I hear many good things about the Kel tec 32. I also hear that they are a carry gun not meant for many rounds to be fired through. Any one know the life expectancy of this gun ( # of rounds) b4 overhaul or frequent breakdowns? Store owner said after about 500 rounds this gun will rattle and need work. Also I hear they put a new extracter in it, is it better > thanks all
Kel tec 32
- Thread starter joev
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1 old 0311
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If you do a search you will see there is no issues with life expectancy, only reliability.
Kevin
Kevin
Chipperman
Member
I had heard somewhere that the manual has a life expectancy listed. Is this true?
My early model P32 has gone through 3000+ rounds, all on original springs. I shoot Sellier & Bellot FMJ almost exclusively, which is loaded a little hot (like most european 32acp). Fit is still good, and shows no signs of wearing out. I have retired it as a carry piece, and now carry a newer P32 (as does my wife) as a BUG to a S&W 342. Each of the new P32s have 500+ rounds through them, and I still consider them fresh.
As long as the weapon proves reliable early on, it should last a long time. If you do the Fluff & Buff, do the bare minimum.
As long as the weapon proves reliable early on, it should last a long time. If you do the Fluff & Buff, do the bare minimum.
jonnyc
Member
I've got over 2000 rounds through mine. I changed recoil springs at about 1200. No wear or loosening issues for me.
Don't Tread On Me
Member
A family member of mine has a P-32. It is finicky with ammo types, but when you find the ammo it likes - it is reliable.
I see no value in the P-32. Better to get the .380 instead. Recoil is almost exactly the same (not much anyhow)...
My .380 KelTec is reliable with 2 ammo's tested. It is chromed. Chrome I am sure helps, as it is slicker/less friction and smooth. Not to mention a harder, more corrosion resistant finish.
The .380 is made from square bar stock, rather than the hex bar stock of the 32. this gives the slide a more "glockish" type profile. I prefer this for the sight picture it offers. I shoot the .380 much more accurately than the P32.
The new extractor works fine.
I know you asked about the P32, but if you can - consider the .380. The difference is size, weight and recoil is so small it won't matter. I've shot both side by side.
I see no value in the P-32. Better to get the .380 instead. Recoil is almost exactly the same (not much anyhow)...
My .380 KelTec is reliable with 2 ammo's tested. It is chromed. Chrome I am sure helps, as it is slicker/less friction and smooth. Not to mention a harder, more corrosion resistant finish.
The .380 is made from square bar stock, rather than the hex bar stock of the 32. this gives the slide a more "glockish" type profile. I prefer this for the sight picture it offers. I shoot the .380 much more accurately than the P32.
The new extractor works fine.
I know you asked about the P32, but if you can - consider the .380. The difference is size, weight and recoil is so small it won't matter. I've shot both side by side.
Elliott's Kin
Member
Kel-Tec .380
It all depends. In my hands it was sensitive to ammo brand. UMC yellow box = fail to feed, Gold Dot = good, but I'd still hit the mag release while shooting and ultimately end up with a non-operational weapon. They are small and you really need to shoot them if you are going to depend on them. Your hands are not like everyone else's so if it works for you, it works --- if it doesn't then try something else. Don't count on it if you can't count on it - that goes for all handguns.
It all depends. In my hands it was sensitive to ammo brand. UMC yellow box = fail to feed, Gold Dot = good, but I'd still hit the mag release while shooting and ultimately end up with a non-operational weapon. They are small and you really need to shoot them if you are going to depend on them. Your hands are not like everyone else's so if it works for you, it works --- if it doesn't then try something else. Don't count on it if you can't count on it - that goes for all handguns.
Dollar An Hour
Member
I think I need a P32
A couple P32 questions -
Was there ever a "2nd Gen" P32, or refinements made, like the P3AT? Or have they been the same from the beginning?
Do you P32 owners choose to carry with FMJ, for maximum penetration, or JHP's like the Silvertip? I wonder if hollowpoints would be a waste of time in the .32 ACP.
It seems like, at least from what I read on the web, that the P32's are more likely to be reliable out of the box than the P3AT and always have been.
