best locked breech 32 auto ?

T

telewinz

Moderator
Like to get a .32 auto that I can handload with 'hot' loads around 150 fp of energy. I only know of two pocket pistols that meet this requirement a model 1907 Savage (outsold the Colt 32 auto) and the Kel-Tec p-32. Welcome any input:)
 
FWIW, the 1907 is not a locked breech pistol, it's a blowback model. I have no idea about it's ability to handle hot ammo, I've only fired standard factory ammo in any of my 1907's and 1917's.
 
The locked breech of the Savage, designed by Major Elbert Searle, theoretically used the bullet's torque to keep the rotating barrel closed. I've seen conflicting reports on how well this actually worked out, but the Savage seems capable of handling any safe loading of the .32 acp.

The Remington 51 is my favorite locked breech .32. It's very well made and handles great. I have seen a broken breech block on a .380 model, but I'm not sure if it's a generally weakness in the design, especially for the mild 32.
 
I really think that the best way of describing the 1907 Savage is that it's a delayed blowback.

That's always been my take in examining them.
 
I know of no current pistol in .32 caliber that is locked breech except the Kel Tec P32. Just don't shoot it too much as it is light and delicate, but you can carry it in your underwear and so . . . a .32 is better than no gun, and a heck of a lot better than a .25. I love my more reliable Jetfire but it is heavier than even the P32. Can you imagine a gun less than 7 ounces! Simply amazing.
 
FWIW I put 40 rounds of Corbon .32 through my NAA Guardian this afternoon and it was not a problem. The gun is built pretty darn solid. NAA condones the use of Corbon and it reaches the 150 FPE that you are looking for. you can also shoot RBCD .32 in it and get over 200 FPE. I don't think a locked breach is that important in such a small caliber as long as the gun is built of proper steel.

canis
 
Mike,
I really think that the best way of describing the 1907 Savage is that it's a delayed blowback.
Click to expand...
You may be thinking of the Remington M51, with it's curious moving breechblock, but the Savage 1907/1917 is pretty much pure blowback. They don't have a positive lock on the barrel to delay opening like the .45 Savage did, and I can't believe the small amount of barrel rotation has a significant effect. Shooting the pistol reinforces my belief. :) The Remington is a very soft shooting pistol, and is noticeably different in recoil from the Savage in the same calibers.
 
John,

No, I'm pretty sure I'm thinking of the Savage. I'm familiar with the operation of the 51.

And look at how you worded your reply...

PRETTY MUCH pure back. You're not even sure. :)
 
Mike,

Well, I'll have to admit, it's hard to quantify how much effect the slight rotation has. What I can say is that the perceived recoil is much less with the same caliber in the Remington, which I attribute to it's action. The Savage feels pretty much like any other blowback .32ACP pistol of comparable size, which is to say it doesn't have a lot of recoil anyway. :)
 
There are those words again, John.... "pretty much" :)

It's been a long time since I've fired either gun, but I could see where the Remington could be straight blowback and still have less perceived recoil simply because the grip shape is so good, specially compared to the Savage, which really isn't a good grip at all.

Given the Remington's floating breechblock, if anything, it should have MORE perceived recoil simply because the breechblock is free to move and give the slide an extra "smack" on the way back.
 
Actually, it has a good deal less recoil. AAMOF, the .380 Remington feels like it has less recoil than the .32 Savage. I haven't fired them in a while, I'll have to dust them off and do a new comparison. :)
 
One of the things that the government didn't like about the Savage in .45 ACP, which was submitted into competition with the Browning 1911, was the fact that felt recoil was so severe.

Given that the operation of the guns was roughly similar, it's not surprising that the Savage has more felt recoil, then.
 
I read about the Savage .45, but I didn't realize that it has more felt recoil than the 1911. In looking at the two, I'm glad the military picked the 1911, I think they did the right thing. :) I like the little Savage pistols, and they're made well, but I don't think they translate well to a large bore handgun.
 
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