I may soon be picking up a Beretta 81BB in .32 ACP. What is the best .32 ACP ammo for self defense?

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otis

European made FMJ as it is generally loaded hotter than USA cartridges. Italian produced Fiocchi and the Geco stuff is good. The few times I drop my pp or 1903 in my pocket they are loaded with a 77 gr. hard cast FP running 950+FPS (velocity varies by the pistol). These should work in the 81BB but continued use in the little Tomcat will crack the frame as I learned first hand.

Query:

Will Winchester Silvertips work for a M81? The little Seecamp is designed for .32 ACP Silvertips and I got rid of my M81 because it didn't function well with almost any ammunition that I tried but I forgot about Silvertips.

I might get another M81.......you never know....

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Come and take it!!

Gold Dots. Seacamp loves them!

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Still Running Against the Wind

For my KelTec P32 I always opted for the hottest, heaviest FMJ available. In a caliber this small I wanted the most penetration possible and of course 100% reliability.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Back in prehistoric times, before the age of tiny .380s, I ran Winchester silver tips in my Beretta alley cat. Back 20-25 years ago, that's what was always recommended for .32s. There may be something better now, bullet construction is so much better than it used to be.

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Take a look at Luckygunner handgun ballistic gel tests for comparison of .32 ACP defensive ammo. They test both a Beretta 81Cheetah (4" bbl) and a Keltec P32 3" bbl. I load a Fiocchi 60 gr JHP in the chamber followed by Sellier and Bellot 73 gr FMJ in the magazine. Use this combo in a Walther PP, Beretta 81 BB and a 1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless.

I run Euro FMJ in all of my .32 ACP/7.65mm platforms.

Another vote for FMJ in the .32 Auto as getting to the vitals trumps expansion.

My other .32’s are Ruger Revolvers meaning the .32 Magnum is altogether different critter.

The ones that say 357 mag on the box

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

S&B 73 grain FMJ. Highest velocity of any brand of .32 ACP I have yet chronographed. Different lots run from about 960-980 fps out of one of my 1935 Berettas. Had a few rounds break 1,000 fps. The only brand of .32 acp that out penetrates .380 fmj in my tests in pine.

Shot a guy that was attacking me, and all I had was my
Beretta Tomcat, with Hornady hollow points! Put a stop
to his shenanigans real quick! I did make the trip to jail,
unfortunately! I hit him in his upper left arm, broke the
bone in 3 places!

I’ve always thought penetration and reliability most important with the little 32’s and 25’s, so I always use FMJ ammo.

My EDC is a Seecamp .32 acp. It's stoked with either Speer Gold Dots or Winchester Silver Tips ( difficult to find ). 100% reliable with either.

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John

On the rare occasions I carry my NAA Guardian, it's stoked with Underwood Xtreme Defender 55gr.

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Psalm 27:2

As un-American as it may seem to do the same when packing this Colt...that's exactly what I do.

Runs like a scalded cat.

And it can still really ruin your day, even at 107 years old.

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Everyone knows the European spec 7.65 Browning short "has a delivery like a brick through a plate-glass window," so the less potent domestic 60gr versions are at least as powerful as a half-brick through a residential window!

I posted a link to a video on here some time back that showed a man in Brazil pump 5 slugs from a .32 revolver into a violent young man and on the first shot the aggressor ceased and desisted further aggression, though the old man kept up the pumping action until the aggressor staggered and went down and "took the asphalt challenge!"

Grandson Fights Grandfather Over Family Dispute - YouTube

Silvertips in my 32 Seecamp because I can’t find anything else I like.

Silvertips in my Seecamp for carry and WWB hardball for range.

When deep cover is required I sometimes carry a Kel-Tec P32.

The ammo I like best is made by Fiocchi. Not the US ammo (# 32 XTP) which has a 60gr XTPHP bullet, the made in Italy ammo (# 32APHP) which has a 60gr SJHP bullet.

IMO that is the best choice, it has a good velocity and a good bullet. It is very accurate for me and also 100% reliable in both my 32 ACP pistols.

My suggestion is to find the ammo which is most accurate and 100% reliable in your gun.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I am of the opinion that Geco or Fiocchi 73 gr FMJ is best in a Walther PP or Beretta Model 81 Cheetah. I might try the S&B someday.

My .32 ACP Astra Constable proved to be unreliable with several brands of ammo, including S&B FMJ’s and some generic Winchester FMJ rounds.

I never got to try Federal rounds but Federal SPP’s in my target reload rounds rarely misfired.

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View from down under

While I would truly try and talk someone I cared about out of using a .32 for SD, if you absolutely must, I'd go with the hottest FMJ from a major manufacturer. At least you will have the reliability covered. Usually Federal's American Eagle would fit that bill.

I do not believe a hollow point out of a small tiny pocket pistol is capable of expansion with the slow velocities, so penetration and reliability is what you would be relying on.

Not trying to be demeaning - but I'd truly recommend something like a 9mm or at least a .380 over the .32 acp.

It's always prudent to practice accuracy & shot placement, but in many SD shootings, shots are often not perfectly placed in the heat of the battle for a plethora of reasons.

Good advice!
What ammo did you find that met that criteria?
I think that was the OP's question, no?

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Any particular reason no one has mentioned the various choices from Buffalo Bore?