.32 acp better than .38acp?

[44Ruger]

Hopefully all my linking works here and G-rat makes it over........

@G-rat said he thought .32acp was way better than .38acp in another thread.

WTS/WTT Kel-Tec P32 - West Pensacola

Hey guys, I have a like new Keltec P32 (semi-auto .32 acp) I’d like to sell or trade. These are like finding “gold” right now and I own 2 of these and am willing to let one go for the right “deal.” All trade offers considered. At only 6.6 ounces, .75” wide and 7+1 capacity, the P32 is an...

www.gulfcoastgunforum.com

I didn't want to clutter up that for sale thread but would like to hear more of his thoughts or anybody else's thoughts on this comparison. I've only read that the 380 was almost twice the round over a 32. I'm pretty sure the data shows that also.

FYI I like the Keltec P32 and have had a couple. Great pocket gun. But is it "better" than a .38. The main reason I ask is after a recent side to side comparison of the P32 to the newish Ruger LCPII they are essentially the same size gun but the Ruger comes in what I thought to be "more powerful" in 380.

 

[G-rat]

https://americanshootingjournal.com/32acp-vs-380acp/

its a capacity and barrel length issue. .32acp does better in shorter barrels and often gives 1 or 2 more rounds in mags. .380 out of a Browning BDA or Beretta 84 it wins because of longer barrels it benefits from more powder burn. i'm no expert, but more rounds are better...

 

[G-rat]

Both are hardly adequate self defense rounds. Much better to step up to a micro 9mm.

http://nebula.wsimg.com/fb54bbe7bcde47ffde93ea48ce9b9f13?AccessKeyId=D0DCC35FC05D0FC60556&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Lucky Gunner has a good article on the testing of small caliber pistols’ terminal ballistics.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.

www.luckygunner.com

Wouldn't carry either one personally.

 

[44Ruger]

Lots of good data for thought. thanks for all so far.

As to carry a P32 or not, it's so much lighter to carry in my summer shorts than a Ruger LC9s so it gets carried a lot as does the LC9s. And it looks like the Fiocchi 73g FMJ I use will penetrate 16.8".

Better than my dull stick (cane).

 

[FrommerStop]

Lots of good data for thought. thanks for all so far.

As to carry a P32 or not, it's so much lighter to carry in my summer shorts than a Ruger LC9s so it gets carried a lot as does the LC9s. And it looks like the Fiocchi 73g FMJ I use will penetrate 16.8".

Better than my dull stick (cane).

A .32 in the hand is better than a 9x19 left home. Smaller pistols work not always, but usually reasonably well when fired at close into the face or head for stopping a threat.
French Trench Sweepers used knives, ruby .32 automatic pistols, and just about anything else with success in WWI. The ranges were at bad breath distances. Pistol are pistols and most pistols if judged by the same standards we use for hunting weapons would not be deemed adequate for killing deer or other larger game. but a bigger pistols is better than smaller pistol for first by giving better shot placement and two making a bigger hole.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2018/11/9/world-war-i-pistols-trench-sweepers

 

[DSPLCD1]

I'm not sure about any of you, but I don't want to be shot with anything. Not even a B.B.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

P3at .380 vs KT PF9. Extended mag on the p3at gives you 10 shots, vs 6. Pf9 8 rds of magnum force 9mm!!! Look at the taurus g2c as well. The pf9 is just under 16 oz loaded. Pair with a galco lite shoulder holster and pocket sleeve and your set. Drop safe....its important, you will fumble it at some point. ANY firearm on your person is better than 5 soul sucking 1911's at home. The lighter and smaller it is, the more you will carry it. Ymmv.

 

[Jkelly1229]

As someone stated above 32 was a military cartridge through 2 wars. it's killed plenty of people. Would it be my first choice no. But I carry a cz p10f or glock 17 even during hot months. If you're confident in your ability with it shoot it. One big difference of 32 over 380 is it doesn't feel like you're getting ninja kicked in the hand every shot like most mouse gun 380s so you may actually train with it.

