pros and cons of .32acp

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simonrichter

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while up to the 1980ies (and especially in Europe), .32acp used to be THE caliber for compact and pocket semiautos, its niche within the current market is not that obvious to me. With a surge of .380ies and even 9mm pistols as small or even smaller than the venerable PPK, it has somewhat lost its role as the round that is suitable for pistols nearly as small as .25 and .22 while providing considerably more power...

Are there other pros and cons? What about new platforms in that caliber (I'm not too familiar with all the new stuff, but I haven't heard of one recently)
 
One issue that is fairly unique to the 32acp is rim-lock. I had a ppk and experienced it first hand at a range. Did not do much for my confidence in the weapon. I have a seacamp, who designs their mags in such a way so as to avoid rim-lock.
 
The .32 ACP shoots rather well and penetrates even better if you use Buffalo Bore's 75-grain HCLFN load. Mine has yet to fail.
 
The .32 acp is very controllable in minimum-sized pistols. The .380 is pretty violent. There is little difference in terminal performance between the 2 rounds.

The mindset of "bigger is better" is not always true.
Small 9mm pistols are not pleasant to shoot at all, and the more you downsize a pistol, the greater the chance for malfunctions.

I made the mistake of disregarding the .32 acp for years. It's a nice little cartridge.

Keltec makes the P32, NAA- the Guardian, Beretta made the 3032 and now the Pico, and Seecamp makes a .32.
 
The recoil from a .32 is nothing compared to .380 in a similar sized gun. I barely realize I'm shooting a gun when I fire 32 ACP. Other than that I can't really think of anything.
 
Penetration is the .32 ACP's long suit. The deeper, the better. I wouldn't trade my .32 for any .380! Why? Penetration. Both projectiles are launched from a 17mm long case at approximately the same velocity. The .380's ballistic coefficient is inferior to that of the .32. The bullet is too wide (comparatively speaking) for it's weight and doesn't penetrate as well, thus limiting it to "ball" ammunition to be effective.

The .32 ACP suffers from the same problem, but tends to penetrate better because the longer bullet tends to "slip around" ribs. People want to shoot these pistols in very short barrels. this robs them of the velocity to perform properly. Evidently this isn't in their best interests.

Keep this in mind before you buy a "mini" .32 (or .380). These will not penetrate as well as those with more "runway". It is a simple matter of physics, nothing more.

As Liliy Tomlin ( in character as Edith Ann) would say, "and that's the truth". :p
 
SIGSHR:

I thought so too, until I discovered that Princip was shooting an FN in .380. (I'm sorry, but it is historic fact).
 
It is fun to shoot.

It has low recoil.

It is more effective than 22 or 25.

That's all I've got. I truly enjoy shooting my Colt 1903, but have little confidence in it for SD. Perhaps that's an unfounded feeling, but it's how I feel.
 
Constantine:

If your'e on the internet, and haven't found .32 ACP available, you haven't been looking. I live in a town of less than 1800 people and in the local Gun Shop there sits two boxes of Buffalo Bore's 75 grain HCLFP (+p) ammunition made in the state of Montana, USA.

If you look them up, you'll discover that 'anemic' they aren't! I can tell you of six, count them, six (6) manufacturers of loaded ammunition right off the top of my head.

Kel-Tec still makes their little DAO P32, Beretta, Colt, (yes, Colt) NAA, Seecamp and more.

Evidently your search wasn't very thorough.
 
.32 ACP is not at all a bad cartridge in spite of the many who spout silliness about "if you shoot me and I find out..." One thing that hurt it was the decision of the GCA '68 "advisers" to effectively ban imports in that caliber under the impression that .32 ACP was an evil "criminal" caliber, while .380 ACP was a good "defense" caliber. There was little rational backing for that decision.

Today, though, we have pistols as small as the typical .32 ACP pistol in 9mm Para., so the .32 is not as desirable a pocket pistol caliber as it once was. Still, it should not be underestimated or dismissed as worthless as some do.

Jim
 
I could buy .32acp at Walmart right now. They always seem to have white box. Lately, they had some PRVI.

I don't currently have a .32, but my first carry pistol was a surplus European police Walther PP. they were cheap back then. I carried that Walther in a Bianchi #3 Pistol Pocket, IWB, and it was a very easy carry.
The PP was a beautifully made pistol that was completely reliable with anything, FMJ, or JHP. And, it was very accurate...at 25yds, it would shoot right to POA, in a tiny magazine full group.
I felt pretty well armed with that pistol, and if I still owned it, I'd sure carry it again.
 
I'd say Constantine was mostly right on all counts.

.32ACP is expensive ammo when it can be found in store, and buying off the internet usually ends up just as expensive when you include the shipping.

Most folks want the biggest caliber that can be fit in a pistol, and manufacturers cater to this which is why there are so few .32 options compared to other calibers.

All that being said, there is still a place for it, the .32 is a much better round for the smaller pocket pistols, and if there was a better supply of ammo I'm think pistols like the Colt 1903 would be more popular.
 
I'd trade my 649 no dash .38 spl right now for a walther/manurhin pp .32 or sig p230 .32, even an H/K model 4 .32.

the rimlock issue with a .32acp only occurs when short rounds are loaded in a full sized magazine. full length FMJ does produce rimlock, but shorter H.P. ammo does. the Seecamp does not have the rimlock issue with H.P. ammo because it has a spacer in the magazine that prevents the rounds from moving fore and aft.
 
Heck, I forgot about Privi Partisan (my mind is going because I have some in the caliber, duh).

That makes 7 manufacturers! I really like the cartridge but won't buy a Kel-Tec P32 because the barrel is too short to generate the speeds needed for desired penetration. I practice for hitting the "sweet spot" needed to nail the BG. (I'm good enough to make every shot count).

Dad denigrated the 7.65mm for it's lack of power. In time, I learned how to make the .32 count! With hotter ammunition (Buffalo Bore) I know darned good and well I'll be able to "neutralize a threat" with consummate aplomb! :p

Not bad, eh?
 
I don't live in a large city, probably not even medium-sized. Our Wal-Mart usually has 32acp and our sporting goods store always does. The only kind I've ever had problems with was some Winchester white box with flat noses. It caused all kinds of problems (I ended up shooting most of it out of 32 magnum revolvers). All of the other brands I have tried work fine.

Just for grins, here is my CZ70. I think I paid $250 for it as "surplus". It turned out to be NIB.

CZ70_zpsfb310995.jpg
 
I had an FEG similar to a PP that I really liked, but my FiL talked me out of it. I have a Beretta Tomcat but don't care for it much. My favorite is my Colt 1903. Someone refinished it and put new stocks on it, then found no one would pay much for it as a result. I think I got it for $380. The sights are too small, but other than that it is a really good shooter. They are making a run of brand-new ones that are going for around $1499. If someone wanted a longer-barreled, higher-capacity 32acp with nice sights, Beretta has sent some Model 81's over here. They are usually rare birds indeed. I have seen them going on Gunbroker for around $750. I take it they are similar to the Model 84. Even the most recoil-shy of people enjoy shooting my 1903. I would imagine the Model 81 would be even nicer to shoot.

Colt1903_zpscab3342a.jpg
 
Great round for a gun the size of a Kel-Tec P32. My P32 is excellent.

But if you get a bigger gun, get a bigger round at the same time.

Deaf
 
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