2 new guns - happy as a hog

M

Mike H

New member
Well, I weakened big time, big time for me at any rate.

I have this pathological objection to expensive guns, they just don't seem worth it somehow, sooooo...............I got a:

Keltec P32 - I was ripped off for $269 but I REALLY wanted one.

FEG PJK-9HP Hi-Power clone - $199 with 2 15 round hi-caps NIB.

I haven't shot the FEG yet but the mags seem happy with 14 rounds not 15, the manual says 13, but the box is clearly labelled 2 x 15 round magazines. 14 is just fine for me. It came with nice looking wood grips and seems to have a high quality stainless barrel.

The trigger is awful, it moves from side and "grinds" in single action, I've heard that removing the magazine disconnect improves this somewhat but I hesitate to remove safeties if only for legal reasons, we'll see. A range session is planned for Wednesday so I'll know more then. Whoever said that the hi-power sits well in the hand was right, it points like a winner.

Now for the Kel-Tec, now that little gun really is something special.

I got a standard blue model and picked up some Corbon and Fiocchi JHP's to test it with.

A run out to a deserted forest rifle range for the testing was a treat in itself, unfortunately I neglected to bring any targets. Providence was at hand however because someone had dumped a 3 foot high Teletubby toy right by the range, so Tinky Winky "got it".

I ran maybe 70 rounds of Corbon/Fiocchi through the P32 without a burp, then, rimlock, arrrghhh. I had to slide a small screwdriver under the top round and push down on the lower round to free up the rimlock. I have no idea if this is the recommended method but it was quick and easy. I am sure that correct loading will eliminate the problem for JHP's, and in spite of believing for a long time that FMJ's were the ticket in .32ACP, I really think the Corbon round has a lot to offer. It's the way I'd go for carry.

Shooting Impressions

The little gun really delivers for its size, there is a definite feeling that you are sending something worthwhile downrange when you pull the trigger, a trigger which is way, way too long in its length of pull. Recoil is significant, I would not use the term negligible because IMO it's more than that, the slim grip starts to make its presence felt in the web of my right hand after about 50 rounds. My wife fired 7 rounds and declared her displeasure at the "kick" of the little beastie which was a pity.

Now I'm no Masterclass shooter, but when I try, I can put some fair groups together. Not with the P32 however. At 15 yards I couldn't hit a "re-cycled" 10 inch Shoot 'N C target, I moved in to 10 yards (ahh the beauty of a deserted outdoor range) and saw my shots landing low but at least they were now in the 10 inch target. Tinky Winky's little square belly patch was next and my accuracy seemed little better, it must be me. Switching to my Ruger 22/45 with its 4.75 inch barrel I could hit a 3 inch wide metal fence pole at 75 yards with a resounding "ting" maybe 60% of the time, so maybe it wasn't all me, I shoot a 2 inch snubbie pretty well too. More testing is required.

All in all I got 2 more nice guns for the collection along with 2 hi-caps for under $500, now that can't be bad can it ?

Mike H
 
Mike,

The P-32's trigger overtravel will do a number on your accuracy, IMO. As it breaks, you can hardly help moving the gun at the instant it fires. There are two solutions.

The hard one is to retrain your hand and trigger finger to NOT do what it's done almost all of your life and not react to the overtravel. This will take about 37,000,000 times of dry firing.

The easy one is to add a "White" (eraser) trigger stop, which merely consists of cutting a short length of a mechanical pencil eraser to catch the trigger right at the break point. You superglue it to the grip, and use a black sharpie marker to finish it off. To learn how to use it, you will need to pull the trigger -- once. You'll then find that the sights are (gasp!) quite useful and you can get quite small groups at 15 yards. However, don't forget that this is an up-close-and-personal gun.

As for the grip, KT seems to think P-32 grips should be designed for automobile mechanics currently packing wheel bearings with the appropriate grease. Take a piece of 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and dull all the points and ridges of the P-32's grip to make it MUCH more comfortable for those of us whose hands don't have a 1/8" buildup of axle grease on them. A $20 solution is to install AGrip on your little pistol.