 

[Southalabama]

Years ago I was involved in a homicide case. The deceased was shot with 380 hollow points.

They didn’t expand and looked like they had come out of the box except that they were removed in autopsy.

The guy was dead.

 

[BluesBrother]

Federal has come out with some new .22lr self defense ammo. Would I carry a .22lr for serious self defense? Hell no. But it's way better than a sharp stick. And .22's make a lot of noise out of a 2-3 inch barrel. If you miss the perp might think he's being shined upon. Or karma hasn't caught up to him yet and consider himself lucky that day and run like crazy. There are other videos on this Federal ammo. It's pretty impressive for .22lr. Shot out of a rifle the velocity is that of a Stinger with greater perpetration. It's been independently tested at 1070 fps out of a two inch barrel.

 

[FrommerStop]

Federal has come out with some new .22lr self defense ammo. Would I carry a .22lr for serious self defense? Hell no. But it's way better than a sharp stick. And .22's make a lot of noise out of a 2-3 inch barrel. If you miss the perp might think he's being shined upon. Or karma hasn't caught up to him yet and consider himself lucky that day and run like crazy. There are other videos on this Federal ammo. It's pretty impressive for .22lr. Shot out of a rifle the velocity is that of a Stinger with greater perpetration. It's been independently tested at 1070 fps out of a two inch barrel.

I assume federal has some reasons for thinking this particular .22 is better than others. I think a 40 gr bullet would be going about 800 plus feet per second out of a 2-3 inch barrel vs 1070 for the 29 grain bullet of this particular loading.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Federal has come out with some new .22lr self defense ammo. Would I carry a .22lr for serious self defense? Hell no. But it's way better than a sharp stick. And .22's make a lot of noise out of a 2-3 inch barrel. If you miss the perp might think he's being shined upon. Or karma hasn't caught up to him yet and consider himself lucky that day and run like crazy. There are other videos on this Federal ammo. It's pretty impressive for .22lr. Shot out of a rifle the velocity is that of a Stinger with greater perpetration. It's been independently tested at 1070 fps out of a two inch barrel.

Think that's good, look at these. If I were to use a 22. 1850 fps.

 

[FrommerStop]

Think that's good, look at these. If I were to use a 22. 1850 fps.

But that velocity is not good for a 2-3 barrel. But that 21 grain bullet out of a rifle length barrel it would likely penetrate some vests.

 

[FNHman]

If a bent knee to a neck can kill a man, then surely every round in this thread will do just fine. I keep a 380 close by most of the time.

 

[FrommerStop]

If a bent knee to a neck can kill a man, then surely every round in this thread will do just fine. I keep a 380 close by all the time.

I just keep a lot of loaded guns near by along with bulldogs.

 

[BluesBrother]

Think that's good, look at these. If I were to use a 22. 1850 fps.

As is noted that velocity is not achieved from a 2-3 inch barrel. Not talking apples to apples.

 

[BluesBrother]

I assume federal has some reasons for thinking this particular .22 is better than others. I think a 40 gr bullet would be going about 800 plus feet per second out of a 2-3 inch barrel vs 1070 for the 29 grain bullet of this particular loading.

I think the folks at CCI are innovators. They are always looking to improve on the brand. Sometimes they hit a home run sometimes they strike out. But they set the standard. IMO

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

As is noted that velocity is not achieved from a 2-3 inch barrel. Not talking apples to apples.

Right, all of the short barrels won't make max speed, and a revolver would be even less. I know better than to believe #'s printed on a box, but the lighter bullet should do well.

 

[BluesBrother]

Right, all of the short barrels won't make max speed, and a revolver would be even less. I know better than to believe #'s printed on a box, but the lighter bullet should do well.

As I pointed out there are other videos on this ammo. I post a short video as a FYI introduction to inform viewers that have interest in .22lr as a defensive ammo this is availability. The CCI velocity claims are independently verified.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Just looked it up. Naa revolver did +900 with the copper 22. Not bad. Fed ammo looks good. They took a page from the hunting group using a flat point and hard cast (type) ammo.