32acp suddenly intrigues me

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I'm a .32 auto lover. I have shot many and owned many. My favorites are the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless, the Walther PP, and the Beretta Cheetahs either model 81 or 82. I have several project guns in .32 and really like the Colt Pocket Hammerless in .32.



Further down the list? Check out the Beretta Tomcat and M1934, The Kel Tec P32, and the newer Walther PPK/s if you can find it in .32. With folks gaining some modern understanding that placement and penetration are actually the most important features of a defensive handgun the .32 auto does not turn some of us off quite as much as larger caliber aficionados would want.

I think one should carry the the most powerful handgun one can manage for SD but I manage to get 17"+ penetration out of my .32 hand loads and the Buffalo Bore hot load in .32 is pretty awesome as well. Not optimal but, hey, what hand gun round is? And I can accurately deliver multiple rounds quickly and very accurately from my Pocket Hammerless so I do carry it more often than I'd like to admit.

There are a plethora of very nice .32 pistols out there and shooting them/owning them is a hoot. Life's too short to not have fun with a .32 gun.

VooDoo

 

[Combat Engineer]

"Follks I will be the first to say I am a revolver guy through and through..." [WestKentucky]

The S&W M30 snubby (chambered for the anemic 32 long will chamber, shoot and eject the semi-rimmed 32 ACP, tho I prefer a 44 spl or 45 ACP (with moon-clips). And .327Magnum revolvers will also shoot 32H&R Mag, 32ACP, 32 long and 32 short. The Nagant revolver is also 32 cal handgun, and the only mass produced gas-sealed revolver.

As for 32ACP semi-autos, at the top of the heap are the 32 ACP Walther PPKs, which excell in every category, great ankle BUGs. And considered by many as the first and best CCW ever, the Colt M1903, which I carry on occasion. Bear in mind that the Tokarev pistol is a 9mm necked down to 32 cal. (really a 32Mag)

Still carry a Walther PPK BUG daily. Why? Because the 32 ACP penetrates as well as or better than 380. And it is a soft, accurate, quick shooter.

The best 32 ACP SD ammo is produced by S&B and Buffalo Bore.

Think I'll go for a stroll, where's my fedora...

 

[Snowdog]

Vodoun da Vinci, I'm jealous. That's one pretty pistol there.

As for the .32acp, it is a deceptively punchy little round from my experience. It has more penetration than one would expect in common items such as 2x4s and toaster ovens (long story).

Though I would pretty much pass on just about any JHP in .32acp as I find expansion and expansion is asking a bit too much of the cartridge, the FMJ will impressively punch though all sorts of stuff. I haven't seen any gel tests for the 73gr FMJ, but I would expect it to be a deep digging horror.
For the record, I carry a Kel-tec P32 during yard work around the house and believe it has the capacity to save my butt against a rabid this and a criminal that. I also forget I'm carrying the darn thing to the point where it has almost has ended up in my washer a couple times now.

No, I wouldn't dream of choosing a .32acp over a 9mm or even a .380acp, but I feel it doesn't quite get the credit it deserves.

 

[jhb]

I'm a .32 auto lover. I have shot many and owned many. My favorites are the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless, the Walther PP, and the Beretta Cheetahs either model 81 or 82. I have several project guns in .32 and really like the Colt Pocket Hammerless in .32.



Further down the list? Check out the Beretta Tomcat and M1934, The Kel Tec P32, and the newer Walther PPK/s if you can find it in .32. With folks gaining some modern understanding that placement and penetration are actually the most important features of a defensive handgun the .32 auto does not turn some of us off quite as much as larger caliber aficionados would want.

I think one should carry the the most powerful handgun one can manage for SD but I manage to get 17"+ penetration out of my .32 hand loads and the Buffalo Bore hot load in .32 is pretty awesome as well. Not optimal but, hey, what hand gun round is? And I can accurately deliver multiple rounds quickly and very accurately from my Pocket Hammerless so I do carry it more often than I'd like to admit.

There are a plethora of very nice .32 pistols out there and shooting them/owning them is a hoot. Life's too short to not have fun with a .32 gun.

VooDoo

^yup that would be my first pick for a .32 acp if I wanted heritage and just a darn nice gun all around.

Very nice thanks for sharing......

 

[Armor Snail]

Another for the vz. 50/70

 

[WestKentucky]

I wasn't aware that a pocket hammerless was ever made in stainless or nickeled. That ones mighty pretty.

And as for the 32swl shooting 32 autos, I own 3 of them. An RG 39 that belonged to my late grandmother, a random Saturday night special from the junk bin that cost 20 bucks, and my most recent Aqui sit in a 30-1 smith that until yesterday may have been unfired. She ate 100 rounds...50 factory loads 25 32swl reloads, 25 32acp reloads.

