Kel-Tec P-32 Range Report

[ArchAngelCD]

I put this thread in General Discussion rather than in Autoloaders because there were a lot of P-32 and P-3AT threads in this section already and I though it would be more relevant here.

I bought this little pistol 2 days ago and shot it yesterday. I'm a revolver guy so it was very different shooting this little autoloader for the first time. It too some getting used to say the least. I missed the paper completely with the first mag but things got better with each mag. I shot a box of Winchester USA 71 gr FMJ rounds off first. After those 50 rounds were gone I went to the carry stuff which is Winchester Super-X 60 gr Silvertip Hollow Points. I shot a total of 77 rounds without a failure.

Below is a photo of the last 7 rounds I fired from 15 feet out at an indoor range with the 60 grain Silvertips. I know 15 feet isn't that far but I'm working in it!! LOL

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Other than the size of the holes , that is actually better than I can do with a snubnose revolver. I would rather not carry this as a primary weapon but it should make an ideal backup/hideout gun.

 

[Rex B]

15 ft

15 feet is about right for that gun anyway.
Much farther out and it's no longer personal.
I'd call it good.

I've had one of those for a few years, recently switched to the P3AT. But if I'm just working in the yard, or taking a walk, or going to the gym, the P32 is easy to drop in the pocket on the way out.

 

[Sistema1927]

Unless you have done the rimlock modification your magazines I would recommend that you carry FMJ. Since we are talking about a .32 out of a short barrel you might find that you don't get adequate penetration with any of the HP loadings, plus you run the risk of locking up a mag with rimlock. The S&B ball ammo is a bit hotter than most American factory ball.

 

[Juna]

15' is about right for a P32. Why practice at 25 yards? If you're 25 yards away, you're better off running away. The P32 & P3AT are last ditch firearms (as most firearms should be for most situations) when you can't get away & have no better options. If you're at home, grab a 12 gauge. Otherwise, your practice target looks pretty good to me. They'll all be on the BG at 15'. That's all you need.

 

[Ichiro]

Yeah, you just have to know what the gun is good for. I'm sure your point-blank groups would be excellent.

I've got a 642 for pocket carry, and it's good, but it's still a lump.

I'm thinking about a Kel-tec for certain special occasions.

 

[littlelefty]

Nice! I want one

 

[Old 112]

Those little pups have intrigued me for many years. Let's see, you went from an 80 yard buckshot pattern to about 5" group in one shooting session. That is a fairly fast learning curve. Very good acurracy for the intended purpose of such a weapon IMO. Old 112

 

[wcwhitey]

As the old Gunner's Mate used to say "I think you got him". Good Shootin'. Anything beyond 15' with the .32 is cover fire for a tactical retreat, so you are doing well. Bill

 

[pap1105]

p32

i bought mt p32 cleaned it went to the range. 15 yards first shot dead center just luck. no problems with wwb fmj. not so lucky with the rest of my shoots but i carry it as bug to be used as it is intended as close up life saver . carry it every day only use fmj to avoid rim lock. never leave home without it.

 

[Onmilo]

While the .32 acp has been shot at 25 and 50 meters in competition, 15 meters is considered the maximum effective combat range of this cartridge.

I own a Kel-Tec P-32 and consider 25 feet to be the maximum effective range of the weapon.
It has been designed as a short range personal defense weapon.
A 25 meter target gun it ain't.

 

[FLCLIFF]

I carry silvertips in mine. I shoot it occasionally as I grew frustrated having to send it back for repair. It never failed to feed but after 50 rounds at a session something would break. Kel Tec's service is very good. I carry it occasionally as I know it will be fine for at least 50 rounds and it is very easy to shoot and highly accurate up to about 15 feet.

 

[obxned]

Who sez these guns can't shoot - the BG would be DOA

 

[ArchAngelCD]

FLCLIFF,
I put 77 rounds through it on the first range trip without a problem. I put another 100+ rounds through it this week and still no problems. You might have gotten a bad pistol, that can happen to any company. BTW, I'm shooting some heavy loads out of it too, S&B 73 grain and Fiocchi 73 grain loads which feel a lot heavier than the others.

 

[rockstar.esq]

I have the two tone model, and it's an absolute shooter! Granted I don't plan on running 2K rounds through it but then again it hasn't failed AT ALL for 200 rounds. It's got a fair amount of snort for such a little gun so that was pretty good shooting with yours. I'm happy to say that I've made the "shot of the day" with mine which was a 30yd hit on a .22LR steel spinner target! Should you consider pocket carry, I'd point out that the magazine release is very easy to inadvertently depress. I pocket carried for one day and discovered the mag was released every time I checked it for a total of something like 8 times! There are holsters made to prevent this but you might just find that a cut up milk jug duct taped together works great.

 

[gazpacho]

A stock P32 should hold out for atleast 3000 rounds, and not replacing parts. Mine has and I've heard of others with over 5000 rounds in their's.

 

[Shipwreck]

I like mine - bought it last year. Not a bad little gun.

 

[pistolero6869]

KT P-32

These are great little guys for the money . You can slick them up a bit wirh some 400 7 600 Paper go to KTOG and look at fluff & buff. I never leave home with out mine hard chrome slide green frame Cute little Spitfire!!

 

[WmCC]

Nice pistol. Good shooting.

Two of the little wonders at this address for two years with no issues.