Wife's new Kel Tec P32

C

cplane

New member
My wife finaly picked up her new Kel tec P32 today. It was ordered 2 months ago but the shop says the p32's are backlogged. Waiting on this one saved us about $50.00 compared to a couple of shops that have them in stock. I was impressed with the shootability of this little pistol. It is everything we have been reading about it on TFL. Easy to rack the slide, Fairly accurate, Very comfortable to carry. I have one coming for myself in the next order. I will still want to carry something a little stouter in my vehicle but the little 32 seems to be a good compromise. :)
 
Last week I received a steel guide rod from Kel-Tec. I just felt that a steel rod would have to be better than a plastic rod. When I installed it, the P-32 just would not work. I had to spend time with a felt wheel with jeweler's rouge on my Dremal Tool and polish the metal rod until it was like a mirror before the slide would move freely. I still haven't tried it out at the range. Maybe tomorrow.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
I too have ordered a pair of Kel-tec P32's from my local gundealer. Maybe by October?

Regarding ammo - does anyone know of ballistics info for various makes & loads from the short P32 barrel? Published data is either from 4" barrels or the barrel length is not specified.

Given all the criticism of "mouseguns" I'm leaning to Fiocchi's 60grain JHP which is rated at 1200 fps and 205 ft lbs. This is up in the same range as .380's! But does Fiocchi's load still compare well with the .380 when both are fired from 2" or shorter barrel? http://www.fiocchiusa.com/catalog/centerfire.html#*select*

Even Sellier & Bellot's 73 grain 32acp is a +P at 180 ft lbs and 1040 fps compared to 125 ft lbs and 970 fps from Winchester's 60 grain Silvertip and similar numbers from Federal and Remington FMJ's. http://www.sellier-bellot.cz/pistol_c1.htm

I'll try several different loads in the P32, but is Fiocchi's 60grain the most effective defense load for the .32acp "mousegun"?


[This message has been edited by Solitar (edited August 13, 2000).]
 
Take a ride on the wild side and visit http://www.geocities.com/mousemag32/32wildcat.html
if you want to explore the extreme outer limits of the Keltec P-32 in the hands of the mad scientists.

I like the surplus FN ammo from AIM Surplus for most shooting, and the Fiocchi FMJ for carry, after a pair of CorBons JHP. If two Corbon JHP don't stop the guy, perhaps the superior penetration of FMJ is needed. But the mousemag project involves reloading cut down M1 .30 carbine brass to handle the higher pressures of the wildcat ammo!

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ChuteTheMallGawdSortaMount
 
Well, the steel guide rod that I highly polished worked. I guess that it could be my imagination, but it seemed that my P-32 operated a little "rougher" than it did with the plastic rod. Probably nothing.

Chute:
Cliff, at Kel-Tec, told me that with the shorter OAL of the Cor-Bon .32ACP round it might not be as reliable as the others in a P-32. It worked OK in my pistol, but on his recommendation, I'm not going to carry it. He thought that maybe Cor-Bon had rushed these to market and they eventually would make a longer round.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
Kel tec sells the steel guide rod for those who *think* they need it,not because it`s better. In fact many people have had problems with them,including minor frame damage. I have NEVER hears of a single problem with the stock guide rod. I don`t have a P-32 but my P-11 has over 5000rds. throught it with the original plastic guide rod and it`s still indistinguishable from a new one. If you feel the gun is rougher with the steel rod than before it`s probably because it is! Do yourself a favor,toss the steel rod in the parts bin and put the original back in. Marcus
 
Here another vote for the fine little P-32, mines been 100 percent reliable and is used as a backup gun to my duty weapon. I love mine and highly reccommend them to any one who needs a small light and compact personal defense weapon.

7th

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.
 
My P-32 is the cat's meow. But for $20, KT will swap your blued slide with a hard chromed slide. And that is the best finish you can have for a pocket carry gun. :)

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The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG
 
I have one, too. I like it a lot. Soooooooooooo easy to carry, I played basketball with mine on today.

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"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
 
Marcus,
Well, I removed the new polished steel rod and replaced it with the original plastic rod. I may polish it some more. It seems to have some "tool" marks that still show. The little P-32 DOES seem to operate smoother with the plastic guide rod.
I'll keep the steel rod for an emergency.
I have two .32ACP's, a Guardian and a P-32. Plus great holsters for each. The type of pants I put on in the morning dictates which .32 I carry. Lately, it's been the Guardian due to the new Hedley "back pocket" holster. I couldn't ask for a better way to carry a Guardian.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
One more vote for the P-32! Mine is hard chromed and 100% reliable with pretty much anything I want to put through it. I'm tempted to call it my "micro-Glock". I'm getting ready to do some penetration tests with all the available HP rounds; I'll post the results when I'm done.

P.S. Will REALL likes his. :-)



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Glock 19
S&W 629 Classic
KelTec P32

"Oh yeah? Well I talk LOOOUDLY! And I carry a BIIIGGER stick! And I'll use it, too." -Yoesemite Sam
 
I have two P32's, which initially functioned without problems. However, after another couple of hundred rounds, I put a pocket clip on both guns and initally had problems with one. After firing, sometimes the trigger would not reset. After a couple of cleanings and another 200 rounds, it began functioning correctly again. However, the poa/poi seems to have shifted a bit on the gun that was having functioning problems. Any similar experiences or ideas?

Hickman
 
Great gun. Mine has been 100% reliable. I also carry the Fiocchi FMJ.

Regards,
Frank
 
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