General Questions regarding Keltec p32

T

t-man

New member
Okay,
I'm going to do it. I have been reading all of the threads regarding mouseguns, pocket pistols, etc and have decided to start saving for a Keltec P32 (yea!) - I chose the P32 over the p11 because of weight, and that my typical travels do not place me in a lot of dangerous places (i.e. I don't carry large sums of money, etc). So, having said all of this, what I would like to do first is solicit peoples advice regarding a couple of issues:

First, the gun sells new for about $225-$250 (I'm looking at the standard blued finished model). Does anyone know what a good price for a used p32 would be? I know this is a general question without knowing the condition of the particular pistol. But an adequate used p32 for me would be in 98% condition. So - a few scuff marks are okay, but no other problems than that. I'm trying to decide if the price difference wouldn't justify a used pistol - that maybe I should just save the extra cash and buy one new.

Secondly, if I do buy one used, does anyone know of anything special to look out for (i.e. weakend springs, etc)?

Any input is appreciated!

tman
 
CDNN Investments has 'em for $199 with the blue frame. You could buy one of them, + probably $20 to your FFL guy, then send the pistol to Kel-Tec and they'll swap the frame free of charge.

No way would I risk buying a used pistol that costs $200 new. Your chances of getting a lemon when buying it new are bound to be lower than your chances of buying one that somebody else already decided they didn't want and dumped at the gunshop.
 
The P32 is fairly new, you won't find that many used ones for sale.

Onslaught is right about the CDNN deal. Of course, you have to consider what shipping and any FFL fees will cost you to get it home. If you can pay $225 for one locally you may come out ahead. Also, the CDNN lot may be older serial numbers if they bought out someone else's stock. Our P32 is SN 13XXX, when the bugs were mostly worked out. They're up to about 28 - 30XXX now. Later numbers are better, of course.

A good source for P32 info is www.ktog.org, the Kel-tec Owners Group. The "fluff and buff" treatment described on that site will cure many feed/reliability problems, but before you do it, you should try Kel-Tec's customer service. They're excellent. My wife's P32 had a problem not extracting spent cases, and we shipped it to the factory. I threw in $20 for the hard chome upgrade. They replaced EVERY part except for the frame, polished the feed ramp, test fired it with 5 kinds of ammo, no charge. Got it back in a week. Superb service. The gun now feeds anything we give it, including Cor-Bons which are notorious for feed problems in a P32. The Cor-Bons, however, are the hottest .32 ACP ammo around, so we use them.

Note: the hard chrome slide is worth the $20, the blue will suffer from sweat and exposure, plus the sights are easier to see on the HC slide.

One thing we didn't ask the factory to install is a metal spring guide rod to replace the polymer item. Some folks on KTOG have reported slide-dragging with the metal rod. If you do decide you want one, save the old rod. If you have problems with the new one, swap the old back in until you can ship the pistol off to the factory (with the metal rod installed) for them to fix.

Get the little belt clip. It's very handy. I can push the P32 down into "appendix" position on a pair of pleated-front trousers or jeans, with the clip hooked over the waist band and behind my belt. The gun vanishes, and it's comfortable to carry there. With practice, you can still draw it fast enough.

Hope you enjoy your new Amazing Spitwad (tm)! Thelma loves the one I gave her for Xmas.
 
the p32 is a good gun... but i would be a little worried about one on the used market. It is a relatively new introduction, and cheap, and I am not sure why someone would be wanting to get rid of one yet unless they are having problems with it.

I have never seen a used p32 for sale. Has anybody?
 
I've never seen a used one on the market, but I must confess that I haven't exactly been looking either.

Personally, I expect to pay about 80% of new price for an "as new" pistol. In the case of the P32 that would amount to about $40 saved, give or take a little. For that little bit of savings I would much rather have one brand new.

I've been kicking around the idea of getting one of those myself. I think with the July 9th National Firearms Purchase Day right around the corner, now might just be the time. :D

A friend of mine out in Virginia has one, and he told me that he went to the range where we used to shoot IDPA together and test fired that little pistol from 3 to 20 yards doing nothing but head shots on the IDPA silhouette target. He said he missed twice in 20 shots at 20 yards, but didn't have a single miss inside of that range. Obviously we're talking about a low-stress situation, but that's still pretty good accuracy from a package that small. More than adequate for a pocket or purse gun IMO.
 
Man,
I have the serious itch to have this pistol! These are great words of advice. I knew by asking I would save myself tons of hassle and disappointment!

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm taking all of your advice and purchasing one new, then I'm going to send it in for a chrome job. Considering $20 will barely buy yourself and a friend lunch, I'd say it's well worth the cash. I also really appreciate the whole serial number advice - verrrryyyy helpful!

by the way, I just checked out cdnn Investments website, but I couldn't find the Keltec P32. Am I just missing it?

have a great weekend!
tman
 
FYI - you don't have send the whole gun to get the chrome. You can just send the slide, assembly pin, recoil spring catch & barrel to KT. These parts can be sent regular mail, no serial number on them.
Some have said if you send the whole gun, they will test fire it with the chrome slide. Turnaround is very quick if they have chrome slides in stock, sometimes can take a few weeks if they don't.
 
I highly recommend the P-32. I'm very satisfied with mine. I window shopped for a long time before deciding to purchase a P-32 and I don't think I ever saw a used one. I purchased my blued one for $239. Mine is very reliable and easy to shoot. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I also just bought a P-11 and after polishing the feed ramp it seems to be very reliable. I did not need to do this to the P-32. It funtioned perfectly out of the box.
 
