Due to health reasons, my wife can no longer shoot a 380. She has gone from 357 mag,9MM,and 380. Does the 32acp have less recoil than the 380? The small guns like Kel Tec cannot be considered. I note the Walther PPK is still in 32ACP. Are other guns of this frame size available? She shoots a Browning Buckmark Micro very well and I keep stingers in it. Thanks, Byron
medium frame 32 acp needed for physical limitations
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Zeke Menuar
Member
32 acp is not generally known for it's recoil
Don't know what your budget is. But I would look for one of these if I could find one
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=15492294
There is also the original Walther PP which is in 32ACP. It has a slightly longer barrel than the PPK.
ZM
Don't know what your budget is. But I would look for one of these if I could find one
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=15492294
There is also the original Walther PP which is in 32ACP. It has a slightly longer barrel than the PPK.
ZM
Preacherman
Member
Also check out the Beretta 3032 Jetfire - very compact, but with decent grip size, and ultra-reliable. (Also reasonably priced - used ones are often below $200, and new ones not much more.)
A BIG advantage to this design, for those who are physically limited, is that it's not necessary to rack the slide to load or eject a cartridge. The little lever on the side of the gun, just above the trigger, is to unlock the barrel, which flips up, presenting the chamber for manual loading/unloading of a cartridge. The barrel is then pressed down to lock into place. The magazine is inserted and removed as usual. Thanks to the generosity of a THR member, I was able to buy one of these in stainless steel for a physically handicapped friend, and this feature in particular is proving very useful.
Click here and select "Tomcat" from the sidebar for more details. A sample (in titanium) is pictured below.
A BIG advantage to this design, for those who are physically limited, is that it's not necessary to rack the slide to load or eject a cartridge. The little lever on the side of the gun, just above the trigger, is to unlock the barrel, which flips up, presenting the chamber for manual loading/unloading of a cartridge. The barrel is then pressed down to lock into place. The magazine is inserted and removed as usual. Thanks to the generosity of a THR member, I was able to buy one of these in stainless steel for a physically handicapped friend, and this feature in particular is proving very useful.
Click here and select "Tomcat" from the sidebar for more details. A sample (in titanium) is pictured below.
XLMiguel
Member
Hmmmm, my Tomcat's recoil is pretyy snappy for its size. Sig makes the P232 in .32. It has excellent ergonomics and teh longer barrel will help make teh most of a marginal round. the all-stainless version should be a really pussycat resoil-wise. HTH
Jim Watson
Member
A smaller gun is going to kick more, negating the reduction in caliber.
In discontinued guns to look for, the Beretta 81 is the .32 version of the model 84 .380. A coworker has one and it is very soft to shoot.
Benelli B77 was a .32 version of the B76 hesitation lock 9mm. That would be a large .32 that would not recoil much.
I don't know whether a Star SI .32 is recoil operated like a Model S .380, but if it is, that would take a lot off the recoil vs blowback guns.
In discontinued guns to look for, the Beretta 81 is the .32 version of the model 84 .380. A coworker has one and it is very soft to shoot.
Benelli B77 was a .32 version of the B76 hesitation lock 9mm. That would be a large .32 that would not recoil much.
I don't know whether a Star SI .32 is recoil operated like a Model S .380, but if it is, that would take a lot off the recoil vs blowback guns.
powderific
Member
Since recoil is the problem, I wouldn't reccomend the tomcat. Though many people seem to like them, it is rather snappy recoil for it's size. Also, I would try one first because these guns bite me rather badly whenever I shoot them.
If double action is not required, pick up a used Colt Model 1903 Hammerless. Comfortable, easy recoil, and very reliable. Also flat for carry without any embarassing bulges. Cost of one with so-so exterior but excellent shape functionally is around the same price as some of the new guns.
Jim
Jim
pinetree64
Member
I ordered a Walther PP with my C&R lic. It is a really fun gun to shoot. Being a steel gun shooting 32acp, the kick is nothing making for quick follow-up shots.
tjg
tjg
Badger Arms
Member
The 'bigger brother' of the 3032 is the Model 86. While it's a 380 and you specified she has a hard time with that caliber, this gun is a much lighter recoiling 380 due to its weight and longer barrel. Note that the barrel is easier to load due to the tipping design. This makes the gun much better for those who are unable to retract the slide.
The only 32 I could think of that is easy to retract and light shooting is the Beretta model 81 if you can find them. This is a more scarce pistol, but you can often find them on Auctionarms and Gunbroker.
Beretta 81 (well, this is an 84, but they look the same):
The only 32 I could think of that is easy to retract and light shooting is the Beretta model 81 if you can find them. This is a more scarce pistol, but you can often find them on Auctionarms and Gunbroker.
Beretta 81 (well, this is an 84, but they look the same):
Nick96
Member
From time to time you will see German Police trade in Walther PP's in .32. Actually Walther was prohibited from making guns following WWII up into the 1970's, so most of these will have actually been French made under Wather licence. If you hunt around you will find them. Most are in pretty good condition & reasonably priced (much more so than a new Wather PP). And the examples I've seen (and one I've owned) have much better triggers & finishes than the new ones.
