Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 32 ACP for CCW?

Any opinions on this?

Better than nothing, and I can't see how a .32 caliber GoldDot placed well (esp. with a few "friends" in addition) would not be effective.

But, there are better options that conceal as well, or nearly so. The .380 can be had in basically (if not absolutely) identical platforms, and 9x19s are made nearly as small and concealable now, and are unquestionably more effective.

Still, the .32ACP is better than nothing.

it is my carry choice when in the city.Small concealable and effective if needed.

There are better choices obviously. You are betting your life on what you carry. If one is ok with the .32acp, fine. I prefer bigger. As previously stated, the .32acp is better than nothing. The first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun, the .32acp meets that criteria.

What ammo would you recommend?

For "low-risk" days, I have a .32 acp. Beretta Tom Cat Inox pistol that I choose to carry. It's not the smallest or the lightest of pistols out there- but it IS one of my favorites.

I just enjoy its company.

Speer GoldDots.

I carry them in everything I carry, except for the 10mm Auto (Winchester SilverTip JHPs, there) and the .45LC (hardcasts).

Standard ball rounds......not enough velocity to get the real benefit of an HP........IMHO and others. Having said that, weather conditions and people's attire given such, also a good indicator of what might be more effective. However, I prefer to find one load which best fits what I deem important for each firearm/cal./cartridge and then stick with it.

I use Fiocchi 73gr. ball rounds....

And so does T LEE, so you two are in good company!

Try the GoldDots into test material. That'll change your mind.

Nope, it won't, the penetration to vitals is needed with such a small caliber thus the ball ammo.

'Sides Gold dots and other HP .32 ACP ammo most time will NOT penetrate a human sternum.

I was editing as you and VA were postin'........

My editing left out Mr. Ayoob this time around as I don't want to become known as a strict "follower" of anyone's idea's, but my decision was largely based on a very well written article by him some years back.

Made sense then and now. Living in the rather cold PNW (only 9 months of the year...) also played into having gone the ball route.

I "cheat" i'll tote the beretta .32 in one pocket and the naa minirevolver .22 in another.Is it because i'm paranoid or "supertactical"? nah i leave the minirevolver in my pants and forget about it.Ammo? winchester ball .32 cause that's all the gunshop can keep shot a coupla boxes through the lil beretta it'll work remmy yellow jackets in the minirevolver it likes them.

Veryyyyyyy interesting!

Like two guns. To steal from Clint Smith: One is none and two is one.

There was a time when it was the standard police caliber in Europe. That said, I would only consider it for a pocket gun or back up.

+1 Why handicap yourself? However the 32 might well give you an advantage in the fistfight that most likely will ensue with a jacked-up, determined attacker.

MM

I might, sometimes.....maybe always, could have one in a pocket somewheres but I won't say for sure.

Yep, that's always been my thinking regarding the pipsqueak rounds too.

The cartridges that would be worse for CCW than a .32 ACP make for a short list. Gelatin penetration with hollow points is similar to a .22 LR. Bullet energy flirts on either side of 100 ft/lbs. Some of the bizarro loadings, such as Glaser and Magsafe, do much better, but still less than half the performance of a 9mm.