone who has CARRIED AND USED a backup firearm when their primary carry weapon failed?

I only know of a few people who have claimed to carry a BUG, and have never talked with anyone who has used one in a real-life event. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I'm just curious as to the frequency of the need.

(This might be a good separate question -- depending on the responses here. Others not participating in the .32 discussion might have input.)

My son is a STATE TROOPER and at one time thought of using a Kel-Tec P3AT I gave him for use as a backup gun (because of its small size.) Apparently a number of his fellow officers have them.

The problem, however, is that if you carry that weapon you must qualify with that weapon, including a number of shots at 20 yards. That is a challenge with any of the very small pocket guns. While a BUG probably wouldn't be used at that distance, here in NC, a State Trooper can only carry what he (or she) can qualify with and they don't have a different course of fire for BUGs.

After shooting it some, my son decided to trade it for something a bit larger, and use the larger gun as an off-duty carry weapon, instead -- so he has no BUG.

.

 

[jimbo555]

I don't care where the room is I wouldn't pick a 32.

 

[Walkalong]

Duly noted.

 

[Old Fuff]

I may be the only one who has responded to this thread that almost got into a hostile shooting incident while carrying a Colt .32 Pocket Automatic. I say this because when the other party who was involved spied the pistol he turned and departed on foot at a speed that would make any Olympic runner envious.

This sort of outcome is not unusual, and I’m delighted that things worked out the way they did. However I never felt that I was under gunned, nor that the Colt couldn’t accomplish what ever might have to be done. I knew from experience that my little pistol was deadly accurate and if I did my part would deliver a bullet exactly where it was pointed.

Some of those that say the cartridge is inadequate truly lack any confidence in it. This is a personal judgment and they have every right to have an opinion. However in no way does it mean that what they expound is true of everyone.

John Browning invented the cartridge, and it was first introduced in 1900 with a pistol designed by Browning and made by Fabrique Nationale. Colt came out with a pistol to use it in 1903, and it continued in production through World War Two. It would seem that if the pistol/cartridge combination were so inadequate that neither would have racked up the unquestioned popularity that they did, and wouldn’t have lasted for so long, even to this day.

 

[ldlfh7]

The .32 cal has been killing people for years and years. Are people stronger now?

 

[Teachu2]

The .32 cal has been killing people for years and years. Are people stronger now?

Statisticly speaking, yes - or at least fatter. More protection around their vitals.

 

[Bongo Boy]

I wouldn't consider anything less than 9mm, and since there's nothing a 9mm can do (that I care about) that a 40SW can't do just as well, I go that way. The scenario of 'under 10 yards' certainly doesn't mean a lighter gun is okay--to me, it only means I have that much less time to find out if the threat noticed my first 5 shots. I expect I'll never have an encounter where lethal force is needed, since I've gone 50 years so far without one. But, should it happen, I fully expect it will be well under 10 yards. One or 2 yards would seem most probable. At close range, I want all I can carry, and that sure ain't a .32ACP.

My response is an emphatic 'NO', and the idea that "one or two" rounds of anything would stop a real threat seems ridiculous to me--but an entire magazine of .32 ACP I would not expect to even slow down a 200 lb guy that's been drinking since Tuesday or a tweaked-out meth addict that has no idea what planet he's on. At under 10 yards, you have about 1 SECOND between you and a real lethal threat--I doubt ANY auto pistol can be relied on to 'stop' a rushing threat, unless you get a CNS/head shot.

Honestly, if my only firearm available in a SD situation was a .32, I'd use it--if there wasn't an ashtray available to throw at the guy.

There are plenty of 9mm and 40SW pistols out there that can be easily concealed, and I totally disagree with concealability being the primary objective. No, it isn't.

 

[el Godfather]

Statisticly speaking, yes - or at least fatter. More protection around their vitals.

I would like you to site references to the statistical data that shows people are strongly now than before. Being fat does not mean stronger or more resilient.

 

[el Godfather]

I totally disagree with concealability being the primary objective. No, it isn't.

May be not for you, but for a very large segment of people and especially for the purpose of this thread IT IS.

Honestly, if my only firearm available in a SD situation was a .32, I'd use it--if there wasn't an ashtray available to throw at the guy.

How honest! I did not know people out there would rather pack an ashtray instead of .32. I learn something new everyday.

