Savage 1907 .32acp. Pricey!!!

[Redcoat3340]

I had one of my "little" guns to the range today, my .32 acp FEG Hege AP66 (a PP clone) and it shot like a dream (Okay, about 3" low at 7 yards but that's manageable). Lots of fun with a really sweet SA trigger.
So I'm thinking of adding another .32 to the range bag (I have a 1903 Colt, CZ70, and 1935 Beretta).
I've heard okay reviews about a 1907 Savage so I went gunbrokering.
Wow! $400 to $500 asking! I was surprised.
I figured a small, semi-unpopular caliber for self defense, an old gun, and $300 tops.

What's the story? Collectors? Price of everything going up? Or is the Savage something special.

And what other .32s might folks recommend for some range fun, I don't need a "modern" gun or one for carry, just something fun to shoot and not too frustrating.

I'm thinking a Beretta model 70 or 81. They seem to be running under $400. (I had a Browning 1922 and didn't like it....so that's out.)

Suggestions?

 

[fxvr5]

The Savages have been in that price range for quite a while. They are popular with collectors.

The Beretta 81s are delightful. Great ergonomics.

 

[Tallball]

The Beretta Model 81 is an excellent pistol: medium sized, decent sights, DA/SA, double-stack magazine, Beretta quality.

A batch of Italian surplus 81's showed up recently. Most of the surplus gun places have or had some. I got mine from AIM for $229 plus whatever.

Beretta Model 81 32acp

• Tallball
• Aug 22, 2019

 

[Tallball]

If you can find a Colt 1903 for a reasonable price, they are sweet little pistols. They are medium-sized and made of steel, so the recoil is nothing. Their craftmanship is top notch and most shooters really like the way they point. The sights are very small, though. Everyone who shoots mine likes it. I got mine for under $350 because it had been refinished, thus ruining its collector value. It took some patience for me to find one that was that inexpensive, but it was time well spent.

Colt 1903

• Tallball
• Jan 7, 2018
• 1

 

[Tallball]

The Mauser 1914 is fun and quirky. It has a reasonably long barrel, though the sights are kind of small. It's a good little plinker and I get lots of questions about it when I take it to the range. They are actually striker fired. I got mine at a local pawn shop for $350.

Mauser 1914

• Tallball
• Jul 4, 2018

 

[Tallball]

They are somewhat rare, but if you want a 32acp with a 6" barrel and adjustable sights, keep your eyes open for a Beretta Model 100. It will doubtless be your most accurate 32 auto.

Beretta Model 100

• Tallball
• Sep 24, 2017

 

[Tallball]

Again these are kind of rare, but Taurus did make some of their PT111 (now known as the G2) pistols in 32acp. It's called the Model PT132. I think that all of them are DOA, but if you can handle that kind of trigger, they are nice guns: medium sized, good sights, double-stack magazine, etc.

(FWIW, I believe that I've read that a few CZ83's and Sig P230's were also made in 32acp. Those would be very nice shooters. I've never run across either one, though.)

Taurus Model PT132

• Tallball
• Sep 20, 2018

 

[jar]

I really like 32acp and find I have more handguns in that caliper than any other. Here are a few that have not yet been mentioned.

For usually lower price vintage 32s look for the Ortgies. Superb accuracy and an interesting grip safety. Once you squeeze the grip safety it stays in the "Fire" position until you press a button to return the gun to "Safe".



Another good choice are the ones from Bernardelli. There are two models, one striker fired the other hammer fired. Both are Single Action.

Hammer fired Model 60:



Striker Fired VB:


There is also the CZ Model 50 that is classic DA/SA:


And one of my very favorites, the Beretta 1935 that is another Single Action:


For really small there is the Beretta Tomcat 3032:

 

[AZAndy]

I'll throw in another vote for the Beretta 81. I got a couple of them locally at J&G for $200 apiece. Why two? That was the easiest way to get a spare magazine, and now I have a parts donor if it comes to that. https://www.jgsales.com/
It has an ambidextrous thumb safety that allows for cocked-and-locked carry if you're used to 1911s, is accurate, has visible sights, and the magazine holds 12 rounds. The frame is aluminum alloy, so it's lightweight. I don't love it the same way I love my 1903, but it's a great gun, especially for the price.

 

[wanderinwalker]

... (FWIW, I believe that I've read that a few CZ83's and Sig P230's were also made in 32acp. Those would be very nice shooters. I've never run across either one, though.)...

I'm just chiming in to confirm there are/were some SIG P230s in .32 ACP. My dad bought one for my mom sometime in the 90s and I distinctly remember the pistol. It was a DA/SA with a decocker AND a separate safety lever if my memory is right. Neat little pistol and I'd love to find another one like it (that one is long gone) some day. Though I suspect pricing will make the Savage 1907s look cheap.

