Kel-Tec P32 - what carry ammo?

[Dollar An Hour]

I just ordered a Kel-Tec P32 for pocket carry, what should I load it with?

Was thinking FMJ is a good idea to get some penetration out of the .32 since the short-barreled P32 probably wouldn't generate the velocity needed for hollowpoints to expand. Does this sound right? There are alot of hollowpoints on the market though.

I read somewhere that the Fiocchi ammo is hotter than everything else.

Some choices:

- Federal 65gr JHP Hydrashok

- Fiocchi 73gr FMJ & 60gr JHP

- Speer Gold Dot 60gr HP

- Win 60gr Silvertip HP & 71gr FMJ

Suggestions appreciated. I know alot of guys carry the P32 as a pocket gun or BUG or everywhere gun. Curious what you guys keep in your P32's.

 

[Javelin Man]

Fiocchi is a very good choice. I carry my P32 with a Federal Hydra-shok in the tube and one on top of the magazine, then the rest are all Fiocchi.

 

[Mulliga]

I favor Sellier & Bellot's FMJs. Have been very reliable in my CZ 27.

 

[Chuckulator]

Fiocchi is a very good choice. I carry my P32 with a Federal Hydra-shok in the tube and one on top of the magazine, then the rest are all Fiocchi.

Funny, I do the exact same thing except with Speer Gold Dots. The first two are Gold Dots and the rest are Fiocchi hollowpoints. Fiocchi seems to me the perfect ammo for .32. It doesn't really expand, so it will not cause penetration problems, but since it is a hollowpoint, it will cause more trauma than a corresponding FMJ. It is very hot compared to other rounds I have fired and you do notice it in the p32. I have never had a problem with rimlock either.

 

[jonnyc]

I stick with a hot European FMJ, but avoid S&B. I, and some other P32 owners, have had ignition problems with S&B primers. I recently tried a box of PriviPartizan JHP and was pleased. They are longer and heavier than other JHPs and may turn out to be as reliable and "effective" as FMJ.

 

[RecoilRob]

Federal Classic FMJ for me. You will be lucky to have enough penetration with the Ball, let alone a HP that actually manages to expand.

The ugly spectre of 'rimlock' (which WILL happen with lots of HP's because they are shorter and can move around in the mags) can be avoided with mag spacers available from KT.

If the round is able to move forward in the mag much at all, you are asking for rimlock to bite you at the worst time. Many folks load and shoot bunches of short HP's without problems but have found the rimlock happening during the jostling and bumping that is expected in normal carrying.

Anyway, FMJ all the way for me.

 

[Hypnogator]

I carry CorBon 60-gr JHPs in my P32, but Fiocchi 60-gr JHPs would be my second choice for expanding ammo. Both will expand in water jugs.

I also have some 80s FN 71-gr FMJs that have sealed primers and bullets, and the bullet is more of a flat-nose than a round nose. They feed fine, make a bigger wound channel than round nosed FMJs, and eliminate any possibility of rimlock. I carry them in winter or in areas such as the People's Republic of New Jersey, where HPs are banned.

 

[Srigs]

I use Magtech 71 grain FMJ rounds in mine and it is my "always carry" gun. Worry more on shot placement then which super bullet to use. Use one that works 100% in your gun period!

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have Corbon in chamber and top of mag rest of mag S&B Ive not had the Primer problem with S&B other than 3 round ever fired when pistol was new. Other P-32 has Winchester in it. This X's pistol and she doesn't like snap of Corbon or S&B .

 

[Joe D]

Based on tests I have read the Corbon round is the only one that expands reliabily in ballistic gel when shot through layers of cloth. IMO tests of rounds just fired in water jugs or bare gel are pretty much useless. Anyone we might shoot is going to have clothes on.
I have one of the little Kel-Tec P32s. I guess it is better than a pocket knife.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

The ugly spectre of 'rimlock' (which WILL happen with lots of HP's because they are shorter and can move around in the mags) can be avoided with mag spacers available from KT.

Are these mag spacers easy to install? Would they prevent you from using longer FMJ rounds?

 

[jonnyc]

Yes, they are easy to put in. And yes, you then can't use FMJ in that mag.

 

[kokapelli]

If you are interested in a wide variety of ammo tested in gelatin from the P-32, go to_____

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/32acp/gel32acp.htm

 

[JDwannabe]

Wouldn't FMJ be the way to go with the kel-tec? I would think that the short barrel wouldn't allow the bullet to speed up enough to be used effectively as a HP (no expanding). In that case the high speed/weight of a FMJ would be better. I could be wrong, anybody have some ideas?

 

[Dollar An Hour]

overpenetration possible?

