.32 ACP load - The Firearms Forum

Maximilian II · 06-14-2009, 03:17 AM

So, I've been having a lot of fun with my little Hungarian semiauto. I've been using FMJ's so far. My thought is that the .32 is pretty anemic and I'll need as much penetration as possible if I were to need it to protect myself. It's not my primary defense gun but might end up that way since I like carrying it. It's easier to tuck away than my other big, heavy guns.

So the qustion is, what does this esteemed group reccomend as a defensive load in this caliber?
I don't handload as yet, so I'm looking at factory loads here.

Alpo · 06-14-2009, 08:07 AM

I read, some years back, that the 32 ACP ball was a good defensive load, because it had the power to get into the trunk cavity, but no enough to get out. So it just kinda ricochets around inside, bouncing from bone to bone, and making mincemeat out of the internal organs. Good theory, but I don't know if I believe it.

The trouble with "defensive ammo", in an automatic, is you need to shoot a bunch of it, to be absolutely sure it will function in your gun. Being attacked by four thugs, and being armed with an 8-shot 32 is bad enough. Being attacked by four thugs, and your gun fails to feed the second round would truly suck. But "defensive ammo" is outrageously expensive. I think the best load for this caliber would be Glasser Safety Slugs. But they are close to three dollars EACH. So, I'll just go run 100 of those through my gun to make sure they work.

Yeah. If I could afford that, I'd buy a bigger gun.

I've had good luck with Winchester Silvertips, in one of my Colt 1903s. They fed fine. Price ain't too bad. Leastways, it wasn't until ammo prices went crazy. Haven't priced any lately.

GBertolet · 06-14-2009, 09:09 AM

Try Fiochi ammo for your 32ACP. They have a 73 gr fmj that is hot compared to US standards.

Claude Clay · 06-14-2009, 09:21 AM

rimrock 78gr lead on top of 2.2gr of bullseye replicates the velocity and feel of a fiochi or S&B. i can load on my lee about 180 per hour but ain't fun--tiny cases and little bullets. P32 in a wallet holster is a good walk-the-dog gun and walther 4 / colt 1903 among others are fun shooters.load 1.8 gr for older guns and 2.0 is like modern american ammo.
i use bullseye cause it has the least muzzle flash and most velocity for these short bbl guns.

graehaven · 06-14-2009, 11:18 AM

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm

JUNKKING · 06-14-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graehaven

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm

This is a very interesting site. I spent a long while reading here and learning. Thanks for posting it. JUNK

GBertolet · 06-14-2009, 03:04 PM

Be advised it is not wise as from a civil liability viewpoint to use reloaded ammo for social use. Even if you are legal in the use of force. The perp's lawyer or those of his family will try to get a big payday, convincing a jury in civil court that you created this ammo to inflict additional pain and suffering. Don't laugh it's happened. Stick with factory ammo for business and use the reloads for practice.

Alpo · 06-14-2009, 03:16 PM

Please give details about where it happened.

I've heard this, time and again. Prosecutor goin' on and on about you being holed up in your "armory", makin' your "killer bullets" because the stuff you buy in the stores isn't "destructive enough". I just haven't seen anybody list a court case.

Kinda like the folks that say if you shoot cowboy you should not carry. If you shoot somebody they will be painting you as a "wannabe gunslinger, that spends his weekends shooting pretend badguys, and know wanders the streets, looking to make his fantasies happen".

When someone posts a link to a court case, I'll believe it. Until then, I'll just throw the flag.

johnlives4christ · 06-14-2009, 04:27 PM

alpo i kinda seem to agree with you on this, i have heard of the stories, but i haven't seen any proof. they even warned me of reloaded ammo when i took my concealed carry course.

if you where justified in the use of force... and didnt go to criminal court, i dont see how the victim or his family would know you used reloads if he sued you in civil court. it makes some differance where you live at too. here in the hills of kentucky. you can get away with a lot more than you can in a major city. some old man i know shot a couple people with a 12 guage for stealing copper wire out of a house his sister was building... nothing ever come of it... he even refused to give the cops his gun.

just wondering how it really could make a differance.

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 06-14-2009, 05:27 PM

My preferred .32 would be the TT-7.62, which is really 7.65, but it's a Russian thing, I guess.

312shooter · 06-15-2009, 12:37 AM

Around my area we have a little item called the castle doctrine which means I can just about kill someone with rocks loaded into a polish canon if there is an imenent felony on my property OR anywhere I have the right to be, including inside my vehicle, at a friends house or even in a hotel room, and the family cannot seek damages of any kind

Maximilian II · 06-15-2009, 11:53 PM

Another possible "urban myth" about liability has circulated around here. I've been advised to take down any "Beware of Dog" signs. Reason is, you obviously KNEW the dog was dangerous, and shouldn't have left it in your yard where someone jumping your fence to break in your door might get eaten!

