Suggestions for .32 autos

[steve868]

Not many choices in new production 32 ACP

Can't disagree with what has already been posted. New production is limited mostly to pocket pistols that are not all that fun at the range. If you are willing to consider used, some other suggestions based on my collection:

Beretta Cheetah: I have the Taurus knock-off (PT57SC) and while very large for the caliber, it is a joy to shoot and a good center-fire "learner" for new shooters.

Zastava M70: Not to be confused with the CZ 70 or 50, this one is more like a mini Tokarev. Heavy, but very accurate. Magazines are expensive when you can find them.

Ortgies: Pre-WWII production and almost as sleek as the Colt 1903. Interesting striker-fired design.

Echasa Fast: Spanish made. Not exactly elegant but fun at the range. Also known as the Dickson Special Agent or MAB GZ.

Bersa 32: Same design as the very popular Bersa Thunder in 380. Only a few imported to the US.

 

[browningguy]

I've got a 1907 and 1915 Savage and really like them. Also the Browning 1910 and 1910/22 are good shooters.

 

[Iggy]

Both my wife and I usually have a Seecamp 32 lurking in a pocket or .. uh.... uh somewhere.
They are most definitely last ditch guns..
Last time we shot them, I put 7 in the B-27 BG's face from 7 yards as fast as I could fire.
My wife put 7 in the groin area in a group about the size of a cigarette pack.

In either case, I think those hits would have spoiled a BG's whole day.

BTW, we both pack .45 ACPs as primary SD guns.


I like this one but I don't pack it.

 

[chicharrones]

That is a sweetheart of a collection you have there.

Some of my favorites are the CZ83, Walther PP and the Sig P230. I'd love to have a Beretta 81.

I wouldn't say the Seecamp is a fun gun like the other three. Just as reliable though.

View attachment 738670

 

[Monac]

If I was going to get a 32 ACP as a fun shooter now, I would get a CZ-83 in that caliber. With all due respect to the older guns like the Colt 1903, FN 1910, and Savage 1907/1917, they are all pushing the century mark, which means that getting good magazines is tough, they have tiny sights, and examples in good mechanical condition are pricey. Walther PP's - even the Manurhin marked ones - are expensive too.

The CZ-83 is a modern, DA, high capacity gun with a well shaped grip. I've never heard anyone complain about the shooting qualities of this whole series of CZ's (9mm Mak, 380, or 32).

The Benelli 77, Beretta 100, and the Beretta 90 Roma are all fine shooters, but they are also as scarce as hen's teeth and usually priced to match. I don't know a thing in the world about the SIG 230, so that may also be a fine choice. I would guess it costs more than the CZ-83, but IDK.

PS - I should have thought of the CZ-50 and CZ-70 32 pistols too. They are double action and more of a traditional 32 size. There are a lot of them around and prices are relatively low, whereas a CZ-83 in 32 ACP is probably hard to find.

 

[toivo]

It has pretty much all been said, but I'll chime in because I love .32 pistols ...

Bersa Thunder are hard to find -- not imported anymore. I found one on Bud's and pounced on it. Nice pistol, but came with an extended 10-round mag that made it awkward, IMO. Since that type of mag was all that was available, I bought several and converted them to standard 7-round using parts available from Bersa USA (Eagle Importers). You need to replace the spring, the spring base, and the magazine bottom.

CZ-83 in .32 ACP is a joy to shoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU0979I4jmc
Also not imported and hard to find. The standard mag is 15 rounds, but mine came with two 10-round mags -- lucky for me, since my &*#$# state (New York) doesn't allow mags over 10. I'm still looking for spares, which apparently don't exist.

Colt 1903 is another fine, fun gun. A bit trickier to break down and clean, etc., and can be pricey for a nice clean one, but it's a piece of history in your hand.

Kel-Tec P32 is great for a carry gun, but not something you'll really want to shoot for fun at the range.

If you like the Walthers but don't want to spend the kind of prices that go with the name, there are clones from Eastern Europe that you might like: FEG from Hungary is probably the closest to the original.

 

[tark]

Astra 300, if you can find one. Superb quality, excellent little shooters. Also in 380 if you want to step up....

 

[9 fingers]

CZ70, as they are well made and can be had nearly new for $240ish. Astra also made a nice PPK copy, called the Constable, and they are quite good as well.
9 fingers
My CZ 70 and 83 in .380

 

[meatballs]

You folks have all been fantastic! Lots of great information here. Thank you all very much for the responses.

 

[toivo]

CZ70, as they are well made and can be had nearly new for $240ish.

If you go for a CZ70, expect to change out the hammer spring for a lighter one. Otherwise, you may have to use two hands to pull the trigger in double action. Heaviest double-action trigger pull I've ever experienced.

 

[9 fingers]

Mine is not that bad, still very heavy but not as heavy as a Mauser HSc, and I have 3 of them so I don't seem to mind that either. The Astra Constable has a sweet trigger but I don't know the history of mine and it may have been modified.
9 fingers

 

[farmershooter]

I am with #28 and #29. My Seecamp is exactly the same size as my browning .25, I don't worry about having the chamber loaded, and it has been utterly reliable with every kind of reload I have cooked up for it including lead .32 Lee Tumble Lube SWC's. That is for carry. For fun, IMO the 1903 Colt is gorgeous and a PP or PPK Walther are fun plinkers.

 

[Paddy]

I have a naa guardian actually my oldest gun. It has not been shot a ton, but it has never had a malfunction of any kind. Neat little pocket piece. I actually trust it quite well.

 

[RON in PA]

Beretta model 1935 is a good range gun.

 

[MDI_Weapon]

I had a Beretta 3032 and ended up selling it after the rise of the newer micro .380 and ultra compact 9mm pistols. I really didn't find the 3032 to be much fun to shoot and certainly not when compared to something like the Walther or CZ .32 pistols mentioned previously. The 3032 is more of a last ditch, point blank option. It is still a surprisingly expensive little devil when you can find one as well.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Was only a 1000 Bersa 32 imported couple years back . Would need to find a used one
KelTec works for me in 32

 

[BearBrimstone]

A couple of years ago I had a Walther PP in 32ACP. It worked perfectly and for a small gun had almost no recoil. I'm not sure I could have noticed a difference between it and a 22 of similar size.