Let's discuss .32 ACP hideout guns!

S

Sundance

New member
I place handguns used for self defense that are intended for concealed carry on one's person in one of three categories:

1) Primary (my choice is a full-size 1911 .45)

2) Backup (my choices are a S&W J-frame .38 or a Kahr MK9 9mm)

3) Hideout (my choice is a.....ooops, I don't have one of these)

So, you see my dilemma...

I bought a NAA .22 Magnum Mini Revolver. I tried it, but that was not the gun for me. Sold it.

I bought a Beretta .21A .22 LR. I tried it, but that was not the gun for me. Sold it.

I am a big fan of all stainless steel construction for concealled carry. I sweat alot, and it is virtually rust proof unless neglected. In general, I am not a big fan of alloy or polymer frames. I do make exceptions, but such is not the norm. The weight of all steel is reassuring to me.

I have decided that I would like to try a .32 ACP.

I have ruled out the Beretta Tomcat and the Kel-Tec P32.

I have ruled out the Walther PPK because it is too darn big for a .32.

I have narrowed it down to two guns. The Seecamp LWS32 and the NAA Guardian .32. I can buy these two guns at within $100 of each other, so price is not a factor for me. My life is worth more than the difference. So let's discuss the two without bringing up the price.

Who has one of these or both? What do you like/dislike about the one you have or the one you don't have? Are they reliable, durable, accurate, easy to shoot/hard to shoot? Compare the triggers, positions of controls, size weight, capacity, sights/or lack there of. Help me decide which one. If I can't decide, I will probably just buy both and decide for myself and sell the one I don't like. I would prefer not to do this so please guys and gals, help me out.

I should point out that this gun would virtually never be carried by itself. It would be strictly used as a last ditch hideout to supplement at least one if not two other guns. This is what I describe as a "Get the F*** off me gun." This gun would most likely be used at point blank range and completely emptied into the head of an attacker. Because if I have to go for it, the S*** has already hit the fan, and I am losing the battle.
 
Since you've got your choice narrowed to these two, try each of them out to see which one you prefer. Duh? Not really. It doesn't do much good to argue with somebody whose mind is already made up.... :D
 
Well unfortunately I can't try them unless I buy them. No one I know has either and there aren't any rental gun places around here.

I guess I shouldn't have been so closed minded. I would be willing to listen to info/opinions on other guns in this niche, including the ones I have ruled out. Who knows...someone might actually change my mind.

Thanks!
 
I've got two Kel-Tec P-32's and a Guardian 32. I love the all steel construction of the Guardian, but it weighs over twice as much as the P-32, and holds one less round. Plus, the Kel-Tec is FLAT (and about $100 cheaper). So, I carry one of of my P-32's about 95% of the time.

The Kel-Tec mouseguns can be pretty finicky--some work flawlessy--some require several trips back to the factory for some tweaking. I have one of each--one's in FL right now. I just bought a Guardian, shot about 100 rounds through it, and lo and behold, I had to send it back to Provo last week. The mag catch needs replaced, the feed ramp polished, and I had a lot of light strikes. So...even though Guardians are beautiful pieces, they have to be sent back to the factory a lot, also.

I've had several chances to buy a Seacamp, but won't for TWO reasons:

1. They're priced too damn high ($700-$750) for a used gun, and
2. It's recommended that you shoot only high priced Silvertips through it. You can shoot ANYTHING through a P-32 or G32.

In my opinion, the Kel-Tec P-32 is the best bargain for the money...and I know you've eliminated it from your list (you didn't say why)...around $230...7+1...6.6 oz. empty...9.4 oz. loaded...excellent warranty service...shoots any kind of JHP, FMJ, or frangible. I carry one everyday. Hope that helps.

P.S.--I still love the finish, look, and feel of the Guardian the best. And, it will get carried some...but not in the front pocket of my bermudies.
 
What's it worth to you to find out which you prefer? You'll never find out by renting one. All you can do is shoot it, and it might be an abused one that would give you a bad impression of the model.

Find a used one, haggle a buy and buy back price from a dealer. Preferably find a dealer who has both. Play with them a lot at the dealer's. Dry fire, do the manual of arms, the whole bit, except live shooting, and do it all a LOT!

If you guess wrong when you do buy, it will cost you the difference between what you paid and what the dealer will buy it back for. A good dealer will work with you because he wants you to be happy so you'll come back and refer him to others.

Better yet, find a dealer who has them on consignment. If the dealer makes 10%, you've got real haggle room. He only loses a dime on the dollar on the sale, and he has no inventory costs.

My guess is that you'll figure out which one you prefer just by handling used ones, and probably without even having to fire them. A new gun is stiff and doesn't really tell you much about itself. Used guns are like experienced professionals. You can "just tell" almost everything about them soon after meeting them.

Personally, I'd buy a new one after I figured out which one I wanted based on examining used ones. That should make a dealer salivate a bit more on working with you on the used ones.

If a dealer tries high pressuring you, just leave.

