P-32 Down on the range (Finally!)

Doug in VA

Inactive
So after almost four weeks I finally got to the range with my p-32. Almost 100 rounds down the pipe with ZERO problems. I fed it 50 rounds of the Winchester silvertip stuff (approx 57 grains)and about 40 rounds of PMC FMJ (approx 70 grains). Must admit that the silvertips reminded me of some squib loads I once had while shooting some 9x18mm. After reading the opinion of many that the HP silvertips lacked penetration in the winter months I decided to try a box of the PMC FMJ. WOW, what a difference in "perceived" power. I'm not the kind of guy to claim I have some kind of calibrated hand so I was surprised at the difference.

The range master claimed the PMC was designed to be a hotter load because some people were having cycling trouble with the silvertips, maybe the folks carrying the NAA Gaurdian... :D

Now my mission is to find a nice pocket holster for this little girl. I've seen a few and the one's made by RJ Hedley look very nice except that I prefer to have the leather rough side out. So if you would please, give some suggestions as to where I can find a good pocket holster.

Thanks in advance.
 
Originally posted by Doug in VA:
So after almost four weeks I finally got to the range with my p-32.

Had mine hard chromed at the factory and test fired it yesterday. Performed flawlessly with Fiocci 73 gr FMJ, Winchester 71gr FMJ, and Winchester Silvertips. You are right, the Silvertips feel week compared to hotter ammo available. My regular carry ammo is the Fiocci 73gr FMJ. The bullet is a little bit heavier and it is loaded a little bit hotter than the others. Probably is the best penetration you can expect in a .32 and penetration is the name of the game with a small caliber hanggun. On the holster issue: Uncle Mike's Size#1 pocket holster is inexpensive and works well.
 
Doug, I'm right there with ya, looking for a good pocket holster for my new P32.

Here's the problem I see with the pocket holsters I've seen around, like Ken Null's and others: Yes, they'd work well, but I'm not so sure they will break up the outline of the gun, because the piece of leather that runs opposite the barrel, which will lie on the outside edge of your pocket, with the pointed tip for snagging the pocket when drawing, is quite thin over that entire side (just 2 layers of leather), so the thicker outline of the gun might still print as "gun" on the outside of the pants, but I'm not real sure. I want one that imprints a basic square, not gun, but still allows a rapid draw. Maybe no such critter exists.
 
Futo,

Check out Jack Fuselier's holster at www.detnet.com/fuselier The holster looks like it would be great against printing, but the pictures don't look like weapon retention is all that good. But, in all fairness, it is the right price and pictures don't always do justice to the product.
 
I always use Silvertips in my Guardian. They are the only rounds that feed reliably. However, in my P-32 I can use my favorite ammo, Federal Hydra-Shoks. I purchased a M/D Enterprises pocket holster. Protects the whole gun and keeps it upright in all situations.

Will

------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
On the holster issue: Uncle Mike's Size#1 pocket holster is inexpensive and works well.
[/quote]
I have Uncle Mike's #1 and it is too small for the P32 (not sure why it works for others) but I will second the recommendation for Jack Fuselier's holsters. His work is EXCELLENT.

BTW, I am not sure but what about posting stories like this in Range reports? I know it is a low-traffic forum and may be best reserved for discussing social rather than tech aspects...but just a thought.
 
Might I make a suggestion for a durable, in-expensive and functional pocket holster? I've
taken an Uncle Mike's handcuff case and fold-ed the flap back over (it'll be facing out
inside the pocket), creasing it at just the
right height to break up the outline of the
butt of the gun, but still allowing easy ac-cess of the fingers to the gun. I've been
using this for years for my AMT Back-up and
more recently with my Guardian. It works great-Totally breaks up the print of the gun,
stays upright in a jeans or Dockers pocket,
the Cordura protects the gun and it breathes
which helps to prevent rust in the humidity
of a pocket.After a few weeks of use the case
molds fairly closely to the outline of the gun and the gun can be drawn as quickly as
it can from any pocket holster I've tried.
Not pretty but totally functional.
Another thing I've done with pocket carry
is to tape the lid of a Skoal can to the lower outward facing part of the pocket
holster. This may sound silly at first, but
the fact is when people see that round out-
line in a pocket they automatically and per-
haps subconciosly, assume that it's a can
of dip. Well, if you got that in your pocket
there can't very well be room for a gun, can
there? The only problem with this is that
people may ask you for a dip. I've had it happen. An effective way to camouflage your
gun.
 
I was bragging on my P32 at the range the other day. I was going on and on about how reliable it is, how light it is, how accurate it is, ect.

I was talking "poop" about being able to group a magazine "in his eye"

I loaded it with Fiocchi FMJ, stood at 7 yards and fired seven rounds. Much to my surprise I found that the hits were low, left and a group of about six inches! My mouth was hanging open. "Oh my God . . . . I . . . It's . . . . But . ."

I ran (yep, RAN) to shooting bag. I loaded the magazine with Silvertips and tried again. Seven shots at seven yards. One ragged hole were a left eye should be. I was redeemed!

You may want to check your carry loads prior to using them for carry. It may just been me or my P32, but maybe it wasn't.

John Hollister
 
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