pros and cons of .32acp

Status
Not open for further replies.
I missed the 32ACP because of age, long gun ok, pistol no. The Beretta 70 6" 32ACP was on display in a hardware store. Being of age I never saw a like pistol again until decades later as the 71 6" 22LR. Even then support was poor, no additional mags.
 
Ask the ghost of Aldoph Hitler...

or one of his intimate cohorts. I don't think the Cyanide capsule poisoned him that quickly! That German PPK turned off his lights, mach schnell! :eek:
 
who cares what people "want" to do. More often than not, what they want doesn't make sense and is not logical.

There is literally NO REASON for the 32acp round. NONE.

I don't want to hear the "elderly, woman, arthritis" argument either. If you can't shoot 6 rounds of 380acp out of a pocket pistol for example, without dropping the pistol for some odd reason, I don't think a 32acp is going to help you in anyway either. Time to carry an airsoft gun.
Click to expand...

That's easy to say. If you have a debilitating condition, it can be another story. It's more that just the black and white issue of whether a particular gun can be used. A lot goes into how well a person can use it. Practice and training are obvious factors but so too are recoil, muzzle flip, etc. Depending on health and other factors, what makes a small difference for you might make a big difference for someone else.

One of the best things that guns and gun rights do for people is to level the playing field. Nothing is perfect but when adequately armed and properly trained, what can otherwise be an enormous difference between person and predator tends to shrink dramatically. The predator could be a hulking brute or a rabid dog. The person could be a 100lb woman, a 100-year-old man, someone in a wheel chair, or whatever. The point is that the right gun is invaluable and you should think twice about decreeing what is or isn't the right gun for all of the diverse individuals out there.
 
Originally posted by Evil Monkey
Quote:
OK, I won't use the "elderly, woman, arthritis" argument, I'll use the ".380 shoehorned into a gun so small that people with big hands can't keep it from shifting around so much that it's unreliable" argument. I've seen that happen on more than one occasion. Or how about the "my .380 hollowpoints are going to act like FMJ from the short little barrel of my pocket gun, so why not carry a .32 that's easier to shoot and gives me an extra round" argument?

Get a bigger pistol and don't carry in the pocket. There's no better way to earn your self a brand new coffin, than to carry in a pocket.
Click to expand...

Actually there is a much better way to earn yourself a brand new coffin than carrying in a pocket. It seems pretty obvious to me that not carrying at all would earn you that new coffin much easier than carrying in a pocket would. Now, I'm sure you're going to tell us how you have your big, powerful, high-capacity gun strapped on you every waking moment :rolleyes:. Well, I guess not everyone is the tactical operator that you are.

Originally posted by Evil Monkey
Quote:
Of course the most compelling to me is the "why should I take advice from the anonymous guy on the internet who says that anyone (that he doesn't know and has never met) who can't handle/doesn't like his caliber of choice is nonsensical, illogical, and should carry an airsoft gun" argument.

Here's a thought:

-pocket carry is stupid and dangerous
-carrying on the waistband allows you to carry a slightly larger pistol in 380acp that you can handle without it shifting in your hand shot after shot.
-Because of the parameters set forth by a larger pistol on the hip, you don't "need" a 32acp anymore.
Click to expand...

Here's a thought, maybe some of the people who you don't know and have never met (you know, the ones who make nonsensical and illogical decisions and should be carrying airsoft guns) aren't all the tactical operator that you are and find strapping a gun to their hip or stuffing it inside their waistband to be uncomfortable and/or inconvenient

Maybe too, because carrying a gun that way is uncomfortable and/or inconvenient, some of these people who you don't know and have never met sometimes rationalize not carrying a gun in order to avoid that discomfort/inconvenience. "Afterall," these lowly strangers who should really be carrying airsoft guns say to themselves, "I'm only going to the Convenience Mart for a gallon of milk, surely I don't need to carry that big 'ol hawg leg just for that." You see people, at least the nonsensical and illogical non-tactical operator types, are really good at rationalizing not doing things they really don't want to. Of course, we all know that you would never do this, you are the master of internet gun wisdom so we all know to assume that you have your gun tucked neatly in your waistband ready to be whipped out at a moment's notice every second that you're conscious (and maybe some that you're unconscious, we humble, nonsensical, illogical, airsoft-toting dolts just don't know).

You see though, some of us in the lowly, unenlightened by Evil Monkey's infinite wisdom, class of airsoft-toting mouth-breathers are, at least, honest with ourselves. Some of us know that we will likely rationalize not carrying a gun if it's uncomfortable or inconvenient to do so and so, while we should probably just trade in our pistols for super soakers and sob ourselves to sleep in our unworthiness, we instead look for ways to make carrying a gun more comfortable and convenient. While pocket carry is dangerous, stupid, slow, irresponsible, and apparently no better than harsh language and an angrily wagged finger, it does have the redeeming qualities of being comfortable and convenient and, as such, it's a lot harder for those of us in the unenlightened, yet at least honest, masses of nonsensical, illogical airsoft-toters to rationalize away.
 
the airsoft thing was a joke, relax a bit.

