Kel-Tec P32

[ThomasT]

I posted a while back I won a Kel-Tec 380 off gunbroker by accident. I typed in the 32s and the 380 was listed in the 32acp section and I bid on it before I realized it was the wrong gun. I won the bid and was obligated to follow through with the deal. The 380 came and it is nice but the price of the ammo is stupid expensive. You would think with as many buying 380s the price would be better on the ammo.

Anyway I was telling my dealer when I picked up the 380 that what I really wanted was a Kel-Tec 32acp. Bless his heart he remembered and just a couple of hours ago he called and asked if I was still looking for a 32 Keltec. I told him yes and he said he had one how much would I give him? I was thinking a couple of hundred and before I said anything he stated he would take $150 out the door. I told him "Sold".

So now I have another Kel-Tec 32acp. I did a quick clean on it and took a couple of photos. I reload for 32acp so the round appeals to me more than the 380. I will list the 380 back on GB and sell it. I don't need but one of them. Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I'm always on the lookout for 32's, just don't turn up many around here. I'm a 32 & even a 25ACP reloader too-looks like you got a nice one. I passed on the one KelTec32 I saw recently-price was right but looked like it had been drug behind a truck.

 

[JERRY]

I've had two of them come in and go out of my life. The next one I'm holding on to for good.

 

[Tallball]

That's a fine-looking specimen.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

They really are an under-rated and underappreciated little pistol.

Congrats on a good deal!

 

[ThomasT]

That's a fine-looking specimen.

Its not as clean as the 380 I just bought. You can tell its been carried. I just ordered a spare mag, belt clip, steel recoil guide rod and new set of recoil springs from Kel-Tec. The plastic guide rod has a bend to it so I ordered the steel one.

 

[Autodidactic]

I’ve only seen one in an LGS, and it was $299 I think, new. A little too much

 

[vkeith]

For $150 OTD, that is a great price. I'd have bought it in a heartbeat. Good find!

LGS just received a NIB P32 w/one mag. and have it priced at $289 + tax + transfer.

 

[MedWheeler]

Bought mine in 2011. Been carrying it pretty much ever since (though it has been largely replaced by a Ruger LCP-MAX), usually as a second gun.

Every time I handle it, I'm still impressed at what Kel-Tec did with this package, and with what it started.

 

[Mark 40]

Good deal ThomasT it will serve you well.

 

[bannockburn]

I went with the P3AT mainly because I already have a lot more .380 ammo than I do .32.

 

[dodo bird]

Its not as clean as the 380 I just bought. You can tell its been carried. I just ordered a spare mag, belt clip, steel recoil guide rod and new set of recoil springs from Kel-Tec. The plastic guide rod has a bend to it so I ordered the steel one.

I am pretty sure the bend in the guide is fine. However, nothing wrong with getting a steel one and keeping the old one just in case.

 

[ThomasT]

I am pretty sure the bend in the guide is fine. However, nothing wrong with getting a steel one and keeping the old one just in case.

It probably was fine I'm just anal. And admit it. There are some on the net that say not to use a steel guide rod but it must be OK since KelTec sells the steel guide rod for the P32. Doing a side by side with the 380 version there isn't a lot of difference. The 380 is just a little heavier and a little wider than the 32. Maybe I should have just spent the $150 on boxes of 380 ammo and been happy. But sometimes you just want what you just want.

 

[jonnyc]

Have had my P32 for many years now and it's the perfect gun to carry when you're not carrying. I tried the 3AT but sold it and kept the P32.

 

[aaaaa]

I got my Kel Tec P32 used for $250 at a LGS last month. It came with the box and paperwork and a belt clip that I removed. I bought a spare magazine online. Mine has the other style ejector.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like 380 ACP and some of the associated pistols for close quarters self defense. I carried a Colt Mustang for many years.

I bought a KelTec P3-AT to try and shrink the gun a bit more than the Mustang. But, the light weight and smaller size makes the gun uncomfortable to shoot for me.

I later bought a KelTec P32 and the gun is more comfortable to shoot than the P3-AT and more likely to get hits on target.

So, a hit with a 32 ACP trumps a miss with a 380 ACP, so I'll carry a P32 when I need deeper cover for carrying and expect close quarters contact.

An aside, while I feel the 380 ACP is only effective at short ranges, I can shoot my 1986 vintage Colt Mustang with reliable hits at 8" steel targets out to 50yards.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I wouldn’t want to rely on a .32 for social work.

