[Newbe64]

UPDATE: New P32 Review & Question

Got my new P32 to a local range today and put 100 rds of Fiocchi 73g fmj through it. I attached one target below shot from 5 yds with pretty good results. First a few observations.

1. I field stripped and lightly oiled the gun before firing. No f&b or anything else.
2. Recoil surprised me. I expected it to be milder and it was really on par with my old P3AT. Not harsh but most definitely there. (Lets me know there is some real power in the 32acp)
3. The gun grouped well (for my ability) and was easily controllable with both the std & 10rd mags. Most shots were at 5yds.
4. I had numerous FTE on the first box of ammo. More about that below.

About the fte: I was going to take a picture but after ~50rds she ran smooth with no fte so I didn't get a pic. The fte left the spent shell casing hanging about a 1/4" out of the barrel and was a pain to clear because the next round was blocking it somewhat, so it required pushing the next round back down in the mag, dropping the mag and racking the slide.

I was getting fte about every 3rd round on the first 50rds (I did switch boxes to try both boxes) and got frustrated. It was like the extractor was not picking up the rim or the casing expanded in the barrel but then it all went smooth and I ran about 7 straight mags with no problems.

Should I go ahead and f&b the gun? I was thinking about running another 100 rds through it and see what happens. Any comments or advice are welcomed. Thanks.

 

[rweber01]

Go ahead and f&b the gun it won't hurt. Then try another 100 rds and see if it improves.
You may not have had the FTE in the first place if you did it before.
Looks like good hits on target.

Bob

 

[TxCajun]

Fluff and buff won't hurt but breaking it in is the main thing.

 

[Newbe64]

Okay I'll do a little of the f&b around the ramp/breachface/chamber then shoot another 100. That Fiocchi 73g has some real snap to it.

Thanks.

 

[Newbe64]

One more question: It looks like a quiet Christmas weekend and I plan to f&b my feedramp and chamber. Is this the best link to follow or is there something else? Thanks.

http://www.ktog.org/tecwerks10.htm

 

[Dukes4Aces]

For argument's sake go get yourself a box of Remington FMJ 71 grain to rule out ammo. if the results are the same procced to fluff & buff- which really is an accelerated break in process. I went right to the fluff and buff process when it was new and never had a one failure of any kind

 

[CJP32]

Check the extractor screw and make sure it's tight. I would also make sure the extractor isn't damaged. Check the chamber for any roughness too.

Fiocchi is one of the best so I'd be surprised if it was the problem but it sure couldn't hurt to try others. It's definitely hotter than American loaded ammo which is a good thing IMO.

I would also suggest using grease on any parts that slide past each other, mainly the slide rails and a little on the hammer interface. KTs tend to run better that way.

 

[Newbe64]

I'll check the extractor screw, the extractor tip looks fine. The inside of the chamber is a tad rough, not bad but toolmarks are evident so I'll lightly buff those down. Also plan the hit the inside of the trigger guard with some 600 grit paper. There's a tiny molding seam in there I want to knock down. Thanks again for all the comments. Still can't get over that Fiocchi 73g load, it's a pleasant surprise in small package.

 

[Dukes4Aces]

Yup-Hit all those seams. I bought a p32 for my wife and made it as smooth as a baby's butt. Even hit the grip to take a touch of the coarse feeling for her.

 

[CJP32]

Sounds like a good plan. When you polish the chamber it's best to polish in the same direction that the cartridge moves. I used some very fine sandpaper wrapped around a pencil, that worked pretty well.

 

[Newbe64]

I did a light fluff & buff on the chamber and feed ramp and fired another box of 50 Fiocchi 73g fmj today. I got 2 fte out of the entire box and both occurred using the 10 rd mag. This was a big improvement over the first box fired.

I kept one of the fte cases and could barely get it back into the chamber. The fit was very snug while unfired cartridges slide in and out easily. I assume the slightly higher pressure of this load is part of the issue and with a full break in of 500+ rounds she should run smooth. I do plan to try Dukes4Aces idea of a lighter load if the ftes continue.

It was also clear that the f&b I did was about like firing a couple hundred rounds. Just knocks a touch of metal off here and there that would have occurred over time. The finger extension on the 7 rd mag really makes a difference too. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Dukes4Aces]

so it sounds like most or all of the FTE are related to the 10 Rd. Mags!?!? I understand from some of the other posts that the 10-round magazines are a hit-or-miss for reliability. Thx for the update and Good luck.

 

[Newbe64]

The 10 rounder did today, whether that's directly related to the jam I do not know. The standard mag had a few jams on the first 50 shots through the new gun but none over the next 100rds. I was loading both mags and firing alternately. It was nice to run ~10 straight 7 rd mags with no problems. I'm really starting to like this gun. The tan over tan is sharp and it doesn't "burn" my palm like my old P3AT did.

