Is the .32ACP Underrated?

[outofbattery]

Most pistols that I would trust in .32 are also available in .380 , which I have a little more faith in but in reality probably is not much different at all in terms of effectiveness . I usually carry a SIG in .380 and am under no delusions that it is anywhere as capable as a .40 but when I weigh my risks vs other concerns such as easy of carry and concealability and ease to draw and accurately shoot , I don't feel horribly undergunned with it . Certainly if I ended up in the middle of the Hollywood bank shootout or some other improbable scenario , then I would want something larger and with more rounds but let me tell you , having 16 rounds of .45 at the ready in that situation wouldn't change that desire either .

 

[Alan Fud]

... as a self defense round, it can be deadly...as can a .22lr, 25acp ...

Any gun can kill. The question is whether or not it can stopped an attacker quickly enough before you are seriously injuried or killed yourself. Recall the story of the Police Officer's wife and the Intruder.

 

[dwestfall]

How does using FMJ prevent rimlock?

 

[Onmilo]

FMJ bullets do not prevent rimlock.
Loading the magazine with the top cartridge rim in front of the lower cartridge rim prevents rimlock.

 

[MrAcheson]

The idea behind FMJ is that the bullets tend to have a slightly longer OAL than the comparable JHP. This means that there is less room for them to move forward/backward in the magazine and cause rimlock. I don't know whether this is the case or not though.

Incidentally, just because you are carefull with rim placement does not mean you won't experience rimlock. Once the gun fires and cycles, the bullets will have an opportunity to move around in the magazine which could make a rim jump. Also loading the mag can create situations where one of the rounds below it in the mag can rimlock. A good site with pictures about rimlock is:

http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/rimlock.htm

 

[Gary A]

Onmilo wrote, "Loading the magazine with the top cartridge rim in front of the lower cartridge rim prevents rimlock." I'm not getting exactly what you're saying here. If you try to load every cartridge with the top rim in front of the rim of the lower cartridge, pretty soon the magazine is not going to be long (deep) enough. I think that's why people say the FMJ is a safeguard against rimlock - because its overall length is enough to keep the cartridges from "slipping" around in the magazine, like the shorter JHP's can do.

 

[Newton]

Quote

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If you think of sub-calibers (.25ACP, .32ACP, .380) as single shot shot guns than that fire serially, they are no more underrated than a 2-3/4" 20ga single shot loaded with 0, 00, or 000 buckshot would be if you do your part.
=============

This is a common fallacy. The destructive effect of a pattern of pellets hitting simultaneously from a shotgun is significantly greater than sequential single impacts.

For the record I just got through reading a report of 2 Goblins who got into an argument over something important like who makes the best pickles. One pulled out a P32 and put the other on the ground with a single .32ACP to the chest. The shooter was then obliging enough to finish the job with a second round point blank into the chest.

.32ACP kills, use FMJ. For a caliber that is developing an almost Zen like killing reputation, go with .40S&W.




Newton

 

[FunGunner]

My philosophy on the .32acp is that: I don't go to war with it, I don't hunt large animals with it, it hurts to be shot by it, and it helps me run away in a gun fight.

I don't see a pocket .32 as a man stopper, I see it as a weapon that will give the other guy something to think about while I'm running away. Yes the .380s, .32s, .25s, and even the .22s have thier place in a fight for your life, just not what you might expect.

Just my two bits

 

[alamo]

Two cures for rimlock in a P-32 when using HP:

The Flyer wire http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/flyerwire.htm

Or the magazine spacer available from KT (not on their website but they have them). Both can be easiley removed to shoot FMJ. Or a better solution is to have one mag for FMJ and one for HP. All these mods do is allow less room in the magazine for HPs to rimlock. I've never had rimlock in my P-32 but got the mag spacer anyway, just in case.

 

[Gary A]

Newton - I'm in agreement with every point you made, but when you referred to "an almost Zen like killing reputation"...well, I have to admit I'm going to digest that one for a while.

 

[duncan]

All I know is that a gun is a gun.

If you have to draw it, it should stop most situations.

Sure, I'd rather have my 9, 357 or 10mm.

But if you BUG is a KT P-32, it'll do.

I wouldn't want to be shot even with a 22lr!

 

[dsk]

32ACP kills, use FMJ. For a caliber that is developing an almost Zen like killing reputation, go with .40S&W.

"Zen-like"? C'mon, handgun rounds generally don't have a whole lot of stopping power PERIOD. That includes everybody's pet .45ACP, the .40 S&W, and even a .357 Magnum. Even rifle fire, such as a 5.56mm or 7.62 won't always bring them down instantly (although the 7.62 does do it a helluva lot more often than most).

The whole argument for/against a .32ACP is a matter of common sense. You use the most efficient weapon you can take with you. If a .32 is the most you can carry at the time (i.e. jogging with nothing but athletic shorts on) then so be it. But the real problem is that folks often get lazy, and they carry a seductively-light Kel-Tec P32 when they could have just as easily grabbed a fanny pack and brought along a 9mm. The .32 fills a need, but by no means make it your choice when you have a better option.

 

[Maxinquaye]

"But the real problem is that folks often get lazy"

You say lazy; I say consistant. I'm ALWAYS carrying...since it's so painless. I'd probably fudge more if it were a hassle.