It beats a sharp stick, but 9mm +P is my minimum carry these days. Just too much meth/alcohol on the streets,

 

[aaaaa]

I can see the P32 as a backup gun. Ankle holster would make it handy in a car when the pocket gun is just not accessible. Very light weight will hardly know it is on the ankle.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I can see the P32 as a backup gun. Ankle holster would make it handy in a car when the pocket gun is just not accessible. Very light weight will hardly know it is on the ankle.

A .380 can be had in the same size package and with the modern enhancements in .380 hollow-point tech, would be a better option. I know of no .32 ACP ammo that performs well in JHP format and many recommend FMJs in order to meet FBI specs.

 

[Mark 40]

I bought a KelTec P3-AT to try and shrink the gun a bit more than the Mustang. But, the light weight and smaller size makes the gun uncomfortable to shoot for me.

I later bought a KelTec P32 and the gun is more comfortable to shoot than the P3-AT and more likely to get hits on target.

So, a hit with a 32 ACP trumps a miss with a 380 ACP, so I'll carry a P32 when I need deeper cover for carrying and expect close quarters contact.

cfullgraf- good summary and why exactly I carried the P32 over an LCP or P3AT. Shoot what you have confidence and competence in and what suits you the best.

 

[Autodidactic]

I like 380 ACP and some of the associated pistols for close quarters self defense. I carried a Colt Mustang for many years.

I bought a KelTec P3-AT to try and shrink the gun a bit more than the Mustang. But, the light weight and smaller size makes the gun uncomfortable to shoot for me.

I later bought a KelTec P32 and the gun is more comfortable to shoot than the P3-AT and more likely to get hits on target.

So, a hit with a 32 ACP trumps a miss with a 380 ACP, so I'll carry a P32 when I need deeper cover for carrying and expect close quarters contact.

An aside, while I feel the 380 ACP is only effective at short ranges, I can shoot my 1986 vintage Colt Mustang with reliable hits at 8" steel targets out to 50yards.

I think if one can afford it, the higher quality reliable pocket pistols are worth it. Also, doesn’t the Mustang have more mass with all the metal?

The issue is a lot of the high quality pocket pistols are $6-800, from Sig to the Colt Mustang and Walther. The latter to my understanding isn’t always reliable.

I’d love a Colt Mustang.

My issue is while I’d love such a gun, it’s not at the top of the priority/need list for firearms. Especially with cost. I’m trying to buy a quality .357 revolver for that price range, not another pocket pistola.

 

[aaaaa]

A .380 can be had in the same size package and with the modern enhancements in .380 hollow-point tech, would be a better option. I know of no .32 ACP ammo that performs well in JHP format and many recommend FMJs in order to meet FBI specs.

Yes, one can always carry a Ruger LCP 380 but I suspect that is tough to hang on to. The 32 ACP in this small of a gun is plenty enough to hang on to. HP apparently has advantages over round nose even if it does not expand:

Whether hollow point bullets expand or not, there is still a hollow point shock value advantage. ... Ideally, the hollow point bullet hits soft tissue and the compressed air/tissue inside the cup cause the bullet to expand. Along with this, without or without expansion, comes an increased temporary wound cavity. Trapped air/tissue inside the cup and the aerodynamics of the cup create a larger temporary wound cavity than is created by a streamlined ball bullet. Wadcutters have been shown to be more effective as man stoppers than ball. Their aerodynamics tend to create a bigger temporary wound channel. ... Just because a hollow point bullet fails to expand does not mean it is less effective than a ball bullet.

http://seecamp.com/faq.htm

 

[RandyC]

It's good to see a Kel-Tec thread. Ruger took over a significant share of their pocket gun market but Kel-Tec is a good company that gets rave reviews for taking care of their customers. I've had a P3-AT for several years and have never needed their services. It replaced a NAA Guardian .380 that was much heavier and a real hand stinger.

 

[Autodidactic]

Yes, one can always carry a Ruger LCP 380 but I suspect that is tough to hang on to. The 32 ACP in this small of a gun is plenty enough to hang on to. HP apparently has advantages over round nose even if it does not expand:


http://seecamp.com/faq.htm

Right, while I don’t mind .380 recoil, a lot of people do. I think a .32 acp is perfect for those who want a moderate recoil pocket pistol.

 

[amd6547]

I have a P3AT I carried for a few years...
But, it's a P32 in my pocket right now. I like that it holds an extra round, and I like that it locks back after the last shot.
The first two rounds are Hornady JHP. After that, some S&B mil-spec FMJ, loaded to hot euro spec.