.32 ACP notions...

[cluttonfred]

No it's the zastava, you might be thinking of the beretta. https://aimsurplus.com/yugoslavian-zastava-model-70-32-acp-pistol/

Ah, thanks, tracking now. Those Zastava M70s are pretty neat, I know they started with the Tokarev design and scaled it down, but the end result is basically a nicer Ruby with exposed hammer. I might need to get one of those myself....

PS--In fact, I just did. I've already go the ammo, so why not? ;-)

 

[CeltKnight]

I had to go back to see which 1903 was in the thread. I'd love to see your example of a Type 1. I also have a few of the Type 3 and it's amazing how just being a quarter inch shorter makes it into a really nice pocket gun. Here is a 1919 Type 3 that I keep thinking about sending to Ford's for a nice Blue.

Nice! Here's mine (photo quality isn't great). Obviously the finish is poor and the grips aren't original. Due to that, I got it for a song. Despite the exterior, though, it's quite the shooter and runs fine thus far with every .32 acp load I've tried. I toted it OD and as a rather large BUG back in the day. I even wore it to some training seminars where it got quite a few looks .
I want to refinish it, but at the same time, I don't look so young and fresh anymore, either ...

I totally agree with you on the latter models being more pocketable (and not having to deal with the separate bushing). I'll wind up with one eventually. But I like getting early examples of classics when I can. These are great old pistols.

 

[Deanimator]

True enough, but it wasn't that long ago that good .380 ACP or 9x18mm Makarov ammo for HD/SD was hard to find and expensive, mostly you just saw ball ammo. If more .32 ACP pistols are sold, we will get more and better ammo choices.

There's only so much you can do in a pure blowback firearm.

And if you're going to make a locked breech .32acp, why not a 9x19mm? If for some reason you insist on a .32 bore in a locked breech firearm, you're better off with something else necked down, like .380 or 9x19mm.

 

[TTv2]

There's only so much you can do in a pure blowback firearm.

And if you're going to make a locked breech .32acp, why not a 9x19mm? If for some reason you insist on a .32 bore in a locked breech firearm, you're better off with something else necked down, like .380 or 9x19mm.

Or .32 NAA, but a locked breech like the Kel Tec shows how great a small pocket pistol in .32 can be.

I think the point of a locked breech .32 in a larger size pistol would be for some competitive speed shooting with the need for ultra low recoil.

 

[Deanimator]

Or .32 NAA, but a locked breech like the Kel Tec shows how great a small pocket pistol in .32 can be.

I think the point of a locked breech .32 in a larger size pistol would be for some competitive speed shooting with the need for ultra low recoil.

For target shooting there isn't any need for a locked breech, since. 32 target pistols are used almost exclusively for NRA Conventional Pistol and ISU. For that, .32 S&W Long is used and that hardly requires a locked breech as proved by the Walthers and Hammerlis.

 

[TTv2]

For target shooting there isn't any need for a locked breech, since. 32 target pistols are used almost exclusively for NRA Conventional Pistol and ISU. For that, .32 S&W Long is used and that hardly requires a locked breech as proved by the Walthers and Hammerlis.

For accuracy shooting like bullseye the fixed barrel blowback would be best, but I was talking about timed shooting where accuracy is less of a concern.

I would still want a blowback with the fixed barrel tho.

 

[Deanimator]

For accuracy shooting like bullseye the fixed barrel blowback would be best, but I was talking about timed shooting where accuracy is less of a concern.

I would still want a blowback with the fixed barrel tho.

Both NRA Conventional Pistol and ISU, have slow and timed shooting stages. NRA Conventional Pistol consists of Slow (10 shots in ten minutes), Timed (5 shots in 20 seconds x2) and Rapid (5 shots in 10 seconds x2) stages. For NRA Conventional Pistol this would comprise the "Centerfire Pistol" Match, which allows handguns .32 and up. The .45 and Rimfire Matches are similar, only limited to .45acp and .22 rimfire respectively.

 

[cluttonfred]

Of course, there is already at least one cool high-capacity "pistol" in .32 ACP....



Seriously, if I could find a semi-auto one with the stock I'd pay for the SBR tax stamp!

 

[il.bill]

... . I might need to get one of those myself....

PS--In fact, I just did. I've already go the ammo, so why not? ;-)

Why do I keep coming back to this thread? Now I will have to order a Zastava M70 (or two or three at that price just to have one 'For Sale') from AIM Surplus!

