What .32 for the not so big 32 bday?

[TTv2]

I'm unimpressed by my SP101 in 327. My own fault. They don't fit my hand well and I don't like the triggers, but I bought it anyway.

The Single Six in 32 H&R is truly excellent.

My S&W 32 long i-frame Hand Ejector is hard for me to shoot well. It's very small and the trigger is poor.

I don't own a K-frame 32 revolver, but I would very much like to. A K32 Masterpiece would put my Single Six to shame, no doubt. The Smiths are not that affordable, but I see the Taurus equivalent every so often in 32 long or 32 magnum. Whenever I get my new job I might have to shell out the money for one.

My favorite 32acp pistol is easily my Beretta 81. That thing is super accurate and amazingly fun to shoot.

Ruger Single Six 32 H&R magnum

• Tallball
• Dec 13, 2018

Beretta Model 81 Walnut

• Tallball
• Sep 14, 2019

I'm not impressed by the SP101 in general, but at the time I wanted a .327 and I didn't like the size of the GP100 for a .32, especially when a 7 shot .357 was available in the same gun and the only other option was the snub LCR. I didn't want a snub, so the SP101 was it.

If I could go back I would have gotten the Single Seven.

One issue I have with the Ruger .32's tho is I know they make the throats on the .327's big, .314" as that's what mine measures and I'd rather have .312 or .313. I'm not sure, but I suspect that the .32 Mag Single Six has smaller throats than the .327 Single Seven.

I don't see much value to the older .32 S&W Long Smiths, they're well made, but also suffer from drawbacks that were typical of the era in heavy DA triggers and tiny/poor sights. A K32 Masterpiece is too much.

I like the H&R's, they're fun to play with.

You mentioned Taurus and you know what? I've seen some older Taurus .32 Long and Mag guns on GB earlier this year. I'll take another look.

 

[TTv2]

Beretta Tomcat?

I will never willingly spend money on those. Beretta is a good brand, but the Tomcat is not a good gun.

 

[TTv2]

The Savage pistol (either 1907 or 1917) is fun and interesting.
For 'off the beaten path' pistols, you might consider of a copy of the French M35 (variants), 7.65mm Luger or 7.65mm Tokarev.
And there are modern :yawn: pistols too.

Have the Zastava M57 and until primers become available again I'm not buying another pistol in the 7.62 Tok.

 

[aaaaa]

I will never willingly spend money on those. Beretta is a good brand, but the Tomcat is not a good gun.

In what ways do you find it to not be a good gun?

 

[TTv2]

In what ways do you find it to not be a good gun?

Too bulky to be any good for conceal carry and the design is flawed given frame cracking has been a persistent issue for decades.

 

[Autodidactic]

Too bulky to be any good for conceal carry and the design is flawed given frame cracking has been a persistent issue for decades.

It's not too bulky for concealment. It's a little fatter than let's say an LCP, but that actually gives it a better grip. It's far smaller than half the guns people concealed carry on THR. For certain it's easier to conceal than my Shield, snubbies, and similar. Smaller than a Glock 42. It however does have the cracking issue with hot ammo.

 

[Tallball]

The Taurus medium-framed 32's revolvers were available on Gunbroker every once in a while, NIB, from the same seller every time, recently. I don't know if they still are. At least one of the THR posters bought one and was very pleased. Apparently those revolvers aren't imported into the US very often.

I bought the SP101 for similar reasons. If you wanted a 32 that wasn't a snub and had decent sights, that seemed like the way to go. Apparently I should have scouted out a medium-framed Taurus instead, but I didn't know they existed back then.

Speaking of Taurus, they did make a 32acp version of the pistol originally called the PT111. It eventually morphed into the G2c and was a pretty good pistol, in my experience. I own a 45acp version and a 32acp version. I kinda wish the 32 wasn't DAO, but if you can get used to the trigger, the size and sights are very nice for a 32.

I'd love to have a CZ83 in 32acp. Those are excellent pistols. My FiL has a very nice one in 380.

For target shooting when you can't afford a real 32 target pistol, the Beretta 100 is okay.

Taurus Model PT132

• Tallball
• Sep 20, 2018

Beretta Model 100

• Tallball
• Sep 24, 2017

 

[aaaaa]

It's not too bulky for concealment. It's a little fatter than let's say an LCP, but that actually gives it a better grip. It's far smaller than half the guns people concealed carry on THR. For certain it's easier to conceal than my Shield, snubbies, and similar. Smaller than a Glock 42. It however does have the cracking issue with hot ammo.

