.32 auto for back up???
Dear Shooting friends,
I am looking for a very small, light weight, reliable pocket pistol for back up and off duty. I have narrowed down my list to include Beretta's Tomcat and the Seecamp both in .32 auto.
My question is, does the .32 auto pack enough punch to be considered a reliable defensive round. If so do the pistols mentioned have a reputation for reliability after extensive pocket carry?
Your thoughts and expertise is much appreciated. Thank you!
Happy shooting!
hififile
I am looking for a very small, light weight, reliable pocket pistol for back up and off duty. I have narrowed down my list to include Beretta's Tomcat and the Seecamp both in .32 auto.
My question is, does the .32 auto pack enough punch to be considered a reliable defensive round. If so do the pistols mentioned have a reputation for reliability after extensive pocket carry?
Your thoughts and expertise is much appreciated. Thank you!
Happy shooting!
hififile
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Welcome to the forum::: Why not consider one step up from the .32
auto and look at the .380. The Russian Makorov in .380 has a bunch
of good features and is or was reasonably priced. Extremely reliable,
fully adjustable rear sight, double action for the first shot if wished. A little bigger and a little heavier probbably. Mine digests
lead reloads, fmj, soft nose and H.P perfectly. Dependability is
the main thing. Three of us bought them years ago and same reliability
and accuracy from all three.0 -
Everyone will tell you that anything less than a .38 spec is too puny for reliable defensive use.
That having been said, there are times when the only size gun that you can carry is one that fits in your pants pocket. At close range, especially when fired by someone with training, both guns you named should be effective. Most folks don't want to be shot with ANYTHING, no matter how small. The Seecamp is a fine gun, & the prices have dropped in the last couple of years; you MUST use only the recommended ammo. As for the Tomcat, have you actually held one? Most folks thing that it is too big & too heavy for pocket use. For any .32 except those with specific ammo requirements, I'd use Glaser or some other frangible ammo.
Neal0 -
Buy the BEST !! The Kel-Tec P-32.The other two are bricks compared to the P-32
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ATF<P><br>0 -
Can you READ? The Kahr Pm9 is a PLENTY small and lw enough for pants pocket carry. The Makarov is not, and the 9mm has TWICE the power of the Mak(and in truth, the 9mm is a bit on the feeble side, at that, even with its top loads)The 5" long, 11 oz M21 is not a brick. You can easily carry it in a shirt pocket. Ditto the 13 oz alloy Mustang or pony Colt 380's, which have locked breeches, and can be handloaded to have 50% more power than the Makarov, 3-4 the power of the .32. Regardless of how handy a gun is, if it's feeble, it's feeble, and that's BAD if you have to shoot somebody. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Acyman
Can you READ? The Kahr Pm9 is a PLENTY small and lw enough for pants pocket carry. The Makarov is not, and the 9mm has TWICE the power of the Mak(and in truth, the 9mm is a bit on the feeble side, at that, even with its top loads)The 5" long, 11 oz M21 is not a brick. You can easily carry it in a shirt pocket. Ditto the 13 oz alloy Mustang or pony Colt 380's, which have locked breeches, and can be handloaded to have 50% more power than the Makarov, 3-4 the power of the .32. Regardless of how handy a gun is, if it's feeble, it's feeble, and that's BAD if you have to shoot somebody.
Yeah I bet a .22 with a silencer would be much better?
Regards,
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Hey hififile! The Seecamp even with the prices dropping are too high for the type of gun that you want. nmyers is also right about the size of the tomcat. For that I'd stick a Glock 27 in my back pocket and be more prepared. Here is some more food for thought. Have you looked at the North American Arms Guardian? Next to the Seecamp I have to do a double take and it's a lot cheaper. Two Christmas's ago my wife bought me a NAA Guardian and I love it. It has ridden in my back right pocket everyday since. Being a Police Officer, on duty I carry a Glock 27 to back up my Glock 22, but also have my Guardian in my back pocket. I have to check most days to make sure it's still in my pocket. As far as the .32 being powerful enough, consider your needs. There are many times that I carry a gun, but it is really inconvenient. The first rule of a gun fight is to have a gun. I know there are some that would say that a .32 would only piss them off. To these people I say, let me shoot you with my .32! What? You must be crazy! Crazy! You were the one that said it would just piss you off. I have never had one of these people ever take me up on it. If you shot someone in the head or center of the chest, they are going to have a problem. It's all about shot placement not shot size. I think the kind of gun your talking about is fine as long as you understand it's limitations. I think of mine as a get the hell off of me so I can get to my big gun in the car. Or get my family out of harms way and provide some suppressive cover fire to do it. Good luck.[:D] 0 -
No offense gentlemen but why hasn't anyone mentioned a 22 mag. Walther makes a super nice compact SS semi auto 22 mag. I'll take a 22 mag over a 32 any day.
Skyman0 -
I'm kinda partial to the colt 1903 pocket model (.32 or .380, although the .380's are kinda high). The workmanship is much better than anything made today and the .32's are pretty easy to find in good shape in the $250-350 range.
Example (sorry GB)
http://www.***************/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=46437720 -
A .32 ACP loaded with good ammo such as Speer Gold Dot SJHP will drop anyone you shoot with it. We in the US have this image of cowboys swaggering around with their big 'ol .45s as being the ideal for stopping power, but European police and military used and still use the .32 with good effect.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
A 32 is a decent round for back-up use, but I'd agree with both Gunman4fun and Joe1911a1 on their choices. The Makarov is a potent little gun and is designed for less penetration but quicker energy transfer than the 9mm Luger. It can fire a 90gr .364" round at up to 1100 fps and is supposedto be rather lethal on open targets. The Glock 26 and 27 offer a potent full-power cartridge in a very tiny yet controllable platform. You might also look at the Glock 36 which is a slim single-stack mag 45 auto that is very powerful and compact. Modern technology is allowing guns to be made in larger caliber/smaller platform configurations that weren't possible until the last 15 years. Polymer frames have also dropped the weight to unreal levels.
Love them Beavers
SUPPORT THE I.N.S. , THE COUNTRY THEY SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN0
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