J-Frame or a Berreta 32?

[for_hire]

Im looking for a small carry gun since im about to get my CCl. I've looked at a S&W 32-7 and I like that but I also like the Berreta...


what are the pro's and con's of both? please be specific

 

[T. Bracker]

I personally would feel much better about a .38 than a .32, so that would decide the issue for me.

 

[MICHAEL T]

A J frame no contest, Better caliber, better trigger, and right model less weight
Get a 38spl.airweight j frame 1000's of ccw can't be wrong

 

[Geronimo45]

Heh. Caliberwise, it's .311 (.32) vs .355 (.38/9mm/.380). Think velocities are about equal.

Both the Beretta .32 (IIRC) and the Smith J-frames have Crimson Trace Lasergrips. Nice gadgets.

Is that Smith you're after one of the lightweight models? The two million Smith models with no reason behind the name are the reason I like Webleys better. Then I only have Marks I-VI to care about.

The lightweight j-frames are said to have a painful recoil. I'll take folks' words for that. Steel ones apparently aren't that bad.

I believe .38s are cheaper than .32s, and have a wider variety of hollowpoint loads than .32s, also. If you want to meet FBI penetration standards with a .32, you'll either use handloads or FMJ ammo, from what I understand.

A lot of gunwriters hold that nothing south of .380 will stop somebody. Since the .32's done it's share of death-dealing anyways, I don't believe it.

The .32s got greater capacity, ought to have faster follow-up shots. On the bad side, it can jam.

Which one do you like better? Try 'em both. Shoot enough with it to get good.

 

[Starter52]

Get the J-frame revolver.

 

[1BLINDREF]

+1 more for a J-frame.
Look at a S&W 642. I'd rather have 5 .38spl +P rounds then 7 .32s and at 15oz you won't know its there. I have Crimson trace grips on mine that make it even better.
Check out this thread if you need more help deciding!
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138658

 

[BADUNAME13]

J frame is more reliable, more powerful, and the ammo's cheaper.

 

[browningguy]

I'd personally agree that the .38 is just a better defensive round than the .32. BUT, I'd go for the Beretta myself because I just like semi's better. I've owned and shot snubbies, but revolvers (even baby ones) are thicker than semi's, hence harder to conceal, and the semi gives me more rounds if I need them.

 

[Technosavant]

I was thinking that myself. A Tomcat 3032 or a J frame...

Although the Beretta would have concealed slightly better and had lighter recoil, I just wasn't sure that I trusted the .32ACP. Sure, it's better than a pointy stick, but the .38spl is a much better round. I ended up spending an additional $100 or so on the gun, but I don't ever worry about my 642 letting me down.

 

[for_hire]

I went J-Frame....

 

[GRIZ22]

J frame is my vote. More power and varied choice of ammo compared to a 32. I prefer steel frame guns as there is significantly less felt recoil due to the weight giving you more control with follow up shots.

 

[Tomac]

Tomcat for me. Easier to shoot accurately, conceals better, greater ammo capacity & faster to reload. While neither the .32 or the .38 are my ideal CCW calibers it should be remembered that all handguns, regardless of caliber or bullet used, are relatively poor "stoppers". Sufficient penetration & shot placement are the keys, all else is secondary.
Tomac

 

[SASS#23149]

lighweight J frame.
simple to operate,extremely reliable,and plenty of ammo choices at most any gunstore you stop at.
we have the shrouded hammer one,and like it very much

 

[floridaboy]

I've never had a reason to regret having my S&W Model 37 around.
Get the J frame.

 

[glockman19]

A J frame no contest, Better caliber, better trigger, and right model less weight Get a 38spl. airweight j frame 1000's of ccw can't be wrong also J frame is more reliable, more powerful, and the ammo's cheaper. I carry a S&W 642/442.

 

[sm]

J frame.

It does depend on the individual.

Gun fit to shooter.

I have and do assist with those for various reasons have various physical limitations. Some are permanent, some are temporary.

Here is the deal, MY experiences and observations with the Beretta Tomcat mirrored that of LEOs that were allowed the use of this gun for Off Duty , Back-Up or UC.
Mine did not break the slide, LEOs did. Folks want to shoot , practice and train with what they carry - which everyone should do.
So these LEOs, after getting guns fixed, got rid of them and went back to J Frames and other guns, including, for deep concealment, Beretta Jetfire 25ACP.

Back to folks I assist with, tip up feature is real nice in being able to more easily load, unload and keep safe. No racking of slide.

Before one says "learn to rack a slide" - Well one lady does not have a weak side hand, or forearm, nothing from elbow down.

She can rack a bone stock 1911, without FLGR, but that gun now hurts for her to shoot.
She uses a Model 10, with standard pressure LSWC. Stocks fit her hand and she is fine. J frames hurt.
Jetfire she can do fine, the Tomcat hurts.

