My new Seecamp LWS 32/ammo experiances

[pvq]

I have been contemplating a pocket auto for a number of years. I am a law enforcement officer and, while I know, all other things being equal, that one is better off with the largest gun he/she can carry, the reality of the situation is that the best defensive weapon is the one you have with you...always. I also know myself and often, when off duty, I have no desire to dress around a gun, which is generally required on all firearms that would be considered "serious" defensive calibers. I have always operated under the premise that "no one wants to get shot" and the reality that, in 99% of potentially serious confrontations, simply brandishing a firearm is enough to diffuse a conflict. I therefore set about identifying the smallest, lightest, most easily concealable "always" gun out there, which for me will be the one that I will most likely end up carrying.

My choices were very quickly narrowed down to the Seecamp LWS 32 or the NAA Guardian 32 ACP. When compared to these two guns, the Beretta Tomcat seems like a boat anchor, and the Kel-Tec, despite all the raves it gets, is just not of the quality that I expect in a firearm. I have always viewed firearms as items which should last a lifetime and ultimately, would be passed down to future generations. I just can't get that from the Kel-Tec.

My viceral reaction from the outset was that the Seecamp would be the gun for me. It is a full two ounces lighter that the Guardian, and in a weapon of this size, two ounces is significant. While I prefer the frame mounted magazine release, and the relative ease of disassembly of the NAA, realistically, this is a last ditch effort piece for which I am sure I will not be toting a reload...and disassembly of the Seecamp...while more difficult than the NAA...is a snap after the first time. My bigger concerns with the Seecamp revolve around overall serviceability. NAA is a large company which (hopefully) will be around for a good many years. Seecamp is a relatively small company...and I don't know what Mr. Seecamp's plans are once he enters retirement.

In any case, the choice was made for me since NAA does not have a single Guardian available. Apparently they are having trouble getting their supply of frames from Kahr (which is their CNC machiner) and they currently have a six month backlog of orders to fill. Since I want my new gun now, and since I was trending there anyway, I went with the Seecamp.

My LWS arrived on 11/8/04, serial number 045***. It was immediately apparant that this gun was built like a swiss watch...superbly finished compared to the Guardians I have handled...and noticably more "streamlined" in its outward appointments and lower weight. I set off to the range with silvertips, hydroshocks, and Gold Dots.

This gun obviously loves Gold Dots. I had several failures to feed with the Silvertips (6 out of a box of 50), and the hydroshocks keyholed so badly that at the 10 foot range from which I was firing, it looked as if a tomahawk had hit the paper. Gold Dots by contrast, left perfect little 32 caliber holes in the target.

There are many arguments for and against the Seecamp, as well as for and against the Guardian...sights or lack of...only hollowpoints vs ball...and so on. For me the bottom line was lowest weight...smallest package...and longevity. Remember...this is a last ditch effort gun with a practical useful range of 10 feet or less...just enough to get someone out of your personal space and for you to retreat to safety (or to get a bigger gun!)

In summary, I am absolutely thrilled with my Seecamp. I have not ruled out the purchase of a Guardian at some future date (if they ever get their manufactuing issues resolved) but I am confident that if I had both of them in front of me right now, the Seecamp LWS 32, stoked with Gold Dots, would be the gun to accompany me out the door!

 

[Chipperman]

Nice review. I have my Seecamp on my pocket right now. Silvertips have worked well in mine, but I have older boxes. Winchester changed them slightly, so newer boxes do not feed as reliably.

Larry now is recommending the Gold Dots over the Silvertips.

 

[LWS32]

I shot almost a full box of the new silvertips with no problems.I love my seecamp it's a good go everywhere gun.Have not shot any Gold Dots yet.Has Corbon made power ball for 32s yet?

 

[Catbird]

In .32 ACP, I have a Seecamp, a NAA Guardian and a Kel-Tec. I used to carry my Kel-Tec .32 till the .380 version came out and now I carry that as my BUG. I have tested this latest Kel-Tec extensively with a variety of factory ammo and feel secure with its reliability. You are probably aware that the NAA Guardian is now available in .380 ACP.

While my Seecamp is about 4 years old, it seems to feed the Winchester Silvertips of the same vintage very well.

 

[pvq]

bump

 

[Navy Cross]

Seecamp 32

I just read what you wrote about your personal carry and here's 2 cents for ya.
It is a debate to be considered weight size ballistics Bla bla bla, Well I'm in Thailand now my son sent me a Glock 40 for conceal and carry -- well that’s not possible considering the size and how people dress here -- like saying ( Hay man I got a Gun ) the Emigration police pick you up.
Considering the value of ballistics’ the 32 Verses -- all of the above . I've been shot 4 time in one afternoon. so you can say all you like Size is a issue for those's with Penis envy
Its a fact if some one wants a part of you, you had better just plain remove his ability to function practice putting the gun between his eyes and pulling the trigger = his heart will do or under his chin . 10 feet ? not likely
I like the seecamp it will remove his ability to function just fine a real sweet little peace

 

[JERRY]

for pocket carry i prefer the heel clip as to eliminate the possiblity of the mag popping out accidently in the pocket....(my Seecamp goes in my back pocket)

ive tried Hydra-Shoks and STHP so far and all have worked well, the H.S. are a little more snappy than the STHP.

i bought some Gold Dots and will try them soon.


im finished with buying guns of the Bic disposable lighter genre.....(Glock is not part of this genre as they have decades of use and abuse without much company interference)

i like the fact that even after decades of range use i'll be able to hand my Seecamp to my grandkinds one day without any help from the company, much like my non locked S&W revolvers.

 

[pvq]

I can't believe someone resurrected this four year old thread, but since someone did, I thought I would tell you that I SOLD my Seecamp and bought a new NAA PUG in 22WMR to take its place. Though I liked the Seecamp very much....I began to loose confidence in its ability to work reliably after being carried (unfired, uncleaned and unlubed) for months or longer in my pocket. I have always been taught that automatics can better weather ABUSE (i.e. being dropped in mud, dirt, etc) but revolvers can better handle NEGLECT (i.e., not being cleaned, or lubed and being covered in pocket lint.) In my view, both the Seecamp and the NAA PUG are basically "contact" weapons, and I do believe at those distances, the 22WMR probably has superior ballistics. Since i have always been more of a revolver man anyway...I figured I ought to get back to basics! So far I have not been disappointed!!!!

 

[JERRY]

the NAA nini wheelys are well made guns, but for me the s/a action design makes them slow in to action....id rather dump 7 rounds of .32 on target with one hand in 2.5 seconds then try to do the same with a single action MINI wheely in .22anything.

a d/a wheely is a thing of beauty with one hand use.....

and for self defense thats all i may have to use at the time, one hand, and i dont need to be fumbling around trying to cock a mini hammer and reaquire the target each time...


since you can shoot fast and accurate with a s/a mini wheely better than you can with a d/a mini auto you made the right choice....

 

[Walkalong]

My NAA .22 Mag and my Seecamp .32 are carried more than anything else. I have carried the NAA .22 Mag more than anything in 30 years.

(Only because I have had it since I turned 21, it had a head start on the Seecamp )

 

[pvq]

JERRY,

You'd be surprised at how quick you can get off five rounds on handed....I was

 

[JERRY]

i tried it, i used to own a NAA mini.

but frankly im a lot faster at just having to pull the trigger than i am at having the cock the hammer in between each trigger pull, espcially with one hand.