Which 32 acp?

[Monac]

Since he liked my post...I guess I have.

Remember Monac, just because you don’t like a particular pistol, it doesn’t mean that other people won’t like it either; options for everybody makes the world go ‘round.

And...I am finished with this ‘conversation’.

Sam

Well, that's my bad. I forgot a cardinal rule of the Internet: Nobody can tell what your tone of voice is in a text message. I do think Sam or somebody should say why they think the Zastava is a good choice for the OP.

 

[WisBorn]

The Zastava looks like a nice range gun. As a left handed shooter the safety and other controls need to be in locations that I can operate. The grip also needs to be comfortable in what most would call the offhand.

Thank you for the recommendations. I will keep my eyes open for the suggestion. It would not be something that I would order from gunbroker as I would want to handle it first.

 

[lincen]

Not sure if anyone posted a picture of the Star model SI. Great shooting 32 and sort of like a smaller 1911. Now the Llama 32s are indeed scaled down 1911s . Wish they were locked breech but very happy to have them in my safe.

 

[wiscoaster]

Mosin Crate has got some .32 ACP Walther PP's and some CZ-70's and some other pistols (not .32 ACP) coming up for sale tomorrow at 10 AM EST.

 

[aaronu]

I had thought very hard on the Sig P230 in .32 acp but didn't go with it because of the additional thumb safety and grip frame side poke lanyard.

I think that is only the Japanese police model. I have seen a few Sig P230's and owned/carried one for several years. None of them I've had hands on or seen, had the lanyard loop or a safety. Which is my preference BTW. The "plain" Sig P230 with only a decocker and heel mounted mag release is a very nice firearm. Very safe, mechanically straightforward, simple manual of arms and simple to field strip.

I will second @usp9's recommendation list as well. Beretta 81 would be a close second to the Sig in my book and likely much easier to find than any .32ACP P230. Not to mention they are accurate, reliable and hold 12 rounds.

I don't have a Seecamp but would like to. I have carried a NAA Guardian in .32ACP quite a bit and I like them. When I acquired the Guardian I could neither find nor afford a Seecamp. On balance the Seecamp I think is the better option but there are a few positives for the Guardian as well: I like the mag release on the side of the grip frame, and the Guardian can be field stripped without tools (Seecamp requires the use of a punch to depress the takedown latch). Seecamps are very pretty but frankly the Guardians aren't so bad either.

However -- I don't see either option as a good recommendation. From the OP:

I like pocket/little guns for carry. I like short barrels on midsize guns for range and HD.

The 32 acp would be a range fun gun that may find its way in my pocket.

Really open for suggestions !

The little pocket guns, IMO, are too specialized. All the Seecamp or Guardian are good for is concealed carry. They are not range toys, and with their very short barrel length they further compromise an already low powered cartridge. They aren't "range fun guns".

Furthermore the reason I don't recommend a Kel-Tec P-32 is because of my experience packing a P3-AT. It always ejected the mag during carry. The guy who ended up with that pistol doesn't have as much an issue with that so maybe it was just me and/or my carry holster(s). FWIW I am left handed and the new owner is right handed.

Aside from that issue the Kel-tec pistols are easier to shoot, lighter in weight etc. They aren't much to look at but aside from the mag-release issue (which can be addressed). Not everyone is a huge fan of Kel-Tec but IMO they did some of their best work with these little pocket pistols.

Paging @montanaoffroader for additional perspective on .32ACP's

 

[fallout mike]

Was the Femaru 37M ever issued in 32acp? The ones I've handled have all been 380.

I bought this one yesterday. It is .32acp. Im ready to shoot it!!

 

[halfmoonclip]

Walther PP series (PP and PPK) in .32 are great to shoot; whole different critter than the .380. Same holds true for the .32 iteration of the P230 series SIGs. Both manufacturers made their guns as the smaller caliber first, and that is where they work best.
But why stop at something small? Get a CZ Scorpion, the original all steel .32 version...put the folding wire stock back on (you probably should mention this to the BATF...) The darn thing is a ball to shoot, but you will want to reload .32s; the mags hold 20 rounds.
Moon

 

[JERRY]

I think that is only the Japanese police model. I have seen a few Sig P230's and owned/carried one for several years. None of them I've had hands on or seen, had the lanyard loop or a safety. Which is my preference BTW. The "plain" Sig P230 with only a decocker and heel mounted mag release is a very nice firearm. Very safe, mechanically straightforward, simple manual of arms and simple to field strip.

