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kel tec 32 problem

rangerange Member Posts: 554 ✭✭✭
edited October 2013 in Ask the Experts
my kel tec p32 keeps jaming how do icorrect it ?

Comments

  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your question is about the same as, "My car is broken, how do I fix it?"

    You'll need to give more specific information about the nature of the problems you are experiencing.

    I'll start with some general points with semi-auto firearms -- which can be particularly important with some of the very compact ones, like the Kel-Tec P32.

    Semi-autos can sometimes like one brand of ammunition over another. While there are strict dimensions manufacturers adhere to when making a round like the 32acp, there are also variations that will make one brand of ammunition work fine, when another one won't. What ammunition are you using? Have you tried a number of different brands?

    With auto pistols, magazine quality/condition is usually extremely important. Are you using a factory Kel-Tec magazine that is in good condition with good spring tension?

    Most auto pistols need to be clean to function properly. How clean is your P32?

    Explain exactly what happens when the "jam" occurs. Is there a spent shell casing stuck in the chamber? Is a live round not going all the way into the chamber and the slide is left half open? Give us specific details, or a photo, of what the jam looks like.
  • rangerange Member Posts: 554 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks for your answer the bullet is in the chamber i pull the trigger nothing happens
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by range
    thanks for your answer the bullet is in the chamber i pull the trigger nothing happens


    Does this happen every time you try to fire it, or just intermittently? When it does happen, (after you wait an appropriate period of time to be sure the round is not going to go off -- you should be waiting at least 30 seconds) and you remove the round from the chamber, does it look like the firing pin hit the primer properly? If yes, your problem is probably with the ammunition.

    If there is no primer strike, or it is excessively light, on the round when this happens, you could be looking at a number of issues, most of which should probably involve a good gunsmith looking at it.
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by range
    thanks for your answer the bullet is in the chamber i pull the trigger nothing happens


    All the way or not [?][?]
    Helps if you supply more specific info [^]

    The 32 I had didn't feed at first, all I did was polish the feed ramp, then shot fine [;)]
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by range
    my kel tec p32 keeps jaming how do icorrect it ?

    IMO, best way is to get rid of the gun and get something else.

    Seriously, I've seen several of these pistols now, and have yet to see one that would NOT jam at least 1-2x per magazine. They all seem to have issues. .32 isn't a particularly great round, and with good .380 guns at roughly the same size, weight, and cost, IMO the .32 ACP is basically obsolete as a pocket pistol round.

    But assuming you wont do that, the standard advice here would be to break down gun and clean it thoroughly, adding lube (sparingly) to the rails and pivot points. Then you have to put multiple boxes of ammo through the gun to break it in (optimally ten boxes). You should also try different types of ammo, as I think you'll find some types quite a bit more reliable than others.

    Back in "the day" the conventional wisdom was that you had to fire 500 rounds through any new semiauto pistol to wear in the rough spots and break it in so that it functions reliably. Most manufacturers have improved their product to the point where this isn't true anymore, but I think Kel-Tec is an exception.

    As part of getting their guns out at a low price point, they only tumble finish the parts and the guns do require extra break in to function properly. Unfortunately, in today's climate ammo is not only hard to find, but expensive as well, so 500 rounds of break-in ammo may well cost more than the gun itself!

    If you look on Google, for "kel Tec fluff and buff" you can read about ways to manually polish the guns parts to accomplish effectively the same thing as a firing-type break in less time with less cost.
  • lcdrdanrlcdrdanr Member Posts: 439 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I disagree with the 'get rid of it' thoughts. I have two of the KelTec P32's and have had others and have either had no problems or have been able to correct them with some things already mentione, i.e. break in, ammo change, magazine springs, etc.

    Somewhat confusing because you say it is jamming but then amplify that it does not fire. Jamming is normally considered not feeding another round after firing, not firing the round in the chamber is a different issue.

    Hollow point ammo does not work well in these small pistols, feeding tends to be erratic and being shorter than ball ammo the hollow point has a tendency to lock rims in the magazine, preventing a new round chambering. Do you have the correct ammo, i.e. 7.65 Browning or .32 ACP ? Is the slide going all the way forward with the first round ? You cannot 'ease' the slide forward, you should pull it all the way to the rear and release it so that the slide forcefully chambers the correct ammunition. Failure to do so can leave the slide partially out of battery and will not fire.

    Extractor failure can leave a round in the chamber but probably won't cause it not to fire.

    There is a KelTec Owners Group forum that has extensive information and some very helpful people on it, I suggest going to KTOG.ORG if the problem continues.

    Although probably not an issue since you say it is actually not firing but improper hold, i.e. limpwristing, can affect function of these very light handguns.

    For those who say it's worthless and to get rid of it, I have a crisp new one hundred dollar bill I would be happy to give you for it ! Many people use these as everyday carry because of their compactness and concealability.

    Dan R
  • Bill DeShivsBill DeShivs Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The P32 is one of the most reliable guns Keltec builds.
    They have great customer service. Call them and get your gun fixed.
  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have had a Keltec .380 for several years and it is highly reliable and surprisingly accurate. For a failure to fire, I would suspect dirt and grease blocking or slowing the firing pin from hitting the primer hard enough. If after a very thorough cleaning of this part, the gun still fails to fire, send it back to Keltec and they will repair or replace any malfunctioning part.
  • NordicwargodNordicwargod Member Posts: 102 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a keltec .32 and carry it everyday. Shoot it often enough to have confidence in it too. When I was a Range Officer I saw quite a few Keltecs and the K32's were the most reliable, more so than the 380's.
    You said two different things, you said it jammed, and then you said when you pull the trigger nothing happened. Those are two different issues.
    If you pull the trigger and it fires but the next round jams there is something wrong with the magazine or possibly the ammo does not like to feed. Is it Full Metal Jacket?
    If you pull the trigger and it does not fire there is something wrong with the gun or the ammo is bad. You never answered the earlier question about the strike on the primer or if there is one.
    You should start a new thread and explain exactly what you are doing, what ammo you are using, and exactly what is or what is not happening. The more details the better.
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