Posted: 3/24/2011 8:28:53 PM EDT
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I will hopefully be selling my Kahr PM9 soon and plan to use some of the funds to get a P32 to fill the niche the PM9 just wasnt able to fill. I carry my Glock 19 everywhere and barely carry my Kahr PM9. My only need for a small gun is to carry while working out and taking my son to the park. If I carry my Glock to the park I cant play with my son because innevitably my shirt will ride up and show my 19. The Kahr just never fit this niche because it was still too big and heavy.
I live in central Texas so I'm going to guess the Kel Tec P32 would be best for my needs equipped with a stainless slide? Its freaking humid and hot here much of the year and I'm already sweatier than average. So this gun will be moist to say the least. Has anyone had any problems with rust on the stainless or blued versions? I'll be whiping it down after each workout session. The P32 will be carried with the Keltec Pocket Clip and will be carried IWB with a belt. I was also wondering about the +1 mag extensions from Keltec? I would like the extra capacity if it wont sacrafice reliability. |
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There is no stainless version available, but the hard chrome is IMHO even better. I've had mine for ten years, and there is no sign of rust on the slide. The frame is aluminium so that isn't going to rust. The only rust I've seen on mine is on the hammer where the finish rubbed off, and cycling the action gets rid of where it contacts with the bottom of the slide. I just looked, and it's pitted slightly, but considering you should leave a little grease on it that shouldn't matter at all.z
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How are you carrying your 19? IWB or OWB? Just curious. It may be a simple wardrobe change or holster change rather than a new gun. But since any time is a good time to by a new gun, lets talk P32!
I have a first generation P32 with the hard chromed slide. No corrosion problems with it. I pocket carry since I just couldn't get used to drawing with the clip. Use what works for you though. Its not a bad handgun. Just a very small one and a weak caliber by any measure of defensive handguns. But its better than being unarmed. I usually carry a G26 in a Crossbreed Supertuck. It carries well enough. The P32 just drops right in the pocket and rides along without notice. I have started to carry it in a Galco leather pocket holster just to limit printing in thin summer weight pants. Its pretty humid around here too in the summer and I sweat like a pig anyway so I wipe the gun down if I have been sweating a bunch or just every other day or so as general maintenance. I load it with Fiocchi 73 gr FMJ because it was the hottest round I could find around here for it. I stay away from the HP's after looking at GoldenLoki's site but if I was going to carry HP's i think I would stick with the CorBon and do the flywire upgrade on the magazine for them. Otherwise its FMJ ammo. Another thought: Why the P32? Most folks are moving to the P3AT or the Ruger LCP for this type of carry. I don't think there is enough difference out of these short barrels to make a large difference but others are pretty convinced they need the .380. Honestly I think I would buy a .380 if I didn't already have the .32. Just seems like they are doing more with ammo for the .380. I don't think you can go wrong with either one though in something this small and for its intended role. |
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on KTOG there's a link to a gunsmith who will nickel plate the Kel Tecs inexpensively. you can find a blued KT easier than a HC one, buy it cheaper, do a fluff and buff, break it in aand make sure it runs and THEN send the slide off for plating. he also does mags for a few bucks too.
buuut, i carry a G19 IWB in a UCR holster from these here- www.threatsolutions.com/IWBindex.html and never carry my p32. if i were buying a mousegun today, i think i'd probably go with a LCP instead of a p32 or P3AT, but then i'd buy the factory hard chrome version... surprised that Ruger hasn't iffered a stainless LCP. |
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On the Glock 19...I carry it IWB with a Comp-Tac MTAC Slide model. Although I have a large amount of clothing I cannot wear because I almost demand to carry my Glock 19, much to my wife's dismay, I have also recognized there are a few instances where I just cannot carry the Glock 19. These situations primarily revolve around outdoor activity that is more rigorous than normal. I like to go jogging while pushing my son in the stroller, we usually stop by the playground and I like to chase my son, play with him, and get some more PT in while he plays. All of this vigorous activity makes carrying my Glock 19 all but impossible. I've tried it with my G19 and Kahr PM9. Both are too heavy to run with for any distance comfortably. I've had my hip rubbed raw by trying this. Not to mention jumping around and climbing on the playground tend to expose any reasonably sized handgun when my shirt rides up.
