Wringing my hands over a .32

S

Steve Smith

New member
I work in a "casual dress" enviornment...ie, everything except the tie. I want to carry my .45, but I'd like to take my coat off to (like right now!) Firarms aren't allowed in the building, but the security guy is a pro-gun guy and says,"don't ask don't tell" about bringing one in. The more I think about is, the more I'm interested in a Guardian with a pocket holster. Does anyone use this? How easy does the gun come out of the holster? Too easy? Not easy enough (draw the holster too!)? Does is hide well enough in "dockers" type pants? How secure do you feel with a .32? Thanks for the imputs.
 
Same here Frontsight only I use an Autauga II. Concealment is fine in front or back pocket, though I like an S&W mod 38 for front pocket carry. No, I do not feel as secure as with my Glock 30, but I feel better than just having a sharp pencil.
 
I have the exact same problem. I wear the same attire to work and I can't seem to find a concealment system that I am comfortable with. I am about to buy myself an IWB holster that allows you to tuck your shirt in over the gun for my Bersa .380. I also carry a .32 Davis Derringer in my front pocket. I got a leather pocket-holster and it looks like I have a book in my pocket so I just carry the gun loose in my pocket. The Dockers don't show an outline unless I'm sitting down and I can shift it over so that it is more to the side and doesn't just scream GUN. I have really researched this and I haven't seen a better answer to MY needs. I want to be able to defend myself in either a confrontation up-close (Derringer) or if we get a psycho in the building (.380). I have already been told and have seen for myself at the range that the Derringer is really only good for VERY close work, but I trust that Bersa with everything, it has been a darn good and reliable gun.

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Until the antis put a sign in their front yard that says they don't own guns, they are riding on the shirt-tail of the safety that we provide by owning them.
 
I guess the bottom line is, is this the answer? Here I am, sitting in the office, and the thermometer on the wall says 72 degrees. I'm wearing a coat. Maybe it's a light coat, but it's still a coat. Anyway, I have sweaty armpits (sorry) and I'm just thinking that if I had a Guardian I wouldn't have this problem. Is this the answer or not?
 
Frontsight!,
I understand your problem. There are many places where it's very hard and, at the same time, essential to keep your pistol out of sight. For that reason I've purchased two small .32 caliber pistols that fit the bill perfectly. A NAA Guardian and a Kel-Tec P-32. The Guardian is accurate and reliable, but completely reliable only with Winchester Silvertip hollow points. I don't consider this a bad thing, since the Silvertip is a very effective round. The Guardian weight
is 13.56 ounces. I carry mine in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. (Very light) The Kel-Tec P-32 is a little larger than the Guardian, but quite a bit thinner and lighter. The weight of the P-32 is about 6.5 ounces. I can carry the P-32 in the same Uncle Mike's pocket holster. So far, the P-32 has reliably fed every brand of hollow point that I've tried. (No malfunctions at all.) Usually, I keep it loaded with Federal Hydra-Shok's. My experience with the P-32 is that it also is an accurate pistol. At 21 feet I can keep all shots in the center of the silhouette target.
Both little pistols are easy to conceal in a front pocket. when I have on jeans, I carry the Guardian. When I have on Chino's, I carry the P-32.
Hope this helps.

Will


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Mendacity is the system we live in.

[This message has been edited by WLM (edited April 11, 2000).]
 
I have a Guardian and am very pleased with it. It has shot all types of ammo without a problem. I have a Galco pocket holster that fits very well and does not come out on the draw. Sounds to me like you have the right idea...
 
Well, I went out today and found two Guardians, one used for $295, one new for $375, and a Kel-Tec P32 for $269. I got the Kel-Tec because of the lighter weight. I also got a Galco pocket hoster (made for a Colt mousegun, but it fits ok. I fired it a few times on the way home (I live in the country, so I just pulled over and shot in the dirt), and found it very pleasant to shoot (with Fiocchi SJHPs. I will shoot it for reliability this weekend. I still think that the .32 is tiny, but I like it more now that I have the Kel-Tec.
 
Frontsight,
Congratulations on finding the P-32 so fast! I'm sure you'll like it. Most people, myself included, have had to look for months to find one. Is yours new or used? If it's new, (and blue) for $20.00, Kel-Tec will let you swap the slide, barrel, slide stop, and takedown pin for a hard chrome version. Hard chrome should have greater rust resistance. The people at Kel-Tec told me that they put blue, parkerized, and hard chrome slides in a bucket of water for a week. The blue and the parkerized slides rusted badly, however the chrome did not.
You might want to reconsider the Fiocchi. My gun shop stopped selling it because they were getting so many complaints. Since my P-32 is so reliable with anything I've tried, I keep mine loaded with Federal Hydra-Shoks. They are noticeably more powerful than Silvertips. (Or anything else I've tried.)

Good luck,
Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
WLM...thanks for the advise. I live in Colorado, so even though the gun will be in my pants pocket, I don't expect to see much rust...it's pretty dry here. I'll be shooting this Fiocchi this weekend, and I'm pretty excited. I've been wearing it around the house in my pocket for about 2 hours, and I literally forgot that I had it on. Yes, it's new. Is that hard chrome polished or matte?
 
Frontsight,
The hard chrome parts are not shiny.
The color is matte silver. Looks like brushed stainless steel. Pretty attractive, as well as rust resistant. I'm glad I "upgraded" to the hard chrome. As far as forgetting that the P-32 is in your pocket, I understand. The little pistol is so light that it's very easy to forget. Mine came with two magazines. Did yours? So far, I'm the only person I know who got two mags with the pistol.