I never said anything about being a tactical operator with big hi cap pistols and all that.

I'm saying if one acknowledges pocket carry as inferior to waistband carry, then a 32acp pistol makes no sense because you can carry a larger handgun like a glock 42 or Kahr CT380 in 380acp and handle it just fine.

I have a very hard time believing that there are people out there who couldn't shoot something like a CT380 because of problems discussed earlier.

Another thing I don't understand is how one can say they prefer a 32acp because it's easier to control in a pocket sized pistol, but at the same time say "it's a close quarters belly gun". Well then a 380acp pocket pistol shifting around in your hand really doesn't matter much, does it? Since you're armed for, and expecting super close combat and all........
 
Cheapshooter said:
Quite often I have disagreements with Bill. THIS ISN'T ONE OF THEM!!!!:D:D:D

Some, no MOST people don't want to run around like some kind of self proclaimed comando. Armed with a heavy caliber gun, and I'll bet multiple extra, high capacity mags.
Click to expand...
I guess I'm one of those guys you mentioned! :D SIG P229 with 2-3 spare 20 round magazines. I'm just not a "self proclaimed" anything. It's just what I do. I guess that's up to ones perception.
Bill DeShivs said:
Evil Monkey- Those are two of the most arrogant posts I have seen here.

Of course, you apparently know more than the rest of us.....:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I wouldn't personally call them "arrogant" just because that's his opinion. If those reasons make sense to him than so be it. I think you both have great points. But at the end of the conversation I agree with E.M. that I don't see a need for .32ACP unless the person who's using it has a reason such as recoil hurting their bones. Everyone is different. There is an older lady (70's) at my local range who shoots a 9mm every week and even participates in bowling pin night. And there are others who are in their 50's and 60's that can't handle a 9mm. So I get that.

But we can all agree .32ACP, .25ACP, and .22LR rely solely on shot placement. They're not necessarily "man stoppers".
Evil Monkey said:
Somebody please give me a decent pistol instructors name that teaches how to draw from the pocket efficiently and safely, to justify carrying a tiny pistol in 32acp.
Click to expand...
There are none. So again, I'm with you on this one too.
 
The fact is what Evil Monkey posted is factual. While some of you might not have liked his choice of prose to convey his message, the wise will focus on his message, not the way he chose to write it.

My opinion is identical to Evil Monkey's: pocket pistols possess absolutely zero utility. If you know how human beings die, you'll know that this is factual.
 
Webley,

If you're carrying a handgun, obviously it's because you think it might have to save your life. I'm assuming here that your life is pretty important to you. If my assumption is correct, why would you use a wholly inferior cartridge to save your life?

Pocket pistols are curios only. I don't own one. I'd never use one to save my life.

One bad guy vs. one good guy = bad odds for the good guy. Throw one more or more than that bad guys into the fight, and the good guy's future would be bleak.

If you know how human beings die, you'll know suitable self-defense cartridges. And if you figure wrong, well, you can guess the consequence.
 
-pocket carry is stupid and dangerous
Click to expand...

Clearly there are angles you have not thought of...

1) Pocket carry allows the user to be draw ready (hand on gun) without escalating the situation. There is no telegraphing of intent. It allows you to continue to use your whits longer without compromising readiness, thereby allowing greater opportunity to de-escalate the situation.

2) Pocket carry allows for much faster access in the cold winter months where you may need to move several layers of clothing out of the way to get to your weapon with IWB or OWB.

3) Pocket carry allows for a greater likelihood that your draw will not be blocked by your adversaries as there is no telegraphing of the draw, so the gun is closer to its firing position when your adversaries become aware of your intent.

I have taken several courses, at industry leading facilities, and have trained with pocket carry. It is a far more accepted and viable form of carry than you describe.

I either carry cross draw appendix iwb or pocket carry (and once in a while both).

I don't want to hear the "elderly, woman, arthritis" argument either. If you can't shoot 6 rounds of 380acp out of a pocket pistol for example, without dropping the pistol for some odd reason, I don't think a 32acp is going to help you in anyway either. Time to carry an airsoft gun.
Click to expand...

Try shooting a seecamp .32 then a seecamp 380. Or a larger ppk in 32 then a ppk in 380. The recoil is truly night and day.

Is the 32 a great man-stopper? No. Is it a viable round for those that benefit from its properties? Absolutely.
 
I think the .32 Auto is about optimal for a pocket pistol for those who want deep concealment. Unlike similar sized .380 Autos they are not unpleasant to shoot, so there's no excuse not to practice with it. In FMJ, even from short barrels, the penetration meets the FBI criterion, while sacrificing expansion, of course. The low recoil translates into enhanced accuracy. And, for a given height, magazine capacity for .32 Auto is greater than that for .380 Auto.
 
The fact is what Evil Monkey posted is factual. While some of you might not have liked his choice of prose to convey his message, the wise will focus on his message, not the way he chose to write it.