So I started to look for an acceptable handgun that I can carry with me during these times and on any other rare occasion where I cannot conceal my 19. I concluded that the P32 would be the best choice for several reasons. It is probably the lightest and thinnest semi-auto handgunm which are two big parts of my selection criteria. I chose the 32acp caliber because recoil will be less than 380 which means follow up shots will be much faster and wear and tear on the gun will be reduced. Also the 380 and 32acp calibers are fairly close in muzzle energy and bullet weight. Plus with the 32acp I get 1 additional round, which I consider more important than the nominal increase in power with the 380. Plus I can find the 32acp caliber easier and for less money than the 380. My local shop has parkerized P3ATs in stock for $259.99. |
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Quoted: On the Glock 19...I carry it IWB with a Comp-Tac MTAC Slide model. Although I have a large amount of clothing I cannot wear because I almost demand to carry my Glock 19, much to my wife's dismay, I have also recognized there are a few instances where I just cannot carry the Glock 19. These situations primarily revolve around outdoor activity that is more rigorous than normal. I like to go jogging while pushing my son in the stroller, we usually stop by the playground and I like to chase my son, play with him, and get some more PT in while he plays. All of this vigorous activity makes carrying my Glock 19 all but impossible. I've tried it with my G19 and Kahr PM9. Both are too heavy to run with for any distance comfortably. I've had my hip rubbed raw by trying this. Not to mention jumping around and climbing on the playground tend to expose any reasonably sized handgun when my shirt rides up. Have you tried pocket carry with the PM9? |
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Quoted:
Another thought: Why the P32? Most folks are moving to the P3AT or the Ruger LCP for this type of carry. I don't think there is enough difference out of these short barrels to make a large difference but others are pretty convinced they need the .380. Honestly I think I would buy a .380 if I didn't already have the .32. Just seems like they are doing more with ammo for the .380. I don't think you can go wrong with either one though in something this small and for its intended role. I have the exact same pistols as the OP. Glock 19 carried all day, nearly every day. And a Kahr PM9, which is too big to work as a BUG. I have been thinking about a P32 for a few days now. My dad got one of the first P32s and I shot it quite a bit. I have owned a P3AT in the past. And have had a few opportunities to shoot LCPs as well, as it seems everyone around here has one. Not only can I shoot the P32 better, it is surprisingly accurate. Plus it locks open when empty. |
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I have looked for ammo lately and can find more .32 ACP around here but .380 ACP is pretty scarce. Your areas may be different. I'm gonna hang on to my P-32.
Back to the original intent of the thread: If you carry the 19 you can run the P-32, P-3AT or LCP the same way and its easy to carry a spare mag with these little guns for failures or reloads. They're dirt simple. I carry my 19 or a 26 sometimes and pocket carry the P-32 when I dress real light. For me it isn't as much about not being able to conceal the 19 in shorts and t-shirt as it is about weight with loose summer clothes. Even a good belt will sag more with my loose cargo shorts and I find myself "adjusting" more. The P-32 in the right front pocket and a spare mag in the left back pocket carries well in those circumstances. |
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I have a Gen 1 P32 and love it. the 32ACP in a hot Euro load like Prvi has almost the same energy as a 380. Go see OPs box of truth tests for "scientific" testing of the 32ACP P32 is better than a 3AT for three reasons 1. extra round 2. Slide locks on empty mag. no "click" of death when you are empty 3. easier to shoot well, lower recoil, which means better hits if you have to use it. I have mine hard chromed |
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I must second and agree with all the positive comments on the P32. I carry one daily and will shamefully admit that I carry it sometimes when I could carry my main carry weapon in 9MM. Corrosion maintenance on the slide is mandatory. Even when you are carrying in your pocket while in nice clothes, it will show signs of rusting. I clean mine about once a week whether it needs it or not. A cheap leather pocket holster is where I keep mine. I did have a Desantis Nemissis for it, but the sweat and grunge caused it to stay funky and sticky. Change your pocket holster about once a year as well.
The only time this weapon has been fired in anger is at snakes while mowing the lawn. One thing I can really personally say is that this pistol is very accurate in the one to ten foot range when drawn fast! I am so good with it that I would like to start a new action shooting stage that involves dispatching snakes from a riding lawn mower with the P32. 
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Quoted:
I must second and agree with all the positive comments on the P32. I carry one daily and will shamefully admit that I carry it sometimes when I could carry my main carry weapon in 9MM. Corrosion maintenance on the slide is mandatory. Even when you are carrying in your pocket while in nice clothes, it will show signs of rusting. I clean mine about once a week whether it needs it or not. A cheap leather pocket holster is where I keep mine. I did have a Desantis Nemissis for it, but the sweat and grunge caused it to stay funky and sticky. Change your pocket holster about once a year as well. The only time this weapon has been fired in anger is at snakes while mowing the lawn. One thing I can really personally say is that this pistol is very accurate in the one to ten foot range when drawn fast! I am so good with it that I would like to start a new action shooting stage that involves dispatching snakes from a riding lawn mower with the P32. 
Lawnmower races with a shootin' pass at some snake targets. That might make The Judge the most favored weapon of lawnmower operators  . Throw in some yellowjacket nests and you will have your own TV show.
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