DAO .32 Pocket Rocket

[TTv2]

Besides looking pretty and being all steel there is nothing the NAA offers that's better than the Kel Tec. The P32 does look dated tho and I've been of the opinion that Kel Tec should update it with a Gen 2. For those that don't think it can get better, there's nothing stopping Kel Tec from making both the current and an gen 2 model concurrently.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

If KelTec would improve their aesthetics, maybe offer a few tried-and-true firearms staples; they’d be a top-tier seller/mover of firearms stateside… if they’re not already. I’d love an SCCY made by KelTec… less risk of exploding in my hands

 

[skoro]

Yeah...

The P32 is not the finest example of the gunsmith's art, no doubt. But it's light, compact, reliable and has decent ergonomics. I have one that I carry on occasions when even my j-frame seems to be a bit on the large and heavy side. With stout ammo like Buffalo Bore or Federal Hydra Shok, I feel confident that it would serve well.

 

[Tallball]

If KelTec would improve their aesthetics, maybe offer a few tried-and-true firearms staples; they’d be a top-tier seller/mover of firearms stateside… if they’re not already. I’d love an SCCY made by KelTec… less risk of exploding in my hands

I'm pretty sure the SCCY is more or less a copy of one of the Keltecs. The P11, maybe?

 

[unclenunzie]

I'm pretty sure the SCCY is more or less a copy of one of the Keltecs. The P11, maybe?

accurate.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I'm pretty sure the SCCY is more or less a copy of one of the Keltecs. The P11, maybe?

If it was possible to become less aesthetically appealing than KelTec, SCCY did it, and did it well

 

[hso]

There aren't any "bragging rights" to the KT, but then if that's what you're carrying a pocket pistol that no one should ever see except in the most dire situation...

I carried a P32, until I replaced it with their .380 P3AT (just for the larger caliber). The KT just disappears in your pocket.

 

[chicharrones]

The comment up thread and below about accidental mag release make it clear I'd be grounding down the mag release on a P-32 as well. It wouldn't be the first time I've done that to a pocket auto.

 

[contender]

I also had a mag release problem with the p32.
I am a lefty and on two occasions, somehow on the draw or while in the pocket, the mag button got depressed and the mag was released.
I traded it off which was a mistake. I should have either ground down the button as previously mentioned or done something else to protect that mag button from unintentional contact with whatever.

Thought about a Seecamp 32 as i like the mag heel release, but the field strip procedure on the seecamp was more than i wanted to deal with.

 

[KevininPa]

I've always felt that KelTec should "Out Ruger Ruger" and make a P32 Plus. Add 1/4-3/8 inch to the barrel. Make the grip as long as the original with a plus 1 extension and as wide as the current with a hogue sleeve. Should then fill the hand better and get a slight stagger stack for possibly 10 rounds of .32 acp. And still be pocketable. I think they would sell. The short batches that they do sell quick. And they don't sit long on Gunbroker. They could even produce both the original and the Plus. Just my .02.

 

[JN01]

I'm a Guardian and P32 owner. The NAA is nice, but the KelTec is much lighter and much easier to shoot. The P32 grip is slimmer than I care for, a little more bulk makes it easier to hold onto. I used a Pachmayr sleeve for a while, but it tends to slip around. I found that the Ruger LCP II Hogue beavertail fits great, you just have to trim off the bottom behind the magazine well.

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree with Kevin, a P32 fits where others don't but I think there is a market for a ".32 on a .380 frame" as the old timers would have put it. More to hold on to to actually shoot, more rounds.

 

[kBob]

Guys I have been carrying the P32 since the old style slide was the only slide available EDC and twice on Sunday. Pocket carry. Pocket holster. I am a big fuy and more often than not carry the Ten rounder and when I don’t carry a 7 with a short pinky extension.

I find lack confidence at ranges beyond 10 meters because of the Old P32 Pyramidal sights Mayhaps I am using them wrong but I just can’t make them work further than effective combat brick tossing range.

Silly as it may sound I like to be able to shoot a handgun twice as far as most folks think you can.

My daughter is making EDC gun noises and as much as I otherwise like my short range Pocket Rocket I wand to know it it is actually better with the newer traditional sights or not…. Mr. Kelgren seemed to like the old sights …. I have yet to actually hit a 100 yard Silly-wet with the old one, something I COULD do about half the time with the Beretta 21A and .22LR mini mags and more often than not with even Rossi, Taurus, and Charter .38 Special snubbies.

