Kel Tec P32 Range report

[rockstar.esq]

So I fired my newly acquired P32 the other day. The P32 is a tilting breech lock .32 ACP caliber pistol with a heavily coned muzzle and 7 +1 capacity. The overall weight is kept down by using polymer for the majority of the frame however there is a sizeable steel insert containing the lockwork, slides and trigger. The recoil was quick but tolerable.
It shot to point of aim at 7 yards with both 60 grain hardball and .45 grain silvertips. I shot over 100 rounds without a single failure.

Pros:

Small size and very lightweight for use as backup or CCW

Smooth double action trigger (approx 10lbs)

Easy to see and acquire sights

Shot to point of aim at 7yds

Comes with both right and left side retaining clip (like a pocket knife)

Comes with two magazines.

Weighs less than a speedloader full of .44 spl

Cons

The small size and aggresive checkering pair up to make this an uncomfortable pistol for rapid fire/ long range sessions.

The narrow trigger is very "rounded" which I don't particularly like

Can't shoot it with gloves on due to the smallish trigger guard.

The lack of a slide stop makes clearance drills helplessly slow.

The slide serrations are too shallow and smooth for a truly solid grab.


All in all, I really like the gun. The ergonomic issues are somewhat expected given the intended purpose. I plan on this piece serving as a "New York Reload" as it is easier to conceal than either magazines or speedloaders. Plus I think that since it's so small I'd be more likely to pack even when I'm hot and tired.

 

[mtnbkr]

The lack of a slide stop makes clearance drills helplessly slow

??
My P32 has a slide stop.

Chris

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Yes, but the gun shoots so much faster and more reliably without one in place.

I can't figure it out. There is no slide stop and so the malfunction clearance drills are slow, but he had no malfunctions. Also, since 90% of semi-auto handgun problems can be cured with a tap-rack drill, there is no need for interaction with a slide stop. The only one that comes to mind is a double feed and even then you don't need to use the slide stop to effect the clearance.

Since the P32 actually needs the slide stop to function properly, maybe he wasn't shooting a P32?

 

[Javelin Man]

slide stop

The P32 does have a slide stop, but I think he's referring to the button that sticks out, like on the P11. Forgive my lack of complete thought, Vicoden is working on me, finally. Time to go target practice! Just kidding.

Even with my weakened grip, I can hold the slide to rack it. I have to push the slide on my P11 and be lucky that it operates. The P32 has an easier recoil spring needing less grip.

Speaking of grips, I put a piece of tennis racket grip tape on the front and another on the back of the P32's grip. It gives me just a little more to hold onto. I used the same grip tape, it's padded, on the backstrap of my P11 to cushion the recoil. Helps a lot! I don't know how the guys hold onto the P3AT; I don't have one and don't think I want one.

An empty gun weighing 6.6 ounces, fully loaded scarcely more. It slips in a pocket and holster and you forget it's there, but thankful when you're somewhere in shorts and a tshirt and you're still armed.It's a great gun! Just keep it well lubed and clean.

 

[rockstar.esq]

To correct/clarify myself. The slide does have a stop which works when the magazine is empty and the slide is racked back. I should have said that it doesn't have a lever on the side with which to manipulate the slide stop. "Tap Rack and Bang" is indeed the method we all know, however try to "Tap" on a grip that scarcely affords a two finger hold! Further, the aforementioned racking assumes that the extractor will pop over the rim on a "Fail to extract case". With a really short slide like this, that is easier said than done. This is much in evidence in Javelin man's post. Frankly, I don't think it truly needs a slide stop lever nor does it need a safety. But I truly feel that any sort of "Tac reload" is going to be optimisim at fever pitch. Not to sound overzealous but as a backup to your main piece, this one should have a perfect record with whatever carry ammo you choose.
Double Naught I didn't have any malfunctions. There isn't anything complicated about that. I practice clearance drills regularly. The double feed is indeed the failure that I simulated. My opinion is that the extractor has so much tension that generating sufficient inertia in the slides travel to allow it to snap over the cartridge rim poses a serious problem. I know that pulling the magazine and racking the slide repeatedly is the drill. It is my opinion that gravity, not the extractor is the more reliable tool to get the case cleared due to the small/short parts that comprise this gun. I have found that tipping the gun muzzle up with the slide open gets things moving much faster. Please note that I suggested that the slide serrations be improved as that alone would make a world of difference.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I glad you like your P-32 . Please keep a accurate round count So you can report a what number it broke. It just seems KT track record is really bad on QC and I can't under stand why people keep buying them.. If I want a small 32 I'll save my money and get a Seecamp I know they cost twice as much but seems 99% of them have been trouble free.

 

[jonnyc]

I doubt it.
Compare the number of P32s and Seecamps out there and you might find similar problem rates. Seecamps have had serious ammo sensitivity problems, and now even the Silvertips are an issue. I also think that people who spend vast sums on pistols like the Seecamp are loathe to report that they may have bought a lemon. Some may disagree, but I think KelTec has been very responsive to customer comlplaints and they seem to go the extra mile to solve a problem. Let's face it, they are cheap pistols that have many cut corners. I am very happy with my P32, I trust it enough to carry almost all the time, and it has been glitch-free for over 1000 rounds.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

Install a NAA finger extension http://www.geocities.com/PocketGuns/P32ext.html on your extra magazine and you will enjoy your long range sessions more.

 

[astraman]

i agree w/ all of the pros-it's a fun gun to shoot & the sights are usable.

 

[casual]

i am not thrilled with the reliability or quality of the P-32

the P-32 is a "cheap" gun, but, alas, not inexpensive

that said, the size and relative firepower are difficult to beat

if Kel-Tec (or another mfg) could make a gun the same size as the p-32, without the corner cutting and with a commensurate increase in the reliability, i would be all over it, even at a substantially increased price

until something better comes along at this size (and close in weight) i will not give up my P-32, and i think it's a "must have" for a true pocket gun

casual

 

[alamo]

If I want a small 32 I'll save my money and get a Seecamp I know they cost twice as much but seems 99% of them have been trouble free.

My experience was otherwise but they are nice pistols. You don't hear much about them one way or the other since so few are made. Only 1,463 in 2003 which is about average for them. Kel-Tec was making 30,000+ P-32 every year till the P-3AT was introduced:

http://www.shootingindustry.com/02pages/SpecRep3.html#Anchor-Pistol-6296

 

[The_Shootist]

NAA Guardian .32 ACP?

What about a Guardian in .32? Yeah I know - twice the weight and price, but people seem to think it is more solidly built and reliable than the P-32 (although mine is still going strong after 1500 rds).

But what the P-32 has done is to kindle an appetite for a small pocketable pistol of decent power and convenient carry. So far the P-32 fits that bill, but who knows? It won't last forever.

 

[lanceman193]

I would rather trust my life to my Seecamp than any other small pistol.I always have it.It has always worked.

 

[casual]

lanceman,

do you have the .32 or the .380?

have you used the ridiculously named "pocket slipper laser aimer" with your Seecamp?

it looks gimmicky but im afraid the LWS.380 with a "psla" is destined to be my next purchase, unless i can be dissuaded by a more rational consumer

casual