Trade a Ruger LCP for Kel-Tec P32?

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Yukon_Cola

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Hi everyone. A few months ago, I was on the hunt for a pocket pistol and had my sights fixed on a Kel-Tec P32. Personally I like how they look and I've heard good things about them from guys who carried them. I looked locally for quite awhile (I don't like buying on gunbroker) and came up dry so I got their copy in the LCP. It's a good little gun, my wife really likes it and it functions well, even with hollow points. My pocket carry, however, was quickly replaced with a snub nose revolver. But the LCP does occasionally get carried.

I was at a local gun show and one of the vendors had a used P32. It's in good condition, includes the box, pocket clip doodad and a second magazine. I got the guys number and I'm considering trading the LCP for it and two boxes of 32 acp ammo. Has anyone ran both and could offer input?
 
If you have a reliable LCP, keep it. I had an original LCP years ago. Reliability was mediocre at first but improved over time. My current LCP Max... don't get me started.
But...also go buy that P32 (make sure it is a 2nd generation model, the barrel shrouds are different - Google it). I have two 2nd gen P32s and neither has ever failed me. They are a 5-yard gun with the rudimentary sights and the diminutive size, but at 6.6 ounces empty, they disappear in a pocket holster.
 
Awesome, thank you for the input. He's asking 250 cash for the p32 without the ammo. Does that sound like a good deal?
 
Yukon_Cola said:
Awesome, thank you for the input. He's asking 250 cash for the p32 without the ammo. Does that sound like a good deal?
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Few yrs ago they were on sale for 150 new.

I'd offer 200. I get the feeling Kel Tec is going to be making a gen 2 of the p32 and p3at soon.
 
TTv2 said:
Few yrs ago they were on sale for 150 new.

I'd offer 200. I get the feeling Kel Tec is going to be making a gen 2 of the p32 and p3at soon.
Click to expand...

That was my first move at the gun show. Guy said he was in it to deep to let it go for anything less than $240. If I could find one new id snatch it up.
 
I purchased a P-32 in early 2002 .. enjoyed it till about 4 years ago … until my brother in law talked me out of it ( family eh ..)
Since I already owned a couple of Taurus TCP’s
I gave it to him basically….
I tried to buy it back and the answer is “heck no !”

It still is extremely reliable.. for a few bucks u can purchase RSA ..

Id get the P32 while u can
380’s are a dime a dozen
 
$250 is a decent price for a P32 in great condition at this time. My first one was purchased used in in very good condition in 2017 for $240. I loved it so much that wanted another and caught one on sale for $150 somewhere around 2018 if I remember correctly. Haven't seen them that low since. If KelTec ever releases an updated model of the P32, dollars to donuts, I'll grab one.
 
Yukon_Cola said:
Hi everyone. A few months ago, I was on the hunt for a pocket pistol and had my sights fixed on a Kel-Tec P32. Personally I like how they look and I've heard good things about them from guys who carried them. I looked locally for quite awhile (I don't like buying on gunbroker) and came up dry so I got their copy in the LCP. It's a good little gun, my wife really likes it and it functions well, even with hollow points. My pocket carry, however, was quickly replaced with a snub nose revolver. But the LCP does occasionally get carried.

I was at a local gun show and one of the vendors had a used P32. It's in good condition, includes the box, pocket clip doodad and a second magazine. I got the guys number and I'm considering trading the LCP for it and two boxes of 32 acp ammo. Has anyone ran both and could offer input?
Click to expand...

I own and carry both and while there are similarities they are two very different guns. My carry preference is to carry the most power possible for how ever I am dressed, so I will always pick the LCP over the P32 for most of my wardrobe. I actually pocket carry a DB9 most of the time over both the P32 and LCP.

When I worked in an office where flashing and printing weren't an option I carried the P32 every day. Now I rarely carry it. "For me" there really isn't a lot of difference in shooting the two guns. I have always considered the LCP to be a mellow shooter and the P32 to be even more mellow but I have seen several others describe the LCP as punishing which definitely isn't the case with me.

