Mouse guns - .380 vs. .32

[Drm50]

No experience with the plastic pistols but in the mid size auto pistols that are usually available in 32acp or 380 the 32s outshoot the 380s in most cases. Not bad mouthing the 380, just never saw one that shot better than 32 in same model.
I saw a guy shoot a High Standard 380 that looked like it was built on 22 target pistol frame. Best shooting 380 I ever saw. But wasn’t a CCW type pistol. I’ve always wondered why they never made 32acp in a sporting type pistol. Other than European Match pistols
in 32 S&W Long the market is bare.

[Outpost75]

Agree that the .32 ACPs are almost always more accurate than the .380s. I have a Hi-Standard G380 and with the right ammo it is 25-yard X-ring accurate, but only a 5-shooter.and as large and heavy as a 1911 .45 ACP.

Most accurate .32 ACP I own is a SIG P230, former Austrian police gun. More accurate than my .380 of that model.

[Ricklin]

If paper is the target, the caliber starts with a 3, and pistol is chosen? My 03 Colt will get the nod. It is very accurate as long as I can see the tiny sights.
My .380 is an LCP, the definition of a belly gun. The Colt is far more accurate.

[fisherman66]

Both the PA63 and the CZ82 can do OK CC duty.

I have read that the PA63 isn’t robust enough for +P loads regularly. I find the recoil to be snappy and obnoxious. I’d much rather shot a big bore revolver. I’d love to trade mine off for something more fun to shoot. A micro 380 is also much smaller

[deadcoyote]

So this is a really random addition, because I have no idea what you guys specifically deal with in Austria. I spend a lot of time on a 1600 acre ranch, where I hunt turkeys, wild pigs and deer. I carry my normal off work SW model 642 in .38 special in a pocket scabbard. For me the .38 is perfect because I encounter rattlesnakes on the property and it’s a super easy transition when I get to the ranch I can pluck out one round in the cylinder and replace with snake shot.

I index the cylinder so it’s the first round to be fired if I need it. You can’t really do that with an auto as snakeshot won’t cycle an auto pistol. Also I throw one extra round of snake shot in another pocket and it’s light. Works good for me, again no idea if you guys have venomous snakes where you are.

[skoro]

The P32 is an almost perfect little pocket rocket. I take mine along for times when my 38 snub is just too much.

[TruthTellers]

In the smallest, lightest guns the .32 is going to be far easier to shoot and likely more accurate too, but such a small gun will be difficult for anyone to use that accuracy. The .380 is really meant for something in between the LCP and Glock 42, maybe something like the Sig 238. If you can handle the recoil and be accurate with it, then there's nothing wrong with the .380, but there's also nothing wrong with the .32's other than out of a short barrel like the P32 it's going to have issues with hollow points expanding and penetrating.

IDK which is the better choice, I'm not so sure the faster reload over a revolver matters in these, so I'm more apt to choose a J frame or LCR in .32 HR Mag. Tho the extreme low weight of the P32 could be useful for some types of carry.

[Bill DeShivs]

I have been watching Youtube videos on the P32 lately. People routinely shooting them at 40 plus yards and consistently hitting their target.

[Schlitz 45]

I feel 380 is on or a little over what I consider a mouse gun. Not because of the size of the pistol & more due to the caliber. I usually draw the line at 32ACP in my mouse gun collection but that’s just me. There’s a few crossovers, my Beretta 81 Cheetah in 32 is a rather large mouser & a Colt Mustang Pocketlite or LCP are about as small as they get in 380 so it’s a bit of a blurry line.

[skoro]

I had a 380 but sold it.

Still carry my KT P32 though.

[Pumpkin]

Originally Posted by deadcoyote

So this is a really random addition, because I have no idea what you guys specifically deal with in Austria. I spend a lot of time on a 1600 acre ranch, where I hunt turkeys, wild pigs and deer. I carry my normal off work SW model 642 in .38 special in a pocket scabbard. For me the .38 is perfect because I encounter rattlesnakes on the property and it’s a super easy transition when I get to the ranch I can pluck out one round in the cylinder and replace with snake shot.

I index the cylinder so it’s the first round to be fired if I need it. You can’t really do that with an auto as snakeshot won’t cycle an auto pistol. Also I throw one extra round of snake shot in another pocket and it’s light. Works good for me, again no idea if you guys have venomous snakes where you are.

deadcoyote,
I follow almost the same practice for the same reasons with my 642 or 647.
In the summer out at our little ranch I carry two CCI shot shells and 3 Rem 158+P SWCHP’s.
As the weather cools I end up with just the +P.
In a Desantis pocket holster I can’t imagine what type of pistol I would prefer more.
I have even carried them in my buttoned up fishing shirt pocket when working with my Kubota.
For carry where the snakes have two legs I prefer the 642.

[sinead]

What is your purpose for carrying? You have "somewhat remote properties". 4-legged critters?

I carry a Sig P-238 with hard cast, flat nose 380+P Buffalo Bore ammo on morning dog walks in my somewhat remote New Mexico. Very low recoil.