I do like the idea of lower recoil (versus the .380) making it easier to dump a magazine full of .32 ACP into a BG quickly.
A couple P32 questions -
Was there ever a "2nd Gen" P32, or refinements made, like the P3AT? Or have they been the same from the beginning?
Do you P32 owners choose to carry with FMJ, for maximum penetration, or JHP's like the Silvertip? I wonder if hollowpoints would be a waste of time in the .32 ACP.
It seems like, at least from what I read on the web, that the P32's are more likely to be reliable out of the box than the P3AT and always have been.
I do like the idea of lower recoil (versus the .380) making it easier to dump a magazine full of .32 ACP into a BG quickly.
Dollar An Hour said:A couple P32 questions -
Was there ever a "2nd Gen" P32, or refinements made, like the P3AT? Or have they been the same from the beginning?
Do you P32 owners choose to carry with FMJ, for maximum penetration, or JHP's like the Silvertip? I wonder if hollowpoints would be a waste of time in the .32 ACP.
It seems like, at least from what I read on the web, that the P32's are more likely to be reliable out of the box than the P3AT and always have been.
I do like the idea of lower recoil (versus the .380) making it easier to dump a magazine full of .32 ACP into a BG quickly.
I have a FG P32 and believe they just came out with the second generation SG P32.
I carry FMJ for max penetration. It is a good point shooting gun for shot distances. Love mine and would recommend it.
jonnyc
Member
Unless the SG P32 is a very new thing, I never heard of it. KT did have a steady rolling improvement program going on for a while. Any pistol sent in for work received all the upgrades. If there is a significant SG, I may have to invent some make-believe problem and send mine in for the upgrades!
I carry only FMJ for the reliability and the heavier bullets. PriviPartizan has recently come out with a 71gr JHP that is a bit longer than US JHPs. I tried a box and they were 100%. I plan to get 3 or 4 more to play with. If still 100% I may carry them to get the best of both worlds.
I carry only FMJ for the reliability and the heavier bullets. PriviPartizan has recently come out with a 71gr JHP that is a bit longer than US JHPs. I tried a box and they were 100%. I plan to get 3 or 4 more to play with. If still 100% I may carry them to get the best of both worlds.
PaulBk
Member
jonnyc said:
They are new. The SG frame looks more like a Glock (more squared) and the extractor is different.
-PB
I never had any issues until one day I found that both the mag in the gun AND the mag in my pocket had suffered rim lock. I carried HP's and had seen the warnings on KTOG and Kel-Tec Range but never thought it would happen to me. The mags were jammed so badly that I had to disassemble them to unload them. It's not the gun's fault, the .32 is semi-rimmed and the HP's length can allow the cartridges (2nd one down and lower) to move enough that they can lock together. I would have had three shots (one in the chamber, 1st in the mag and 1st in the other mag) had I needed it in an emergency. Needless to say, I traded it on a P3AT the same day and haven't looked back.
HTH,
Mike
HTH,
Mike
cidirkona
Member
MY 3AT is a daily carry, whether as a BUG or main. Although the muzzleflip on the little guy is some getting used to, I've only ever had problems with cheaply cased brown bear ammo.
-Colin
-Colin
I've had a P32 for a couple of years and it's proven to be very reliable with any ammo I've fed it including Cor-Bon hollowpoints. I've probalby only fired about 300 to 500 rounds through it, but no problems so far. If I've got pants on, I've got the P32.
+1 on the P32 being a pussycat compared to the P3AT, the recoil of the .380 is noticably sharper and it's not the pussycat the P32 is. I've also got a P11 (or had, I sold it last week) and P40, so I'm not terribly recoil sensitive and am used to small, powerful auto's.
+1 on the P32 being a pussycat compared to the P3AT, the recoil of the .380 is noticably sharper and it's not the pussycat the P32 is. I've also got a P11 (or had, I sold it last week) and P40, so I'm not terribly recoil sensitive and am used to small, powerful auto's.
MICHAEL T
Member
Ive bought 2 P-32 in last 5 days I call 2nd Gen got the frankinstine extractor and looks a little different than older ones. Been shooting both and really enjoy . Will carry with ball . Like my 25 I want penertration.
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