My opinion is identical to Evil Monkey's: pocket pistols possess absolutely zero utility. If you know how human beings die, you'll know that this is factual.
Click to expand...

Amen to that. I'm guilty of sounding like Evil Monkey at times as well. My tone constantly gets misconstrued and distorted as being "arrogant" or "rude" but only if you're reading them.

There are much better choices than .32ACP out there.

And pocket carry is car from the best choice when it comes to method of concealed carry.
 
I've read and considered all the arguments. I'll continue to pocket carry pretty frequently simply because nothing fits in literally every single outfit like an LCP. My preference is my Walther PPS on a high waist mount, but I'm also a guy in my twenties who likes to look at least a little fashionable for the gals and isn't going to walk around in a poofy Hawaiian shirt all the time.

If that kills me, eh, well, heart disease is about 1000x more likely to kill me than an armed attacker and I haven't stopped eating bacon.
 
I'm close to 30 myself and living in tropical weather. Regardless of what Hollywood shows on shows like "Burn Notice" - "CSI: Miami" - "The Glades" - etc. There isn't always salsa music playing and girls in bikinis walking around or men in Hawaiian shirts and guayaberas.

I conceal a P229. My friends have 229s as well along with some Glock 19s and 26s. We dress in jeans and a T-shirt.

I understand that people don't want to be "uncomfortable" but that's subjective. I personally don't mind a little less comfort (which we adapt to anyways) for an ample self defense weapon. Something a .380 and under doesn't cut for me. I've been through the "uncomfortable" stage years ago. It went away real fast and now it doesn't bother me at all for 15-18+ hours a day.

It just depends how badly you want it, how much it means to you, and if you're willing to work for it. Some people just get lazy.

What I also don't get is the need for people who carry little pocket rockets to justify themselves carrying mouse guns by saying people who carry a full sized handgun are "commandos" or "rambo". I find that highly laughable because those people are more prepared for more scenarios than you are. While they are unlikely in any way, it still doesn't defeat the fact that we are still more prepared for a worst case scenario than you are.
 
But we can all agree .32ACP, .25ACP, and .22LR rely solely on shot placement. They're not necessarily "man stoppers".
Click to expand...
In reality, NO handgun round chambered in a gun that can be reasonably concealed is a "man stopper".
Shot placement, central nervous system hits, is the only guaranteed instant stoo with any caliber.
The other two ways an attacker is stoped, physical pain, and psychological shock can be attained by a round fired from any gun.
 
In reality, NO handgun round chambered in a gun that can be reasonably concealed is a "man stopper".
Shot placement, central nervous system hits, is the only guaranteed instant stoo with any caliber.
The other two ways an attacker is stoped, physical pain, and psychological shock can be attained by a round fired from any gun.
Click to expand...

You mean in "theory" which is correct. However, some have more potential (9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP.) while others do not (.22lr, .25ACP, .32ACP, etc).

We all know that velocity = best factor, hence a .223 > .22lr.

Then comes bullet weight. A 9mm + being shot within a few millimeters of the upper CNS vs a .22 being shot a within few millimeters does NOT have the same effect whatsoever. The kinetic energy in comparison is not there.



The 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP along with others are much better man stoppers in comparison with the .22lr, .25ACP, and .32acp every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
 
I'll occasionally toss a P-32 in my back pocket when I don't feel like strapping on my .45. Pros and cons? Well it holds one more round than its .380 sister, and the recoil is very manageable. I can dump a mag into center mass without too much trouble. On the other hand, it is a very weak round by modern standards. Penetration and expansion are very real concerns with this round.

Weak as it may be, it will still poke a hole in someone from across the room and make a lot of noise in the process. That's about all I expect from it.
 
That is all predicated on the premise that someone can shoot the larger gun accurately, and carry it every day. As mentioned before, but chosen by the bigger is better advocates to ignore, some people just can't shoot a more powerful handgun as well as a lighter recoiling one.
For myself, a 380 LCP is pretty much the minimum. Depending on the weather, and type of clothing, either pocket carried as my only weapon, or as a BUG to larger gun carried IWB.
But for others, a 32acp that they can shoot, and actually practice with is much better than a 9MM they can't hit the side of a barn with, and is too uncomfortable to practice with.
Isn't that the real meaning of this entire thread? The pros and cons of the 32acp.
Pros:
Easy concealment
Light weight
Mild recoil
Cons:
Less powerful than larger calibers
Ammo cost a bit higher
Availability of ammo limited in some areas.
 
32ACP has a rim ripe for a tiny five shot revolver?
The frame and cylinder have to be just large enough for the 32ACP and a two inch barrel?
 
Some times I carry in a shoulder holster, or IWB, or OWB, but I always have my LCP in my hip pocket, and I can draw it just as fast as I can my model 637 from my OWB holster that is carried the most.

I do have a .32ACP, its very accurate and fun to shoot, which I do rarely as it is a all original 1941 Walther PP, which was issued to the SS during the war. I realize officers pretty much carried them for show, but when needed, I assume they got the job done.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top