Thinking of getting a .32

R

Roland Thunder

New member
I am thinking of selling my Kahr PM9 and getting a .32 caliber something. I hear good things about the Kel-Tec P-32. I prefer to pocket carry when I carry and I feel that I would carry more often if I had a smaller gun although the PM9 can be pocket carried. I know .32 ammo cost more but I don't mind that.

Any thoughts?
 
Or you could go to the in-between caliber of .380 ACP. The LCP is very popular, and I like my Sig P238s for pocket guns. That Kahr doesn't look like a pocket pistol to me, either.
 
Just bought the LCP, haven't had a chance to fire it, but I wear a lot of gym/basketball shorts for quick trips, taking a walk, etc, and it fits in and no pulling the pants down
 
Is your primary goal (a) to have a carry gun that specifically must be a .32, or (b) to have a .32 that you might occasionally choose to carry when you get the inkling?
GregInAtl said:
I prefer to pocket carry...
Click to expand...
Is a belt holster an option?

The reason I ask is that the options for a belt-holster Just-Cause-I-Wanna-Carry-It-Today gun are far more numerous than the pocket-carry-specific option, particularly if used guns are a possibility.

The selection of currently-offered pocket-able .32 pistols basically boils down to the P32, the NAA Guardian, some el-cheapo Zamak options that most folks on this forum are unlikely to recommend (myself included), the Beretta 3032 Tomcat if you can find one (availability is notoriously spotty), and the Beretta Pico if Beretta manages to positively solve the ejection problems that have plagued the Pico and Beretta actually makes the long-promised .32 ACP factory barrel kit available, which AFAIK has not happened yet.

I don't like the Pico's ergonomics or reputation regardless of the .32 barrel availability issue, and I think the Tomcat borders upon not being strong enough for the caliber, so IMHO your only 2 reasonable choices are the NAA and the Kel-Tec. Of those 2, the Kel-Tec is smaller, much cheaper, and has a reputation for rock-solid reliability, making it my preference by a long shot (no pun intended). The NAA offers jewel-like quality and a smoother trigger, but this is not enough to overcome its larger size and higher price IMHO. I choose CCW guns according to how they work rather than how they look, as they'll eventually wind up looking ragged regardless of how nicely they start out. :)

Lastly, the crop of used .32 pocket-friendly pistols is pretty slim, as most historical centerfire "mouse guns" have been .25-caliber rather than .32-caliber.
 
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I carry heavier when I can, but right now there's a P32 in my pocket. Load some of Buffalo Bore's hardcast 75 gr. Mine has been totally reliable with everything I feed it. Just be aware that, while it's deadly enough, you are less likely to incapacitate an attacker with a .32 than a 9. But most folks, bad people included, just don't want to get shot.
 
The idea that .32 ACP ammo is expensive is utter nonsense. Fiocchi .32 ammo is the most powerful of the commercial ammo in this caliber and right now you can buy it for less than 12.00 a box at Lax ammo. I just bought 500 rounds from Buds and paid 12.83 a box because they have better service.

The Keltec P 32 is an excellent choice for pocket carry. I have owned 3 of them over the years and they are totally reliable and easy to maintain and shoot
 
32 makes a fine carry gun,I use a older H&R32cal w 2" barrel which is parked on the left ankle,after a short while you won't even notice it,the Ruger LCR Is lighter,but it's 38spl,I find it to light weight to feel it,so I went back to the H&R 32
 
I think that if you look at the P32 vs. the P3AT, you will not find much difference in terms of carry. Both are good and I have owned both. I moved up from the P32 to the P3AT after it had been out a year or so.
 
If its got to be a "little" .32, why not go with what the others wish they were?

Seecamp LWS32 :)

ry%3D400
 
I have a stainless PPK in 32 ACP, and it is one sweet shooting pistol. 500 rounds through it, and never a case of the dreaded rim lock. A little heavy for summer pants pocket carry, but like my 1911's, sometimes you just have to carry a classic..
 
Had 3 P32's at one time. Still got 2. Either a P32 or P3AT is in my back pocket 99% of the time. It's my B.U.G.

Put it in a good pocket holster, drop it in your pocket and you won't even know it's there. With the right holster, it looks like and is as thin as a wallet in your back pocket.
 
I got my son an LCP .380 for Christmas and was surprised that it was lighter and narrower than my Raven P-25, and about a 1/2 longer. Shoots nice but not a gun I'd want to shoot all day at the range.
 
I have a love / hate relationship with Beretta Tomcats - specifically the Inox editions. Incredibly accurate for a gun its size. I have bought and sold several.

The good: They are incredibly accurate for a gun their size. The tip up barrel is a neat feature. I like the side mounted safety on a pocket gun I like DA / SA guns for some reason more than I should.

The bad: They are a "tweener" Too heavy for a pocket gun (IMO) and too small in comparison to the small belt guns you can now buy.

Your mileage may vary.
 
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