KelTec .32 Good for 2000 rounds?

[Rapalyea]

The KelTec .32 ACP  offers just about the most fire power per ounce available on the planet. And more potent then my Black Widow. The only reason I carry the BW instead of one of the .380's I already own is I never could get good with any of them.

I figure the little .32 might be worth a try. First, it has a lock back last round slide, which means easy to quick change magazines. Plus I think it has an extra round. And with its low recoil might actually last for a case or two.

Or perhaps not. SWAGS authorized......

[MR_22]

There are plenty of Kel-Tec P32 owners with that type of history, so sure. They're a pretty durable gun. I've had one for probably about 12 years. I originally bought mine to replace my Black Widow as my primary carry--and I did carry it a lot. I have since moved on to something bigger, tho.

In fact, my carry history went form .22 Magnum, to .32ACP. .380ACP, 9mm, and now to .40S&W, over the past 10 or 12 years. Except, I think I'll go back down to 9mm for summer carry, while leaving .40S&W as my winter carry option--because of size and weight. I also have a .45ACP Rock Island 1911 that *may* get winter carry. We'll see. I've always been a double-action-only carrier, so the cocked-and-locked feels strange to me. (I have carried a Rock Island .22TCM 1911 in cocked-and-locked state, but it gave me the willies at first, LOL. Too A double-stack 1911 is almost too heavy for carry, tho.)

I think .32ACP would be a good replacement for .22Magnum, if only to have a more reliable round. .22Magnum is actually a very capable round. When I bought my first Black Widow (also my first NAA!), I was debating about going with the Black Widow or the Kel-Tec P32. The Black WIdow originally won out because ammo was cheaper for practice (it included the .22LR cylinder) and I figured practicing with my carry weapon was a most important factor. Eventually, I did end up getting the Kel-Tec .32 as well, tho.

I say get it and see how it goes. You can always move back down to .22Magnum and get a new gun in the process.

[RogueTS1]

Better yet; get both and carry both. Two guns is always better than one. The only thing better than two guns is three guns.....................

There is a multitude of ways to carry what one needs comfortably.

[OV-1D]

  That must be Batmans belt with all that stuff you have there .

[Uncle_Lee]

I agree, 2 is better than one, but 3 is better than 2, on up to 5 is better than 4.
This is cold coat weather and I carry 5.
2-9s
2-22mags
1-380

It comes down to balance.
Same weight on opposite sides cancels out each other.

When it is no longer coat weather, I drop the 9s and carry just 3.

[Goatpacker]

Don't really want to sound like a Butt, but a KelTec is not a NAA product!!! There is a section for none NAA firearms!!!

[ikoiko]

Thanks for pointing out posting protocol. Keeps things tidier, but thread drift plays a part in keeping things interesting. I'm a guilty drifter despite my efforts. Sometimes I'm the cause, and other times the continuation of the drift . . . And sometimes I walk the line . . . Other times I'm out of line. Apologies for that.

[Javier C.]

Goatpacker makes a good point.  This is the "NAA Products" category, and any other brand name posting should be listed elsewhere.  Perhaps an Admin can move this interesting subject over to the proper location?  It is worth further consideration.

However, since the question was posed, if I'm going to consider a .32 ACP for carry purposes, I'll plunk my money down for another Beretta 3032 Tomcat.  Had one before, until a nephew chose it from my collection for his "present" upon graduation from Police Academy.  (Was sad to see it go, but I had given my word, so...he has it now.)  Had it for decades and liked all the features it possessed, particularly the "tip-up barrel" for loading and unloading the chamber.

[Kevin55]

You Should ask Kel-Tec. 

My Makerov manual states it has a life of 800 (?) rounds.  Never designed as a range gun.  Good enough for some practice.

I have a KelTec P11.  It had a common issue (forget what), so it went back.  It has been flawless.  KelTec has stated that they don't do as much QC checking to keep cost low.  Any pistol that makes a round trip comes back buffed.

I wore out the slide stop on my Glock.  They were puzzled that it happened.  The notch on the slide wore out frome being released.  No other issues with the G17.

[RogueTS1]

Specially designed utility belt obtained from Wayne Industries. It has a special modulator affixed in the buckle that makes it appear to be a normal leather ranger belt. LOL; not necessarily does all that gear go on my belt. I have numerous ways in which it can be loaded out between bags, belt and pockets.

