A thread about .32 acp

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I like .32 ACP

I collect 'art deco' .32 ACP pistols (roughly from 1900 to the end of WWII, not precise.) I have about 10 specimens and looking for more. They are really interesting bits of history, and excellent examples of the gunmaker's art, both design and execution.

I use exclusively Prvi Partizan ammunition - it seems to be uniform and 'average' in the caliber. My impression from chronographing the various pistols I have indicates the PP ammo is loaded more to U. S. levels than European. I don't carry these pistols for defense use. I have other pistols more 'suitable' (greater power, accuracy and handling). Although I have carried my model M Colt on occasion. If pressed with no other choices, I would carry one of my .32 pistols for defense; it just isn't my first choice.

I've written up some firing reports on my blog (see signature) and I'm still procrastinating a couple others. They are all fun to shoot - other than the Savage and Beretta pistols are prone to slide bite the web of my somewhat fleshy hands - and they are all more accurate than is commonly thought.
 
Good stuff...thanks Archie!! :)

In regards to ammunition I find that groove diameter in .32 ACP pistols seems to range from .3085 in some Mausers to .311 and even .312 in some Colt 1903. As I progress in hand loading for these pistols I'm finding that the "hot" Euro ammo is generally shooting smaller diameter bullets to cater to the Euro style pistols with generally smaller groove diameter barrels. These rounds are hotter in my Colts but not as accurate as things like the Buffalo Bore 75 grain flat nose offering which has a .312 diameter bullet.

Not only a little hotter still but it's larger diameter more closely fits the Colt bore and they are way more accurate.

Has anyone slugged the bore of a Kel Tec P-32 and, if you have, could you tell me the groove diameter? Thanks in advance!

VooDoo
 
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I have a nifty .32 which someone mentioned earlier, a Beretta 70 New Puma. However, regarding it's calibre, I prefer to use the European designation, considering the origins of this fine little pistol. The aluminum frame makes it easy to tote, the crossbolt safety makes it quick into action, and the single action trigger makes it a dream to shoot. It's the only pistol I have that's been used to stop an attacker. I used to slip it in an IWB holster when the chance of conflict seemed small. As things sometime happen, though, a pit bull slipped it's chain and came after my wife and I on our evening stroll. Three shots, rapid fire, put the beast down.
However, the Beretta doesn't get carried much any more. It's been retired to a place of honor and will no doubt go to a family member when I shake off this mortal coil.
An S&W CS9, roughly the same size as the New Puma or an S&W 642, weighs not much more than either and packs more punch in 9mm.
 

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It was me that brought up this little Beretta earlier, and I STILL think it a visual beauty of a handgun. Very sleek lines, and a joy to carry.
 
I also have a soft spot for the Beretta design...be they model 70's, 81, 82, or the older designs I really like the way they look.

I'd buy a model 81 or 82 if I could find one.

VooDoo
 
I wish I had picked up the Model 86 when it first came out.

It had the longest barrel of any 380 sold in the U.S, the tip-up barrel was very cool, it's a beautiful gun and a great shooter.
 
Speaking of older Berettas, I found a Model 101 35 years ago in a pawn shop, downtown Houston. It had a six inch barrel, the same safety as the Model 70, and adjustable sights above the chamber. Those sights had the smallest adjustment screws I've ever seen. I think I paid $60 for that sweet little .22.
My boss at the time saw it and wanted it. She wasn't the type of boss one said "no" to - certainly for a recent college grad who needed the job. She graciously paid $65 for the pistol. I've been looking for another ever since.
 
Yeah...my mistake/my bad. :banghead:

This is probably the best on going thread about .32 ACP pistols I have seen for some time on The 'Net. Let's concentrate on keeping it nurturing and positive so folks wanna continue to play. I *love* seeing pix of other folks' .32's and rolling in all things .32 just for a little while. :cool:

VooDoo
 
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My problem with the 380 AUTO is that most of the gel tests I've seen show the hollow point top out at 10" penetration and I've seen the FMJ, even truncated flat nosed penetrating 17-18 inches and even zipping out the back of 19" blocks.