I once had the fortune of being tutored in 100 yard plus shooting by a man Named Floyd Coleman aka Pappy Coleman that taught me that most folks can not reliably ring 55 gallin drums regularly at 100 yard because they never tried enough. He regulary shot repeated shots into a target the size of a shoe box at 100 yards with Iron sighted Merrill and t-c single shots and took whitetail reliably to 150 yards with those in .30-30.

Giants once walked the earth!

anyhow I do like shooting further than ten yards and would like my daughter to as well.

So let’s talk about what I originally asked about in message #1 …. KelTec P32 sights and how to use them.

-kBob

 

[chicharrones]

Guys I have been carrying the P32 since the old style slide was the only slide available EDC and twice on Sunday. Pocket carry. Pocket holster. I am a big fuy and more often than not carry the Ten rounder and when I don’t carry a 7 with a short pinky extension.

I find lack confidence at ranges beyond 10 meters because of the Old P32 Pyramidal sights Mayhaps I am using them wrong but I just can’t make them work further than effective combat brick tossing range.

Silly as it may sound I like to be able to shoot a handgun twice as far as most folks think you can.

My daughter is making EDC gun noises and as much as I otherwise like my short range Pocket Rocket I wand to know it it is actually better with the newer traditional sights or not…. Mr. Kelgren seemed to like the old sights …. I have yet to actually hit a 100 yard Silly-wet with the old one, something I COULD do about half the time with the Beretta 21A and .22LR mini mags and more often than not with even Rossi, Taurus, and Charter .38 Special snubbies.

I once had the fortune of being tutored in 100 yard plus shooting by a man Named Floyd Coleman aka Pappy Coleman that taught me that most folks can not reliably ring 55 gallin drums regularly at 100 yard because they never tried enough. He regulary shot repeated shots into a target the size of a shoe box at 100 yards with Iron sighted Merrill and t-c single shots and took whitetail reliably to 150 yards with those in .30-30.

Giants once walked the earth!

anyhow I do like shooting further than ten yards and would like my daughter to as well.

So let’s talk about what I originally asked about in message #1 …. KelTec P32 sights and how to use them.

-kBob

Hmmm. I've never had the Gen1 type sights on anything.

I can relate to the Gen 2 sights as they look about the same size and shape as what is on my TCP732. I did dab some white paint on the front sight years ago, but I can't recall shooting past 15 yards for record. Looking through some old target photos of mine, the best group I have on that gun is 3" at 15 yards.

The sights are low profile and fixed on that TCP. Maybe I could do better if I milled the slide and added a red dot?

 

[chicharrones]

I keep going back and forth on buying a Kel-Tec P32, but it makes my Taurus look downright nicely made.

Seems like I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I have a new P-32 on order. Hoping to pick it up in a week or so.

 

[Noclutch]

A little late to the conversation, but I'm recently in the P32 fan club as well.
My tiny anecdotal information to contribute, which I figured out last night, is that my P32 with six rounds and a Sticky pocket holster weighs 11.0 oz. Whereas my iPhone 11 and minimalist case weighs 8.7 oz.
LOVE this little gun! So much so that I bought a lightly used P3AT as well. It'll be interesting to do back to back comparisons on the range.

 

[Dan-O]

A little late to the conversation, but I'm recently in the P32 fan club as well.
My tiny anecdotal information to contribute, which I figured out last night, is that my P32 with six rounds and a Sticky pocket holster weighs 11.0 oz. Whereas my iPhone 11 and minimalist case weighs 8.7 oz.
LOVE this little gun! So much so that I bought a lightly used P3AT as well. It'll be interesting to do back to back comparisons on the range.

There a reason why you don’t feel comfortable carrying 7 in the mag and one in the pipe? My p32 has been nothing but reliable with the +1 mag extension, so that makes 8 in the mag and one in the pipe for a total of 9 rounds on tap.

 

[Pistolay]

As fond as I am of my P32s, I really wish they had better build quality. I'd pay for it.

 

[Noclutch]

There a reason why you don’t feel comfortable carrying 7 in the mag and one in the pipe? My p32 has been nothing but reliable with the +1 mag extension, so that makes 8 in the mag and one in the pipe for a total of 9 rounds on tap.

I would, but at just a couple weeks or so I'm still in the "does it shoot/feel like I want" phase of our relationship. Out on my backyard range figuring the nuances and peculiarities, which are very few! I load mags and rack for any carry at this juncture.

As fond as I am of my P32s, I really wish they had better build quality. I'd pay for it.