 

[Dukes4Aces]

Cool tan/tan... sounds like you could Bet Your Life on the 7 rounders maybe not so much on the 10 Rounders.

 

[Gray_Fox]

No 'expert' here but sounds like you just need some break in time/ammo with some of the hot European stuff. My P-32 has been all but flawless right out of the box now nearly seventeen years ago, and still puttering along nicely with the standard magazines and even short HPs!

Hold that target up to your midsection or upper chest in front of a full length mirror for a little bit of an eye opener! .32's are considered by the professional gun fighting crowd as 'mouse guns'. But as a rule, most mopes don't want a belly full hot lead either. Size, weight, and concealability have a trade off in stopping power, but better to have a mouser than pointing your finger and yelling harsh language.

Considering the millions of .32s and sub compact .380s out there, I'm sure if the figures could be known, hundreds of assaults, rapes, and murders are averted every year simply by presenting the business end of one at an attacker or attackers. The little pistol is then pocketed, and the potential 'statistic' goes about their lives with no one, especially the authorities in anti gun paradises, none the wiser.

I myself once changed a carload of angry white boy's minds simply by going into a certain pocket with obvious look ill will on my face. They knew I wasn't going in there for some candy, and they suddenly remembered pressing business in another county.

As they like St. Nick of old, "drove out of sight", I withdrew my hand from said pocket which had closed on empty air and pocket lint! I had forgotten my then CCW carry piece, a .380 AMT DAO BACKUP loaded with HydroShocks on the dresser a home nearly two blocks away! (This was winter '95.)

Trick was that I didn't hesitate going for that pocket when danger presented itself, and I didn't let my 'Clint Squint' falter a moment when I found the pocket full of cold air and snow flakes either!

As I say. "Mouse guns" have their niche, and better to have one than a sharp stick or a snowball!


"We don't hold grudges. We remember the facts."

Gray_Fox
Old Secessh

 

[Newbe64]

Update

Took my P32 back to the range this afternoon and ran about 150 rounds through it and I am happy to report the gun ran flawlessly with the standard 7 rd mag. I shot the hot Fiocchi 73g fmj again. The 10 round mag did have issues, I had 2 fte in the first 3 mags and got "rimlocked" on the fourth mag and couldn't get it freed up. I switched to 7 rd mag exclusively and got the 10 rd mag apart at home. Looks like a great fun little gun with the standard mag.

For comparison purposes I brought along an NAA Guardian 32 I recently bought and not fired. The NAA had 2 light strikes in the first 2 mags. Since it's DAO a second pull fired the cartridges. I had one more light strike a fews mags later. Both guns group well at the 10 to 15 foot distances they're designed for but the NAA really jumped around in my hand more (it's a tad smaller but heavier) and actually hurt my trigger finger pretty quickly. The Keltec is far more fun to shoot with a better trigger and lighter recoil despite it's lighter weight.

Overall I was not pleased with the Keltec 10 rd mag or the NAA's gritty trigger, light strikes and recoil impulse. The P32 itself is the real winner. I like it.

 

[Dukes4Aces]

Good news NewBe... Enjoy your P32. My wife just got her CCW in the mail and is carrying her P32. I bet my life on mine (and F&B-broke hers in) and she can bet her life on hers. We both run PMC 71 Gr. Rd. Nose.

 

[Remington74]

I would park that ten round mag and pick up another one or two seven round mags. Take the time to carefully clean and inspect the ten round mag, I would replace the mag spring and maybe the follower as well. IF it gets to the point of becoming reliable in the future I would just use it for the range and use the seven round for carry. I got lucky and now my two ten round mags are working just fine, but I have the seven round in the gun and a spare seven in my pocket.

 

[Newbe64]

I would park that ten round mag and pick up another one or two seven round mags. Take the time to carefully clean and inspect the ten round mag, I would replace the mag spring and maybe the follower as well. IF it gets to the point of becoming reliable in the future I would just use it for the range and use the seven round for carry. I got lucky and now my two ten round mags are working just fine, but I have the seven round in the gun and a spare seven in my pocket.

Thanks. I had to take the 10 rd mag apart to clear the rimlock and will give it another look. I'm not going to carry it unless I'm sure it's good to go.

 

[dsgrey]

Finally took my new P32 to the range today. I had installed an Armalaser laser that needed sighting. 100 rounds of Fiochhi FMJ without any issues. Fine tuned the laser and did some nice groupings even at 15 yards. Just as accurate as my 380 and 9mm pistols I brought.