 

[cluttonfred]

AIM works fast, my M70 has already shipped! I also found spare mags for $20 each at Apex Gun Parts

 

[il.bill]

AIM works fast, my M70 has already shipped! I also found spare mags for $20 each at Apex Gun Parts

Did the APEX GUN PARTS website prove difficult to navigate? I have tried to get through their 'magazine' page several times but could not successfully do so.

 

[cluttonfred]

Yes, it was a little buggy, but here is the direct link to the mags: https://www.apexgunparts.com/handguns/original-zastava-m70-8rd-32acp-7-65mm-mag.html

 

[TTv2]

Yes, it was a little buggy, but here is the direct link to the mags: https://www.apexgunparts.com/handguns/original-zastava-m70-8rd-32acp-7-65mm-mag.html

Awesome, gunmagwarehouse has been out of stock for weeks now.

 

[CeltKnight]

Of course, there is already at least one cool high-capacity "pistol" in .32 ACP....
Seriously, if I could find a semi-auto one with the stock I'd pay for the SBR tax stamp!

My eldest gave me one (semi-auto "pistol" configuration with threaded barrel) for my birthday last year.
I'd LOVE to SBR mine but I understand the wire stock really doesn't do much to stabilize it since it's so short you have to basically hunker down over the piece. Still ... yeaaahhh, I wanna SBR it. A friend of mine who deals in NFA items wants to try some different cans on it. When he gets over some shoulder surgery hopefully the local range will be cooled off enough and we can go test it. Amazingly accurate little beast.

 

[bannockburn]

One of the most stylish and sweetest shooting .32s I ever had was a Beretta Model 90 "Roma".

 

[JayZee]

The 32 is a slayer of men...how many thousands and thousands have died in trench fighting/street fighting between WW1 &WW2. Both wars saw extensive use of 6.35, 7.65, and 9mm handguns.

The 81 is going to be a good choice for a lot of people. I would advise carrying FMJ or maybe a JHP in the pipe and one on top of the magazine. The "super high tech advancements in bullet technology" that is used to finally develop 380 loads that expand AND penetrate deep enough...the SAME can be applied to 32...and should be...most JHP are old-school designs and too heavy to expand and get enough velocity to keep punching. Its a balance, HP weight to velocity ratio giving enough expansion/penetration given barrel length. I prefer FMJ, but want to try reloading some HOT 60gr loads.

32 SHOULD be a preppers best friend...reloadable 22LR alternative. Sure 25ACP would work, and be technically more cost effective given materials...those bullets are TINY. I'll try it one day, but I couldn't imagine doing thousands... 32 is big enough to be reasonable. Load up some SD ammo, then load up mouse farts for small game. I am working on finding ways to incorporate it into my preps as such. Reloading is the LONG game.

Plus a 32ACP can be loaded HOT in these Berettas. I heard some 25ACP loads of a 50gr bullet going almost 1100fps...Beretta 950 test gun. Survived it. Those are excessive, but we ALL know 25/32 ACP is watered down. Point I bring up is, Beretta builds TANKS of a gun. The 34/35 and 81/84 should be able to handle any hot load short of dangerous. Not sure how a VZ61 would....but I would imagine it'd be fine.

Tldr; 32 ACP is underrated and not supported as well as it could be. It's often watered down like 25ACP and more. Real investment in tech, could boost its popularity. Offering higher round counts/recoil ratio to 380 handguns.

 

[cluttonfred]

CeltKnight, is it still possible to add a factory stock to yours or is that a “pistol only” receiver?

My eldest gave me one (semi-auto "pistol" configuration with threaded barrel) for my birthday last year.
I'd LOVE to SBR mine but I understand the wire stock really doesn't do much to stabilize it since it's so short you have to basically hunker down over the piece. Still ... yeaaahhh, I wanna SBR it. A friend of mine who deals in NFA items wants to try some different cans on it. When he gets over some shoulder surgery hopefully the local range will be cooled off enough and we can go test it. Amazingly accurate little beast.View attachment 863711

 

[commygun]

Someone on this site once suggested a minimally scaled-up 5-shot NAA spur-trigger Mini revolver in .32acp. I'd buy one in a flash.

 

[Demi-human]

The Line starts behind me...

 

[cluttonfred]

I'd prefer a little DA revolver, how about a modern version of the little Iver Johnson hammerless top break revolvers but in .32 ACP?

