What would be your first choice 32 caliber gun for defense?

A KT P-32 every day. From wearing a suit to work to coaching softball in gym shorts it's always with me.
I'm waiting to find the new Beretta 30X locally to add a more refined option for special occasions.
 
My first choice would likely be my Winchester model 1894.

The second rifle down from the top here in .32 Winchester Special. Second choice would likely be one of my Colt 1903 Pocket hammerless guns.
 

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Even though rather collectible and high dollar to replace, this 632 centennial 32 h&r magnum has had a lot of carry time with me.
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Honestly? A fat little Beretta Tomcat, but the sentimental favorite would be a Colt Hammerless.
 
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Here now, what is all this talk about .32 revolvers? I was taught the only .32 worth having is a semi-auto. My LLAMA works just fine. It is the newer model that looks and handles like a 1911. It fits nicely in several of my small semi-auto holsters, and I can drop in in my pocket, if need be, which is something I've done on occasion.
 
Hair Trigger said:
What's the story on your US Property marked Model M? I've got one too, and since it's my only .32 caliber handgun, I suppose it would be my first choice in that caliber for defense. Mine belonged to my stepdad, he carried it in WWII.
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That is the newer Colt re-issue circa 2019. US Armament manufactured it under Colt license, since apparently Colt couldn't produce anything that nice.

FYI.... the Model M refers only to the .380 version of the pistol, often called the Model 1908 (to further confuse the issue with the Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP).
 
D Brown said:
I pocket carry my Model 31-1 in a GALCO pocket holster...

If someone is horrified by the fact that I pocket carry an exposed hammer revolver, I will note that I have practiced hundreds of pocket presentations and have never managed to get the hammer to snag on the draw. Not even once.

That's my experience. Other people may have different results due to differences in presentation, hand size, pocket size, etc.
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Yes. If you know what you are doing, pocket carry of a hammer J frame is not much of an issue.
 
BB57 said:
Handloading the .32 ACP has a few quirks.

The standard for .32 ACP in the US is to load a .310 or .311 bullet into a case with comparatively thin case walls.

The standard for .32 ACP/7.65 Browning in Europe is to load a .308 or .309 bullet into a case with comparatively thick case walls.

The problems start when you start mixing .311 bullets with European cases and then combine that with a pistol that has a fairly tight chamber.
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You're right about the differences, I've experienced the same thing in loading .32 Smokeless Rimless. Euro ".32" bullets are usually .308 or .309, and the typical US ".32" bullet is usually .311 or .312 and sized based on revolver bores.

The Hornady 60 grain XTP - discontinued sadly - was .310 and worked in Euro cases. I used to load that in Euro cases no problem. The Hornady 85 grain XTP is .312 and that bulged Euro cases, although I never had a problem with accuracy or functionality in the Colt 1903. I recently have went with the Hornady 90 grain XTP which is .309 and that reloads and fires slick as a goose in the Colt.

I would not use any of the "heavy" bullet loads in any alloy frame .32 Auto, locked-breech or blowback.

I've loaded plenty of Meister 78 grain .312 RNL bullets at standard pressure for practice in Euro cases with narry a problem in either the Colt or the Kel-Tec. On the other hand, the Rimrock 75 grain FPL (used in the Buffalo Bore loads) is bad news in my experience as it will rimlock on occasion due to the short OAL required by the fat ogive on that bullet. If that 75 FPL bullet is loaded longer to avoid rimlock, the chambered round engages the rifling, and also an extracted loaded round will not clear the ejection port.

My reloading process for all of the above is the same as any other cartridge with no special extra steps needed. I do seat and crimp in separate steps but that is normal with the Dillon press. I also use the Lee Factory Crimp die for the crimping operation, as it conforms the loaded round to factory case dimensions in case of bulging.

Finally... I use a .32 ACP case checking die to verify the spec on samples of the loaded practice rounds, and 100% inspection on defensive ammo. It's a good idea on any autopistol ammo.
 
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I have several 32s but I actually carry the Kel-Tec P32 quite often. Mine has the Innovative Arms upgraded sights that you can actually see.

I also have a 2017 era Beretta 81FS that is a great shooter.
 
Model 15-4ever said:
That is the newer Colt re-issue circa 2019. US Armament manufactured it under Colt license, since apparently Colt couldn't produce anything that nice.

FYI.... the Model M refers only to the .380 version of the pistol, often called the Model 1908 (to further confuse the issue with the Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP).
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No, Colt's internal designation for the design was Model M, and the .32 Auto version came 5 years before the .380. There are only three differences between the 1903 .32 and the 1908 .380:
1- barrel bore
2-extractor width (which became the same with the Series II 1903)
3-magazine well width

Changes such as elimination of the barrel bushing, and the magazine disconnect occurred at the same time in the production sequence of both versions and the Types change at the same point.

So, yours is not really a pistol stamped as US Property because it was a military-issued firearm, but as a retro "feature", and it is not an original production?

Mine is a Type V, manufactured in 1944.
 
Walther PPK/S.

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Granted this one was made by Smith & Wesson and chambered in .380 ACP, but if I were going to carry a .32 Caliber Pistol, then I'd choose a Walther PPK/S.
 
Skeeter Skelton wrote that he was introduced to the 32-20 by a cowboy he called "Print Reed"-"Don't kick as much as a 38."
 
Hair Trigger said:
So, yours is not really a pistol stamped as US Property because it was a military-issued firearm, but as a retro "feature", and it is not an original production?

Mine is a Type V, manufactured in 1944.
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All of the recent Colt re-issue series are stamped in that manner, but of course you knew that.

Did you get an archive letter on your Type V? I may do that for my 1928 Type IV.
 
My choices would be my Colt Model M or my Colt Detective Special in .32 New Police, AKA 32 S&W Long.
 
If I was not to carry a revolver, count me in as another one who would choose a Seecamp. Especially over any of the polymer .32 autos.

I was all ready to purchase a Seecamp .32 thinking it would make a good pocket carry/deep concealment pistol until I found out my CCW issuing agency disallows any caliber smaller than a .380. And I understand the .380 Seecamps are no fun to shoot. I already have a Mauser HSc that pounds the web of my hand after a magazine or two full.
 
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