32 vs 380 Kel-tec
- Thread starter Ghostrider_23
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I have both and the 10 rnd mags with grip extensions for the .32 make it fit my hand much better as well as holding the extra rounds. The P-3AT has the larger caliber and I honestly cannot decide whether 7 rnds of .380 is better than 11 rnds of .32.
I have both and the 10 rnd mags with grip extensions for the .32 make it fit my hand much better as well as holding the extra rounds. The P-3AT has the larger caliber and I honestly cannot decide whether 7 rnds of .380 is better than 11 rnds of .32.
That's how it's supposed to work.
The P-32 has a slide lock and to release it you remove the magazine and pull the slide back and than ease the slide forward.
KelTec has a plus 1 magazine extenson available for the P-3AT too.
I picked up a used 1st Gen P32 last summer for a good price. Never had any trouble with ball ammo, but I did experience rimlock with cor-bon hollowpoints. Even though I bought a rimlock kit I've never tried it. It seems that with smaller rounds, the popular opinion is penetration is more vital than expansion so I just stick with FMJ bullets, preferably the hotter S&B or fiocchi. I also purchased a ten round mag. IMO, if you have a Kel-tec that works reliably, you better not get rid of it. regardless of caliber.
j
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Well i was just told that the P3at was backordered for about 2 months, so that might be a concern too.
In general though GunTests had an article where the 32 was below 100ft-lbs with all the loads fired. The 380 was between 122 and 137ftlbs. The guns are the same size, why not go with the more powerful round?
In general though GunTests had an article where the 32 was below 100ft-lbs with all the loads fired. The 380 was between 122 and 137ftlbs. The guns are the same size, why not go with the more powerful round?
Whirlwind06
Member
I had a KT .380 put on the mag extenders and a rubber slip on grip. Still had trouble getting good groups. Bought a KT P32 I get better groups with it then I ever did with the .380. I'm sure it was just me, not the gun. But I would rather have a slightly less powerful round that I can hit with, then one that is all over the place on a target.
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The 32 is usually about 30% more accurate than the 380 in the same platform. I use a 32 and would not switch to the 380. Moving to the 380 is not necessarily an upgrade if you lose the ability to unjam the piece. There is no slide lock on the 380. This remark only applies to KelTec.
The biggest problem with mouseguns is hitting your target. The 380 has too much recoil for extensive practice so necessary for mousegun defense.
There are legal restrictions in CA that prohibit the P3at. I bought my p32 before the deadline that blocked their sale in CA. No new KelTec 32s or 380s can be sold to non LEOs in this state. The SU16CA is available here but not he standard SU16.
The biggest problem with mouseguns is hitting your target. The 380 has too much recoil for extensive practice so necessary for mousegun defense.
There are legal restrictions in CA that prohibit the P3at. I bought my p32 before the deadline that blocked their sale in CA. No new KelTec 32s or 380s can be sold to non LEOs in this state. The SU16CA is available here but not he standard SU16.
The Amigo
Member
WHAT U SHOOT BEST
I guess it comes down to what u shoot best but just to clarify some points...
Keltec has a mag extension that put round count on the .380 to 8 rounds not 7 that's what i use and they work flawlessly. Another point .380 has less malfunctions than .32 in keltec due to the rim lock. Do you like a gun that you can shoot good accurate but might not go bang? that's why my brother did the upgrade. Even do there's a fix for the rim lock he just felt uneasy. I guarantee you I'm as deadly with a .32 as with my .380 the .32 is not 30% more accurate... I believe usually its the person behind the gun that might not be used to the slightly larger recoil of the larger round. My point is practice makes perfect go to the range and burn a few once a while. My other point is how can a slide lock make a gun more lock prone? A crappy or dirty gun will give u trouble regardless of a slide lock, u will still have to remove the mag and slide the slide back to clear. All a slide lock does is indicate the gun is empty, and you will still need to pull back on the slide once you load the new mag in there in a .32 anyways. If none of what i said convinces you to switch the by all means carry the .32 it beats having a newspaper to defend yourself. Here's a pic my p3 with the +1 extension and a test done with the .32 so you can make a better choice of ammo if that's what you are limited to have. Don't get me wrong both are deadly rounds and didn't Hitler ended up himself with a .32 that went straight thru his skull and exited. No offense to any of you friends just that i like the .380 so much I'm thinking of kicking my wife out to sleep with my .380
hope this helps
http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a10/a10-21.html
I guess it comes down to what u shoot best but just to clarify some points...
