Pocket .32s?

[Calimart]

I have a 32 H&R Mag 2-shot Derringer - paid $70 for it back in 1988

[robcoe]

When it's really hot and I am in a state that has constitutional carry I carry my Colt 1903, love that little gun.

[Nrai2020]

I too have a Beretta Tomcat. I've owned it since 2005, Beretta replaced it in 2012 due to the slide cracking. (which BTW does not affect the functionality of the gun) it's an awesome gun. Iv'e never had a FTE or FTF even with a promag 10 round mag. It's a blast to shoot especially in single-action. I carry it with slacks, shorts, in the waistband (thanks to ClipDraw), in a back pocket as a B.U.G., or in a jacket pocket. The thing is a little beefy, but mine always works. At best, the round will penetrate the skull within realistic ranges (3-7 feet), at worst it'll explode on impact with the skull and blow off the bad guys cheek, nose, or lips. Shot placement counts so practice. I practice drawing from concealment, I then point towards the head or neck and fire off 3-4 rounds. At realistic ranges it's accurate in double action (14lb trigger). At extended ranges it's worth it to cock the hammer into single action (4lb trigger). I successfully place 5 rounds in the 9 box on a silhouette target at 25 yards every year to qualify it for carry

Seems like a fun little gun.. Question is in this day and age with so many pocket pistols (in .380 or 9mm) that are almost or sometimes even smaller than re pocket .32s.. Does it still make sense? Is there enough of a size difference or any situations where it would make sense to carry a .32?

[RDT72]

Biggest gain in my Tomcat over the new 380s would be the double action trigger, size and performance are comparable, but all these new little guns are running DAO double action only triggers. Makes for a long trigger pull that takes getting used to. I have fired the PF9, P3AT, Sig 229 and Kahr PM9 (9mm) hands down the best DAO triggers are on the Sig and Kahr. but head to a store and dry fire them. I backed out of buying the Keltec PF9 for my wife and I solely because of the trigger. I might still pick one up for under $350 if I can find one.

[Calimart]

Seems like a fun little gun.. Question is in this day and age with so many pocket pistols (in .380 or 9mm) that are almost or sometimes even smaller than re pocket .32s.. Does it still make sense? Is there enough of a size difference or any situations where it would make sense to carry a .32?

A row boat is better than no boat

[ditchdrift]

I jailed a p32 last Thursday for concealed carry. I cannot believe how small and light the sucker is compared to my p11. Can't wait. Had awesome luck with all the kel-tecs that i have had.

[joefrank64k]

This chart is handy:

[socal-shooter]

.32 > nothing

[BigL]

Dont waste your money

[89 Vision]

I have an NAA Guardian in .32. I don't have a CCW, but it goes nicely in my mouse gun collection. It's my poor man's Seecamp. If I did have a CCW I would probably only carry it when the deepest concealment was required.

[rsmorgan]

In an equal weight gun of similar design, the recoil from a .32 will be noticeably less than a .380's. In general, this means better control and faster follow-up shots. I've found that I can usually get three well-placed hits from my P32 in about the same time that it takes to get off two with an LCP. In terms of wound channel, three good .32 bullets just about ties two rounds with the best modern .380 loads. Since I have already have a P32 I haven't been too tempted by the micro-.380s.

For most folks, however, I can't say that I see any benefit to carrying a heavy .32 like the NAA Guardian compared to the flyweight P32 or a light .380. For a true pocket gun, size and weight are almost equally important. A heavier .32 comes into its own, however, for someone with limited ability to deal with recoil, although there is less difference than one might expect between a locked-breech .380 and a blow-back .32.