alphabrace
Member
How does the 32 stack up for "shootability" say vs the 380 or 9mm? I'm thinking about this cal for my collage age daughters. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I'm thinking about a 32 cal for daughters
- Thread starter alphabrace
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
OP
alphabrace
Member
How does the 32 stack up for "shootability" say vs the 380 or 9mm? I'm thinking about this cal for my collage age daughters. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Assuming this is for carry....I'd suggest a .38 j-frame. You're going to get better balistics...probably less recoil than you'd get from a blow-back semi-auto...(usually) easier to find ammo for a .38...don't have to worry about teaching them to clear jams.
kenpofan
US Veteran
I'd like to second hat.
I worked a CCW range class last week and I was amazed at the folks who had no clue ..
1. how to clear a stove pipe or 2 seat a mag properly ! Even the guy's..
GatorFarmer
Member
I have a 31-1 in .32 S&W Long. The .32 revolvers make a neat little gun for plinking or killing squirrels. Recoil is negligble, but some .380s are virtually recoil free such as the Beretta 84.
In .32 autos, the only ones that I shot extensively were a Beretta Tomcat (until it spit out small pieces and quit working) and a KelTec P32. Out of something the size of a 1903 Colt Pocket model, the guns don't kick much at all. There also isn't much in the way of muzzle blast/report from most .32s.
The trade off is that you're not poking a terribly big hole. Shrug.
Most people with at least some experience can handle a .38 or 9mm without too much trouble.
In .32 autos, the only ones that I shot extensively were a Beretta Tomcat (until it spit out small pieces and quit working) and a KelTec P32. Out of something the size of a 1903 Colt Pocket model, the guns don't kick much at all. There also isn't much in the way of muzzle blast/report from most .32s.
The trade off is that you're not poking a terribly big hole. Shrug.
Most people with at least some experience can handle a .38 or 9mm without too much trouble.
For sure the revolver, ESPECIALLY if she isn't a gun person and isnt'real mechanical (and if she was you probably wouldn't have posted this). Actually a small or medium frame 38 is better than the .32 as far as a wide availability of ammo and the .38 standard pressure (not +P) isn't that much more intense than the .32, especially in a steel frame gun. S&W is king here but the Taurus isn't junk.
Spotteddog
Member
Your ammo (unless you reload?) will cost as much as or more than any other medium/large bore load will. It'll be tough to find at most range's. And when you do find it at a range, you'll be bent over for it on price even more? That all said, she's a wonderfully accurate and pleasant load to shoot! With very little blast and recoil, and will rival the .38 and .44 Special's for accuracy out of a quality gun. So as I said, unless you reload, a medium frame revolver with a 4 to 6 inch barrel, in .38/.357 with a carbon or stainless steel frame (extra weight=recoil dampening) firing 148 grain full wad cutter .38 Special target loads will be a more economical choice.
It's a shame really to have to suggest steering away from a very dignified "gentlemanly" load like the .32 in a revolver, based solely on cost? It truly would be for anyone the perfect bridge between rim fire and center fire!
It's a shame really to have to suggest steering away from a very dignified "gentlemanly" load like the .32 in a revolver, based solely on cost? It truly would be for anyone the perfect bridge between rim fire and center fire!
AJMBLAZER
Member
My wife is pretty recoil shy and hasn't liked shooting even .38 Special 130gr FMJ out of my Model 10. Wrist strength, grip size, and weight are the key issues unfortunately.
I've considered .32 H&R Magnum or .32 S&W Long but oy, it's all expensive and unavailable! If I can find some .38 Special wadcutters I'll try that with her. Working on lighter and smaller guns so she can hopefully hold it better.
I've considered .32 H&R Magnum or .32 S&W Long but oy, it's all expensive and unavailable! If I can find some .38 Special wadcutters I'll try that with her. Working on lighter and smaller guns so she can hopefully hold it better.
flop-shank
US Veteran
AJM, I believe Mastercast offers lighter weight (110 gr.ish) .38 wadcutters. Those might work well for your wife. My tiny wife does fine with a 3" model 60 and my 148 gr. target wadcutter handloads. I put a Wolff reduced power hammerspring in the gun and trimmed down the rebound spring because the stock DA trigger pull was too heavy for her to use.
AJMBLAZER
Member
I actually recently picked up a 10-5 snub so it's a bit lighter than my 4" HB 10-8. Adding to it some thin wooden grips VM made will hopefully make it a bit more agreeable to her.
We'll see I guess. We're sorta at the end of the world so there's only one range that rents guns here and they're also the only place locally that carries wadcutters and doesn't think they're gold. If she can't handle the 10 snub my next step is to go rent a J frame or similar .38 snub there and try the wadcutters to see if she can even keep it under control.