Keltec has a mag extension that put round count on the .380 to 8 rounds not 7 that's what i use and they work flawlessly. Another point .380 has less malfunctions than .32 in keltec due to the rim lock. Do you like a gun that you can shoot good accurate but might not go bang? that's why my brother did the upgrade. Even do there's a fix for the rim lock he just felt uneasy. I guarantee you I'm as deadly with a .32 as with my .380 the .32 is not 30% more accurate... I believe usually its the person behind the gun that might not be used to the slightly larger recoil of the larger round. My point is practice makes perfect go to the range and burn a few once a while. My other point is how can a slide lock make a gun more lock prone? A crappy or dirty gun will give u trouble regardless of a slide lock, u will still have to remove the mag and slide the slide back to clear. All a slide lock does is indicate the gun is empty, and you will still need to pull back on the slide once you load the new mag in there in a .32 anyways. If none of what i said convinces you to switch the by all means carry the .32 it beats having a newspaper to defend yourself. Here's a pic my p3 with the +1 extension and a test done with the .32 so you can make a better choice of ammo if that's what you are limited to have. Don't get me wrong both are deadly rounds and didn't Hitler ended up himself with a .32 that went straight thru his skull and exited. No offense to any of you friends just that i like the .380 so much I'm thinking of kicking my wife out to sleep with my .380
hope this helpshttp://www.ktrange.com/articles/a10/a10-21.html
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Whirlwind06
Member
Recoil is a very subjective thing. You make this blanket statement that that really only applies to you. I don't really care how well you shoot your pistol or your kid sister that is 90 pounds soaking wet. Nether of you will be backing me up if I would ever need to defend myself. What matters is how well I shoot my pistols and how confident I am in my ability with a given pistol.
I have yet to have a rim lock problem. I only shoot FMJ to me that is the best round for the .32 anyways. 50 rounds of .380 and my hand was numb. 100 rounds of .32 and no problems. Ready to shoot another pistol.
The Amigo
Member
If you read my first line that that mentions" what u shoot best"
, That's what I meant no need to get fired up. It wasn't a blanket statement just my 2c based on my experience. Shoot what u please...
, That's what I meant no need to get fired up. It wasn't a blanket statement just my 2c based on my experience. Shoot what u please...ogivemeplat
Member
Either good, but...
Bought .32 for the wife. She dislikes the trigger. Bought her the 10 round mag so that she can get a grip on it. Hogue grip didn't seem to work out too well.
I carry it sometimes, it's an incredible piece.
Sorted through three at the dealer to find one that didn't have a ring inside the barrel where it is pressed into the block. (One of the clerks was not impressed with me taking them all apart).
It's not been entirely reliable, think I have to give it a F&B, maybe get the mag spacer. She has my Glock until then
And yes, if you load it without being careful, it can rimlock.
Didn't think the 380 would be much of an improvement, feeling that size-wise the package was maxed out with the 32.
But then a nice guy at the range let me try his.
Even more impressed than with the .32.
Intrinsically more reliable due to the rimless round.
Snappy, but not all that much different than the .32.
I'll be getting one for myself in due course, and a P9L for the wife.
(Or a Smith 340 or similar, we shall see).
I think that either one is an excellent choice for a BUG, but I'd take a 380 if I had the option.
No animals were harmed in the forming of these opinions. Yet.
Bought .32 for the wife. She dislikes the trigger. Bought her the 10 round mag so that she can get a grip on it. Hogue grip didn't seem to work out too well.
I carry it sometimes, it's an incredible piece.
Sorted through three at the dealer to find one that didn't have a ring inside the barrel where it is pressed into the block. (One of the clerks was not impressed with me taking them all apart).
It's not been entirely reliable, think I have to give it a F&B, maybe get the mag spacer. She has my Glock until then
And yes, if you load it without being careful, it can rimlock.
