Front pocket back-up - newbie

[lawrencemr]

I am considering a pistol - Ruger LCP or Beretta Tomcat32. The Ruger triggerguard is pretty tight for large hands and some of the features seem a little bizarre- semi-exposed hammer in DAO, terrible trigger on the one I tried. Workable, I suppose but was wondering if anyone has experience with the 32 Tomcat. I still have a supply of 32 rounds (WW Silver Tips) but few 380s. It's a little heavier and is double/single with exposed hammer but about the same size. Any thoughts or sharing of experiences would be appreciated. Not that concerned with the differences between the 32 and 380. I would probably fire 25-50 rounds through one per month while on days when shooting my 686s.
Thank you,
Mike

 

[flop-shank]

Have you considered the Kel-Tec P3AT? It's the gun Ruger copied and a one shot magazine extention is available. That could help if you have large hands. I can't comment on the beretta, but have a Kel-Tec, love the thing, and their customer service is great.

 

[Pisgah]

If you want something to go along with your ammo supply, get a Kel-Tec P32. Slightly smaller than the LCP or it's "parent" P3AT, much smaller and more pocket-worthy than the Tomcat.

 

[8th SPS USAF]

Front pocket back up

I have owned both. Ruger great, but trigger poor. Ber. is what
i carry front pocket back up. Very nice. Shoots well and I have several
boxes of Win ST. I do have small hands. Good luck Both ammo
is hard to find and costs lrg $$$$$$$$$

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Mike,

I use front pocket carry almost exclusively with an Air Weight J frame (432 PD in .32 H&R Magnum, or a 642 in .38 Special) on the strong side, and a Seecamp in .32ACP on the weak side as back-up. The Seecamp is all stainless steel, 6+1 shot, and a bit heavy for its size, but it is ultra reliable and uber cool (and very pricey). When the .380ACP version came out I was in a momentary jam as I really like the "bigger is better" concept, but it took me several years of hard searching to find my Seecamp and I didn't want to give her up that readily. I shot my .32ACP at the range again and was reminded why .380ACP won't work for me in such a small pistol. I carry mine in a horsehide Galco pocket holster and couldn't be happier.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[GatorFarmer]

My advice? Get an alloy J frame.

Tomcats have supposedly improved since I had one. I had an early one. Back the frames would crack. Mine didn't break the frame, but sort of went "Crunch" and spit out parts. Beretta eventually sent me new parts, I can't remember if they charged me or not, but I was never happy with it. I didn't like the smaller 21A either, at least not in .22LR.

I've never had the Ruger. My wife has a P3AT. I had a P32. I liked the P32. It went bang so long as I fed it FMJs.

You probably don't actually want to use .32 Silvertips btw. Old technology and I don't know that they poke a hole deep enough to reach the vitals. I keep my Walther PP loaded with Wolf Gold Line FMJ, which is actually made by Prvi (and thus is good brass cased ammo). It seems a tad hotter than American made generic FMJ.

I can pocket carry the relatively heavy Walther in a hobo holster (I should trademark that term) w/o problems. If you've tried something like a Walther PP or Colt Pocket .32 auto, it's hard to go back to the minimalist .32s.

 

[jpwhel]

My LCP has been a great little gun, I carry in a pocket holster in my front pocket. The Tomcat blued version, according to the Beretta forum continues to have problems with cracked frames, however the Inox version seems to be OK.

I also bought the new Sig P238 in .380. My wife carrries it likes it a lot. For a small gun it carries well and is very accurate. Much less felt recoil than the Ruger LCP, of course the P238 is 5-6 ounces heavier thank the LCP.

 

[Capt Steve]

I have had good luck with my Bersa Thunder .380, the CC model. Small enough for pocket carry, IWB is even better, points and shoots very well with a nice trigger. New, out the door for $293. It has the eight round mag and I carry 7 + 1 with the safety on, hammer down. A back up mag is always in reach.

 

[BigRich315]

+1 on Kel-Tec, in either .32 or .380. My P3AT hasn't let me down and is scary accurate for a tiny pistol, almost as good as my M&P40c. My sister is happy with her P32. They disappear in a good pocket holster.

In either I highly suggest the 1 round extension; it makes all the difference grip-wise. I also recommend staying away from cheap ammo like Magtech, especially with the .32. It's given several FTF and half-ejections. WWB was has been flawless.

 

[lawrencemr]

Front pocket mouse gun

Thanks to all. You've given me some valuable insights.
Regards,
Mike

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

I've owned a Kel-Tec P32 for quite a few years now . . . getting it for the same reason you are considering it for. It has always been reliable too. However, today, it languishes in the safe, relegated for gym shorts only use. Its a 9 oz. gun that's better than being unarmed.

I've long ago transitioned to a S&W Airweight J-frame. It's a 15 oz revolver that can be shot inside the pocket if required without jamming. It is much more accurate and powerful. The trigger is incredible and I can shoot it extremely well . . . with groups under 1" at 10 yards and 2 1/2" at 25 yards at the range. Not so with the Kel-Tec.

One day I started thinking that if I was in the back end of a convenience store shopping and thugs rushed the counter, shooting the clerk, I'd be in a world of hurt with the Kel-Tec. With my Model 37 Airweight I'm quite comfortable with my odds if I had to use it.

Ditto with effective power. The .38 special in a snubby has had decades to develop a good reputation. We've all seen Jack Ruby's deliberate gut shot of Lee Harvey Oswald with his .38 snubbie. "I wanted him to hurt as bad as possible before he died," Jack said. That single shot to the gut put Oswald right down too.

Sure, if you hit the right spot with a .32ACP round it will PROBABLY do the job . . . but I've never seen a bad guy stand still like a paper target in a life or death fight.

I've been pleased that the little J frame is nearly as compact and almost as light. It has an incredible trigger and will shoot inside an inch at ten yards. Once I got my first J-frame (they are addicting!), I instantly understood why so many people have trusted their lives with them when concealment prevents a more powerful option.

In a $12 Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster, you can toss it in the pocket and go anywhere without worrying about being made. I bought it used on this forum' classifieds in like new condition, and the price wasn't too much more than the P32.

Food for thought,

Tom

 

[GatorFarmer]

Something that you can do with the P32, though which hardly anyone does for some reason, is to use the optional 10rd mag. The one I had didn't work as a 10+1, but that could have due to the AWB which was in force at the time. It changes the handling properties of the P32 for the positive, though you'll still have to deal with the rudimentary sights.

Magtech must have gotten worse over the years. It was what I used to run regularly without an issue in my P32 for the simple reason that it was the cheapest stuff at the shop/range I used to shoot at. I never had an issue, but I could have just gotten lucky.

 

[Crazy K38]

a big +1 for the J frame a 38 +p is a sought little round for a BUG

 

[badam0112]

a big +1 for the J frame a 38 +p is a sought little round for a BUG

+2 for everyday carry

 

[browntown]

naa guardian in 32 is perfect for me, here's a chart