 

[TTv2]

The 32 is a slayer of men...how many thousands and thousands have died in trench fighting/street fighting between WW1 &WW2. Both wars saw extensive use of 6.35, 7.65, and 9mm handguns.

The 81 is going to be a good choice for a lot of people. I would advise carrying FMJ or maybe a JHP in the pipe and one on top of the magazine. The "super high tech advancements in bullet technology" that is used to finally develop 380 loads that expand AND penetrate deep enough...the SAME can be applied to 32...and should be...most JHP are old-school designs and too heavy to expand and get enough velocity to keep punching. Its a balance, HP weight to velocity ratio giving enough expansion/penetration given barrel length. I prefer FMJ, but want to try reloading some HOT 60gr loads.

32 SHOULD be a preppers best friend...reloadable 22LR alternative. Sure 25ACP would work, and be technically more cost effective given materials...those bullets are TINY. I'll try it one day, but I couldn't imagine doing thousands... 32 is big enough to be reasonable. Load up some SD ammo, then load up mouse farts for small game. I am working on finding ways to incorporate it into my preps as such. Reloading is the LONG game.

Plus a 32ACP can be loaded HOT in these Berettas. I heard some 25ACP loads of a 50gr bullet going almost 1100fps...Beretta 950 test gun. Survived it. Those are excessive, but we ALL know 25/32 ACP is watered down. Point I bring up is, Beretta builds TANKS of a gun. The 34/35 and 81/84 should be able to handle any hot load short of dangerous. Not sure how a VZ61 would....but I would imagine it'd be fine.

Tldr; 32 ACP is underrated and not supported as well as it could be. It's often watered down like 25ACP and more. Real investment in tech, could boost its popularity. Offering higher round counts/recoil ratio to 380 handguns.

I can't say that .32 ACP is "watered down", it's probably loaded as hot today as it was 100 years ago. If you want a more powerful .32 automatic, then go with the 7.62x20 French Longue or .32 Magnum in a revolver.

Too many focus on automatics as a preppers cartridge, it's really the rimmed cartridges like .32 Mag that are superior as they headspace off the rim and allow use of very short cartridges for lower power whilst also retaining the ability for max power with full house magnum loads. Not only that, but rimmed cartridges are so long, they'll always be able to fire a heavier bullet; .32 ACP can only dream of firing a 120 to 130 grain bullet. That's the reason I love the Henry .327 Big Boy so much, it's just so versatile.

If I wanted a hot loaded .32 semi auto, I would just buy a .380. The point of the .32 auto in today's world is lowest possible recoil with reliable priming and feeding and more punch than .22 rimfire. Of course, going with small calibers means that JHP's will have poor penetration when/if they expand and I've been of the opinion that anything .380 or smaller for defense, it's best to use a bullet that isn't a hollow point, thus stuff like the Inceptor for .380 or the Lehigh 50 grain .32 ACP options are the best for those calibers.

 

[JERRY]

One of the most stylish and sweetest shooting .32s I ever had was a Beretta Model 90 "Roma".

I had one in the late 80s. it was my poor man's PPK since I couldn't afford a PPK. I didn't care for the thumb rest grip panel but now wish I would have kept it....

 

[bannockburn]

JERRY

I had one in the late 80s. it was my poor man's PPK since I couldn't afford a PPK. I didn't care for the thumb rest grip panel but now wish I would have kept it....

Another "me too", as in I should have kept it. Don't even recall what the other gun was that I traded the Beretta in on!

 

[CeltKnight]

CeltKnight, is it still possible to add a factory stock to yours or is that a “pistol only” receiver?

It has the two screws in the rear and looks like if I were to SBR it the stock would just attach right on.

 

[hemiram]

I just got my Beretta 81 today and sadly, every pic looks worse than the last, my phone is doing some very odd things such as hanging up in the middle of calls and being unable to answer an incoming call but I can if I'm in the car. Totally random stuff. Anyway, I paid extra for a pretty one and man did I hit the jackpot! Only marks on it is a tiny little nick on 2 of the 4 grip screws, and the import stamp at the bottom of the trigger guard. And the mag is definitely used. But other than that, it is perfect. The grips have some odd sticker residue which comes off easily. Not even a mark on the barrel, other than what appears to be the test fire at the factory. For $25 extra to get a pretty one, Classic could have popped for a box. They just put some bubble wrap around it, and put a shipping label on and off it went. It made it in perfect shape, so I guess that's all that matters.