What happened to all the older Euro-built .32acp pistols

Thirties · February 18, 2010, 04:59 PM

Seven, to ten years ago there were a lot of used European built .32acp pistols for sale . . . where have they all gone?

Doyle · February 18, 2010, 05:07 PM

They are still around. I see them on Gunbroker quite frequently.

HisSoldier · February 18, 2010, 07:05 PM

Their only real market is the US, and the Kel-Tec and many like it may have made it unprofitable. (?)

Thirties · February 18, 2010, 07:27 PM

I should have written my post more carefully. I am asking where are all the USED European .32 pistols.

OldShooter · February 18, 2010, 07:40 PM

I have a fine collection of them.

crazy charlie · February 18, 2010, 08:07 PM

Some of them have become collector items and some of them cannot be imported into the US (new or used) because of some federal regulations. I haven't bought any .32 ammo lately but I've heard it is quite 'salty'.

HisSoldier · February 18, 2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

I should have written my post more carefully. I am asking where are all the USED European .32 pistols.

Sorry, I didn't see the "used" part.

PointOneSeven · February 18, 2010, 08:21 PM

I think HisSoldier is spot on. If anyone wants a .32, you can find one that fits in your pocket that's brand new for the same price. Just the way the market went. The old 9x18 pistols kind of took their place for cheap imports.

Mike OTDP · February 18, 2010, 08:40 PM

People bought them, squirreled them away. Especially the C&R guns.

christcorp · February 18, 2010, 08:59 PM

I have a hungarian AP-MBP (FEG PA-63 except in 32acp). It's a great gun. I conceal carry it about 25% of the time. When I'm wearing formals like a tux; or real hot days when I'm in shorts. (Fits in the front pocket perfectly). It's a fantastic gun. And it's great, because the gun snobs don't want them because they think a 32acp only pisses off bad guys. (Still haven't found anyone who will volunteer to stand there while my 32acp "Pisses them off"). So, the prices stayed pretty low with the lower interest in the caliber. But the LCP and a couple others sort of made the 32acp a bit more popular. I'd take the feg over the seecamp, kel-tec, or tomcat in a hearbeat. I tried to hold/shoot an seecamp and a tomcat. Got through about about a box of ammo each. Too small. Doesn't fit my hand well at all. The feg is identical to a Walther PPK. It's a little larger, but still fits in your pocket. Much easier to shoot.

Anyway; got it at a gun show about a year or two ago. About $150. Currently, there are 2 on gunbroker. One for $175 and the other for $299. It's a great Walther PPK modeled type weapon. I have about 4-5 guns that I would NEVER trade or sell. And this is definitely one of them.

Erich · February 18, 2010, 09:09 PM

They are still around . . .

PSP · February 18, 2010, 09:41 PM

This one is available for only $6000.* Any interest?

* ammo included

LanceOregon · February 20, 2010, 03:38 PM

It is simply supply and demand at work. It has been 40 years since these guns could be imported into the USA.

Since the supply will never increase, availability for them is going down, because of the demand.

You should have purchased one 10 years ago. Now you face a more difficult chore, and will have to pay much more money for one in good condition.

.

BlueTrain · February 20, 2010, 04:36 PM

It must be the places I go but I've never seen that many of them and some models, like the Astra, I've never seen. There are some features on some of the older models that seem to have become out of fashion. Almost universally, the older "pocket" automatics were thinner, had longer barrels and a smaller grip. Only the recent Colt Government .380s seem to fit my idea of a good design, though there are others that are more than satisfactory.

I also wonder what happened to all those Colt and S&W revolvers, especially the smaller frame sizes (many of which also had longer barrels). I see nice ones every now and then but are all the rest still in the proverbial top dresser drawers?

February 18, 2010, 04:59 PM	#1
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	What happened to all the older Euro-built .32acp pistols Seven, to ten years ago there were a lot of used European built .32acp pistols for sale . . . where have they all gone?