We'll see I guess. We're sorta at the end of the world so there's only one range that rents guns here and they're also the only place locally that carries wadcutters and doesn't think they're gold. If she can't handle the 10 snub my next step is to go rent a J frame or similar .38 snub there and try the wadcutters to see if she can even keep it under control.
animalmother
Member
I'd take a 38 J-frame over a 32 auto any day of the week.
flop-shank
US Veteran
A 3" 60 is very big gun-like. It really is a different animal than the shorter barrel versions. If you handload, I recently poster my recipe over in the CCW forum for NiklasP. Just do a search for "IMR PB" and it will pop right up.
Sporting12
Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2008
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 0
I agree with the other posters.
Better to go with a J or K frame .38 than .32.
Best Regards, Pete
Better to go with a J or K frame .38 than .32.
Best Regards, Pete
GatorFarmer
Member
.32 SW Long was Prvi runs about 14.50 to 15.00 dollars a box. Magtech and Fiochi also have inexpensive offerings and Georgia Arms offers .32 rounds (can't remember if it is longs or mags). It's really not that expensive if you mail order it.
My Remington Express loads (green and yellow box) in .32 SW Long still only cost me what .357 Sig ammo does. Shrug.
My Remington Express loads (green and yellow box) in .32 SW Long still only cost me what .357 Sig ammo does. Shrug.
lzhome
Member
I gave my wife a 432PD in 32 H&R for Christmas based on recommendations here. She loves it. It is very accurate with less recoil than a 38, .380 or 9mm. Her Glock 26 is now in the safe and probably won't come out much in the future.
The ammo is a little bit on the high side but IMHO the Airweights are really to carry a lot and shoot a little.
The ammo is a little bit on the high side but IMHO the Airweights are really to carry a lot and shoot a little.
alpha -
My petite little daughter lives in a large, high-crime northern city. I got her a Kel-Tec P-32. She'd never handled or fired a handgun before. I'd made sure that she'd had a number of sessions with a 22 rifle over the years, though. Within a couple of magazines, she was able to place 5 out of 5 shots rapid-fire into an 8" paper plate at 7 yards.
She also fired my S&W 908 9mm auto and a friend's Super Blackhawk 44 mag. She preferred the little Kel-Tec and is now happily carrying it in her purse.
The 32acp seems to agree with women.
G
Guest
Guest
The UPS/FedEx Plus HazMat fees do add up pretty quickly, of course, the further away you are the higher the fees. But then many folks ONLY look at the ''Base Price' and say "Hey, this is great!" and they DON'T bother to look at the "Bottom" line!
GatorFarmer
Member
There is no Hazmat fee charged for UPS ground shipments. It goes out "ORM-D", without special fees. .32 ammo is relatively light, making shipping fees per case relatively reasonable.
tanksoldier
Member
.32 ACP is a fun round to shoot. I have a Mauser HSc in .32 ACP. My wife really loves it. The all-steel gun makes it seem more like a .22LR.
That said it isn't what I'd choose for defense, tho it is better than a dirty look.
Bersa makes excellent quality-for-the-money autos in .380 ACP. Also, as others have mentioned, you might want to try .38 Special wadcutters. If this in't going to be a carry gun then you have no reason to limit it's size so don't go with the J-frame. Buy a nice 4" K or L frame. The mass will absorb much of the recoil. Encourage practice.
As they get more experienced they may be ready to move up to more conventional defensive loads. If not a decent .38 wadcutter isn't the worst thing to have in your gun when the BGs come calling.
No such animal.
No UPS hazmat charge for ammo.
This is at least the second time I've read this. Where in the world do people get their info?
That said it isn't what I'd choose for defense, tho it is better than a dirty look.
Bersa makes excellent quality-for-the-money autos in .380 ACP. Also, as others have mentioned, you might want to try .38 Special wadcutters. If this in't going to be a carry gun then you have no reason to limit it's size so don't go with the J-frame. Buy a nice 4" K or L frame. The mass will absorb much of the recoil. Encourage practice.
As they get more experienced they may be ready to move up to more conventional defensive loads. If not a decent .38 wadcutter isn't the worst thing to have in your gun when the BGs come calling.
No such animal.
No UPS hazmat charge for ammo.
This is at least the second time I've read this. Where in the world do people get their info?
BreakerDan
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
- Messages
- 241
- Reaction score
- 34
IMHO, I would go with a revolver as others have suggested. If it is going to be a gun for home defense the S&W Model 10 4" 38 spl with wads or semi wads would be good. For CCW get a Mod 36 with wads. The wadcutter bullets will have almost no perceived recoil for them even if they are 4' 10" and 98lbs.
A revolver would be easier to train with and they dont have to worry about mags, and field stripping for cleaning, clearing jams etc.
Also going 38 spl is as economical as 9mm and more so than 32 or 380.
If they havent done it with 5-6 rounds, more probably wont help.
A revolver would be easier to train with and they dont have to worry about mags, and field stripping for cleaning, clearing jams etc.
Also going 38 spl is as economical as 9mm and more so than 32 or 380.
If they havent done it with 5-6 rounds, more probably wont help.