I'm not going to argue with your choices. You had good reasons for narrowing them down to two. Just follow through...! :D
 
I am not familiar with the NAA, but I have a .25 Seecamp and it is a good gun. Now that they have CNC machinery the price has dropped to under $400 NIB and it is a good gun in .32 as well. When they were $650 I bought Autauga MkII's for my son and I. Ours work fine and they are available for $199 from CDNN.
 
Go with the Guardian. Not even a question. You get more options. I dont know about Seecamps warrenty... but NAAs is good. Guardian also has some features that are improvements over the seecamp.
 
OK...the more I research, the more clear my decision becomes. I am leaning hard toward the NAA.

Two arguments against the Seecamp that are moot:
1) Cost inflated way above suggested retail...used to be true, but not anymore...I can get one for $450 to $500.
2) Only shoots Winchester Silvertips/won't shoot ball ammo...so what...I am not going to shoot a 40 hour/1000 round shooting school with it...I am going to break it in/test it for reliability, etc...then clean it, load it, and carry it until I need it...maybe shoot it once or twice a year.

However...
The Guardian has a larger company behind it. They had a good model to copy (the Seecamp) and find its faults and improve upon them. More accessories. Cheaper magazines. Better reviews. Great warranty. Good company reputation. And cheaper cost...although this one is really not a factor.

I have found a NIB NAA Guardian .32 at my local dealer for $319.95. Sounds like a hell of a deal to me. Am I right or am I wrong? I think I may jump on this and give the gun a good work out and field test and see what I think. If I don't like it, I can always sell it and get the Seecamp right?

OK TFLers...this is your last chance to talk me into it or talk me out of it!

Give me some feedback please!
 
Heck, if you're talking about that much money, go for a WWII era Sauer & Son H38.

You'll wonder where it's been all your life. Reliable, extremely accurate, tough as nails, easy to clean. Yank's a big caliber man, but he's been known to throw the H38 in his pocket on occasion.
 
Heck, if you're talking about that much money, go for a WWII era Sauer & Son H38.
Click to expand...
Why in the world would he pick a pistol that's as large and heavy as a Kahr 9mm in .32ACP??? Were you really following the conversation?:confused:
 
Go with the Guardian.......but read my rebuttal first.!

Great company behind it, better accessories and custom items for it. The Guardian will shoot virtually anything in .32 auto, whereas the Seecamp is manufactured expressly for the Winchester Silvertip: a now somewhat antiquated round. Okay, with your mind made up, let me tell you why I opted for a Kel-Tec P32 over any of the other .32 autos:

1-weight (6.6 oz unloaded, 9 oz loaded) lighter than anything else in it's caliber, even the .22 autos.
2-size: Thinnest semi-auto ever made (3/4" inch uniformly)
3-Locked breech design for better recoil control, velocity, and reliability. (The guardian is a blow-back design with no extractor, thus you'll probably get a lot of stove-pipes on the final round.
4-best capacity: 7+1 (guardian is 6+1)
5-excellent 5 lb DA trigger (Guardian's seems like it approaches a ton for pull!)
6-diamond-top slider shape makes for excellent point/shoot capability.....real easy to draw/aim/fire with one hand.
7-Rust?Sweat? I have carried mine EVERY day in one of the hottest, most humied climates in the U.S: ATLANTA. I keep mine well oiled and there is not a speck of rust anywhere. If you're still worried, the slider can be hard-chromed for $20.
8-You can buy many accessories for this gun including a 10 round mag, and wolff makes springs for recoil, mags, and trigger.
9-Price: you can buy a Kel-Tec P32 for less than either the Seecamp or Guardian.
8-Lifetime Warranty: Kel-Tec will make it right.
9-Personal testimony: My KelTec, being 2 1/2 years old, has shot just about every kind of .32 auto round through it and is 100% reliable. I've heard the newer serials are even better (better than 100% reliable? Hmmm)

There you have it. Other than the above facts and figures,
 
I really like my little Seecamp. I looked at a Kel-tec .32 and yes it's thinner and lighter, but longer and taller. In other words, bigger (yes, thinner, but bigger in all other ways). The weight of the Seecamp can in no way be considered "heavy". My idea of a mouse gun is just that, the physical size should be as small as possible. The Seecamp fits the bill for that. If you want a Kel-tec, get one. I have no beef with Kel-tec, owned a P-11 for a couple years. Good luck with what ever choice you make.
 
Thanks guys...very helpful information...

22lovr,

Excellent reply but one correction...
(The guardian is a blow-back design with no extractor, thus you'll probably get a lot of stove-pipes on the final round.
Click to expand...
It has an extractor but no ejector...otherwise all correct...

Ok guys and gals...

Last chance. I am leaving for the gun store within the hour. If you have some help for me, I need it now or never...

Thanks !
 
Bought it!

OK...I'm back from the store...bought the NAA Guardian!

I am going to start a new thread and monitor my experiences with the pistol.

Thanks to all!
 
Sundance: I got tripped up over my own semantics....

All that being said: Good choice! I own an NAA mini revolver which I have shot extensively. NAA makes good products. I don't know what your flavor is going to be with ammo but with the increasing popularity of mouse guns, there are some excellent self-defense rounds out there. Looking forward to your critique' at the range.
 
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