In my CCW class they stressed using HP's and not using FMJ's to prevent the liability that comes with overpenetration and hitting something unintended.

But we're talking .32ACP, is that a realistic concern?

 

[azrael]

With a 32acp you are gonna have limited penetration no matter what ya use..


I use FMJ's for this reason...I want the bullet to get in there as far as possible

 

[3rdpig]

You need not fear overpenetration with 32 ACP, or 380 ACP either.

I've been hoping that Corbon would release PowrBall ammo in 32 ACP. It sure works good in the calibers I've tried it in.

 

[VWTim]

I carry the Federal Classic FMJ round in mine. It's very acurete, clean and also the only "premium" FMJ round I could find.

 

[Newton]

Corbon JHP in the chamber and Sellier & Bellot in the mag.

 

[kokapelli]

The KelTec P-32 magazine is desgned for the longer OAL of FMJ rounds.

When you load it with the shorter OAL JHP round and don't modify the magazine for the shorter round, you increase the risk of rimlock that is posible with the semi rimmed 32acp round.

If you decide to use JHP rounds, I recommend you contact KelTec amd purchase their magazine spacers.

 

[MCgunner]

Actual statistics from Marshall/Sanow are pathetic for FMJ. The only round I remember stats on is the Win silvertip, something like 60%. If I buy a .32, it'll be the new NAA .32 mag revolver. That one puts up some decent velocity and since it's a revolver it will "feed" hollowpoints fine. I'm anxiously awaiting that little revolver. It sounds too cool!

For the ACP, though, I'd choose a hollow point for sure. You say it "might not penetrate"? Well, I'll go with the stats on this one.

 

[kokapelli]

MCgunner, the 32NAA revolver you speak of wiil be much thicker and heavier than even the new single stack 9mm pistol coming from KelTec. It will be more than 1-1/8" thick. It will be over 5" long.

The 32NAA revolver will be a single action revolver like their mini revolvers are now and will have to have the hammer reset after every round and you will have reaquire the sights after resetting the hammer.

The 32NAA revolver will only be a five shot revolver.

Having to reset the hammer and find the sights again after every shot is a major, major drawback IMO.

IMO, only having 5 shots is another serious drawback.

Another drawback is 32NAA ammo is not available everywhere as is 380 and 9mm ammo and 32NAA ammo is much more expensive.

If you feel that the fatter, heavier, lower capacity, more expensive to shoot, harder to find ammo for and slower shooting 32NAA revolver is the way to go, go for it, but I'll stick with my 40% greater capacity, 7 round, lighter, thinner, faster shooting KelTec P-3AT, that shoots less expensive 380 ammo, at least until the new Keltec single stack 9mm arrives.

As for Marshall and Sanow, that's another story.

 

[MCgunner]

It will be over 5" long.

That could be the killer to what I wanted it for. Didn't look that big on the NAA site. I have a mini revolver and love the quality of construction and size of the gun, but the .22 LR is strictly a "better than teeth" situation if my primary jams. I always have it with me, though, better'n nothin'. I don't mind single actions, like 'em actually. I don't mind the five shot capacity, often carry a .38 J frame size gun IWB. I handload and would for the .32, but I wanted it to fit a jeans pocket and if it's that big, it won't, dangit.

I currently have a plenty adequate Grendel P12 that fits my jeans rear pocket in a holster I made for it. It's a good system and I guess I'll stick with it. Accuracy could be better, but at combat ranges to 15 yards it's plenty good and it holds 12 rounds with another 11 round magazine in a pocket for a spare.

All in all, I'd prefer my P11 or .38 in a fight, but there are times I just can't carry IWB. I don't think the new KT is going to be any more pocketable than my P11, frankly, so I'm passing on that one. I carry the P11 IWB.

 

[ribbonstone]

Think these guys have covered this one pretty well. Like my little P-32, but the main advantage is "little" (and flat). Are lots of bigger/better suited to the job guns but the little flat KelTec hides so easily that it gets carried around even when there is also a bigger gun with me.

One of those cases where you have limited energy...if it expands well, won't penetrate as well...doesn't have that abundance of power that lets you do both (penetrate and expand) well. The 65gr. federal or the 60gr. Fiocchi round seem the better compromises.

 

[280PLUS]

I carry the silvertips. But with all this talk of rimlock I feel like I want to run a few more boxes through it. One thing I know is that the FIRST round will always go bang in the P-32 (unless, of course, the round is bad) So make that first shot count!

If your thinking about a small .32 revolver take a look at the S&W 431 or 432.

2" barrel - .32H&R mag - 6 shots - weighs ~14 0z loaded.