So b/t a J frame or Beretta 32, I replied J frame.
I am talking of a steel J frame like a Model 36, or Model 60. Lots of quality training and practice can be done with these guns.
NOT dependent on Ammunition, even using Speer Plastic bullets that use primer only to fire, afford quality practice.

There is no Holy Grail, we cannot paint with a broad brush.
Gun fit to shooter for task - always.

Oh. One never knows when they themselves might get hurt, sick, injured, and cannot use what they want to, or used to.

I know of too many folks with nice custom guns, like 1911s, of folks with Glocks, Sigs, HKs and whatever, that cannot use these guns.

Just reaction to meds can cause muscle atrophy, maybe a really bad case of shakes, neuro sensitivity, osteo problems.

So having a "plain old simple antiquated gun, in a smaller caliber" might be wise to have.

$3500 Custome 1911 is a safe. The old boy is using a Model 60 with 148 wadcutters, as he is really sick, and meds do not sit well with him. Best he can do at this time.
He used to do real damn well in IDPA and IPSC .

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I own a J frame and a Kel-Tec P-32 (.32 Auto) I carry the J frame when at all possible and only carry the P-32 when I can't conceal the J frame.

 

[Oohrah]

Own the J frame bought as a hiddy gun in the late 60s for back up.
Would not buy the 32 for a primary as .380 is the very lowest end
for that. Any caliber is better than none and needing one!

 

[dhoomonyou]

J frame.
I have heard its difficult to clear a jam on the Tomcat, because it does not have an extractor.
38 is a bit cheaper and powerful than 32

 

[sig228]

Chuck's Chart

For what it's worth - according to Chuck's "Handgun Cartridge Power Chart" not all .38sp have a better "One Shot Stop %" than the 32acp Win Silver Tip HP:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm

I'll stick with my everyday Tomcat, plus an extra mag. Easily concealable.

15 quick shots vs 5 shots and 2 revolver reloads?

Who actually carries a j-frame plus 2 speedloaders anyway? Where do ya keep those things?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

sig228,
You bias towards semi-autos is obvious. The .38 Special is a superior round for SD over the .32 Auto. I'm not saying the .32 Auto is inadequate because it isn't but don't try and say the .32 Auto is superior to the .38 Special. Also, have you ever heard of Speedstrips?? I carry both and feel well protected with each but, come on.

 

[sig228]

Arch, seriously, I own a j-frame, a S&W 640. Its my HD gun, in my bedside stand. I just dont carry it. Too heavy. My Tomcat is my carry gun. I'm sure it wont let me down.

PS - I didnt say that the 32 is superior to the 38. I just pointed out some interesting ammo data.

 

[MassMark]

+1 642

I have a 642CT and would love to know where all this "painful recoil" is??? Maybe the Crimson Trace LaserGrips help, but this gun - even with hot loads handles nicely....

So far, it's been a joy to shoot. In fact, I've put more rounds downtown out of this handgun in under a month than any other handgun I've owned. As of today, 600 rounds without a hitch. I've fired everything I could get my hands on - from Winchester 125's to Speer 135's and everything in between...

After owning autoloaders since I was 16, (Ruger Mark II) and carrying them since I was 21, (Colts, Glocks, HK's, Para) I never knew what I was missing until I bought this S&W 642CT. I've never been this completely enamored with a firearm in many years...I can't recommend it enough....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

PS - I didnt say that the 32 is superior to the 38. I just pointed out some interesting ammo data.

You can't base your statement on that Federal round on that list. That is a LRM round that's probably a Cowboy load. It only generates 708 fps where as most other .38 Special rounds generate in the 800's on up to over 900 fps.

 

[Gideon]

J frame; Model 642, simple double action for CCW, lightweight, not too punishing if you use low recoil federal or similar ammo for practice, can pocket carry depending on size of pockets and I'd recommend you avoid the crimson trace so you're only practicing point shooting and not looking for the red dot or wondering where it is if the batter fails. The CT grips are larger too. I know A LOT of guys use them and they are good but I still think in a J frame the less batteries or sighting going on the better. Recommend you avoid hammer spurs as they can hang up and it's tempting to fire single action alot when in all probability just about any true defensive situation will be double action only.

If you're interested in an auto; I'd recommend the KelTec P3AT. It's a true pocket pistol in a better caliber and they're very affortable. They're surprisingly accurate to 7 yards although they're very "snappy" to fire. If you put the 1 round mag extension on one of the clips, it actually gives you a better grip, not to mention the addtional round.

God Bless
Gideon

PS; I have both and have shot/carried them alot. I too love the looks of the Berretta but the J Frame is likely to be more reliable and a much more effective defense round.