Yeah, .32 needs all the help it can get and then we are told not to use hot ammo! Well, I have my Kel Tec P32 and think everyone should have a P32. You can wear it on an ankle holster and should hardly notice it. I love the Tomcat and for me it will be about 99 pecent toy as any BUG I carry will be the P32.

 

[Autodidactic]

Yeah, .32 needs all the help it can get and then we are told not to use hot ammo! Well, I have my Kel Tec P32 and think everyone should have a P32. You can wear it on an ankle holster and should hardly notice it. I love the Tomcat and for me it will be about 99 pecent toy as any BUG I carry will be the P32.

Yes, my tomcat is a fun gun for my collection. It’s not a usual carry.

 

[aaaaa]

Yes, my tomcat is a fun gun for my collection. It’s not a usual carry.

And that said, I would be tempted to get one in .25 ACP just for kicks, and would love to find one of the old .22 caliber Beretta Minx with the long tip up barrel.

 

[Autodidactic]

And that said, I would be tempted to get one in .25 ACP just for kicks, and would love to find one of the old .22 caliber Beretta Minx with the long tip up barrel.

Yup, they have the Minx in .22 short! My order of operations will be 1) Bobcat in .22 lr 2) 950b in .25 acp

 

[toivo]

Its too bad that Bersa discontinued their .32 caliber Thunder pistol. That would have fit the bill perfectly!

Are you sure it has been discontinued? I heard through the grapevine that it wasn't being imported into the US any more but was still being sold in several overseas markets.

Beretta Model 81s are fantastic high capacity 32,12+1, compact package & the police trade ins were great values.
View attachment 1098747

With those grips, I'm getting an Austin Powers vibe off that pistol. "Groovy, Baybee!"

 

[TTv2]

And that said, I would be tempted to get one in .25 ACP just for kicks, and would love to find one of the old .22 caliber Beretta Minx with the long tip up barrel.

The Minx is on GB pretty often and usually goes for under 350. I was close to getting one, but couldn't justify a semi auto .22 Short, too much of a range toy and if I want a range toy I can get just as much fun out of a more practical revolver in .22 Short, like the H&R Young America or the .22 Short NAA mini.

 

[TTv2]

The Taurus medium-framed 32's revolvers were available on Gunbroker every once in a while, NIB, from the same seller every time, recently. I don't know if they still are. At least one of the THR posters bought one and was very pleased. Apparently those revolvers aren't imported into the US very often.

I bought the SP101 for similar reasons. If you wanted a 32 that wasn't a snub and had decent sights, that seemed like the way to go. Apparently I should have scouted out a medium-framed Taurus instead, but I didn't know they existed back then.

Speaking of Taurus, they did make a 32acp version of the pistol originally called the PT111. It eventually morphed into the G2c and was a pretty good pistol, in my experience. I own a 45acp version and a 32acp version. I kinda wish the 32 wasn't DAO, but if you can get used to the trigger, the size and sights are very nice for a 32.

I'd love to have a CZ83 in 32acp. Those are excellent pistols. My FiL has a very nice one in 380.

For target shooting when you can't afford a real 32 target pistol, the Beretta 100 is okay.

Taurus Model PT132

• Tallball
• Sep 20, 2018

Beretta Model 100

• Tallball
• Sep 24, 2017

If the Beretta 100 wasn't so rare I would probably spring for one. My hope is someday Phoenix Arms decides to upscale the .22/.25 to .32 and offers both a 3 and 5 inch barrel. I'd pay a good amount for that.

Unfortunately the issue I'm running into with all the .32's I've listed earlier and others people have mentioned is they're either still sold at gouge prices or not available.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Here you go!

Zastava M70, two magazines.

https://rguns.net/product/zastava-m70-pistol-7-65-32acp-with-extra-magazine-holster-and-brush/


I’m a .32 fan! Really enjoy shooting them.
I prefer the Beretta M81, but also have a M85BB (8-shot .380) that I’d more likely actually carry...
I had two TomCats. Had frame cracking. Sent it back. They cited frame and slide cracks! Sent me a new Stainless Steel gun. I sold it NIB. I enjoyed the TomCat. It was accurate and reliable while it lasted...
I’ve got a Keltec P32. It’s my “most carried” gun since retiring. It’s a later model with sights. Uncharacteristically, it shoots POA/POA at 7-10yds! I’ve dispatched a rabid coon, two road hit deer, ad an angry Water Moccasin! I’m currently carrying 65gr Federal HydroShock but typically have carried either Hornady 60gr XTP’s or Speer 60gr GoldDots, Also, just a 78gr Lead RN cast at 900fps...