February 18, 2010, 07:05 PM	#3
HisSoldier Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2007 Location: Oregoncoast Posts: 1,793	Their only real market is the US, and the Kel-Tec and many like it may have made it unprofitable. (?) __________________ CNC produced 416 stainless triggers to replace the plastic triggers on Colt Mustangs, Mustang Plus II's, MK IV Government .380's and Sig P238's and P938's. Plus Colt Mustang hardened 416 guide rods, and Llama .32 and .380 recoil spring buttons, checkered nicely and blued.

February 20, 2010, 04:36 PM	#14
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	It must be the places I go but I've never seen that many of them and some models, like the Astra, I've never seen. There are some features on some of the older models that seem to have become out of fashion. Almost universally, the older "pocket" automatics were thinner, had longer barrels and a smaller grip. Only the recent Colt Government .380s seem to fit my idea of a good design, though there are others that are more than satisfactory. I also wonder what happened to all those Colt and S&W revolvers, especially the smaller frame sizes (many of which also had longer barrels). I see nice ones every now and then but are all the rest still in the proverbial top dresser drawers? __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

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February 18, 2010, 05:07 PM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	They are still around. I see them on Gunbroker quite frequently.

February 18, 2010, 07:27 PM	#4
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	I should have written my post more carefully. I am asking where are all the USED European .32 pistols.

February 18, 2010, 07:40 PM	#5
OldShooter Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 846	I have a fine collection of them.

February 18, 2010, 08:07 PM	#6
crazy charlie Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: PA Posts: 229	Some of them have become collector items and some of them cannot be imported into the US (new or used) because of some federal regulations. I haven't bought any .32 ammo lately but I've heard it is quite 'salty'.

February 18, 2010, 08:21 PM	#8
PointOneSeven Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2006 Posts: 579	I think HisSoldier is spot on. If anyone wants a .32, you can find one that fits in your pocket that's brand new for the same price. Just the way the market went. The old 9x18 pistols kind of took their place for cheap imports.

February 18, 2010, 08:40 PM	#9
Mike OTDP Member Join Date: July 30, 2009 Posts: 24	People bought them, squirreled them away. Especially the C&R guns.

February 18, 2010, 08:59 PM	#10
christcorp Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming Posts: 1,111	I have a hungarian AP-MBP (FEG PA-63 except in 32acp). It's a great gun. I conceal carry it about 25% of the time. When I'm wearing formals like a tux; or real hot days when I'm in shorts. (Fits in the front pocket perfectly). It's a fantastic gun. And it's great, because the gun snobs don't want them because they think a 32acp only pisses off bad guys. (Still haven't found anyone who will volunteer to stand there while my 32acp "Pisses them off"). So, the prices stayed pretty low with the lower interest in the caliber. But the LCP and a couple others sort of made the 32acp a bit more popular. I'd take the feg over the seecamp, kel-tec, or tomcat in a hearbeat. I tried to hold/shoot an seecamp and a tomcat. Got through about about a box of ammo each. Too small. Doesn't fit my hand well at all. The feg is identical to a Walther PPK. It's a little larger, but still fits in your pocket. Much easier to shoot. Anyway; got it at a gun show about a year or two ago. About $150. Currently, there are 2 on gunbroker. One for $175 and the other for $299. It's a great Walther PPK modeled type weapon. I have about 4-5 guns that I would NEVER trade or sell. And this is definitely one of them.

February 18, 2010, 09:09 PM	#11
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	They are still around . . .

February 18, 2010, 09:41 PM	#12
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,487	This one is available for only $6000.* Any interest? * ammo included

February 20, 2010, 03:38 PM	#13
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	It is simply supply and demand at work. It has been 40 years since these guns could be imported into the USA. Since the supply will never increase, availability for them is going down, because of the demand. You should have purchased one 10 years ago. Now you face a more difficult chore, and will have to pay much more money for one in good condition. .