My Alternate Carry Gun; Kel-Tec P32

TJm15.38

TJm15.38

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This is my alternate carry gun, the Kel-Tec P32 in .32 ACP. I usually keep it in the Galco pouch in the truck and clip it on to my belt for carry with an extra 7-round magazine in my pocket. It's great for summer carry and you barely know it's there because the gun loaded is so light. Kel-Tec advertises that it is "one of the smallest semi-automatic center-fire pistols in the world." It's true, although a friend at my local range showed me his Seacamp 32 and it's even smaller than the Kel-Tec, although not as light. Would I trust my life on this pistol? The answer is: "Yes, if I have to." Every few months I will take it to the range and put two magazines of ammo through it at 5 to 7 yards as fast as I can safely draw, aim and fire all 15 rounds (one magazine reload), and it has never jammed, misfired or otherwise malfunctioned. Then I clean it, load it, store it back in the pouch and make it ready for the next trip. I really don't see much difference in power level between a .380 ACP and the .32 ACP in a pistol this small. I'll go with 7+1 loaded in the Kel-Tec P32.
 

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A few years back I saw these in my catalogs, it looked pretty cool but I didn't get one. Then they were gone, and I still haven't seen them again. Guies I'm not buying one then, haha.
 
My KT P32 is the gun that I carry when I can't carry a gun. I keep mine loaded with hot European FMJ, since penetration is essential and no .32 has any hope of expansion.

I was once in a venue where carrying was discouraged (not illegal), and the P32 was missed during a security wanding.

And, edited to add, "Spearhead" is a phenomenal book, as is "A Higher Call" and "Devotion", both also by Adam Makos.
 
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Been waiting for a month for one to show up locally.
 
I bought the first P32 I could find as a duty use hide out gun. At the time, a fantastic size / weight / to power ratio. I also like the European FMJ FP loads in this gun.

It now rides in my hunting packs "lost in the woods" survival kit, replaced for daily pocket carry by an LCP in .380 for its perceived power increase. Both guns have been reliable as spring rain.

Larry
 
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Sistema1927 said:
My KT P32 is the gun that I carry when I can't carry a gun. I keep mine loaded with hot European FMJ, since penetration is essential and no .32 has any hope of expansion.

I was once in a venue where carrying was discouraged (not illegal), and the P32 was missed during a security wanding.
tru
And, edited to add, "Spearhead" is a phenomenal book, as is "A Higher Call" and "Devotion", both also by Adam Makos.
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Spearhead, was a great book. I'll have to check out the other two you mention. I'm interested in tank warfare during WWII and this true story really motivated me to read more.
 
I have but one, but I just carried it today. Interesting as most of you know that Beretta 3032 magazines work just fine - although mine are actually Mec-Gar’s. Pretty much disappears in a thin holster in 511 shorts or pants & much better than a sharp stick!
 
I’ve been carrying a P-32 for over 20 years, bought my first one in 2000. At one point I owned 5 or 6 of them, but friends talked me out of a few of them so now I have three. It’s a great gun for running to the market or when you don’t want/need a big gun. The P-32 is also a great back up gun. I carry it in my front pants pocket when working as my back up or the back up to a bigger back up gun. Fortunately I’ve never needed it, but I trust that it will get the job done if needed.

After over 20 years my P-32 will still hit bowling pins at 25 yards if I take my time. I suspect it will have no problem doing that for another twenty years, but I doubt my eyes will hold up as well as the KelTec.
 
I carried one in my concealable vest plate pouch along with an extra mag. Excellent little gun that was totally reliable with FMJ ammo and easy to put rounds on target. Didn't really even realize it was there, which was the only way I would carry a second gun. Far more accurate than anyone would imagine.
 
A friend got a P32 when they first came out for the very reason it was a gun he could carry. I got to shoot it and it impressed me. I bought the first P3AT I found. As others have mentioned, utterly reliable and more accurate than it has a right to be. It is smaller and lighter than a 1910 Browning, and due to the locked breech, short recoil action, more comfortable to shoot as the recoil impulse is not as snappy.
 
Just bought one, took delivery last week. Actually intended as an experiment for when age interferes with my ability to manage my M38 or Sig P290. Initial impression is I’ll be carrying this a lot more than intended. I’m betting I’ll lose it to my wife once she gets to try it. Her battle with the Arthritis nemesis keeps her from adopting any of our other center fires. Even even though she wants to like our daughter’s 380EZ the after effects are painful.
 
31FordA said:
I’ve been carrying a P-32 for over 20 years, bought my first one in 2000. At one point I owned 5 or 6 of them, but friends talked me out of a few of them so now I have three. It’s a great gun for running to the market or when you don’t want/need a big gun. The P-32 is also a great back up gun. I carry it in my front pants pocket when working as my back up or the back up to a bigger back up gun. Fortunately I’ve never needed it, but I trust that it will get the job done if needed.

After over 20 years my P-32 will still hit bowling pins at 25 yards if I take my time. I suspect it will have no problem doing that for another twenty years, but I doubt my eyes will hold up as well as the KelTec.
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...exact same story here... I used to buy all the used ones I came across for the $130-180 range and then sell them to friends who would shoot mine and then say, "Where can I get one"...

Very hard gun to find right now...

Bob
 
JFthunder said:
Just bought one, took delivery last week. Actually intended as an experiment for when age interferes with my ability to manage my M38 or Sig P290. Initial impression is I’ll be carrying this a lot more than intended. I’m betting I’ll lose it to my wife once she gets to try it. Her battle with the Arthritis nemesis keeps her from adopting any of our other center fires. Even even though she wants to like our daughter’s 380EZ the after effects are painful.
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Just curious-
Does the .32 Kel-Tec recoil that much less than your other two pistols? Or the .380 EZ? I have a .380 Kel-Tec, and it's not what I would call a fun gun to shoot.
 
RECOIL…. The difference is noticeable. The little 9mm P290 barks and bites, but it’s easily concealed and 8+1 of 9mm gives it the performance edge. The M38… what can I say… a classic. Just look at my chosen monicker. For my wife however, well the 380EZ is the best she has found but still has painful after effects. We’ll see if the little 32 is the solution. For me it’s just so “weightless” and simple to conceal and I will choose the 32 over a 22 in most situations. Have not had a chance to try the LCPMax. But my LCPII makes me think it might be a great possibility for anyone not as painfully impaired as my wife.
 
Guy in Vegas was selling a bunch of Fiocchi 32 ammo and a P32. At the time we had the Blue Card system still going, so I declined the pistol. IIRC I was also in the middle of my first wife's terminal illness, so maybe I couldn't afford it.
 
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