[TwoGunJayne]

I thought Makarovs never die?

Anyway, the more I can carry, the better. I want a Batman belt now.

[RogueTS1]

I will put in a good word for you TGJ when/if they go into civilian production.

[heyjoe]

ive looked at kel tec p32 a number of times. i just could never get past the rim lock issues some of them seem to have vs other 32 acp's. im happy with my .32acp guardian, and seecamp as well as .32 acp derringer.

[OV-1D]

Specially designed utility belt obtained from Wayne Industries. It has a special modulator affixed in the buckle that makes it appear to be a normal leather ranger belt. LOL; not necessarily does all that gear go on my belt. I have numerous ways in which it can be loaded out between bags, belt and pockets.

  What the heck do you use the bamboo mat for ??   

[RogueTS1]

I use that to roll sushi out of the bad guys if I have to drop one. The pigs love bad guy sushi.

[OV-1D]

  OOOHHHHHHHH !!! O.K. then ........... just remember were all your friends here so don't get too excited remain calm . hahaha .

[ikoiko]

ive looked at kel tec p32 a number of times. i just could never get past the rim lock issues some of them seem to have vs other 32 acp's. im happy with my .32acp guardian, and seecamp as well as .32 acp derringer.

There is a factory spacer that you can buy to prevent rim lock. http://www.keltecweapons.com/p-32-and-p-3at/p-32-accessories/p32-314-rim-lock-spacer-7451/

And I have seen make your own instructions online.

Though I can see how the factory "accessory option" doesn't instill a lot of faith in their product, nor the do-it-yourself instructions either.

[G50AE]

It's too bad Glock does not make an ultra-mini .32ACP.

[stantheman86]

Don't trust the Com Bloc "service life" figures....the Czechs gave the CZ75 a service life of something like 12,000 rounds but the CZ shooting team has 75's with 80,000+ rounds through them that keep going with parts replacement and maintenance.

I think your Kel Tec .32 will last for more rounds than you think, with just periodic recoil spring replacement. If you're concerned about the lifespan pick up another Kel Tec .32 and use one for carry and one for training.

The quoted service life for these guns is probably more like how many rounds between armored service.

Makarovs will go for 10's of thousands of rounds. There are probably Makarovs made in the 70's or 80's still in service in the former Communist Bloc.

[mabbent]

Rimlock is common on all .32 Auto semiautomatic pistols, it's a function of the round design. It's only seen with short OAL hollow point rounds, the factory or DIY magazine mod places a wire at the back of the magazine to take up the slack.  Kel-Tec's have a lifetime warranty to the original owner, after that $40.00 seems to be the standard charge for out-warranty repairs.

[Uncle_Lee]

Thread drift is good.
We live under enough rules in life the way it is.
I like the old forum better because it was so much more rule free.
People living under forum rules carried them here.
Lost a lot of good folks over that.

[OV-1D]

Better yet; get both and carry both. Two guns is always better than one. The only thing better than two guns is three guns.....................

There is a multitude of ways to carry what one needs comfortably.

  Roguets ................what do you carry in your other pocket ?? 

[antares_b]

I love my P32. Extremely flat and light, holds 8+1 rounds with the extended magazine, and never malfunctions--even with hollowpoints. That magazine extension kit, though expensive and ugly, is key. It makes the gun much easier to control and doesn't significantly affect concealability.

I don't know if the gun will last for 2,000 rounds, but the lifetime warranty means I don't have to worry about it.

[RogueTS1]

Better yet; get both and carry both. Two guns is always better than one. The only thing better than two guns is three guns.....................

There is a multitude of ways to carry what one needs comfortably.

  Roguets ................what do you carry in your other pocket ?? 

My money clip.........................

[OV-1D]

 Go ahead and tell me Roguets you carry the money clip in the other pocket to equal out the weight , .

[RogueTS1]

That would be one way of looking at it.

[grayelky]

Mine has been. It is one of the first 60,000 produced. The finish has worn some, but that is to be expected. I concur with your assessment of power per ounce. If you have not shot one, remember the Laws of Physics still apply. They are light and thin. There is no weight to help absorb recoil, and the grip does not help.

KelTec has changed their warranty. If you buy it used, no warranty. If you buy it new, keep the receipt for a lifetime warranty. KelTecs are not the prettiest, not the best finished, nor the best re-sale. They are the lightest, most cost efficient guns on the market, in my opinion.