06-14-2009, 03:17 AM	#1
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,383	.32 ACP load So, I've been having a lot of fun with my little Hungarian semiauto. I've been using FMJ's so far. My thought is that the .32 is pretty anemic and I'll need as much penetration as possible if I were to need it to protect myself. It's not my primary defense gun but might end up that way since I like carrying it. It's easier to tuck away than my other big, heavy guns. So the qustion is, what does this esteemed group reccomend as a defensive load in this caliber? I don't handload as yet, so I'm looking at factory loads here. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman. -->

06-14-2009, 08:07 AM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,664	Re: .32 ACP load I read, some years back, that the 32 ACP ball was a good defensive load, because it had the power to get into the trunk cavity, but no enough to get out. So it just kinda ricochets around inside, bouncing from bone to bone, and making mincemeat out of the internal organs. Good theory, but I don't know if I believe it. The trouble with "defensive ammo", in an automatic, is you need to shoot a bunch of it, to be absolutely sure it will function in your gun. Being attacked by four thugs, and being armed with an 8-shot 32 is bad enough. Being attacked by four thugs, and your gun fails to feed the second round would truly suck. But "defensive ammo" is outrageously expensive. I think the best load for this caliber would be Glasser Safety Slugs. But they are close to three dollars EACH. So, I'll just go run 100 of those through my gun to make sure they work. Yeah. If I could afford that, I'd buy a bigger gun. I've had good luck with Winchester Silvertips, in one of my Colt 1903s. They fed fine. Price ain't too bad. Leastways, it wasn't until ammo prices went crazy. Haven't priced any lately. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-14-2009, 09:09 AM	#3
GBertolet Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 48	Re: .32 ACP load Try Fiochi ammo for your 32ACP. They have a 73 gr fmj that is hot compared to US standards.

06-14-2009, 09:21 AM	#4
Claude Clay V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 451	Re: .32 ACP load rimrock 78gr lead on top of 2.2gr of bullseye replicates the velocity and feel of a fiochi or S&B. i can load on my lee about 180 per hour but ain't fun--tiny cases and little bullets. P32 in a wallet holster is a good walk-the-dog gun and walther 4 / colt 1903 among others are fun shooters.load 1.8 gr for older guns and 2.0 is like modern american ammo. i use bullseye cause it has the least muzzle flash and most velocity for these short bbl guns. __________________ teachers may learn you the rules; experience will teach you the exceptions. NRA Instructor Last edited by Claude Clay; 06-14-2009 at 09:30 AM..

06-14-2009, 11:18 AM	#5
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: .32 ACP load http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

06-14-2009, 03:04 PM	#7
GBertolet Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 48	Re: .32 ACP load Be advised it is not wise as from a civil liability viewpoint to use reloaded ammo for social use. Even if you are legal in the use of force. The perp's lawyer or those of his family will try to get a big payday, convincing a jury in civil court that you created this ammo to inflict additional pain and suffering. Don't laugh it's happened. Stick with factory ammo for business and use the reloads for practice.

06-14-2009, 03:16 PM	#8
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,664	Re: .32 ACP load Please give details about where it happened. I've heard this, time and again. Prosecutor goin' on and on about you being holed up in your "armory", makin' your "killer bullets" because the stuff you buy in the stores isn't "destructive enough". I just haven't seen anybody list a court case. Kinda like the folks that say if you shoot cowboy you should not carry. If you shoot somebody they will be painting you as a "wannabe gunslinger, that spends his weekends shooting pretend badguys, and know wanders the streets, looking to make his fantasies happen". When someone posts a link to a court case, I'll believe it. Until then, I'll just throw the flag. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-14-2009, 04:27 PM	#9
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: .32 ACP load alpo i kinda seem to agree with you on this, i have heard of the stories, but i haven't seen any proof. they even warned me of reloaded ammo when i took my concealed carry course. if you where justified in the use of force... and didnt go to criminal court, i dont see how the victim or his family would know you used reloads if he sued you in civil court. it makes some differance where you live at too. here in the hills of kentucky. you can get away with a lot more than you can in a major city. some old man i know shot a couple people with a 12 guage for stealing copper wire out of a house his sister was building... nothing ever come of it... he even refused to give the cops his gun. just wondering how it really could make a differance.

06-14-2009, 05:27 PM	#10
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,832	Re: .32 ACP load My preferred .32 would be the TT-7.62, which is really 7.65, but it's a Russian thing, I guess. __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service

06-15-2009, 12:37 AM	#11
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: .32 ACP load Around my area we have a little item called the castle doctrine which means I can just about kill someone with rocks loaded into a polish canon if there is an imenent felony on my property OR anywhere I have the right to be, including inside my vehicle, at a friends house or even in a hotel room, and the family cannot seek damages of any kind

06-15-2009, 11:53 PM	#12
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,383	Re: .32 ACP load Another possible "urban myth" about liability has circulated around here. I've been advised to take down any "Beware of Dog" signs. Reason is, you obviously KNEW the dog was dangerous, and shouldn't have left it in your yard where someone jumping your fence to break in your door might get eaten! __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.