 

[george burns]

That is a pretty gun, I would buy that in a second if I came across it. But be careful with Walthers, I carried a German one for 20 years when there were no new small auto's around, "back in the 70's, and although it was a beautiful gun, and I shoot them well, "I should after 20 years", I had more than two times the gun had problems with the slide loosening up, and needing to be sent out to be aligned. I don't know if that was a problem with all of them or just mine.
It was highly customized, and chromed, "supposedly from the factory", which it appeared to be due to the engraving and perfection of the plating. But that slide would get loose every five years or so.
I still have some 32 silvertips from my seacamp. Those bullets were a fortune at the time, at 60 or so per box.

 

[Tallball]

The Colt 1903's are very cool.

If you like the Walther PP... FEG made a pretty good copy in 32. The AP-MPB was the commercial version. I bought one from AIM Surplus and it shoots great. They still have them. It is a nice light alloy frame.

The WW1 Ruby is usually available on GB.

The Savage was very distinctive looking and is also usually on GB.

I think it was Llama who made the 1911 looking one that I see from time to time.

 

[golden]

Go with the beretta

West K,

I have shot a number of .32ACP pistols and the most reliable one is the BERETTA 81/82 Chettah. The large grip area, large sights (for this caliber), mild felt recoil and smooth trigger action make it an accurate pistol too shoot and a lot of fun as well.
It is a medium size gun in a pocket gun caliber
Be forwarned, you can still order BERETTA 81 magazines from BERETTA USA, but BERETTA 82 magazines are hard to find.

After the BERETTA, I would recommend the SIG 232, if you can find one in .32ACP. The grips are more comfortable that the similar size WALTHER PP. Also, the SIG has a hammer dropping decocker, while the WALTHER pistols still use a slide mounted manual safety that you have to remember to return to the fire position. I favor simplicity in guns and most things.

The CZ83 was made in .32ACP, but import was recently stopped by CZ. It is similar to the BERETTA, but has a 1911 style safety that DOES NOT SAFELY LOWER THE HAMMER. For this reason, I rate it behind the BERETTA and SIG. Otherwise, the CZ83 is a great gun, reliable, accurate, easy to shoot with a nice trigger.

The best concealed carry .32ACP are the WALTHER PPK, (can be pricey, but pre-INTERARMS guns are definitely worth it). I found the WALTHER PPK to be more comfortable to shoot than the WALTHER PP. This may be due to the slightly lighter slide on the PPK. It is also much more concealable.

The best .32ACP from a concealment standpoint, in my opinion is the BERETTA Tomcat 3032. This gun is the smallest that can be completely comfortable to shoot and completely reliable. The tip-up barrel overcomes my issues with the manual safety.

The even smaller KEL TEC .32ACP pistol can be a very concealable pistol if you can find one that is 100% reliable. My own experience has been mixed with this gun.

Down on my list, but a really nice gun to shoot is the COLT 1903 Pocket Hammerless. This is an all steel gun designed to last for centuries is properly maintained. It is completely overbuilt for the .32ACP, as are the BERETTA 81/82, SIG 232 and CZ-83,
The negatives are small sights, single action design and small, manual safety lever. If I kept on for self defense, I would keep it in condition three, with the magazine loaded and chamber empty. You can shoot WINCHESTER Silvertips, FIOCCHI XTP or COR BON Powerball in this gun (at least in mine) with good accuracy.

Good luck,

Jim

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I wasn't aware that a pocket hammerless was ever made in stainless or nickeled. That ones mighty pretty.

They were available in nickle but never stainless. Not to mislead...that pistol I posted is a custom project pistol. It's been resprung/rebuilt and tuned with a Street Tune and action job/trigger as well as hard chromed by APW Cogan. I bought it expressly for the purpose of "saving" the gun while providing myself with a custom .32 for CCL. I have another built in 1919 that wil get a similar treatment.

But I didn't want you to think that pistol was all original. It's all mine but not stock that's for sure....

VooDoo

 

[9 fingers]

I too have just become interested in the 32ACP. Just purchased a CZ VZ70 and they can be had easily for $200 to $300 in really good condition. I have some klinsky grips for mine, will get pics next week. Also have an Astra Constable on its way to me and should have it by midweek, but won't be able to pick it up for a month, due to NJ permit restrictions (one per 30 days).
And other than the PPK, I like the Mauser HSc 32 as well as the Beretta 70, if you can find one.
9 fingers

 

[bannockburn]

I think one of the sleekest, most streamlined looking .32 autos was the Beretta Model 90, also known as the "Roma".