And btw, also have a Ruger Single-7 and a Taurus M-76 in .32H&R Mag.
Oops! Forgot the Ruger .30Carbine BlackHawk! And two S&W Hand Ejectors!
AND; a S&W .30SuperCarry Shield EZ.

 

[toivo]

Here you go!

CZ M70, two magazines.

https://rguns.net/product/zastava-m70-pistol-7-65-32acp-with-extra-magazine-holster-and-brush/

NOT A DOUBLE ACTION!
explains why one poster complained about double action trigger pull!!

That's not a CZ -- it's a Zastava. Different pistol made in a different country. The CZ 70 made in the former Czechoslovakia is definitely a double-action pistol, but the double action is very stiff, not to mention prone to mechanical failures.

 

[Mosin77]

Get a Mauser 1914.

Quirky, cool looking .32acp goodness, and a nice one shouldn’t set you back more than $450 or so.

 

[lincen]

Here are three of my favorite 32 acp’s……CZ83, BersaThunder, and a Beretta 81FS. Have others but these are the ones that get shot the most.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Thompson Center Encore/Contender in 32 Winchester Special or an AR pistol in 7.62x39...

You lost a few brownie points with me by saying no 1903 Colt hammerless or 32-20

I saw the NAA guardian mentioned. Great gun in 32 NAA but not real fun to shoot. I enjoy my Ruger Single Six Bisley in 32 H&R. An odd one would be an old Erma Werke KGP68-A. Its a nice little luger copy chambered in 32 Auto.

 

[BigBlue 94]

.327 SP101.

I don't buy guns the same caliber as my age. I'm in DD territory, have been the last 7 years.

I forsee a 600 nitro express in your future

 

[SDGlock23]

I just picked up a Shield Plus 30 Super Carry, that's a .32. Got a pretty decent price on it.

 

[25-20 WCF]

I’ve owned my SP-101 in .32 H&R for almost 30 years. I originally purchased it as a trail gun, and it accompanied me on countless hunting and fishing trips when I lived in Alaska. A Wolff spring kit - along with some minor polishing of the trigger group - resulted in excellent SA and DA trigger pulls. It took a while to find the perfect grip size/shape for my hand, I tried four different aftermarket designs before finally settling on the rubber Hogue. I even used it on a Kodiak Island blacktail, loaded with a 100-grain XTP at 1300 fps. One shot through the lungs at 25 yards resulted in a dead deer within 15 seconds. I don’t know how guns of more recent manufacture stack up to mine, but it is one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[toivo]

Here are three of my favorite 32 acp’s……CZ83, BersaThunder, and a Beretta 81FS. Have others but these are the ones that get shot the most.

View attachment 1099053

I like the way you think -- I've got two out of those three. No Beretta yet -- maybe if I bump into one at a reasonable price.

The other challenge is that I'd need 10-round mags for it.

 

[TTv2]

Thompson Center Encore/Contender in 32 Winchester Special or an AR pistol in 7.62x39...

You lost a few brownie points with me by saying no 1903 Colt hammerless or 32-20

I saw the NAA guardian mentioned. Great gun in 32 NAA but not real fun to shoot. I enjoy my Ruger Single Six Bisley in 32 H&R. An odd one would be an old Erma Werke KGP68-A. Its a nice little luger copy chambered in 32 Auto.

1. I was thinking about the T/C Encore or Contender, but in .32 it didn't do it for me, I would like one in .357 Max and .454 Casull tho.

2. The biggest problem with the 1903 is it has the tiniest sights I've ever seen on a pistol that size. It's a fine pistol in all other metrics, but until Colt updates the design with some real sights, I won't buy. The .32-20 is antiquated and I don't like the thinness of the case mouths, nor how rarely Starline does a run of that brass.

3. I would love to have a .32 NAA chambered pistol, but the Guardian is the only game in town for that chambering and it is a terrible shooting pistol that I never want to own. They do look nice and are well made, but NAA needs to ditch that design and come out with something that isn't a holdover from the 1980s.

 

[JTHunter]

This is an older gun I inherited and, unfortunately, it is in that caliber you didn't want, a .32-20. There are rifles made in this caliber, usu. a lever action.

Smith & Wesson “Mod. of 1905 – 4th change”, .32-20, 6” barrel, SA/DA revolver, at least 80 yrs. old (produced from 1915-40, ser. # range 65,701-144,684) and the number on this one starts with a "111", inherited ~2008