T-man, CDNN doesn't list firearms on their web site, only in their paper catalog. You can call them about it. If you really need the details let me know and I will scan the catalog page and email it to you or post it here.

By the way, they did have some hard chromes in stock, save sending it back. Ask 'em for one, I think it was $219.

If you ever order from them you will get catalogs forever, full of closeout guns and other stuff not on their web site.
 
I've had mine...

..for a long time. I didn't do the F&B and it's been perfect. I feel pretty good about it now that Cor-Bon has that slightly longer cartridge. It really hauls butt. Recently I sent my hard chrome P-32 back to the Kel-Tec factory for a gray frame assy, hard chrome pocket clip, new (and stronger) recoil spring set, and a silver trigger shoe. On their own, KT replaced ALL springs and internals...plus they sent me two mags. They did all this FREE. (Here's the best part!) I sent it on a wednesday and got it back on firday OF THE SAME WEEK!! I love to say that!

Kentucky Rifle
 
here is some info.......

I was at a local gun shop and saw a kel-tec p32 with a yellow tag on it (used) I can't remember the exact price right now. I went to the shop where I buy most of my stuff and she had a NEW one (which I bought) for less than the other places used one! I mentioned this to her and she she would love to gety some used ones. She is having a heck of a time getting new ones. When she does they fly off the shelves. DAROGUE1
 
scoops,

yes i have shot one. I thought it shot great. No failures of any kind. Accurate enough, considering what is to be used for. I would feel very comfortable hitting man sized targets at 10 yds with it.

Why was yours a POS?
 
it wasent mine .my buddy has a p-11 and the little 32.they were reliable but i just didnt care for the triger at all .just my opinion.
 
the trigger is long and heavy, but for a gun intended to be used essentially at contact distances, I dont think its as important an issue as for larger guns.
 
While the trigger pull on the P32 is long, as are most DA semi-auto's, I can't imagine anyone describing it as heavy! Keltec spec's them between 5 & 6 pounds, and mine is right in the middle on both P32's. Hardly a heavy trigger pull...
 
T-Man

That's how mine started out. (Blue) I knew I wanted a P-32 as soon as I read about them. I just couldn't find one. Finally, I found a new blue one. Without hesitation, I bought it and sent the top end to Kel-Tec for the hard chrome exchange. The only problem I've ever had with mine is when I tried to install the metal guide rod. I tried two and they both were the same. The slide would bind (actually "lock") halfway back and it was nearly impossible to get the thing back apart. I just bought three spare plastic guide rods and I keep them in my range bag. I've never broken one though. I asked the head gunsmith at KT if he had ever seen a plastic guide rod break on any model and he said "Yes I have. One guy broke his guide rod in a P-11 during a field strip". So, I feel pretty confident in the plastic rods.

Kentucky Rifle
 
I just bought one today. I was impressed by the quality, man, are they thin and light! My dealer says he can't keep them in stock they are so popular and that I was lucky to get this one, as the promised customer failed to show. He said he has not had one come back with problems. I can't wait to shoot mine. $239.
 
A P32 allows us to carry when concealing a larger gun requires inappropriate effort or clothing - making us conspicuous. Some activities, especially active ones like tennis or scanty ones like on the beach, make carry of even a P11 a chancy endeavor. A 45acp in a locker or a car doesn't do its owner a bit of good.

Since inappropriately presenting a gun is "brandishing" or felony menacing. I'd rather have my hand in my pocket - around a P32 - just in case. I'd more rather have my hand around the grip of a P11 or P90 but too often they won't be with me in situations described above. Besides, a P32 is so tiny it may be concealed behind hands held at waist level in front, especially if it is all black or perhaps color coordinated (with clothing). Our hands are "visible" and unthreatening. We're not "brandishing" or "menacing". If the situation worsens the P32 can be brought to bear in a half second while perhaps using the other hand to withdraw the heavier artillery. This concealment stance would be harder for those with small hands but at least with the P32 it may be possible whereas with a P11 or larger weapon it would be obvious what one is holding. This presumes one has some prior hint of a potential threat. Being armed and ready may be warranted but being visibly unthreatening is crucial to allowing it to pass without incident.

Yes, one could reach within one's clothing or behind one's back to draw a weapon - but that action, in and of itself, is enough to warrant a reaction from the potential adversary. That's why I opted for black on black. The P32, or even the P11 if I'm lucky, can be drawn and readied without a glint to betray it. The tactic, if it is not obvious by now, is to not do anything to escalate the situation but, rather, to avoid a firefight or even presentation of a weapon if I can help it.

Some may regard winning with superior firepower a victory. I regard an unremarkable peaceful incident as a victory - like two warships passing in the night - both thinking the other was merely a passenger liner.

On another Note - a second day on the range with my new P32:

After another fifty rounds of Fiocchi JHP's and American Eagle FMJ's - the P32 smoothed out. It is not jam free yet with the latter, but it's getting there. A fluff and buff will help a lot with both extractions and occasional rounds having a hard time getting up the feed ramp. The info on KTOG's Tecworks page is clear enough that a friend (and his Dremel) and I can do the sanding and polishing ourselves. http://ktog.org/tecwerks.htm

FWIW, the front quarter inch of American Eagle cases bulge (all of 'em) and seem to have been hanging up partially in the chamber (I'd get a partial extraction and then jam with the case horizontal between bolt face and the barrel. A manual extraction worked fine. It must be a combo of weaker brass and a rough chamber. Earlier the Fiocchi's also hung up. They now extract cleanly clip after clip. They don't bulge even though loaded hotter (+P?). The American Eagles still give it hickups - gotta fluff and buff and change ammo. I've ordered some Silvertips and Gold Dots.
 
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