Didn't think the 380 would be much of an improvement, feeling that size-wise the package was maxed out with the 32.
But then a nice guy at the range let me try his.
Even more impressed than with the .32.
Intrinsically more reliable due to the rimless round.
Snappy, but not all that much different than the .32.
I'll be getting one for myself in due course, and a P9L for the wife.
(Or a Smith 340 or similar, we shall see).
I think that either one is an excellent choice for a BUG, but I'd take a 380 if I had the option.
No animals were harmed in the forming of these opinions. Yet.
The Amigo
Member
HAVE YOU TRIED?
Have u tried the bersa finger extension? some like it. And have you tried the wire trick to prevent rimlock? Heres a shortcut on how to do it. http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/flyerwire.htm http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/p3at-fingerrest.htm
Have u tried the bersa finger extension? some like it. And have you tried the wire trick to prevent rimlock? Heres a shortcut on how to do it. http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/flyerwire.htm http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/p3at-fingerrest.htm
32 acp
If you choose the 32 acp try and test the 32 acp 73 gr. Fiocchi FMJ, I shot it this week end as follow, Through a 1/8 aluminum plat, backed by a 580 page phone book,backed by a 5 gallon paint drum full of water and the little thing whent through all Items and got lost in the woolds some were, Now witch one you should have, Do some test on youre oun. Stay away from some American ammo makers is all hipes, Try those fiocchis in 32 acp or 380 acp, You will like any of them.......
If you choose the 32 acp try and test the 32 acp 73 gr. Fiocchi FMJ, I shot it this week end as follow, Through a 1/8 aluminum plat, backed by a 580 page phone book,backed by a 5 gallon paint drum full of water and the little thing whent through all Items and got lost in the woolds some were, Now witch one you should have, Do some test on youre oun. Stay away from some American ammo makers is all hipes, Try those fiocchis in 32 acp or 380 acp, You will like any of them.......
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Next time I want to kill a plat
I'll use Focchi instead of that inferior American made ammo. To be serious, about Fiocchi in 32 acp. If you check the ktog group, there are a lot of complaints about mis-fires with Fiocchi due to their hard primers. Fiocchi, not a good choice in 32 acp when your life depends on it.
MCgunner
Member
Get a P11 and quit messin' with mouse guns.
I have a .380. Ain't exactly a .454 Casull for recoil. It ain't a P3AT, though, an old Grendel P12 that works great and I've never bought another .380. Don't really carry it much, only on the rare occasion I HAVE to for concealment reasons. That's why I haven't gotten a P3AT (smaller), I'd never carry it. The P12 has an advantage over the P3AT, too, holds 12 rounds. With an extra mag, I am carryin' 23 rounds in a very tight, small package. The Grendel has held up though probably 2 or 3K rounds max. I hardly ever shoot it, but have had it for a long time now.
On ammo, you have your expansion guys and your penetration guys. I used to be an expansion guy like I am with more powerful calibers, but discussions on penetration with .380 and some jello tests and the minimal energy of the caliber and, well, my lack of confidence in the caliber has lead me to the penetration camp on this one. I've still got some 90 grain JHP Hornady's loaded up for it, but I've also got a 105 grain sharp shouldered cast SWC I shoot in that gun that feeds 100 percent, practice with it. It's accurate (accuracy is relative in .380s) and it has the weight. I have a hot handload for that bullet, pushes over 220 ft lbs out of that gun. I'm thinking a change in carry ammo is in the works. I need to load up a box, don't have any on hand. But, I put it off since I never carry the gun and right now I'm a little slack on .380 brass.
I have a .380. Ain't exactly a .454 Casull for recoil.
