Need ammo recommendation for Kel-Tec P32

Maybe it was the magtec 71gr JHP bullet? I see it on CheaperThanDirt and it looks pointy ...

If I were using it as a pocket pistol for self-defense, I would use hardcast exclusively.

Hope you find some ammo to feed well!

I shoot 60gr Fiocchi SJHP ammo in my P-32. There are two flavors made by them. I do not shoot the one with the XTP bullet Part #32XTP, I shoot Part #32APHP.

I practice with 73gr FMJ Fiocchi ammo too.

I prefer FMJ for this small round, in this small gun. Mine is stoked with 11 rounds of Fiocchi 73-grain ammunition (Kel-Tec's 10-round magazine makes a huge difference in handling, too.)

MedWheeler said:

I prefer FMJ for this small round, in this small gun. Mine is stoked with 11 rounds of Fiocchi 73-grain ammunition (Kel-Tec's 10-round magazine makes a huge difference in handling, too.)

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I carry and practice with the same FMJ Fiocchi 73 grain in my P32. On the Kel-Tec forum it seemed like the Fiocchi was the preferred round for it.

Lehigh Defense Xtreme Cavitator. Excellent penetration with a larger wound-cavity than ball, and it doesn't seem to be much affected by even heavy clothing that can reduce the penetration of hollow-points.

You want long O/A length for either FMJ or JHP with a P32. I also stick to hotter-than-US European loadings.

Unless the gun calls for hollowpoints (Seecamp is one), FMJ is a better bet.

I'd say Fiocchi...actually I'd say any European stuff that's hotter than WWB or UMC.

I like Buffalo Bore's 32 ammo, but you don't want to use it much, maybe at all, in a P32.

Rim lock is a possibility with the .32 ACP using anything shorter than FMJ.

Even if it wasn't, what you want in this caliber is penetration, so I second (or is it third?) the suggestion of carrying the Fiocchi FMJ.

My old Colt 193 lie WWB FMJ better than the Fiocci; but it really liked grouping the Win Silvertips. S&B FMJ also had a "sweet spot" with that arm, but it was harder to find.

I was wondering how long it would take before he was lectured by some users on not to use HP ammo even though that's not what he asked. It seems some people can't just answer the question as asked. Amazing!

I use Fiocchi FMJ and S&B FMJ in my two .32 ACP pocket guns. The S&B is a bit more powerful and ejects better, but usually has harder primers. So, the S&B has to be tested in the gun to make sure it lights off consistently.

I'm intrigued by the new Lehigh round. But, at around $0.75 per round, I'm not sure I'll be able to test it enough anytime soon to make a decision on it.

ArchAngelCD writes:

I was wondering how long it would take before he was lectured by some users on not to use HP ammo even though that's not what he asked. It seems some people can't just answer the question as asked. Amazing!

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True, to some degree. Actually, all he posted was that he shot two brands of HP ammo through a P32, one of which worked well and one of which did not. He then asked if anyone else had the same issues with the one that didn't, with the same gun he used, and if anyone had something else to recommend.

He did not specify that the only recommendations he was open to would be HP ammo. Like me, he might even find the new Lehigh round interesting, even though it is not a HP or expanding round.

But, yes, I don't think he was looking for a "FMJ-vs-HP-in-.32" thread.

I've shot a couple of boxes of XTP's through my P32 without a problem.

MoreIsLess said:

So the feeling I am getting is that FMJ is better to use then HP's in this little gun. Are we saying that FMJ's are better for self defense or practice or both.

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Technically, whatever you carry is the best to practice with, or a load with the same accuracy/recoil. I'd just buy whatever was cheapest personally, because you want to just have fun shooting. This isn't long range precision ammo haha you just wnat whatever you do carry to be a good performer (for .32 ACP) and to feed reliably.


Here is FMJ going 13in (12in is the minimum):




Here is a Gold Dot (grossly underpenetrates, and this is 20% not 10% gel):




71gr +P Hardcast:




A test with the extreme cavitator:




If you need to stop someone the bullet has to at least reach the vitals. So if you are under gunned and could not carry a bigger gun, you'd want the cavitator or hardcast IMO (the hardcast is +P so make sure that would work). The wound caused by a round nose FMJ is less but I would say that would be the third option.

Everything is a compromise. Anyways please post if you find out anything more about what bullets work with it or not, I find that interesting

ArchAngelCD said:

I was wondering how long it would take before he was lectured by some users on not to use HP ammo even though that's not what he asked. It seems some people can't just answer the question as asked. Amazing!

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You didn't answer the question yourself. Crazy!

He asked "Or can you recommend something else?" Which many people answered.

Euro (S&B, Prvi, Fiocchi, etc) 32 is best. I prefer FMJ in anything below 9x17 (and about 50% in that), but will shoot JHP if I can prove they work (Hornady 6.35 seem 100% in a Seecamp 25).

I have had generally good luck with Magtech but it seems a bit dirty compared to S&B.

"I use Fiocchi FMJ and S&B FMJ"...

or other European FMJ ammo. I own half a dozen or so 32acp pistols (including a P32) and shoot them often. The European FMJ stuff works well in all of them. The American stuff is iffier. WWB is the worst.

Prvi Partizan PPU and Sellier & Bellot FMJ work every time in my P32.

Tallball said:

WWB is the worst.

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I agree. The flat nose FMJ crap that Winchester sells in .32 ACP is a jammer and it's the only FMJ ammo I've experienced rimlock with. Too short for the magazines I use, for sure.

never seen this have problems
http://www.winchester.com/products/handgun-ammunition/Performance/Super-X-handgun/Pages/X32ASHP.aspx

Any h/p or any round loaded to shorter oal than ball will rim lock in a k/t. It's just the nature of the beast. You may get away with h/p for years, but if you carry enough you will have a rim lock & you will have a single shot pistol until you switch mags. or undo the rim lock. For that reason I carry a Buffalo Bore in the pipe & one only on top of my mags. The rest are ball of European mfg. with sealed primers. Think S & B. Most 60 gr. h/p will expand, but penetration is not good. Silvertips are old school, but many still like them.