 

[el Godfather]

My response is an emphatic 'NO', and the idea that "one or two" rounds of anything would stop a real threat seems ridiculous to me--but an entire magazine of .32 ACP I would not expect to even slow down a 200 lb guy that's been drinking since Tuesday or a tweaked-out meth addict that has no idea what planet he's on. At under 10 yards, you have about 1 SECOND between you and a real lethal threat--I doubt ANY auto pistol can be relied on to 'stop' a rushing threat, unless you get a CNS/head shot.

Have you ever shot someone to say this with such certainty? Any data to prove or back up this argument?

 

[usp9]

I may be the only one who has responded to this thread that almost got into a hostile shooting incident while carrying a Colt .32 Pocket Automatic. I say this because when the other party who was involved spied the pistol he turned and departed on foot at a speed

I too drew once, in 1976, and the outcome was similar... instant surrender. The other party did not first ask "What caliber is that?"

And in reverse;
I was once held at gunpoint for a pretty long period of time. It was a S&W .38 spl. Not once did the thought run through my head that it was a weak, underpowered round.

Rational people avoid getting shot no matter the gun or caliber. Irrational people may not care, and at that point a whole host of factors determine the outcome. Caliber is only one of them.

 

[pockets]

I may be the only one who has responded to this thread that almost got into a hostile shooting incident while carrying a Colt .32 Pocket Automatic.

Not a Colt, but a Kel-Tec P32. Late at night in a parking lot, 2 'gentlemen' attempted to intercept my wife as she was walking toward me from the store. I'm too old to quibble with thugs. I got between her and the gentlemen (5 feet away by now), locked eyes with the closest one and placed my hand on a P32. Never even had to bring it out. The two turned 180 and did a power walk across the lot muttering, something about 'just wanting a smoke'.
Note: That store has since been employing off-duty policemen and their parking lot incidents have dropped to zero.

I own a number of guns chambered for .32acp. It's one of my favorite cartridges.

.

 

[jimbo555]

So,according to the op. You are in this room in a tough situation. Is a 32 really going to be your choice??

 

[el Godfather]

So,according to the op. You are in this room in a tough situation. Is a 32 really going to be your choice??

Not choice- sufficient to avert crises situation?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

A few replies back, I wrote:

A serious question for everyone here: except for LEOs, does anyone participating in this discussion have personal knowledge of someone who has CARRIED AND USED a backup firearm when their primary carry weapon failed?

The question above really was about using a small gun as a backup piece -- and the real-world need for a backup gun. But, as we can see, the only folks responding thus far weren't carrying .32s as backup pieces.
I know a lot of folks carry .32 guns, be they 1903 or P3ATs.

I erred when I wrote "USED"; I should have been more precise: I should have written "actually FIRED".

Why FIRED? Because until you pull the trigger, the caliber is arguably irrelevant. An AirSoft pistol (with the red ring removed from the barrel) will work just as well as a .32 or a 10mm if you never have to pull the trigger.

I'm still looking for some meaningful information about the real world results as applied to a variety of handgun calibers. The once popular Marshall & Sanow study (One Shot Stops) has some real problems, and there doesn't seem to be much other info available.

One interesting read, if you haven't seen it, is on Wikipedia, called STOPPING POWER This article has SOME citations that might be worth investigating. I've also picked up some books, recently, that may prove informative -- just have to set down and start reading.

I suspect we're all telling each other what we BELIEVE, but nobody seems to have any data or facts to justify those BELIEFS. How do we get the facts or data?

.

 

[Kleanbore]

I once chased off a violent home invader with a Smith and Wesson Regulation Police revolver chambered for the .32 S&W Long, which was all I had at the time.

No shots were fired, so as Walt points out, the incident really doesn't tell us anything regarding the adequacy of the round.

Many decades ago, six hits fired by a peace officer from the same revolver proved ineffective in stopping a violent felon. The officer survived, badly shaken, and he immediately traded it for a .41 Colt.

 

[mavracer]

I suspect we're all telling each other what we BELIEVE, but nobody seems to have any data or facts to justify those BELIEFS. How do we get the facts or data?

Oh there are plenty of facts that justify my beliefs.
Fact is psychology of BG is exponentionally more of a factor than the size of the hole.
Fact is placement has a great deal of effect on the amount of damage required.

 

[PRM]

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