Kel Tec P32 vs. P3AT or Ruger LCP

[MikeInOr]

I have both a LCP and a P32. Both have been 100% reliable for me. With both of them I cleaned them dry then racked the slides a few hundred times before lubing them and taking them to the range for the first time.

The P32 is smaller and lighter than the LCP and I carry the P32 when the LCP or DB9 just won't fit. In my book the 380 is a considerably better self defense round than a 32 acp but neither are as good as carrying my DB9 in 9mm. I don't have troubles shooting either of them and find them quite tame compared to my DB9 or XDS in .45acp. (Everyone is different so I am confident "MY" impressions will differ from others!). Neither of them are target guns but I can easily score minute of bad guy (all shots on a paper plate) at 15 yards... past 15 yards I kind of doubt I should be shooting at someone.

I like my P32 (as well as my original LCP) and would reccomend both as quality reliable weapons.

When I went into work every day, before covid and working at home, printing was not an option. My P32 was my everyday carry gun for work.

 

[tactikel]

I always wanted a P-32 for hot weather/deep concealment carry. I could not find a reliable supply of .32 acp locally. Saw a LCP at a gun show used for $125 and jumped at it. If .32 acp is back on the shelves I’ll get that P-32.

 

[jstert]

i also got a naa guardian 32acp pistol before the keltec p32. the guardian is really well-made with an excellent manufacturer standing behind it, but it’s a much worse shooter than the p32. the guardian also too often stovepipes the last round, never had any such problem with the p32 feeding or ejecting. my guardian is a total safe queen now.

the only other pocket ccw i would consider is the s&w bodyguard 380acp. i put 50 rounds of fmj ball ammo through a shooting range rental pistol. i’m recoil-averse but it wasnt bad at all, i was pleasantly surprised.

i add hogue slip-on grips to all my pistols, which always helps.

 

[bassjam]

My belief is anyone having trouble with LCP recoil should try modifying their grip. I clamp pretty strongly with my support hand, so most of the recoil is being absorbed by that clamping force and very little is making it to the web of my hand. I find my LCP WAY more comfortable to shoot than my 442. 50 rounds is about all I want to do with the j-frame, but I've put 200 rounds through the LCP in a session before and wasn't really feeling anything except finger pain from reloading magazines. I also put orange paint on the front sight and orange on the rear to help. They aren't great sights, but I find they are plenty good enough.

I've had 2 LCP's and neither had issues with hollowpoints. The first was wildly inaccurate (I struggled to hit a piece of printer paper at 5 yards) but reliable until it locked up and died after around 1200 rounds. Ruger replaced it, and I can reliably hit a 6" plate at 17 yards with this one. I've considered a P32, but really it's so easy to conceal the LCP and my newer one is accurate enough that I have no need for another pocket gun.

 

[Dan-O]

P32 for the mere fact it has the ability to hold more rounds and is the least recoiling of the three options.

Euro fmj is hotter than usa .32, perfect for stuffing in someone’s ear or face.

 

[MikeInOr]

i also got a naa guardian 32acp pistol before the keltec p32. the guardian is really well-made with an excellent manufacturer standing behind it, but it’s a much worse shooter than the p32. the guardian also too often stovepipes the last round, never had any such problem with the p32 feeding or ejecting. my guardian is a total safe queen now.

the only other pocket ccw i would consider is the s&w bodyguard 380acp. i put 50 rounds of fmj ball ammo through a shooting range rental pistol. i’m recoil-averse but it wasnt bad at all, i was pleasantly surprised.

i add hogue slip-on grips to all my pistols, which always helps.

The NAA Guardian is a TANK!... and weighs in some where between a Sherman and a Panzer! Mine was always reliable with the load I caried in it, some FMJ, I forget what. When I got my LCP the Guardian was retired from active duty, it was just too heavy for the load it carries.

The P32 is significantly smaller and lighter than the LCP. Definitely smaller and lighter enough to notice while carrying. For the extra small carry-ability it has earned a place as a keeper in my arsenal. Frequently the P32 is more concealable than the little NAA revolvers, depending on the circumstances.

 

[chicharrones]

i also got a naa guardian 32acp pistol before the keltec p32. the guardian is really well-made with an excellent manufacturer standing behind it, but it’s a much worse shooter than the p32. the guardian also too often stovepipes the last round, never had any such problem with the p32 feeding or ejecting. my guardian is a total safe queen now.

The Guardian doesn't have an ejector, so all the cartridges that are fired "eject" off the next cartridge's bullet in the magazine. Except for the last shot fired because it doesn't have another cartridge to bounce off since the magazine is then empty.

The last empty being a stove pipe is that gun's version of a last shot indicator, however inconsistent that may be. The basic procedure is to simply load another full mag, cycle the slide briskly (which should kick out the stove pipe), and keep shooting.

I'm sure you know this as a Guardian owner, I'm just putting it out there for others unfamiliar with the little beast.

I moved my .32 ACP Guardian down the road as it was just harder for me to shoot well compared to my Taurus TCP732.