Ultra-compact pistols chambered in .32 ACP are seeing renewed popularity, as many users find the cartridge offers a better balance of shootability and capacity in deep-concealment guns compared to .380 ACP.
Though often underappreciated today, the .32 ACP was once a go-to choice for 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 firearms have advanced to handle cartridges like 9mm in compact sizes, the .32 ACP still holds a place in the world of deep concealment.
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. It can meet FBI standards with the right ammo, such as the heavier 71-grain full metal jacket cartridges. 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, often needing time to work out bugs in their guns. Fortunately, the P32 has been in production for over two decades. It set the standard for modern pocket pistols, but instead of .380, it uses .32 ACP. The P32 later evolved into the P3AT, with both guns being roughly the same size.
The KelTec P32 holds seven rounds in a flush-fitting magazine and 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 easy to conceal and comfortable for daily carry.
The P32’s tiny sights are admittedly tough to use, but with 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.
Beretta 80X
The Beretta 80X revived the Cheetah line in 2023, but only in the .380 variant. It wasn’t until 2025 that Beretta listened to us and finally produced a .32 ACP version of the 80X. This is not a small gun by any means. Most .32 ACP guns are pocket pistols. That’s not the case here. This thing is Glock 19-sized and comes with a 12-round magazine. The gun uses the classic Beretta Model 81 mags so mags are easy to find.
A 12-round magazine is a lot of .32 ACP, and it’s a lot of firepower for concealed carry. The size of the gun makes it super easy to shoot and control. The 80X’s flat shooting and a mix of the gun’s weight, it’s lightweight slide, and its wide grip make it extremely soft recoiling. It’s one of the most controllable centerfire handguns on the market.
Beretta’s polish and crisp DA/SA design is on full display here. It’s impressive, and the safety doubles as a decocker. I’m a DA/SA fan so it’s nice to see it make a slight comeback. The 80X series doesn’t pull any punches and provides not only the softest shooting .32 ACP, but the more modern.
We get a rail for lights and an optics cut at the top. It’s ready for all the modern accessories to turn it into a combat pistol. I don’t know of any other .32 ACP pistol that allows for so many modern accessories. The 80X promises to be an excellent low recoil option that stays in the centerfire world.
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 in the .32 ACP version. The .380 variant is brutal.
The Seecamp .32 ACP measures just 4.25 inches in overall length. Despite its tiny size, its all-metal construction brings the weight to over 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.