One of the CZ 50s also passed through his collection around the same time frame. That's another pistol I recall being well into the "neat" category.

Right now my Colt 1903 satisfies my .32 ACP duties. Though I have been considering grabbing one of those Beretta 81s just for kicks.

 

[AZAndy]

I really like 32acp and find I have more handguns in that caliper than any other.

Wow, what a nice assortment! I knew there was a reason I liked you.
I've come to really appreciate the lowly .32, in both ACP and S&W Long. I can shoot them one-handed with either hand and won't permanently damage my hearing if I should ever have to use one indoors. I recognize that I'll most likely have to fire more than once if I ever need to stop somebody, but they all shoot really fast due to the low recoil. If I have a choice between .380 and .32, I'll take the .32.

 

[bannockburn]

Redcoat3340

I have had several .32s that were decent guns and weren't too pricey: a Walther PP (police trade-in), a Beretta Model 70, and a Beretta Model 90 Roma. If I were looking for an older .32 just as a range toy I would opt for a Colt Model 1903 or if something a lot more modern (but still a lot of fun to shoot); a Beretta Model 81.

 

[Patocazador]

I picked up a nice Savage 1907 on this site's classified section about a year ago. It was reasonably-priced in the $300+ range. It is a neat and odd little gun with about the same firepower as the Beretta 81. However, the 81 feels and shoots like a dream whereas the Savage is a bit clunky with its odd 'hammer' and super-stupid magazine release.

 

[Jim Watson]

Hey, Bat Masterson endorsed the Savage, you can't do better than that.

I'm just chiming in to confirm there are/were some SIG P230s in .32 ACP. My dad bought one for my mom sometime in the 90s and I distinctly remember the pistol. It was a DA/SA with a decocker AND a separate safety lever if my memory is right. Neat little pistol and I'd love to find another one like it (that one is long gone) some day. Though I suspect pricing will make the Savage 1907s look cheap.

The legend is that P230 .32 with safety is a contract overrun from Japanese police contract. Scarce and expensive on the US market.

 

[jar]

I picked up a nice Savage 1907 on this site's classified section about a year ago. It was reasonably-priced in the $300+ range. It is a neat and odd little gun with about the same firepower as the Beretta 81. However, the 81 feels and shoots like a dream whereas the Savage is a bit clunky with its odd 'hammer' and super-stupid magazine release.

But no hammer. And it's the first high cap magazine, decades before the Hi Power. The 81 certainly is nice but it's also bigger, bulkier and heavier than the Savage.




The Beretta 70 though is smaller than either and honestly, I tend to carry it more often than the 81. Mine is an earlier version though with the cross bolt safety and it is a slightly different drill even though it is still the same downward thumb swipe to set to "Fire" mode.

 

[Jim Watson]

Magazine design is tricky. The 81 holds 12 .32s, the 84 holds 13 .380s.

 

[Patocazador]

But no hammer.

If you noticed, I put half-quotation marks around hammer.

 

[94045]

It's amazing what you can find if you want a shooter instead of a collector. Many would consider my Great Uncle Robert's Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP challenged. The majority of the bluing is gone but that happens when you carry it for your entire career with the railroad. It's functionally in excellent condition. I've seen pistols in similar condition go for $275 or so locally although they seem a little more pricey on the websites. Seems like something interesting should be available in .32 ACP for a similar price.

 

[wanderinwalker]

... The legend is that P230 .32 with safety is a contract overrun from Japanese police contract. Scarce and expensive on the US market.

Cool, you learn something new every day! Unfortunately that confirms my suspicion about its general oddity. My mom's pistol being long gone now, I doubt I'll ever find another.

94045, you're absolutely right about the possibility of finding something in the shooter category with some finish wear. Due to circumstances of my life, I get to see a higher-than-average number of different old pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns. Many, many old well-used firearms are still functionally sound. Though not all, it really does pay to be able to examine some in person before agreeing to part with your cash.

(Also, we need pictures of that 1908! )

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I guess there're a couple-three ways to look at it.
I am first and foremost a Savage & Marlin nut and to have a quality, early century pistol made by either is a major draw for me.
I know a Savage .45 is NOT in my immediate future.
They are VERY well made pistols - almost nonexistent sight not withstanding.
There are some truly elegant touches to the finished product and it's a joy to put yourself in the minds of the designers when taking them in.
DAMN fun to shoot - and considerably more than a great many other .32s.

This is my hammerless 1915.

$400-$500 for the right gun, in front of my with money in my pocket?

I see no problem with that.

As a utility .32?

I'd look elsewhere.

Todd.