32 auto question

[Old Ph.D.]

I bought a ppk/s in 32 auto that I want to cc. What cartridge would you recommend for best penetration and best price. I want a kill shot if it is necessary and I am able to hit a bad guy between the shirt pockets. My best so far is Fiocchi 73 FMJ, 50 rounds for $24. Thanks Old Ph.D.

 

[Bald1]

Best performance and best price do not often go hand n hand. I’d recommend any quality FMJ. I’ve had good luck with MagTec

 

[desi2358]

I would stick with European made ammo for the best performance. It has always seemed to be loaded a bit hotter than US made 32 Auto. I have owned several foreign automatics that cycled much better with European ammo than they did with the US brands. PPU and Fiocchi have worked well, so has RWS/Geco brand. Prices vary but I can usually get PPU cheapest.

 

[moosedog]

If your gun will digest HP ammo, that would be the way to go as the 32 FMJ is not noted for knock down power.
Also, you state that you can hit a man size target between the shirt pockets, I assume that this a stationary paper target. In actual self-defense shooting situations, it is not that easy. The only real instant kill shot would be to the head with enough power to penetrate to the brain.

 

[sjmjax]

I’d suggest looking at Buffalo Bore.

Even their 25 ACP is impressive.
Generally both heavier bullets and higher muzzle velocity than normal for caliber.
Expensive ammo. Not recommended for routine target practice.
But if I were to carry a small caliber for self defense, that would be my choice.

 

[Matt_X]

The stopping power of any projectile, but particularly pistol bullets is a subject of continual investigation, discussion, and debate. From a citizen self-defense point of view, yes you should attempt shots that will most likely hit and stop even the most determined killer. Fortunately, the odds are that any shot on target will cause the animal or person to stop and run. But also be prepared that follow up shots may be needed to stop the person or animal. (My point is that you should not be seeking to kill people, or expecting one shot stops of bad guys when lethal force is needed. My advise is to look up all you can from Massad Ayoob on legimate self defense.)

But yes when considering effectiveness, you need to consider the environment (ie surrondings), the most likely threat, and what is reliable and you shoot well. Sometimes a simple jacketed round nose, or flattened round nose will be your best choice.

This will give you a starting point.
32 ACP Ammo Selection

and another here which uses a cheaper gel, but also includes barrel lengths closer to the PPK's
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/

 

[Sistema1927]

.380 and below, I'm carrying the hottest FMJ possible. .380, .32, and .25 hollow points "may" expand, but they often won't penetrate to the vitals.

 

[DWalt]

The usual advice is that for personal defense use with a smaller handgun caliber, FMJ bullets are preferable as they provide greater penetration. Versus using expanding bullets that often don’t expand.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... I want a kill shot if it is necessary and I am able to hit a bad guy between the shirt pockets.

If you are serious, have you had professional training at Thunder Ranch, Gunsite Academy or similar experiences?

I was a policeman for a longtime and its true when people say they have a plan until the first shot is taken.

 

[Screwball]

I’d suggest looking at Buffalo Bore.

I suggest not…

BB is extremely over-pressured across the board. That is how they get so impressive numbers. While it may be a good one off, if I’m using a round for defense, I’m practicing with it.

With that, the owner is a piece of work (I think this is the forum I got in trouble for censoring with *s… but I’m sure you can get an idea of what I would have wrote). This is a thread from a guy on PistolForum and the experience he had with BB.

Buffalo Bore - Near KB & Bad CS Experience

Underwood would be my boutique ammo recommendation. Numbers seem more realistic than BB. I used to load BB .357 180 grain XTP in my 3” Carry Comp, but got stuck casings. Switched to Underwood 158 grain XTP, which I’m waiting on their arrival.

 

[alwslate]

I own several .32 autos and have a variety of FMJ ammo that I have chronographed over the years. Your Fiocchi is good but the highest velocity 73 gr FMJ ammo is S&B. Usually a bit more expensive than other brands but is really the best. FMJ is the best choice for SD. Will easily penetrate an upper torso and make two holes with every shot.

 

[sjmjax]

Screwball,

Thanks for that link.
I’ve not seen issues like that previously reported with the ammo and owners response.

I was aware that BB was hot. But, I believe that they claim loadings are within sammi limits.
Hard to imagine how they get reported velocity without over pressure.

Going to withdraw my suggestion and reconsider my own purchase options.

 

[Screwball]

No problem. If you look into the owner, a lot of shadiness involved.

I used to be in a similar boat. But between that discussion and issues with my Carry Comp, I cut ties and give the recommendations to other companies. I like heavier loads, but unfortunately don’t see 180 grain XTP offered anywhere else. Maybe one day Underwood will offer that.

 

[BrBa]

I carry Underwood 55 gr +P Xtreme Defender in my Seecamp 32 (975 fps) because the gun has a length restriction of 0.910" for ammunition. It was designed to run only with hollowpoints, but the Lehigh is short enough and runs 100%. This load also runs reliably with great accuracy in my PPK/S. I don't carry my PPK/S, but if I did I would stick with FMJ to avoid the possibility of rim lock with the shorter ammo. FMJ are going to be long enough to prevent rim lock.

Pick any from Fiocchi, S&B or Norma and you'll be happy.

 

[sigp220.45]

The mighty .32 caliber has always “punched above it’s weight class”. Its easy to shoot, there when you need it, and that hard little bullet penetrates deeply. No gimmicks required.

I carry one often. Plain ol’ FMJ, from whatever maker is available, foreign or domestic.

 

[Old Ph.D.]

Many thank you’s due for much insight and tips. Old Ph.D.

 

[LVSteve]

I am another fan of the Fiocchi 73 gr FMJ. It has never failed to cycle in my Hungarian PP clone and Zastava M70. I am confident it will run just fine in my Beretta 81 when I finally get it to the range.

 

[03hemi]

I carry one of my .380 PPK/S's sometimes, but I always have Hornady Critical defense in it, the hollow point is filled with a rubber substance to prevent clogging on entry. I understand the reasoning behind using fmj, but I have to ask...
You guys using fmj, I know it's really better if the perp is wearing a heavy coat, but since you're not guaranteed they will be in the winter aren't you worried about someone behind the perp getting hit? A .380 fmj can certainly go right through someone hit in the right spot?
This is something I've always wrestled with.

 

[BrBa]

The threat of overpenetration shouldn't be discounted. However, missing an intended target, regardless of bullet choice, is far more likely to occur than a hit with a low powered fmj which overpenetrates.

 

[sigp220.45]

Any bullet can penetrate. The real hard part is being aware of what’s behind the target and not shooting at all.

I won’t give the whole saga, but I once didn’t shoot a guy who was armed with a gun and had fled the scene of a fatal shooting. He turned around with the gun in his hand when I told him to drop it. It would have been a good shoot but behind him was a fairly crowded McD’s. He didn’t raise the gun and I had semi-decent cover (inside a car, passenger side) so I yelled at him again and he did the sensible thing of running into traffic and getting plowed by a Honda Accord.

I realize that was a law enforcement situation but it isn’t hard to come up with plenty of non-LE scenarios where the area behind your threat isn’t clear. Relying on the bad guy to successfully stop every round you launch may not be the best plan.