Is a .32 good carry

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DNS,

If your targets don't move, then you need to get better range targets or a better range.
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I've shot movers in competition and they are much more difficult to hit even though their movement is predictable. Add unpredictable movement and gun fight stress levels to my list.

Ala Dan, How have you gained such confidence? You shoot unpredictable movers under life and death stress? I mean I can also hit with speed and accuracy but will that translate into such when the above is added?
 
Don't forget about the new .327 magnum. While most of us don't even have our guns yet (I've been waiting four months now since I originally put down the $50 deposit) and ammo still isn't on the shelves, it should turn out to be a good defense cartridge. I'd really like to see S&W introduce a six-shot J frame available with two or three inch barrels in all of their steel and alloy combinations and with their various hammer choices. I think a scandium six-shot with the shrouded hammer and a three inch barrel would be a fantastic carry piece.
 
Seecamps are the ultimate daily carry gun for the experienced armed civilian in normal circumstances.

WildnothingbeatsitAlaska TM
 
The short answer is, "Not really."

This response is from the viewpoint of a seasoned shooter who has a reasonable competence with firearms. It is intended for one with a reasonable knowledge and competence of firearms. It is written with the assumption we all know one cannot substitute caliber or gimmicks for ability and accuracy.

A .32 ACP autopistol is not real high on any list composed by people who carry guns for a living or constantly as a defensive tool.

The good qualities of the .32 ACP is that it is usually easy to carry with minimal concealment and - at least in the better guns - very reliable.

.32 Autos were issued to many field and upper grade German officers during the Second World War. However, they were not intended for use in fighting the enemy - as field and upper grade officer don't really do much shooting. They were primarily a badge of office and probably a means of suicide if things went really, really wrong. One also finds the bulk of people - in the tens of thousands without doubt - killed by the .32 ACP round died of infection some time after the event.

No. .32 ACP is not a 'stopping round'. It is true no handgun round is a fool proof (the fools are far too ingenious) stopping round, there are many that rate better on the scale, starting with .38 Special.

No, no one wants to get shot with one. In this context, one might use a .32 ACP in one or more of those 'no shots fired, problem resolved' events. But that doesn't work on a serious adversary or a doper looking for a score.

I would consider nothing less than heavy loaded .38 Special as a defense gun. I tend more to the .357 Magnum and .45 ACP end of things, but that does require dressing with the intent of carrying a gun.

All that having been said, I do have a Colt 1903 Pocket Pistol in .32 ACP. I have carried it from time to time, mostly on a whim. The fact is, I keep a watchful eye for problems and I've never had to pull a sidearm in that context.

Thank you, Lord.

A good .32 ACP is certainly better than a soft, brown eyed stare. If that's what you have, that's what you have. If this is your choice, I would urge you to choose again and bigger.
 
I'd rather resist with a .32 than beg for mercy with a mournful cry.

My Seecamp is an always pistol. Its almost always in my back pocket. At home, at work, at play. The only time it is not there is when I am carrying something larger, or if I am 60 feet underwater taking pictures.

Roger
 
I carry an H&K USP45 and a Glock 27 along with some other tools at work. When not wearing polyester, I carry a Keltec P32. I'm happy with a 32 but I do pay attention to what is around me and I generally avoid the kind of places where bad things tend to happen so hopefully, I'll never need to use it.
 
I'm happy with a 32 but I do pay attention to what is around me and I generally avoid the kind of places where bad things tend to happen so hopefully, I'll never need to use it.
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Situational awareness should be #1 on everyone's list regardless of caliber carried. Still it doesn't make up for the 32's lack of penetration.
 
The .32 is not my first choice in an ultra-concealable gun, but if it was the only choice in the size and model I wanted to carry, I certainly would.

It is not a 'one shot stoppper', but you weren't planning on quitting after firing only once.
 
Regardless of internet commando bravado and advice, my two cents is a firearm loaded with the right .32 ammo is quite deadly in the hands of a calm and collected shooter. Would that be you under duress? Also, most .32 CCW pistols are quite small and not everyone shoots them well. Would the .32 you propose to carry be one you could present and shoot well quickly?

