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your opinion

rangerange Member Posts: 554 ✭✭✭
edited June 2014 in Ask the Experts
is the kel-tec p32 a reliable pistol??

Comments

  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    range,

    You need to define reliable a little more.

    It functions fine, with certain types of ammunition, of which you will have to purchase several types and find which ones. That is a must with any carry gun...even a GLOCK.

    Is it a reliable stopper? Better than a knife, or a 25 auto, but not as much so as a 380, or 9mm Para(which is my bottom end for carry).

    The most reliable carry gun is one that functions 100% of the time, and you will have with you 100% of the time, you can.

    Best
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go with the Keltec P 3AT, instead. Virtually the same size. But the .380 brass is rimless, not semirimmed like the .32 ACP. Feed and function is more reliable with the .380, because of this.

    Lot heavier bullets and hotter loads, are available in the .380.

    I got rid of my P 32 years ago. The only thing it had going for it, is small size and lightweight. Didn't figure i needed a deep cover CCW in .32 ACP. When I feel a need to carry something small and light. I go with my S & W 2214. It functions fine with both it's 7 round mag and the Model 41's 12 round mag.
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    After I did some feed ramp work on mine it fed fine. You just need good mags for them. When the P-3AT came out I got one for a little bigger round in the same size pistol [;)]
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by range
    is the kel-tec p32 a reliable pistol??


    Seen several that jammed frequently; never seen one that functioned reliably.

    So that's a big fat "no" in my book.

    That said, I think if you take the time to break the gun in (either manually with careful polish and lubrication, or alternatively by running a few hundred rounds through) and find the proper ammo, you probably can get one of these to run OK. But I wouldn't expect one to run well out of the box.

    THAT said, with the advent of equally small guns in .380, which is a much better (though still relatively weak) caliber, .32 pocket autos are effectively obsolete now. Even if this gun did run 100%, I wouldn't buy one.
  • lcdrdanrlcdrdanr Member Posts: 439 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have 2 P32's, a gen 1 and a gen 2, use them interchangeably for everyday carry.
    Never had an issue with either one, keep them lubed and lint free the same as any other carry pistol.
    Have 6 mags for the two, two mags with extended grip that I don't like because it makes the pistol harder to carry (typically carried in a shirt pocket or jean pocket),
    Don't use hollowpoints because (1) don't think the .32ACP benefits from hollowpoints and (2) being longer the rim can ride up over the round beneath it in the mag and lock it. I have a magazine that has been modified to prevent this but seldom use it.
    People put the 32 ACP round down but no one ever wants to stand in front of it and see how powerful it is, wonder why ? Remember the 7.65 Browning was a standard for European Police for many years.
    I do not own a P3AT nor any other .380. I like the P32 for it's ease of carry and concealability and have never had an issue with reliability with either one I own.

    Dan R
  • woodchuckjohnwoodchuckjohn Member Posts: 207 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kel tec P3 AT in 380 cal with a laser sight. Now I can have a sight picture. So far it likes Sellier and Bellot or Fiocchi ammo. Jammed with Pierce. Laser sight makes a big difference. Those two brands were what I could get at the time.
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