 

[Onmilo]

"I'm ALWAYS carrying"

Me too, that is why I keep a P32 around but most often as not I carry a 2214 Smith and Wesson or a 317 Kit Gun in .22 lr.

In my homefront we have more problems with woodland critters than bad guys and a .22 will get the job done.

Still I am quite fond of tucking some sort of .32 acp in my pocket when I am wandering around the property.

Since the largest threat animals around here are feral dogs, raccoons, and skunks the .32 works well for the purpose.

By the way, I have shot .32 acp pistols for twenty years and have had but one "rimlock" and I know it was caused by me loading the magazine too fast and not paying attention.

I have no idea what is meant by "the magazine isn't going to be long(deep) enough.
Angle geometry prevents the cartridges from following an ever widening path.
The follower sits at an angle forcing the bullet noses up in .32 acp magazines, The design was made standard by John Browning to keep the cartridges on an even plane and to prevent them from setting back and if your magazine spring is of sufficient strength, cartridges won't "bounce around" in the magazine.

Incorrect overall cartridge length can cause the second cartridge in the magazine to impact against the front wall of the magazine during the feed cycle and this will raise the rear portion of that cartridge enough to set it back behind the rim of the underlying cartridge which will rimlock the number two cartridge and cause a feed mishap.

If you get careless and load the cartridges without insuring that the top cartridge rim is in front of the lower cartridge it will rimlock on that lower cartridge and the gun will jam when the feed cycle reaches the point those cartridges are located in the magazine.

 

[mete]

I would never recommend a 32acp for anything .There is a 100 year history of the cartridge showing it's ineffectiveness. However for those that do - Corbon is coming out with their DPX load in 32acp.

 

[Onmilo]

Is that the same history that documents the full metal jacket 9mm and the round nose lead .38 special as being ineffective?
Those reports and histories sure are "effective" at selling grossly overpriced "Defense" ammunition.

 

[will919]

I carry the kel-tec p-32. Personally, I feel comfortable with the .32 acp when It comes to stopping power

 

[Jaco]

Experience here has shown that FMJ in .32 ACP doesnt work, period. Actually it doesnt work in any caliber, while HP does the job, even in .22LR. I bet my life on a daily basis on a 32ACP only, and there is enough proof in the pudding that if you hit where you aim and use HP's, even no-name-brand HP's, you can stop a man. I know of enough dead bodies attributable to that bodies using the standard PMP 75gr FMJ.

 

[jonnyc]

I have had rimlock using JHP in my P32. It is 100% with FMJ. With that said, .32 ACP in the tiny P32 package is the perfect piece for around the house and neighborhood; no social or clothing concerns. Both the pistol and round are adequate for just about any situation short of a major confrontation with armed, drug-crazed thugs. For anything else, clothing and destination determine whether Makarov or HiPower go with me.

 

[HighVelocity]

This thread has been a very interesting read. I never really put so much thought into my BUG, which is an NAA Guardian 32acp. All I know is that it is safe in my pocket, fast to draw and I can empty it as fast as I can pull the trigger.
I've tried silvertips, corbon, hornady xtps and several brands of fmj without ever having a single malfunction. I have not paid any attention to how the mag was loaded other than that the bullets are facing the proper direction.
Even if it was my only weapon I would not feel uncomfortable about it. I feel confident in my ability to hit the target and the weapons reliability and to me, those are the most important.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

I like my KT P32 and I'm sticking to it! I think that it is a blast to shoot, and it is accurate enough to put the rounds where I need to. One thing that often does not get mentioned, is that you can very easily carry your little P32 or P3AT and extra magazines. I carry my P32 in my back right pocket with the 10 round magazine and then often stick the 7 round magazine in my right key pocket (you know that little 'useless' pocket". This setup leaves me looking normal on the street, with 17 rounds of ammo. I also am able to balance out my butt checks since my back left has my wallet in it.

Yeah, the .32ACP isn't going to take down an elephant, yeah it's over priced (supply and demand), and it has a terrible reuputation for accuracy due to the type of firearms it was in. The KT solved the accuracy problem and is a pretty reliable package when all is said and done. I'm also going to say, that if I am able to I'd rather carry one of my .45's or 9mm's, but the little .32 sure beats bringing fists to a gun/knife/dog/nunchuck fight.

 

[nero45acp]

I carry a Seecamp LWS .32acp in my back pocket, that along with twenty-plus years of experience with handguns, situational awareness, and decent physical fitness gives me a level of preparedness that is acceptable for me.



nero

 

[cuervo]

On a side note, has anyone tried a .32NAA caliber?

This is a .380 case necked down to a .32 bullet.

 

[Sean Smith]

For a caliber that is developing an almost Zen like killing reputation, go with .40S&W.

Among whom? "Mall ninja" imbecilles? And what does that make my 10mm? Tao-like? Or does it go straight up to Cthulhu-like?



Hard to underrate something that really is pretty weak. Even if you carry it, you should assume that it will be a terrible performer... a good assumption for any handgun, incidentally.

 

[mmike87]

Big guns are better than small guns. Small guns are MUCH better than no gun at all.

My "most of the time" gun is a SIG P239 in 9mm. My "everywhere" gun is a SIG P232 in .380 - I never feel like I am lacking in protection.

Even a .22 makes you better armed than 99% of the population, and the top 1% is never bad.

Most people carry nothing but a myriad of excuses as to why "it" won't happen to them.