 

[Gordon]

Colt 03 or Walther PP or Beretta 70 series for me. The .32acp is deadly on critters up to about 30 pounds. It slaughters any live stock very well too.

 

[tuj]

not .32acp but .32S&W:

 

[Armor Snail]

The CZ83 is fantastic in .32acp

The manual safety is plus imo because you have the option of either Condition 1 or 2 if you carry it.

Lowering the hammer on one ain't no thing but a chicken wing.

Wide, grippy hammer with lots of purchase area. It also has a. Hammer block so if you release the trigger before the hammer there is no chance of an ND.

 

[Rex B]

What - no Seecamps? Nice little pocket gun if a bit heavy
But around the house I carry a P32 Keltec. After weighing all my pocket pistols, it was the lightest
Wife carries a Tomcat
I have a couple of the Llama model 1s made in the 1940s, definitely my favorites
And I shoot ACP in my .32 revolvers. It's just cheaper.

So I guess I'm a fan

 

[AABEN]

DILLON carried a pare of 32 Colts. NO not Mat.

 

[Walkalong]

What - no Seecamps?

Has this one been mentioned? Trigger is heavy, but it shoots very well. I really enjoy shooting it.

 

[lincen]

Have bought over ten 32 acp handguns this year. Just something about that round that I really enjoy shooting. I know all the arguments against it but for pure enjoyment they are tops for me. Looking forward to getting two more this week. One is a Star model SI which from what I've read is one of the few locked breach all steel 32 acp's.

 

[ThomasT]

I haven't read every word of every thread posted but am happy to add a part I don't think has been mentioned. Have a look at these imports from Aim Surplus. I have been thinking about getting a couple of them for myself.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=899&name=Hungarian+FEG+AP-MBP+.32+Auto+Pistol

I have several 32 revolvers and one 32acp Manhurin made in 1957, the same year I was made. I paid $250 for it but it was broke. The repair parts cost an extra $15 so I don't have too much in it and it is in almost perfect shape.

I do not feel under armed at all with a small bore gun. I carry 22s and 25s on a regular basis. Aim Surplus has ammo for the 32 for around 13 to 15 dollars a box. If thet are out just sign up for the email alerts and buy it when in stock. I just got 250 rounds of 25acp that way.

 

[481]

Folks I will be the first to say I am a revolver guy through and through with only occasional attraction to autoloading handguns. In fact I own only 1 autoloader at the moment in a Taurus pt99. I have owned lots and traded them or sold them due to lack of interest, and I have owned many, none of which I miss. I suddenly find myself unmistakably and very highly interested in a pistol because of the 32acp cartridge which I am loading for use in my 32swl revolvers (very low loads).

Historically the 32 has seen quite the range of iterations from Deringers to submachineguns and machinepistols. I am aware of some truly incredible designs and some which failed miserably. Please suggest models for me to look into for a potential search in the future. The more svelte the design the better...and historic designs even more so.

I'm thinking thing like the Walther PP, Colt Pocket Hammerless, Beretta Cheetah...something fitting to be worn under a nice 3 button pinstripe suit....

I have had the same feelings for a .25ACP in pistol of decent make, but the prices ($800-$1,000 for the newest PSPs) are what keep holding me off. Romanticism for a particular cartridge is always curtailed by the reality of price -and to a point, practicality- when it gets right down to it...at least for me, anyway.

 

[sgt127]

I hate .32's. (though actually, a .380 Colt and a .22 PPK/s snuck in there)

I hate the so much I didn't include a picture of my Seecamp or my NAA Guardian.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Isn't it surprising that with all the .32 love still out there that there aren't many new .32 pistols or revolvers being offered? I really like .32 for training and for introducing newer shooters to a slightly larger caliber weapon after they get the taste with a .22. Can't believe how many shooters who got a bad taste in their mouth shooting a .45 or .357 suddenly find religion about shooting at the hands of my Colts.

Just enough power and size to encourage but not so much smack that they don't wanna shoot 'em after the recoil. Nice transition guns to me....

VooDoo

 

[HoosierQ]

I too have the bug. Chasing down a lead on a West German PP. I may be too costly...especially if there are Manhurins to be had.

I think it's a perfectly good round. But the guns! Oh the wonderful guns that were made for that round!!! That's the thing for me!!!

 

[Tallball]

Like V said, it is a good training round for new shooters. When they get bored with 22's I bring out the 32 revolvers and automatics. Since it is easiest to find and cheapest, I put a lot of 32acp through my 32 (H &R magnum) revolvers. There are plenty of people who aren't ready for 38 or 9mm right away, but pretty much anyone can shoot 32's comfortably.