It ain't a P3AT, though, an old Grendel P12 that works great and I've never bought another .380. Don't really carry it much, only on the rare occasion I HAVE to for concealment reasons. That's why I haven't gotten a P3AT (smaller), I'd never carry it. The P12 has an advantage over the P3AT, too, holds 12 rounds. With an extra mag, I am carryin' 23 rounds in a very tight, small package. The Grendel has held up though probably 2 or 3K rounds max. I hardly ever shoot it, but have had it for a long time now.On ammo, you have your expansion guys and your penetration guys. I used to be an expansion guy like I am with more powerful calibers, but discussions on penetration with .380 and some jello tests and the minimal energy of the caliber and, well, my lack of confidence in the caliber has lead me to the penetration camp on this one. I've still got some 90 grain JHP Hornady's loaded up for it, but I've also got a 105 grain sharp shouldered cast SWC I shoot in that gun that feeds 100 percent, practice with it. It's accurate (accuracy is relative in .380s) and it has the weight. I have a hot handload for that bullet, pushes over 220 ft lbs out of that gun. I'm thinking a change in carry ammo is in the works. I need to load up a box, don't have any on hand. But, I put it off since I never carry the gun and right now I'm a little slack on .380 brass.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
That statement should have been in the Poll question.
If you were only going to carry 1 gun I would have voted to upgrade to the .380 but since it will soon be your BUG then I see no reason to buy the .380 when the .32 will be just as good a BUG as the .380. Save the money for ammo, you will need it!! We are all going to need more money for ammo from now on.
ammo
It is strange how many poeple complane just becouse ammo comp. Is not American. On my p32 and P3AT I have not had any miss fire do to any reason.......
:banghead: :banghead: So instead of reeding about it, By a box and try it on youre pistola !!!!!!!!!!:banghead:
It is strange how many poeple complane just becouse ammo comp. Is not American. On my p32 and P3AT I have not had any miss fire do to any reason.......
:banghead: :banghead: So instead of reeding about it, By a box and try it on youre pistola !!!!!!!!!!:banghead: ammo
I Like deep penetration on the BG, To get to vital org, I am a firm boliver in Cor bons or FMJ for these minuet CAL I have seen a guy get shot in the mouth with a 380 acp FMJ all the teeth on his right side were broken and he was dead, One shot stop.
I Like deep penetration on the BG, To get to vital org, I am a firm boliver in Cor bons or FMJ for these minuet CAL
I have seen a guy get shot in the mouth with a 380 acp FMJ all the teeth on his right side were broken and he was dead, One shot stop. Dude, first of all cut down on the emoticons/smilies, you know these
One or 2 gets the point across.Second you're the one that said and i quote:
Im guessing you meant "hype" but frankly i can be sure. You're basically saying american ammo sucks, not "I dont like Winchester" or I dont like Remington" you said specifically american. Im not making this a political stand, its asinine to not like an ammo because its from america. For the record i use wolf quite a bit and its Russian ammo. I dont care where its made as long as it works.
Thirdly CorBon is an american brand. Evidentally they arent "hype". Personally i believe the only reason to use FMJ is for reliability reason i.e your gun wont feed anything else. The idea is to dump as much energy into the target while making the most damage. FMJ doesnt do that.
The best ammo that I can find is the RWS, it's steel jacketed, accurate, powerful and reliable. The Fiocchi is also good but I get light strikes with S&B.
I understand the principle of rimlock but I have never had it happen to me and I shot alot of 32ACP in three different handguns.
Please remember that KelTec is not advertising either piece as a battle pistol. These are ultra compact back up guns for occasions when nothing else will fit in. They are breaking new ground with the design envelope. It is an enormous amount of controllable firepower for 6.6 oz 3/4" thick tiny package.
I understand the principle of rimlock but I have never had it happen to me and I shot alot of 32ACP in three different handguns.
Please remember that KelTec is not advertising either piece as a battle pistol. These are ultra compact back up guns for occasions when nothing else will fit in. They are breaking new ground with the design envelope. It is an enormous amount of controllable firepower for 6.6 oz 3/4" thick tiny package.
ammo
Yes, I am referring to winchesters, remingtons 32 acp, Federals Hydroshocks to name some. So its not American bashing, You see GOLD DOT also makes some desent rounds. I chose the Fiocchis becouse in my kel tecs they function great! Stick to what works in youres.
Yes, I am referring to winchesters, remingtons 32 acp, Federals Hydroshocks to name some. So its not American bashing, You see GOLD DOT also makes some desent rounds. I chose the Fiocchis becouse in my kel tecs they function great!
Stick to what works in youres.- Status
