Why carry a .32 auto CCW?

[Adam Helmer]

Santa gave me a stocking gift that, on first view, appeared to be a watch fob. Well, I do not carry a pocket watch and I have NO other fobs. Thus, no need, eh, wot?

I looked at the Colt M1903 .32 ACP pistol and nice leather holster with a spare mag pocket. I first thought that only the French Military would employ such like stuff. Upon reflection, I may have a French Military holster.

The pistol is Very Good+ and I did polish the brown leather holster by the Christmas tree to keep peace with the Frau. Old hound and I took the .32 to the backyard bench. Firing factory 71 grain Ball showed the gun shot to the sights at 20 yards. I field stripped the pistol, cleaned it and thanked the Frau for the gift.

Ok, now what? I can carry the pistol over the farm like in the Movie "Beau Geste" or put it by in vault #2, which still has space, or carry it CCW. Who else carries a .32 ACP CCW and why? Is a "Death Wish" part of the CCW equation? LOL!

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Beats a .25 ACP!;)

[popplecop]

Have a Beretta TomCat that was my late wife's pistol. And yes do slide it into the pocket on ocassion and feelcomfortable with it. Nowadays there is some excellent ammo available for it.

[skeet]

You know Adam..there are times that the Beretta 32(as Popplecop has) I have will be just perfect to carry..and it's better'n throwin rocks or gettin in a knife fight with a knife...instead of the peashooter. I got it with 4 boxes of good Winchester hollowpoint ammo. Shoots it good too. I also have a 1903 Colt. In pieces in a coffee can. Needs a new sear. It goes full auto when ya pull de trigger..sometimes. I also have a Colt 25 auto that was given to me..Has factory Ivory grips. I made a new striker for it cause it shot 'em all most every time. It also beats chunkin rocks. Give momma a big hug and thank her for the piece

[Jack]

Quite a few years ago, my Dad was given a Walther PP from a friend. The pistol is a WW2 bringback, complete with holster and spare magazine. The pistol was obviously rarely fired- it's in great condition, and exhibits pre WW2 craftsmanship throughout.
We used to shoot it regularly at a public range, and it shot quite well. For giggles, we'd toss some milk jugs, quart and gallon size , onto the earth berm behind the 100 yard target butts. The sights on that PP are pretty rudimentary, but they are enough. You could hear the bullet go through the milk jug when you scored a hit, and if you missed, you could easily see where from the dirt flying.
Your 32 should be fun to shoot, and most 32's I've seen have been nice and small- and narrow- easy to conceal when larger handguns aren't.
Reloading for the 32 ACP isn't difficult, except for one thing- the case is so darn small, handling it sometimes is awkward.

[Larryjk]

The .32 acp is a lot more effective than pointing your finger and saying bang. A knife threat will back away when faced with a pistol, even a .32.

[Adam Helmer]

Larryjk,

I agree with you 100%. I like this little Colt and it is easy to slip into a pocket for CCW carry. I will get a box of the new .32 hollowpoints I saw yesterday at my local gun shop.

Adam

[skeet]

You know..just an impression but the colt seems flatter than the Beretta. Might be nicer to carry. Gonna have to get that ol thing fixed up

[Joe Boleo]

I would carry a .32 ACP if that was all I had available at the time. Take care...
Joe

[popplecop]

Beretta Tomcats are on the chunky sidefor sure, sorta like me. I have a Ruger LCP 380 that is both slimmer and lighter that I usually carry now, but still use the Tomcat at times.

[jon lynn]

I don't have a C&C yet, and was in a nasty part of town (lost) and a gentleman started reaching in his coat to inform me that he did not appreciate my species in his area.

Was he reaching for a weapon? I don't know or care, but I wish I had a pistol/revolver, even a .32 on my person at the time.

In my current state, it is allowable to have a loaded hand gun in the glove compartment, no special permissions needed. But being a government employee, I can have nothing in my POV on government land. I drove to said town straight from work (silly me).

[buckhunter]

Remember who put a 32 to their head and pulled the trigger in 1945 I believe. I bet it would sound like a 44 mag if fired at someone. Chances are the intruder would turn tail and run. Better than nothing.

[Kirkned]

I don't have a C&C yet, and was in a nasty part of town (lost) and a gentleman started reaching in his coat to inform me that he did not appreciate my species in his area.

Was he reaching for a weapon? I don't know or care, but I wish I had a pistol/revolver, even a .32 on my person at the time.

In my current state, it is allowable to have a loaded hand gun in the glove compartment, no special permissions needed. But being a government employee, I can have nothing in my POV on government land. I drove to said town straight from work (silly me).

Who told you this? Do you work on a Military Base? Well then maybe? I know what the company line is, but normally that is just what it is, not found on anything other than some Dumb A$$ Manager's Opinion. You can not have a weapon in your POV? Show me where it states that in the OPM manual. Out west most of the land is Mis-managed by the Government (BLM, BOR, FS and others) and you can certainly carry and/or possess a weapon on those lands. We can carry in most National Parks now. Just because you work for the man does not mean you gave up your rights. Look in to it..... or don't and keep eating the crap they are shoveling you.

As for me, I'd much rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6!

[Skinny Shooter]

Adam that gun might be just the ticket for a new/future gun owner to work with before moving up to 9mm and larger calibers.
Sounds like a neat piece.

[kt]

i have heard a few of the keltec lovers say the 380 is a brute in that little gun they got and the .32 is easier on the hand for such a popular gun so that is an ok reason. beyond that what niche does it fill that we cant fill with todays 380's or 38's. or ppl will call .32's belly guns whatever that means it means they got too close already. yes it is all better than throwing rocks how ever did you ever look at a suspicious looking fella who is built like a tank and say to yourself would one round out of my pocket auto do the trick reliably? i have. i think that would really stink in the case of anything smaller than 380.
kt

[jon lynn]

Kirkned

An individual may not posses a firearm or ammunition on ANY Federal land(s) to include active military post, except for the active duty military member with written permission of the Provost Marshall.

Controlled hunts on US government land(s) include a through search of ones POV, and a check of weapons and ammunition. Usually (all post vary a bit) only a muzzle loader or slugged shotgun can be used. On my last US government installation, 5 rounds 12 gauge, or five loads for .50cal.

I know of a person, with considerable position in the government system, who got socked with a $500 fine for having a half full box of Remington ammo, AND NO WEAPON!