Why I HATE my new P32
Frankly, after reading all the glowing comments on this board, I'm more than underwhelmed with the new P 32 I shot today. I think it has the most overblown reputation of any gun on this board, period. And yes, I fired it side by side with my WIDEBODY Tomcat.
1. HANDLING - the Kel-tec's lightness and thinness is simply too much of a good thing for me - even with small hands, I find I can't get enough purchase on the gun for comfortable shooting. In other words, the Kel-tec was a painful little kicker. It actually made me appreciate the chunkiness of the Beretta with a kind of awe. Additionally, the p32 had some annoying characteristics, such as not wanting to let its mag fall freely and the design inclusion of that stupid little part that holds the recoil spring in the slide. It just seemed cheap and cheesy even for a $250 gun. BTW, Tomcat's are only about $30 more here, and shops seem to have no shortage of Kel-tec 32's.
The Tomcat too is painful, but in an entirely different way. Its problem has more to do with some sharp edges biting my hand, but these I will resolve when I get the time to talk to a gunsmith. However, I'd still choose it as it kicks straight back with little muzzle flip, whereas the p32 is a flipper.
RECOIL - I'm sorry, but I can't see how anybody thinks the p32 kicks less than the Beretta even with it's vaunted "locked breech" setup, it's still just too light. After shooting it 15 times, my girlfriend had the shakes worse than Tom Hanks in "Saving Private Ryan". It kicked sharply and seemed to have a wicked sideways torque involved. It's characteristics would not lead me to ever practice much with it, as its whippiness took all the fun out of shooting today. I found myself going back to the Tomcat for a more pleasant experience, and it was cutting the flesh on the web of my hand, so that ought to tell you something.
RELIABILITY - Well, after reading on here how awful Tomcat reliability is, mine hasn't jammed yet with about 100 rounds through it. The P 32's reliability went south on the third magazine full, and I STILL haven't figured out the cause for its failure to both feed and eject correctly. Regardless, it couldn't make it through a full magazine without some malfunction. Looks like a trip back to Kel-tec is in order, just great. Prospective buyers should just add that onto the cost of the new gun I guess.
ACCURACY - Actually I was surprised by the accuracy of the little gun, but I think people who claim their p32 is more accurate than a Tomcat haven't ever shot their Tomcat. My TC is one-hole accurate a 30 feet, with the p32 getting palm-sized groups.
TRIGGER - The trigger on the p32 I shot was long, heavy, and stacked at the end. It also required pulling back almost all the way to the frame before firing. In short, accuracy was achieved by conscious attempts to overcome its crappiness. People who badmouth the Tomcat haven't shot THIS p32 yet. My Tomcat's trigger is excellent in comparison (to dispute another unfounded rumor on here).
SIZE - the p32 wins. But to be honest, I don't have a problem hiding my supposedly-unconcealable Tomcat in my pocket in the first place. What gives with all you who can't?
SUMMARY - The p32 is ok but I will bet my life on the Tomcat, which ain't perfect but it's head and shoulders better. If I were looking to carry a 32 in an ankle rig, the p32 would be it. Other than that, too small and unreliable to fool with.
I sincerely hope all p32's are not like the one I tested, which sadly is my girlfriend's first centerfire gun and also the worst gun I have personally ever shot.
This is the last time I will EVER believe anything I read on one of these boards.
Sigh.
Sorry, didn't mean that, just steamed because someone I love got a crappy gun based on the advice of people on this board.