The .32 ACP is an underappreciated cartridge these days, but there was a time when it was the chosen cartridge for many small, concealable firearms. Even Theodore Roosevelt carried a .32 ACP FN M1900 — if it was good enough for him, it’s good enough for me!
While modern guns have improved significantly and can now handle cartridges like 9mm in compact sizes, the .32 ACP still has its place.
Benefits of the .32 ACP
The .32 ACP shines bright as a low-recoil, center-fire cartridge capable of self-defense purposes. It offers a higher level of reliability than the .22LR due to its center-fire design while delivering only half the recoil impulse of the .380 ACP.
The .32 ACP can penetrate deep enough to reach a threat’s vitals. With the right ammo, such as the heavier 71-grain full metal jacket cartridges, it can meet FBI standards. Its small size also allows you to carry more rounds in a smaller gun.
Drawbacks of The .32 ACP
The downsides include the need to be selective with ammunition. You need those heavy 71-grain FMJs. Jacketed hollow points present a few problems.
First, you don’t get much expansion, and if you do, the rounds don’t go deep enough to matter.
Second, the .32 ACP is a semi-rimmed cartridge, making it very finicky about overall length. JHPs with hollow tips can shorten the overall length, increasing the risk of rim lock, which can cause serious malfunctions. Not all JHPs will do this, but you must be very selective.
Finally, .32 ACP is expensive. It costs significantly more than 9mm and .380 ACP. It can also be harder to find than the more common ammo types.
The Best .32 ACP Pistols For Concealed Carry
The .32 ACP is an appealing choice for self-defense, especially when paired with the right pistol. Here’s my list of the top .32 ACP pistols ideal for concealed carry.
The KelTec P32
KelTec has a reputation for spotty reliability. It often takes time to work bugs out of their guns, but luckily, the P32 has been in production for more than two decades. It set the standard for the modern pocket pistol, but instead of a .380, it went with a .32 ACP. The P32 evolved into the P3AT, and the guns are roughly the same size.
The KelTec P32 offers seven rounds of ammo in a flush-fitting magazine. It uses a Browning short recoil action, which takes a lot of snap out of the .32 ACP cartridge. Weighing only 6.6 ounces, it’s super lightweight, making it a natural pocket pistol that’s super easy to conceal and carry comfortably daily.
The P32 features tiny sights that are admittedly tough to use. However, if you can get a good sight picture, the gun can be surprisingly accurate. Its intended use is close range, and from a practical standpoint, that’s where it excels. The double-action trigger is long but very smooth and surprisingly light. This little .32 is perfect for deep concealment.
Beretta 30X
The Beretta 30X fixed most of my issues with the original Beretta Tomcat. It features twice the durability, so the frame doesn’t crack when you shoot the hot stuff through it.
They improved the sights, too. The older Tomcats, which the 30x is a second generation of, had small, crappy sights. In contrast, the 30x features clear, easy-to-see, and easy-to-use sights, making the gun much easier to shoot.
The Beretta 30X keeps to the DA/SA design of the Tomcat, which I always appreciate. If you like the DA/SA series of guns, then the Tomcat is the pocket pistol for you.
The gun holds eight rounds of .32 ACP and features the beloved tip-up barrel system. This system allows you to press a button, which raises the barrel and allows you to load a cartridge directly into the chamber. This eliminates the need to rack the slide, which can be an excellent option for people with poor hand strength.
The little gun uses a straight blowback design but is surprisingly soft recoiling. Slide bite can be an issue, so watch your hand. The 30X even has an optics mount option that replaces the rear sight with an RMSc optics option.
Walther PPK
Walther mainly produces the PPK in .380 ACP, and it’s always been unpleasant to shoot. That’s not the case with the .32 ACP version. These are available on the used market and have even reentered new production recently. Due to their larger, heavier metal design, they are great for recoil-sensitive shooters.
The PPK in .32 ACP is a really soft shooter and feels exceptionally nice to shoot. The bark is big, and the bite isn’t bad, making the gun very easy to control and a lot of fun to shoot. The larger grip design also contributes to its accuracy. It’s not hard to put .32 ACP into a paper plate-sized target at 25 yards.
Despite its small size, the PPK can be a fighting pistol. Its hefty weight and low recoil make it easy to shoot and control, allowing you to empty the magazine into the target without the gun ever moving.
CZ 83
If firearm size isn’t a concern but recoil is, the CZ 83 might be your best bet. While the gun isn’t large, it’s the biggest model on this list, and that extra size also grants you a 15-round magazine. That’s right — you get Glock 19 capacity in a smaller, slightly more svelte package. You also get a helluva lot less recoil than similar-sized guns.
A 15-round magazine is a lot of .32 ACP, and it’s a lot of firepower for concealed carry. You get all 15 rounds without much sting, and you can easily keep the gun low and on target while firing rapid strings.
The gun uses a DA/SA option, but the double-action trigger won’t impress you a whole lot. The single-action trigger is certainly a better option.
The CZ 83 series features nice, large sights that make it easy to aim and shoot. The big gun handles well at extended ranges, and your ability to hit threats at 10, 15, and 25 yards won’t be tough to accomplish. Although the little 83 isn’t super small, it still conceals well. Sadly, they aren’t produced anymore, so you’ll need to find one on the used market.
Seecamp .32
The Seecamp series of semi-auto pistols are the smallest on the market, but can still chamber the centerfire .32 ACP. The gun uses a chamber ring delayed blowback mechanism to keep it from recoiling too violently, at least with the .32 ACP version. The .380 variant is brutal.
The Seecamp .32 ACP is only 4.25 inches long overall. That’s it. It’s all metal, so it weighs north of 11 ounces. Still, it’s easy to conceal and disappears in most clothing options while providing .32 ACP firepower. If deep concealment is your goal, then the Seecamp is for you.
The guns use a double-action-only trigger that isn’t terrible. It’s not the lightest, but it won’t affect accuracy. What does affect accuracy is the lack of sights. It’s a true belly gun that’s just point-and-shoot and not much more.
The Mighty Big World of .32 ACPs
This year alone, we saw the release of two .32 ACP guns. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but its significant for this caliber. I’m hoping this revival of small guns ensures we see more .32 ACP options and that the market can grow and embrace the One True Caliber.