Amen! What is missing in the market, IMHO, is a premium build super lightweight 32 ACP. Shame that the big brands have abandoned the caliber. (yes, I get it. "9 is the minimum"...)
But I know- supply and demand....
The closest thing I have is my Kahr P380, but it is a "pig" loaded at 13.5 oz (in the same .9 oz Sticky)

 

[WestKentucky]

If it was possible to become less aesthetically appealing than KelTec, SCCY did it, and did it well

Take a Keltec and put it on a diet of pure lard and you get a Sccy. I had a p11 and liked it until I lost it in the woods. Never found it either.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

As fond as I am of my P32s, I really wish they had better build quality. I'd pay for it.

I'm curious - what's your objection about "build quality"?

P32s are reliable. I have two.

I've owned a Beretta Tomcat. I carried it as a BUG on patrol but I rarely CCW'd it because it's too girthy. I sold it when I left law enforcement.

I've had a Seecamp for about 12-13 years. I've CCW'd it extensively. It's a pretty little gun but heavy compared to a P32.

When I was trying to decide between the Seecamp and the NAA Guardian I was leaning toward the Guardian because it has sights whereas the Seecamp doesn't.

Thankfully, I found a gun shop that had both a Seecamp and a Guardian in stock and I was able to compare the two side by side. The Guardian's sights were practically unuseable. The Guardian was also a few ounces heavier than the Seecamp, but those few ounces made a big difference when I put the Guardian in my pocket. The Seecamp was used (made in Milford CT) but the Guardian was new. I chose the Seecamp, hands down.

All that said, I prefer a P32 over the Seecamp.

I load the P32s with Fiocchi 73gr FMJ for CCW. This Fiocchi load is hotter than U.S. brands, but I don't even notice the P32's recoil.

 

[Mike OTDP]

The one gripe I have with my Seecamp is finding a holster that will keep the gun muzzle-down. It’s a butt-heavy piece.

 

[Noclutch]

Debating between a Keltec P-32, or an NAA Guardian in .32 Auto. Acquiring a S&W 686 and NAA mini-mag, parting with my Colt Junior… need a replacement pocket-auto. Had a Zastava M70 in .32 Auto, and while a fine gun, it’s just a hair too large for pocket carry… fine compact belt gun; but not suitable for a pocket.
In passing, I like the genuine DAO of the NAA, but the weight of the KelTec is a hard thing to pass up

In other performance circles that I've very familiar with (racing cycles, with and without engines), the old adage of "Light, strong, cheap- pick two" is absolutely applicable here as well. The P32 punches well above it's "weight" for sure.

 

[Pistolay]

I'm curious - what's your objection about "build quality"?

P32s are reliable. I have two.

Yes, they're reliable, but they're very cheaply made. Plastic roll pins, cheap plastic guide rod, plastic flashing everywhere, no finish on the barrel, etc. And they're not built to last long. KelTec used to have a FAQ page on their website, and it said the service life is 6000 rounds. That's nowhere near the neighborhood of top tier brands. I know a lot of people buy guns like this and think that a hundred rounds or maybe two hundred rounds a year are adequate to be proficient with them, but I don't. Both of mine are just under a year old, and both have over 500 rounds, and that's not a lot for me. I normally put at least 1500 rounds a year through my carry guns. I have two P32s just so I can spread out the round count and not wear them out in a few years.

Don't get me wrong, I like these guns a lot, but I would pay twice the price for one that was built like a SIG or a Glock.

 

[TTv2]

Yes, they're reliable, but they're very cheaply made. Plastic roll pins, cheap plastic guide rod, plastic flashing everywhere, no finish on the barrel, etc. And they're not built to last long. KelTec used to have a FAQ page on their website, and it said the service life is 6000 rounds.

Service life of the firearm or the recoil spring? 5000 rds is what I hear is common for recoil spring replacement. Even at 6000 rds, that's 4 years worth of shooting for you and is covered under a lifetime warranty. I doubt that any other .32 in the same size class would last even that long as we've seen the Beretta 3032 is notorious for cracking.

The P32 has been around a LONG time, I've not seen anyone on forums report wear related failures for that model. Other than the sights and the brand name, I've not seen any complaints about it and I'm apparently the only person in the world who has issue with the trigger.

Don't get me wrong, I like these guns a lot, but I would pay twice the price for one that was built like a SIG or a Glock.

You want it built like a Sig or Glock and you think it's still going to be the ultralight and slim pistol it currently is? If Kel Tec tried to beef it up and throw in all the metal parts you want, congrats, now your .32 will weigh more than a .380 LCP does.