I don't own a .32 but I do own a Beretta 950 .25 that I have carried often in my front pocket. I shoot it very well and it holds a total of nine rounds. While I feel underarmed compared to carrying one of my 9mm's, .45's, or S&W 442, there are times when those won't be appropriate for my dress or location.

If you live in the big city or areas where you feel more vulnerable, something like a Kahr PM 9 *might* be a better choice.

Research the ammo choices and you'll be able to make a more intelligent decision IMO.
 
Seecamps are the ultimate daily carry gun for the experienced armed civilian in normal circumstances.
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Don't know if a gun without sights can be called the ultimate for daily carry--except as backup.

Where the .32 is concerned, it was the Winchester ST that elevated it's ballistics to respectable. For a while, all Seacamps were built specifically to reliably feed that round, as well as the Glaser. Don't know what they're doing these days with all the new ammo developments.



And there's the Rohrbaugh R9 in 9mm, billed as the world's lightest and smallest 9mm. Probably not much different in size than the .32 Seacamp.

Don't know about the Seacamp, but the R9 Rohrbaugh is unpleasant to shoot and rough on the hand. Not an issue for a BUG, but would tend to discourage practice if a primary CCW.
 
It's better than a sharp stick, and who carries a sharp stick???

Remember a handgun is what you use to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have put down.
 
Don't know if a gun without sights can be called the ultimate for daily carry--except as backup.
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For the average armed citizen, what do you need sights for?

A .32 ACP autopistol is not real high on any list composed by people who carry guns for a living or constantly as a defensive tool.
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Folks who carry guns for a living (ie Police) need more than a .32....there are many of us civilains here who constantly carry a firearm as a defensive tool and the Seecamp .32 is quite popular.

WildwhatdoyouhaveinoyurpocketrightnowAlaska ™
 
Just came in from the grocery store and the answer to
WildwhatdoyouhaveinoyurpocketrightnowAlaska
is a Seecamp .32. I feel more protected with my PM9 but the Seecamp carries easy.
 
And there's the Rohrbaugh R9 in 9mm, billed as the world's lightest and smallest 9mm. Probably not much different in size than the .32 Seacamp.
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There is actually quite a bit of difference. I own both. :)

R9s-LWS.jpg
 
I love those miniature Seecamp and NAA .32's but I can only get one finger on the grip of the NAA and my personal rule is a minimum of two. Haven't had a chance to handle the Seecamp.
 
Seecamps are the ultimate daily carry gun for the experienced armed civilian in normal circumstances.
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Says you. My ultimate daily carry gun is a glock 23. Experience tells me that more penetration will be useful if I every need to use my carry gun. The seecamp and keltec micro guns do make fine BACKUP GUNS though.
 
Experience tells me that more penetration will be useful if I every need to use my carry gun.
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Experience tells me I'll never need to pull the trigger :)

WildandifidotheseecampwillgiveanowietoitstargetAlaska TM
 
Says you. My ultimate daily carry gun is a glock 23. Experience tells me that more penetration will be useful if I every need to use my carry gun.
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Perhaps you would care to regale us with just what this "experience" consists of?

For the OP...yes, the .32 will do just fine. It has in the past, it will right now, and it will in the future. Caliber has consistently been shown to be the least important factor in self-defense for the CCW world. Any caliber will do if you do your part, no caliber will do if you don't do your part.
 
Give it a few years...

A lot of fellows who begin to carry concealed (whether off-duty LEO or civilian) often carry a big gun for a year, or two, or three. But a lot of them (maybe most of them?) Eventually find it a pain to carry a big gun and either

A. Carry no gun some of the time (Gasp, admit it, you've done it too!)

or

B. Buy a smaller gun that they would never tell their buddies about but they carry anyway.

Sure, a .32 is a bit of a pipsqueek but so are most handgun loads really (compared to a REAL stopper like a 7.62 rifle round). Better a .32 or a .25...or even a .22 lr than nothing at all.

First rule of the gunfight, ladies and gentlemen?

That's right: Bring a gun.

Get a .32 or whatever, carry it and then get a bigger, better gun, and carry it as much as you can.

(I carry a full sized gun almost every day, for what it is worth)
 
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