Recoil is just slightly more than a .22 in these & just a bit louder. The one I had was very accurate. A much better gun than a new PPK/S .380 I also had.
Recoil is just slightly more than a .22 in these & just a bit louder. The one I had was very accurate. A much better gun than a new PPK/S .380 I also had.
Tom Bri
Member
.22?
Just a suggestion, but if this is a problem that is continually getting worse, maybe she should plan ahead and get a nice .22. Yes, I know all the valid arguments against the .22, but they can be found in any size and weight handgun you want, and ten round capacity is common. You can't ask for less recoil or more user friendliness. In this special circumstance it might be the best option.
Maybe a revolver? Easy to cock for single action firing, and less worry about a misfire because you just keep pulling the trigger right past the missed round, so no jams to worry about. Taurus used to make a 9 (10?) round revolver in .22.
Just a suggestion, but if this is a problem that is continually getting worse, maybe she should plan ahead and get a nice .22. Yes, I know all the valid arguments against the .22, but they can be found in any size and weight handgun you want, and ten round capacity is common. You can't ask for less recoil or more user friendliness. In this special circumstance it might be the best option.
Maybe a revolver? Easy to cock for single action firing, and less worry about a misfire because you just keep pulling the trigger right past the missed round, so no jams to worry about. Taurus used to make a 9 (10?) round revolver in .22.
I am very apprciative of all the help. Her 380 is a Browning BDA and as indicated, she can no longer handle the recoil. I will locate a 32 acp for her to try. Her Buckmark Micro is not hard on her but as indicated I would like her to have a bit more power. She has scleroderma systemic, a very unmerciful disease. Byron
SapperLeader
Member
How about a full size revolver in .32 magnum? Im not really sure on what aspect of the recoil is causing her the pain, but I would think a six shot, full size .32 magnum revolver would have just a tad bit more recoil, with a lot more power, balanced against a larger frame to soak up recoil. The full size cz in .32acp seems like it would be a nice choice too.
Kingknives
Member
I'd recommend looking for the SIG 230 in .32 ACP. Some of these were imported a couple of years ago and they are awesome little pistols. I bought one for my daughter on her 21st birthday.
These were built for an overseas police force, but were never used. They are identical to the P230 except the fact that, besides the de-cocker, they also have an external safety.
Very pleasent to shoot, and very accurate.
Joe
These were built for an overseas police force, but were never used. They are identical to the P230 except the fact that, besides the de-cocker, they also have an external safety.
Very pleasent to shoot, and very accurate.
Joe
Cosmoline
Member
I third the vote for a PP police surplus. I picked one up for half the price of a PPK and I've been very happy. It conceals well with a Miami style Galco holster, and shoots very naturally. The .32 doesnt' have much power, but the inherent accuracy and handiness of the pistol makes up for it. I find I'm able to do a Mozambique drill with this little bad boy in about half the time it takes me with a full-size 9x19. "bangbangbang" and that's all she wrote.
One note--the PP's are designed for use with full size FMJ rounds. If you want to go with shorter silvertips, the extractor may need to be modified with a slight bend. That's the way mine is and it shoots silvertips with zero jams. It doesn't do as well with FMJ's now so it's a tradeoff.
One note--the PP's are designed for use with full size FMJ rounds. If you want to go with shorter silvertips, the extractor may need to be modified with a slight bend. That's the way mine is and it shoots silvertips with zero jams. It doesn't do as well with FMJ's now so it's a tradeoff.
BluesBear
member
There are a lot of .32 Walther pistols on the market right now at great prices.
I'd also consider one of the better .32 revolvers. Especially if you handload. A .32 loaded with a CWBH can be a decent smoke wagon.
I'd also consider one of the better .32 revolvers. Especially if you handload. A .32 loaded with a CWBH can be a decent smoke wagon.
0007
Member
You might want to consider having her try a 2" or 4" revolver in .22mag. Low recoil and the newer ones hold 7-8 rounds. I have a 2" Taurus; holds eight; doesn't seem to kick at all. Alternate HP and FMJ in the cylinder. If she doesn't hit what she is aiming at, the flame should make the goblins lose interest... 
anapex
Member
Centerfire Systems has PPs in 32 for 214 nonmatch parts and 269 for matched. www.centerfiresystems.com
Badger Arms
Member
Well, considering this, you might really want to search for a 32 caliber Beretta which will feel almost exactly the same as the BDA. I'd also see if you can handload or ask somebody to handload for you some reduced power loads for the Browning BDA. You might perhaps want to change the recoil spring so it will function reliably with the lower-power load if you decide to go this way.
BluesBear
member
Another good candidate is the J.P. Sauer 38H.
It's very similar to the Walther PP except that is has an internal hammer with a cocking/decocking lever and can be carried cocked and locked. The C&L option might be better if she has a problem with a DA triggerpull.
It's very similar to the Walther PP except that is has an internal hammer with a cocking/decocking lever and can be carried cocked and locked. The C&L option might be better if she has a problem with a DA triggerpull.
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