The real solution to rimlock of "short" rounds is to install a thin plastic spacer in the magazine so the JHP rounds can't slip so one SEMI rimmed case engages its adjacent SEMI rimmed case. The clue is that .32 ACP cases are not rimless unlike other ACP cases. That SEMI part can engage the groove of the next case. I don't like foreign objects in magazines, so I prefer to use FMJ ammo.

BTW, add a $20+ FFL fee plus shipping to the advertised prices you see online, and your $269 doesn't look so bad....
 
Wow Mike H, you're a much worse compulsive buyer than I am. even I paid less than you did for my P32 here in CA.

Eraser 'trick" is well known, I'd suggest skateboard tape if you need to redo the grip. It's a lot cheaper.

I use whatever FMJ round I have for the P32, in .32ACP caliber, I prefer ability to penetrate into skull. The social distance I'd expect it to perform at is ~5-7yards.

Now all you need is a Don Hume front pocket holster.
 

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CWL,
skateboard tape
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Never thought of that! Of course, the may be due to the fact that I've never heard of it.

What is it supposed to be for on skateboards?

Will somebody at Academy know what I'm talking about if I ask for skateboard tape?
 
Skateboard tape is generally called "Grip Tape".

Grip Tape is basicaly rough sandpaper with an adhesive back ... originaly designed for stairs and boats. Gives you traction.
GRIP_TP_BG.jpg



For guns there's a better alternative called Agrip --> http://www.brookstactical.com/
 
Mike, once you get the hang of your P-32's sight picture, you will find it is more accurate than you think.

And the PJK-9HP trigger? Check the front surface ofyour mags, about 1/2 inch down from the top. That's where the mag disconnect rubs as the trigger pulls. If that area is rough, ie the mags have a parkerized finish or something, that will really ruin your trigger pull.

When I got a used Browning mag that had been polished right there, my trigger pull improved noticeably. The South African KRD 17-round mags from www.cdnninvestments.com also have a nice, smooth finish.

I must be lucky, cuz my PJK-9HP has developed a nice trigger pull, with no work other than a little lube on the moving parts, and careful cleaning of the appropriate parts now and then.
 
Thanks for the info guys.

I'm trying to type but I can't put either of them down, great guns.

Regards

Mike H
 
Mike,

The first time my brother went with me to shoot our P32s, I started walking up to the targets, and he made some snide remark.
Something like " Are we going to shooot them or stab them."
So, I let him shoot a few from 15 yards out. Not very impressive.
Then we moved in to 15 feet.
(More realistic self defense range.)
You should be able to get acceptable groups at that range, with practice.
Remember, the P32 is what many people call a "belly gun".
As in, push it against someone's belly and fire.

I don't believe in the belly gun concept myself.
I think you should be able to hit the kill zone on life size targets in the 10 - 20 feet range.
If you get out much farther, you may not look too good in court, as far as being in "emminent danger."
(As you get used to the gun, the sights, and the trigger, you will do better at 15 yards.)

As far as rimlock, was it the Corbons that rimlocked on you?
I have heard of this problem repeatedly with Corbon ammo in the P32. I have heard that Corbons have a shorter overall length than most other ammo, but I haven't measured.
You may find some info on this at KTOG, the KelTec Owners group.

My wife and I carry Winchester SilverTips and have never had the problem in our P32s.
Also haven't had the problem with the cheap FN practice ammo.

Enjoy your guns.
 
mini14 - my P32 rimlocked with Fiocchi SJHP's.

I just got back from a range session and the P32 fired 100 rounds of Winchester white box FMJ's with no hiccups of any kind.

Suddenly I started shooting great groups at 10 yards, go figure, maybe I just got used to that loooong trigger pull.

Mike H
 
mini14 - my P32 rimlocked with Fiocchi SJHP's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info Mike.
I just bought a new box of Fiocchi SJHPs.
I will do some testing with the Fiocchis before I start depending on them.

We normally carry Winchester Silvertips, but they have gone up to $25 for a box of 50.
(I wonder if Winchester has raised the price? When the Guardian and P32 came out, Silvertip 32s were $12 -15 per box. Then $18, then $20. What gives? Can you say price gouge? Federal HydraShoks have stayed around $12/20 rounds over the whole time. )
 
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