I will second @usp9's recommendation list as well. Beretta 81 would be a close second to the Sig in my book and likely much easier to find than any .32ACP P230. Not to mention they are accurate, reliable and hold 12 rounds.

I don't have a Seecamp but would like to. I have carried a NAA Guardian in .32ACP quite a bit and I like them. When I acquired the Guardian I could neither find nor afford a Seecamp. On balance the Seecamp I think is the better option but there are a few positives for the Guardian as well: I like the mag release on the side of the grip frame, and the Guardian can be field stripped without tools (Seecamp requires the use of a punch to depress the takedown latch). Seecamps are very pretty but frankly the Guardians aren't so bad either.

However -- I don't see either option as a good recommendation. From the OP:



The little pocket guns, IMO, are too specialized. All the Seecamp or Guardian are good for is concealed carry. They are not range toys, and with their very short barrel length they further compromise an already low powered cartridge. They aren't "range fun guns".

Furthermore the reason I don't recommend a Kel-Tec P-32 is because of my experience packing a P3-AT. It always ejected the mag during carry. The guy who ended up with that pistol doesn't have as much an issue with that so maybe it was just me and/or my carry holster(s). FWIW I am left handed and the new owner is right handed.

Aside from that issue the Kel-tec pistols are easier to shoot, lighter in weight etc. They aren't much to look at but aside from the mag-release issue (which can be addressed). Not everyone is a huge fan of Kel-Tec but IMO they did some of their best work with these little pocket pistols.

Paging @montanaoffroader for additional perspective on .32ACP's

I've never seen a Sig P230 in .32 acp that didn't have the added thumb safety and lanyard sticking out of the side of the bottom of the grip. The .380 version isn't fun to shoot for me.

the Seecamp 32s are great guns and have a niche that they fill.

the Beretta 81 is a top shelf gun all the way around and what would be a good choice for the range or casual belt carry ccw.

Kel-tec P32 like the Seecamp is a niche gun.

 

[aaronu]

I've never seen a Sig P230 in .32 acp that didn't have the added thumb safety and lanyard sticking out of the side of the bottom of the grip. The .380 version isn't fun to shoot for me.

They exist. They are rare as hen's teeth in the US. But they do pop up from time to time.

Here is a decocker only P230 in .32ACP, in France.

https://www.stmilitaria.com/pistolets-sig-sauer/2750-pistolet-sig-p230-cal-765.html

Here is one in the US. Not sure how old the listing is but the "7.65mm" marking is clear in the photo.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/100909785

And another in the US.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...-p230-7-65mm---32a-c-p--.cfm?gun_id=100770810

I agree the P230 in .380 is not the mildest shooter. I think the .32 version is the sweet spot.

As a southpaw I am not interested in the manual safety models. But with a decocker-only model I got pretty good at safely tripping the decocker with my left thumb. The safety on the Japanese .32 is too far back on the gun for that to work.

I cannot agree more on the Beretta 81. It is a fine shooter and eats any ammo it is given. I have never put hands on a Beretta 82 though and that might fit my hands slightly better as it is a single stack.

 

[JERRY]

They exist. They are rare as hen's teeth in the US. But they do pop up from time to time.

Here is a decocker only P230 in .32ACP, in France.

https://www.stmilitaria.com/pistolets-sig-sauer/2750-pistolet-sig-p230-cal-765.html

Here is one in the US. Not sure how old the listing is but the "7.65mm" marking is clear in the photo.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/100909785

And another in the US.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...-p230-7-65mm---32a-c-p--.cfm?gun_id=100770810

I agree the P230 in .380 is not the mildest shooter. I think the .32 version is the sweet spot.

As a southpaw I am not interested in the manual safety models. But with a decocker-only model I got pretty good at safely tripping the decocker with my left thumb. The safety on the Japanese .32 is too far back on the gun for that to work.

I cannot agree more on the Beretta 81. It is a fine shooter and eats any ammo it is given. I have never put hands on a Beretta 82 though and that might fit my hands slightly better as it is a single stack.

I'd love to have one of those!