The P32, LCP and DB9 have all been 100% reliable out of the box for me. All my carry guns have been 100% reliable for me. If they aren't I will trade them off for something else.

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I really like my P32 but I would not trade my LCP for one. I consider the LCP superior to the P32 simply because the .380 is a more powerful round than 32acp. Fit, finish and reliability wise I consider both to be equals.
 
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How is recoil on the .32 vs .380? Ive shot quite a few 380s but this will be my first foray into .32 acp.
 
I would not. I had an original LCP for many years as my go-to for pocket carry when I couldn't carry my everyday carry and I just sold that because I picked up an LCP max.
 
The biggest issue with a .32 is…finding .32 ammo! Those two boxes may be all you see for a while, and when you do find it, the boxes aren’t cheap. :(

.380 is much more commonly found today. Still not cheap, but at least it’s out there.

Personally, I’d just pony up for the Kel Tec and keep the LCP. Can’t go wrong with another decent pocket gun! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Yukon_Cola said:
How is recoil on the .32 vs .380? Ive shot quite a few 380s but this will be my first foray into .32 acp.
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Comparing small locked breech guns of similar size and weight, the .32 ACP feels downright friendly to fire compared to .380 ACP.

That’s one reason I’ve always thought a KelTec P32 would make a good gun for the ladies in my house.

Alas, none of them like to shoot so I’m the only one that shoots my old Taurus TCP732.
 
Yukon_Cola said:
How is recoil on the .32 vs .380? Ive shot quite a few 380s but this will be my first foray into .32 acp.
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the keltec p32 is a way better shooter than the ruger lcp, which needs to be offered in 32acp. with the p32 i can easily and consistently hit center mass targets at 12’, which i couldn’t with the harder recoiling lcp. a gen2 p32 with a hogue rubber grip and an extended 10-round extra mag in my pocket is my go-to ccw rig now.

the only other mainstream 32acp pocket pistol is the naa guardian, which is solidly built by a solid manufacturer, but is unpleasant to shoot.
 

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Not only is the P32 going to have less snap, it's also going to weigh less than any LCP; 3.6oz lighter than the Max, 4.2oz less than the LCP. That's about as ideal as it gets for a micro autoloader.
 
The P32 is slightly lighter and a whole lot more pleasant to shoot than the P3AT.

That said, remember that .32 ACP is significantly less powerful. Better than .22 or .25 for sure, but well short of the .380 in terminal ballistic performance. .380 bullets and loaded ammo have also seen a lot more modern development to squeeze out every bit of potential; while the .32 has benefitted from those advances, it's not had the same kind of attention.

Personally, of the super light micro pistols, the Diamondbacks are my favorites. The DB380 and DB9 are better looking and more ergonomic to me than the others in that class. My primary carry is a DB9, we have a DB380 that is a shop demo for our micro 9mm suppressors.

As for .32 ACPs, I've had a P32 first Gen and a Beretta Tomcat. The only .32 auto I have now is a Beretta 81BB that is a suppressed range toy.
 
As least as far as the lcp custom, recoil across the board with varying jhp and fmj was very mild.

I'd keep your lcp and get the 32 if you want. Ammo is very hard to find locally, actually made me sell my 32 ppk and not go for a local tomcat and p32 myself. Gotta get that practice is with the tiny guns especially!

I got a wrap around grip for like 5 bucks, went right on the lcp. It's nice. You could get a stainless guide rod and 13lb spring to further dial back the lcp recoil if it's an issue, or install the wide custom type trigger. Galloway precision has all of that.
 
For shootability and the extra round without having to go to aftermarket stuff I'd take the p32. In fmj they penetrate ballistic gel about the same.
 
Big fan of Ruger products, but dont own a LCP because I already have enough pocket pistols. I have owned a Kel-Tec P32 for over twenty years and its been totally reliable, I bought it when they first came out with colors and got the blue one, I call it the Smurf.
 
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