Kel-Tec P32 opinions?

[Skribs]

I've been trying to find a 9 to replace my LCP as a lightweight pocket gun for clothes that aren't really designed to carry (usually with no belt, i.e. basketball shorts). Unfortunately, only one or two come close to what I want, and those are actually quite expensive. So I've decided, since I carry FMJ in my LCP, it wouldn't hurt much to go down in size to a P32. Can anyone tell me how the P32 is for them?

I'm looking for something that's accurate enough for SD distances (5-7 yards), which functions reliably. Durability isn't too much of an issue, as the gun would get rarely used.

Please don't make this about a .32 vs. .380 or .32 vs. 9 debate. I know the limitations of the round, and wouldn't consider it for the majority of my carry. However, I think it would do the job I need it to do (fit in a light platform in light clothes).

 

[heeler]

I love my little P32.
Best $225 I ever spent on a gun.
I normally rotate carrying my LCP and Kahr PM9 but when I go to the local park that has a runners/walkers trail to get in an evening exercise pace I always carry my P32 because with draw string shorts it causes way less sag than even my LCP.
Even better my little P32 has been 100% on the various ammo's it has been fed and it will get tested very soon with Speer Lawman,Prvi Partizan,and S&B because I have found all of this very cheap and ordered a bunch.
And even if you do have a Kel Tec that is not working properly you will be treated squarely by Kel Tec.

 

[JERRY]

ive owned the KT 32 and 380...both worked as advertised.....i liked them both except they didnt inspire confidence with me.....felt cheaply made but worked 100%.

if i were to get another it would be the .32acp version. one more round, less recoil, and equal penetration.

 

[Shadow 7D]

P32 is about the ultimate pocket gun
Better than the .380, in that small, it's all about control, the sights take effort to get used to, it's a handful, but MUCH more controllable than .380

FMJ .32 give adequate penetration, it's a 'social' distance gun
However it's lighter than my wallet, and smaller to, so that says something.
a decent pocket holster, it looks like a cell phone an a key fob, if it prints at all, not something that stands out
Have seen one actually carried in a cell phone belt case (wouldn't recommend it personally)
If you can carry your wallet, you can carry your P32

 

[Utryme]

I have the 380 version. Works flawless and one of the most accurate carry guns I have had at the seven yard line.

 

[kBob]

Well, its after 10:30 PM and I ha ve not gotten ready for bed yet. Took the kids to church activities and the wife adn I went out for super as a "date" and oh yeah I almost forgot there isa P32 in my front right trouser pocker filled with Silver tips.

yeah I think they are a good idea and good for just what you have asked about. Mine spent part of the last couple of summers in elastic waisted shorts of one type or another.

One mod I have been tempted to try. An LEO I know attached one of those high visability shotgun sights (I believe Wally World sells them as "Hi Viz" shotgun sights) with the light gathering tube in it to the top of his slide. I liked the way it got my attention when presenting the gun at a five yard target.

Inside my poket I carry it in a black nylonpaded holster I think is from Uncle Mike's size 03 what ever the brand is our wal-mart still has them. If the pants are very tight I think it does print something like a gun, but less so than my earlier carry holster which was merely a cheap thin leather IWB holster with the metal clip removed.

You have to rememebr to use that pocket for NOTHING else however. I do carry a clip on knife in clipped to the bottom of that pocket openig. Besides being handy there it helps prevent drawing the holster still on the gun and helps prevent printing the outline of the gun. Despite the moaning of experts I have stopped carrying a spare mag on me most of the time

-kBob

 

[rcmodel]

Hee Hee!

I found my P3AT .380 in my hip pocket under my billfold 3 hours after walking the dog this afternoon!

I wondered what the little lump was when I set on it wrong at dinner tonight.

The P32 is probably likely to give fewer folks less problems then the P3AT.

The .380's are more susceptible to shooter induced problems if they are not used to 10 ounce guns putting out 150+ ft/lb's of energy per shot.

The P32 version is as reliable as it gets in a gun that small & flat.

rc

 

[MedWheeler]

I bought one in June of 2011. Very happy with it. I carry a PF9 OWB most all the time, but the P32's role is pocket-carry to and from my "weapons-free" workplace, and any other place where attire would be called for that would prevent the PF9 from being worn concealed.

It's a neat little gun that functions reliably with normal-length ammunition (FMJ or equivalent; rimlock is a concern with shorter-profile ammo), is easy to control in rapid fire, holds seven rounds in the magazine, and locks the slide open when the last round is fired.

 

[weblance]

I also have been happy with my P32. There are several reasons why. First, it locks open on an empty magazine. There arent many tiny pistols that do. Second, it holds an extra round over the Micro 380 pistols. Third, there is a 10 round magazine available that gives a full grip. These arent aftermarket crap magazines, they are sold by Kel-Tec, and made by MecGar. I have 2 of the 10 rounders, and they function perfectly. The P32 also doesnt have that "hang on for dear life" recoil like the LCP has. 32acp is relatively mild, and follow up shots are easy. The checkering on the grip is aggressive, and that's a good thing. I think the P32 is one of the great values available today for a small pocket pistol. Sure, its not a pistol to go to war with, but for light, comfortable, and comforting concealed carry, there are few equals.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'll just parrot what the other posters have said. My p32 is my "I don't want to dress around a real gun today" gun.