Have fun,
Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
Well, you're still the only guy that you now that got two mags. Interestingly, I was just in a conversation with a fellow pro-gun co-worker...he said was that he'd be scared to know if people were carrying at work...I didn't let him know that I had the P-32 in my pocket right then. Sad.
 
That P32 sounds like an awesome little possum. I'm going to have to get one someday. Little over 6 oz. is only slightly heavier than the folder that I carry every day.

One thing about pocket carry....It would be worth your while to have a taylor, Mom, or wife sew a reinforced pouch around the pocket that carries valuables like a good knife or pistol, especially if you don't use a holster. A heavy synthetic blen fabric will hold up better and help to conceal the print a little better.

Sock carry or ankle carry would be slow on the draw, but would be highly concealable if your slacks are a little long and two socks worn.....That's 2 socks on the same side. One as a liner between the hardware and skin, and the other to keep it in place. You'll go through lots of socks as they stretch out and get holes, but you can stock up when they go on sale too. I know that I am just saying the obvious to many here, but hope that its help to someone.

robert

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"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." -Jesus Christ (Luke 22:36, see John 3:15-18)
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"Reasonable gun law?............There's No such critter!" --EQ
 
Frontsight,
I'm sitting here looking at my P-32 right now. I think the matte hard chrome looks pretty good. Also the sights are red rather than white. This makes them easier to see. (At least in my case.) The fellow at the Kel-Tec factory I talked to said that he had replaced his receiver (the lower) with a grey one that looked very good with the chrome slide. However, I think the contrast between the black and the matte silver is pretty good looking.
I think that you are going to enjoy carrying the P-32. Sometimes when I carry my Glock 27 (under a jacket), I still slip the little P-32 in my right front pocket. As you have found out, you hardly notice the added weight.
As far as the person who says that he would be scared if he knew people around him at work carried, I understand. People like him have never been touched by violence. He probably also has been turned away from self defense by the anti gun media. He thinks that the police will get there in time to provide any protection he might need. It probably has never occured to him that the police are vastly outnumbered by the preditors. I hope that he never has to find out just how "on his own" he is. The police just can't be everywhere at once.
My P-32 stays hidden in my pocket. Nobody knows but my wife. (And she has a CCW and her own hidden pistol.) If we are attacked either one of us can come out with the "bad news" pretty quickly.
Buy some Federal Hydra-Shok's this weekend and have a look at them. Put some downrange. You'll see what I mean. :)

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
Ever thought of getting religion?

Might I suggest you gentlemen visit your local christian bookstore and peruse those zippered bible covers with Currier and Ives type artwork on their front covers by Thos. Kinkade? There's a gorgeous blue one with an angel about 8" X 10" (maybe larger). It can and usually does hold my Glock 17Longslide.

Amazingly, a slightly more compact but deeper double sided nylon one in pink or electric blue stores my pair of 4" 41 mag N frame revolvers without looking overstuffed.

You may have to line them inside with stiff leather to prevent printing depending on which you get. Another for paperback sized bibles holds my mod 34 Beretta Puma 32.

Then again, my uzi (barrel disassembled) stays in one of my briefcases. OK, I nearly always leave THAT one home. Or in the car trunk.

[This message has been edited by Rusty S (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
Rusty,

Your always welcome in our church. Those Bible covers are good for a couple of things and they look better than a fanny pack. There are some slim Bibles that would fit in the front compartment that will cover any printing without the need of carrying two "Bibles" into church sunday. ;) hehehehe

WLM,
<However, I think the contrast between the black and the matte silver is pretty good looking>

I agree. That is the best looking combination on any gun IMHO, although a real good hot blue on a polished surface is hard to beat.
Another thing that would make this effect I think is when the bad guy looks at it, he won't think that you are thrusting a walet out to him. A little package like that under stress might not be recognized. But then again it might not matter when it goes bang. Just a puzzled look on the face after being done in by a "wallet". Oh well.

robert

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"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." -Jesus Christ (Luke 22:36, see John 3:15-18)
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"Reasonable gun law?............There's No such critter!" --EQ
 
Equalizer: thanks for the invite, but last Sunday I finally got shut of three years of being the congregation president.

Hmmn - come to think of it I wonder if I could depreciate "Paracletus" (my hand-and- a-half Del Tin sword) on my taxes by listing it as...
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Frontsight!:
...How secure do you feel with a .32? Thanks for the imputs.[/quote]

Well, I feel a lot less secure than with a .45. :) OTOH, a .32 is a lot better than nothing. I have a Guardian and the Keltec .32, and I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the little Keltec. It's fired a wider variety of ammo without problems than the Guardian, and it's really light and thin.
 
I find that the best ammo for a P-32 is Fiocchi 73 gr, FMJ. Best punch in 32. Try the belt clip with the P-32 and yhou will really forget it. I wear belts with large buckles and the clip hides behind them.

As for putting in in a 'case' of any kind - DON'T ! ! At some point since it is not attached to your person, you WILL leave it somewhere, and that is NOT good !
 
I agree with the Cajun on the case. How many times have you walked off without your hat or umbrella? I have to keep my keys in my pocket at all times, otherwise I'd lay them down somewhere and forget where. The same thing applies to a case. I'd loose it! I don't agree about the Fiocchi. Even though I've fired several rounds with no problems, my gun shop owner wouldn't stop selling it if he had no reason. Too many complaints. I'll stick with Federal Hydra-Shok's. With a .32 you have to get it right the first time.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
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