There doesn't seem to be a way to get the round to penetrate between 12 to 15 inches.
 
I reload .32 ACP and I know that others here at THR do as well. I love it...really, I treat it just like a small 9mm. I use Rim Rock Bullets 75 gr. RNFP hardcast lead. Same bullet Buffalo Bore uses in their supposedly "+P" version of premium .32 SD ammunition but we all know that there really is no +P .32, right? :eek:

The Buffalo Bore are hot rounds, no doubt but they are not +P. I set out to duplicate them to some degree with the idea of getting 200 FPE of energy out of a flat pointed .32 bullet. That's just shy of 1100 FPS out of the 3.75" barrel on the Colt pistols I shoot. The flat pointed bullets penetrate deeply and seem to open a nice wound channel unlike round noses that seem to push substance aside and then close up behind it.

I'm a big believer in hot, flat points in .32 ACP for SD and don't really feel the need of hollow points or round noses. Round noses penetrate but don't open as big of a wound channel and hollow points don't penetrate deep enough.

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IMO/YMMV. I do think the .32 ACP is given less credit than it deserves as a self defense round - certainly not ideal or a "knock down" caliber *but* very easy even for smaller folks to drill a BG with multiple taps very accurately and very quickly. And the .32's hide so easy there is always the element of complete surprise and the added plus of always having the gun with you to do that. And with 15" of penetration and accurate follow ups with the right bullets I don't feel under gunned when I have one in my hand.

VooDoo
 
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I reload .32acp, and mostly use 71ghr FMJ's (came into a bunch several years ago). Either Bullseye or Unique does the job. I shoot them in a Beretta 70, a '64 Walther PPK, or a 1913 Colt 1903 (yup, just turned 100 this year!).
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SharpDressedMan,

Seeing your post #41 earlier, I have a Beretta 1953, 7.65mm. It has the Gardone V.T. stamp on the slide. This little piece is a pawn rescue, 90%, with an original leather flap holster, dark brown. I shoot the Fiocchi brand ammo only, 73 gr. FMJ. This little pistol really shoots well, never a flaw. When I got it, I ordered springs from Numrich, magazine spring also, had a smith change the springs, like new. Like some have mentioned about them not having as much power as blah, blah, blah, I won't stand out anywhere and let anyone shoot this one at me ! The Euro cartridges do have more power than the US made ammo.
 
My mom has a Beretta Tomcat it makes a smaller hole than my .357 but that isn't very important if that hole is where it should be.
 
.32 acp/7.65 Browning is a fine round for defense. I go with Fiocchi FMJ in my beretta. Someone also mentioned Prvi partisan which is great as well. For modern day pistols you can try jhp, but with this specific round, one should favor penetration over energy transfer. I've seen numbers with 73gr Euro (Fiocchi) penetrating 13.5 inches into ballistic gel. That's more than enough for major organ trauma to shut down a bad guy. Plus when I've been blasting away at the range with my larger, louder weapons, my 32 is a good change of pace with low recoil rapid fire.
 
FN Model 10/22

I just joined the community and have a question .

I recently came across a Model 10 or 22 (serial # in the 285 thousand range) FN pistol. There is no caliber marking on it, the seller says it's a .32

When the safety is pushed up to engage the slide, there is a small amount of play to the trigger. It pushes back about 1 mm or a bit more. The seller says this is normal, but I don't know. I am a novice when it comes to handguns, usually shooting a .22 rifle or black powder.

Is this bit of play normal (safe) or if not what would be the best fix for it?
 
My first handgun (to be picked up in two days) is a WW2 Sauer 38H. All of these were in .32 acp.

It was a surprise comparing the .32acp next to a Makarov 9x18 rd. and until now the Mak. round had looked really small.
Wish that the Polish P-64 (9x18) were more comfy to shoot, as three friends "carry" them.

How much less does .32 acp penetrate gelatin blocks compared to .380 and Mak?:scrutiny:
 
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Wish that the Polish P-64 (9x18) were more comfy to shoot, as three friends "carry" them.

They are so accurate, that I tend to overlook their snappy recoil. I find them very well made and fun to shoot.
 
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