I typically use a belt clip combined with the excellent 10rd magazine or with the Shorty mag in a pocket for deep concealment




posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about

 

[BP44]

Looking to pick one up myself actually. I have the P3AT (.380 version) and it has ran great after the first 50-100 rds. Last trip out it ran 150rds without an issue.
Keltecs guns really are lacking on the fit and finish but they seem to work just as good or better than more expensive brands.

 

[Skribs]

Well, you guys have pretty much convinced me that it's a good option. Now, whether I'll get one in the near future, I'm not sure. My LCP still works for its intended purpose, and I have some other things in mind that I already own ammo in that caliber for.

 

[cocojo]

I think that the P32 Kel Tec is the most reliable gun Kel tec makes. I like my Beretta Tomcat 3032 much better all around.

 

[snooperman]

I bought the P32 many years ago and my wife liked it so much , she took it. Since we both liked the concealability and relability of the little gun , I had to buy another one for me. Some times it is my only carry gun and other times it is my back-up. Great little guns that have their place for up-close protection.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Probably the smallest & lightest gun out there that holds 7+1 of 32ACP. This is a gun that you will always have with you, even when wearing a pair of workout shorts. I load mine with Fiocchi 73gr FMJ. Pretty dang reliabile as well.

 

[kBob]

Well here ya go.

Just walked out to my back stop and from three yards pulled the P32 out of pocket and emptied it at that 8.5x11 paper from the printer right here. Almost missed with one, see the nick just off the magazine? must hav ebeen getting tired by round seven and barely got round eight back on.

8 shots of .32ACP silver tip.

This gun has not been detailed in a year and was last wiped out and down in early October.

I know... bad kBob bad!

Of course I can not promise yours will work dry after daily carry of over 100 days since last oiling. I do press check on occassion and have two or three times dropped the mag and ejected the top round then reloaded from the mag and placed the ejected round on top of the mag.

I needed an excuse to do a strip and clean anyway.... thanks

-kBob

 

[heeler]

Maybe it's just the photo of the target or perhaps the matrial it is made out of but too me it looks as if several of those rounds were keyholing.

 

[sarge83]

I have carried one for nearly 12 yrs. 100% reliable and fairly accurate for a small piece. I sent my black finished slide back to keltec for the chrome upgrade almost immediately upon purchase, couldn't be happier.

 

[Skribs]

Is there a reason to get the chrome other than the looks? I prefer black.

 

[kBob]

heeler.

The target was losely taped to a bit of shower curtain that protects the interior of my backstop from rain. This allows it to flap about a bit whie shooting and there is sometimes some splash back from the auto tire behind the shower curtain.

Also there is a piece of packing tape on the paper which the four central hits struck and that can lead to odd shaped holes as well.

I have not noticed keyholing in cardboard backed targets at ranges to 15 yards so I suspect it is unique to this target and its mounting and condition.

It is now stripped Ballistoiled and wiped well. only real problem was I forgot that magazine had to be out to reasemble the slide as I had put it in to check for any grit I might have missed in the frame or on the magazine. Felt like an idiot for a second until I was able to return to standard moron.

Oh course now the wife will complain of licorish smells.....reminds me of JagerMeister.....hmmm, ......JM and Ballistoil both come from Germany and JM certainly lubricates folks......i wonder.....

-kBob

 

[charlie fox]

I've carried mine in my front pocket since 2003 and put almost 2000 rounds through it without any issues. I carry FMJ's exclusively because I want 100% reliability and feel very comfortable with the choice. It's my All Day, Every Day gun

 

[weblance]

Is there a reason to get the chrome other than the looks? I prefer black

The Hard Chrome finish is corrosion resistant. Its not a chrome finish like on a car bumper, it more of a satin, or matte.

 

[Skribs]

Okay, I might consider that option, then. Like I said, though, if I do get a P32, it's not going to be my primary by any means, or likely carried all that often.

 

[pockets]

I've owned a 4th month production 1st generation P32.....flawless.
I currently carry a 2nd gen P32 most of the time.....also flawless.
Also own a 2nd Gen P3AT (owned 2 of those so far) and a PF9.....also flawless.
Kind of homely in appearance sure......I didn't buy them for looks.

I own a lot of carry guns...larger and smaller, but the P32 is usually with me daily.
EXCEPT right now.....as I have loaned out the P32, P3AT, and PF9 to a friend here at work to see which he liked best. I miss my P32 a lot right now.
But this gives me a chance to carry other stuff. This week it's been; .32 NAA Guardian, then a .380 Walther PPK/s, yesterday a Beretta 3032 Tomcat, today an old 9x18 Polish P64, and tomorrow I think I'll go with a 1956 Astra Cub just to exercise it.
.

.

 

[heeler]

You know a few months ago I bought a second LCP because I like my original so much I wanted to have one as a back up in case my original was stolen,confiscated,or if Ruger decided to quit making it.
At the time I had also considered buying a second P32 as well.
So after reading this thread it got me to thinking of just going on and getting another anyway but I am not seeing very many on GB and Bud's is completely sold out.
Imagine that!!