32ACP Pocket Pistol Itch

[yodogsandman]

I've been considering a small, Kel Tec P32, 32ACP pocket pistol. I want one just to throw in a pocket and have it on me. I find that I don't carry my larger pistols much because of the heft and size. I have a small .22 LR Taurus but, it's not that accurate past 10 yards or so.

So, what experience do you guys have with 32ACP's? Anyone loading cast in these?

Looks like there's new Starline brass available and mixed HS, once fired stuff, too.

I looked hard at the NOE 314-077 RD mold. Good one? How about the RG2?

 

[RicinYakima]

Wow! Go to the CBA website and you will be surprised. Ed Harris has almost 10 years of posts on reloading the 32 ACP with cast in pistols, revolvers and rifles!
I carry the Kel-Tec 32 every day that I don't carry my S&W 331 32 H&R Mag. It fits in your pocket with shorts and a T-shirt, us fat bellied guys can't wear IWB holsters, so this is great. There is 112 years of history as to why the 32 ACP is better than the 380's (shilled by the gunzine rags). Ric

 

[Brad]

Sometimes we develop an itch that just needs to be scratched. Not always a reason or even a practical need but we still need to scratch the itch.

Can't wait to see what you develop for loads.

 

[JWFilips]

I'm 32 ACP all the way! It is a great historic round. Extremely accurate! Have many in my collection. All excellent shooters! This thread may get me around to posting a few pics of my collection. I have a number of CC pistols but the .32 acp is always on me!
Jim

 

[JWFilips]

Here is a French MAB late WWII

 

[JWFilips]

As far as loading Cast I love the 75 Grain 32 ACP ranch Dog bullet Very Very accurate and deadly. I think Michael Remy has written a ton of stuff about these bullets! Well worth the read.

 

[freebullet]

A review of my experience w/kel tec is not so good. Had the 32 & tried the pf9, no go on either for me. Neither had a throat & the extractors are hopelessly problematic ime. Never could load cast in the pf9, needed throated.

Had a colt 1908 in 32, wish I still had it.

I'd be interested in anything pointing toward 32 having superior ballistics to 380.

 

[yodogsandman]

Very nice, Jim! The European countries all seem to have military 7.65's. I'd probably prefer one of them. Hey, what's your favorite load?

 

[JWFilips]

This is my everyday carry gun A Simple JA 32 At 10 yds very accurate with the RD bullets & hot load. ( shown in the photo) In my own custom made holster. I never feel like I'm carrying!
If you need info on the 32 acp Ive done a ton of research Just PM me

 

[yodogsandman]

Yup, I like the looks of that Ranch Dog bullet! Thanks, I'll PM you if I get one! 6 rounds of that in the face would ruin any bad guys day!

 

[RicinYakima]

yodogsandman, The K-32 is the weakest of the 32's but the first thing if you want to do is find all of the 73 grain CIP European ammo you can find, Fiocchi, RWS, S&B. Don't waste your money on 71 grain SAMMI stuff. My best load is 2.2 grains of carefully measured WW231 with RCBS 32 CM cast bullets. The issue with the K-32 is that it is locked breech (will take lots of pressure) but once it unlocks the slide weights nothing and hammers the plastic frame. That makes the guts fall out of the pistol. CIP hard ball is the best that you will get. The 32's strong point is penetration; forget the face. Three between the navel and the base of the penis and then three in the Adam's apple.

 

[RicinYakima]

freebullet, Sorry I don't believe much in "ballistics". I spend 28 years as a firefighter/medic and went thru 2 major drug wars and one minor one. Treated about an equal number of patients with 22 LR, 32 and 380 wounds. I never saw a 32 or 380 bullet expand, ever. The FBI gelatin test are bogus for reality. People have clothes, cell phones and gold chains. Penetration and placement are key to effectiveness. The 0.045" bullet diameter is not worth giving up 100 f/s velocity and 2 inches of penetration. Just my opinion, but Colt sold 10 times as many 32 ACP's as 380's; there must have been a reason. IMHO, Ric

 

[JWFilips]

Got 2 more from my collection:
The strange & bizarre Space pistol Savage 1917


And a pristine FEG Femaru Taken from a German Officer in Italy

 

[JWFilips]

One thing I have to mention: I only shoot over sized soft alloy BHN 10-11 in the form of Ranch Dog's 75 grain bullets in all these guns. Factory ammo is a waste of time. They are hot loads with Unique.
One big problem with that and target practice is since the 32 acp brass is hard to come by: you really need a brass catcher of some type because all of my pistols send in a half a mile to the right rear!

 

[JWFilips]

Tomorrow I will post two more from my 32 acp collection both German Issue! One is one of the German's favorite target pistols from post WWI Care to take a guess?
( & yes they were correct!)

 

[Ben]

The 32 ACP is a much better killer than a lot of people would believe.

Ben

 

[JWFilips]

Ben,
From the data that I have researched It works because it is a "penetrator" : The 38 Kurtz ( .380) has the better mass but doesn't carry it well or deep: but that will always fuel the arguments!
The 1st half of the 20th century: much of the Military and Police put their fate into the .32 acp not the 38 Kurtz
Yes I'm biased; I love the 32 acp!
Jim

 

[JWFilips]

Still waiting for guesses at the favorite German target pistol of the 1920's!

 

[Ben]

Sad, but I don't know enough to make an intelligent guess...........

 

[JWFilips]

Guys, You have to forgive me because here, I usually don't have much knowledge to add to a thread....mostly constantly learning ..but you have hit an area that I have spent years on.
So Although I'm not sure I can give some knowledge back to this great site...I will try from what I have learned in my research.
Jim