Nine .25s or Eight .32s...

[CB3]

IMO,
Having been a Keltecer for almost a decade because of price and size, including early 9mm, .40, .357 Sig, .32 and .380, I cannot recommend them unless you discipline yourself to keep the round count very, very low.

Small backup guns are sometimes referred to as "Face" guns. Good terminology. If you are in a situation where you need to fight with a small backup, your target is an eyeball, not a silhouette at 25 yards.

A .22LR HP will sufficiently scramble a brain when shot through a head port, ending the fight quickly. .25, .32, .380 etc. will all do the same thing.

We had a highway patrolman shot here in Utah about 15 years ago by a perp with a locally manufactured .22LR North American Arms teeny Single Action revolver. One shot just above the body armor pointed down toward the heart did the deed.

Priorities:
1. reliable firing;
2. shot placement;
3. concealability and accessibility;
4. caliber

FWIW, the perp above carried the .22 in an upside-down holster suspended over his chest on a neck chain. It was accessible in a hands on struggle with the trooper. In a pocket? Not so much.

 

[D Brown]

Right now I have a Beretta Jetfire .25 ACP and it's a nice gun, reliable with low recoil. But the ballistics of .25 ACP, well... they're the ballistics of .25 ACP. But the gun holds 8+1 so it has that going for it.

Thinking about "upgrading" to a Kel-Tec P32 firing the .32 ACP round, but capacity would be reduced by one round, 7+1.

So I'd lose a round, but would the greater power of the .32 ACP make up for it? Also the KT would be just a small, a bit thinner, and actually a couple ounces lighter.

This would be for a pocket backup gun. Thoughts?

PS: I am NOT interested in a .380. My reasons are my own, please keep the discussion to the two mentioned choices. Thanks.

My Beretta Model 21A has up to 9 + 1 capability with the aftermarket Mec-Gar magazines.

The KEL-TEC P-32 offers 7 + 1 in a package that's actually much thinner and lighter than the 21A.

They're both nice little pistols, but my vote goes with the .32 ACP.

 

[Grayfox]

My first question is what is the main function of the gun? A lightweight primary EDC or is deep concealment a requirement?
I own and have carried several .25acp pistols. I have complete confidence in mine if the need should arise.
While the Beretta is a fine firearm, I much prefer the smaller, flatter, easier to conceal and carry Browning and Colt designs.
When I do carry a .25, most often its my PSP-25 which is an outstanding clone of the Browning Baby. This thing is so small it can be concealed in a shirt pocket and is completely un-noticable in a pants pocket. Its also utterly reliable.

I have nothing against the .32acp. In fact, I own several. However, if I were to carry one, I'd much prefer a slightly larger gun such as the time proven Colt 1903 or Walther PPK.
The current crop of tiny .32s such as the Kel-Tec do nothing for me. Honestly, in that size range, I feel a good reliable .25 is a better choice.

You have to change tactics with a small caliber such as a .22 or .25. Forget center mass. These guns are intended to be used at bad breath distances. Stick the gun right in the BG's face and pull the trigger. Several times. You might get instant incapacitation, however, don't count on it. Instead, while the BG is distracted by the pain and blood, you run like Hell! Remember, the primary goal here is to survive the attack. Nothing more is required.

 

[Have gun-will travel]

When I worked for Durham NC PD I saw a guy get shot from 25 yards away. The HP round hit the victim in the throat. The bullet went thru the neck hitting the spinal cord killing him instantly. Don't underestimate the power of the 25 acp

 

[cjwils]

Seven 380's is better than either of those, and you can get a 380 in a gun almost as small.

 

[31FordA]

I'd go with the P32 KelTec, in fact I have for close to 20 years. My P32 has been flawless. It feeds ball and JHP ammo without a single malfunction. It's also more accurate than you would expect a little gun to be. Several relatives and colleagues have also bought P32's and have no complaints.

 

[Dump1567]

Clip it and go. 10+1 of .32 auto. I load mine with hot European ball.

Or pick-up the original 10+1 .32 auto.

 

[JH1951]

Or, since we digress, how about a real classic that is still a good carry tool:

 

[Echo40]

If I had to choose one or the other, then I'd go with .32 ACP.

 

[Drm50]

Caliber .32acp in a pistol I had compete trust in, which wouldn't a KT. I don't understand people who carry a gun for protection carrying second rate guns. Reminds me of a fly fisherman I know. Came up to my place to look for a Bear Pistol. Him and Buddy were making first Alaskan trip to fish. He was bragging about a new custom made fly rod he was getting for the trip. $600 for rod, reel ect. I as him how much he wanted to go on the bear gun. He said $40-$50, he didn't need anything fancy.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I had a Beretta 950BS in .25 ACP. It was a cute little gun, and I carried it in deep concealment until I sold it to a lady co-worker who really wanted it. I also had a Keltec P-32 that worked well. I traded it to a lieutenant who really wanted it. I got a nickel-plated S&W Model 37 Chief's Special Airweight even up. There's no accounting for what some people want.

 

[JayFramer]

Thanks, gang.

I have heard the P32 is a reliable and time proven design. While this may not be true of other KelTec products, I've heard many people love the P32. I'm leaning heavily towards it. Thanks!

 

[fredj338]

Well neither make acceptable ccw, but the 25 is horrible. A 32 would be a decent upside, but still a very marginal rabbits foot.

 

[fredj338]

Caliber .32acp in a pistol I had compete trust in, which wouldn't a KT. I don't understand people who carry a gun for protection carrying second rate guns. Reminds me of a fly fisherman I know. Came up to my place to look for a Bear Pistol. Him and Buddy were making first Alaskan trip to fish. He was bragging about a new custom made fly rod he was getting for the trip. $600 for rod, reel ect. I as him how much he wanted to go on the bear gun. He said $40-$50, he didn't need anything fancy.

So you are good with 5th rate cartridge but not a 2nd rate gun? Uh, ok?

 

[pineappleshooter]

Have a P32 I am thinking of parting with. PM me if interested. In excellent shape.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[REM 3200]

Or, since we digress, how about a real classic that is still a good carry tool:

View attachment 417652

How do I double like this one. I have a 4th model of the above pistol. It is a real classic. Ask Bogie.

 

[Execpro]

Had a P32 for a few years. It was my first CCW pistol. It worked flawlessly.
Traded it in for a S&W Model 642.

Be SAFE and shoot often!

 

[Glouglou]

Sorry but just a question.
Why don't you carried both? The Kel-Tech as primary carry with an extra mag, and the Beretta as back up without necessary a second mag. My primary carry is a XDS in cold time or a S&w lemon squeezer in my pocket.
If I can I had my 22lr TPH In my weak pocket. I preafer 2 guns instead of one specially when the second is a very small lightweight one.
Hankle Could be an option for the Beretta

 

[JayFramer]

Sorry but just a question.
Why don't you carried both? The Kel-Tech as primary carry with an extra mag, and the Beretta as back up without necessary a second mag. My primary carry is a XDS in cold time or a S&w lemon squeezer in my pocket.
If I can I had my 22lr TPH In my weak pocket. I preafer 2 guns instead of one specially when the second is a very small lightweight one.
Hankle Could be an option for the Beretta

That's not a bad idea. Both would be very easy to carry even at the same time.

 

[JayFramer]

Thanks, gang! I ordered the KelTec P32 last night. I paid a few bucks extra for the "parkerized" version. Should be here by next week. I know some consider them a junk gun, but it seems from people who've actually owned them, they are very reliable and well thought of.

Now for a pocket holster...