Kel-Tec P-32

Guns Magazine, Jan, 2000 by J.I. Galan

Even with those peppy loads, the P-32's recoil was extremely mild, a definite plus for quick follow-up shots. Of course, the locked breech design helps a lot in taming recoil in such a light gun.

Only one stoppage was experienced -- a failure to extract -- after more than 300 rounds had been fired without cleaning the pistol, the culprit being a buildup of fouling under the extractor, something that can happen to any autoloader under such conditions.

At seven yards, the P-32 simply could not miss the center-mass area of the standard "smurf" combat silhouette target, even during rapid-fire. More deliberate firing produced impressively small groups averaging 1" across. Incidentally, the slide of this pistol stays open with the last shot.

Although this gun is clearly not intended for situations calling for sustained fire requiring quick magazine exchanges, its seven-round steel mag can be instantly ejected by pressing down hard on the release button, located on the left side of the grip, just behind the trigger guard. Only one magazine is supplied with the pistol.

The P-32 has a spring steel clip mounted on the extreme right rear of the lower receiver, just above the grip. This clip actually works as an inside-the-pants holster, but can also be used to carry the P-32 securely tucked away in a jacket or pants pocket.

Kel-Tec also offers a lanyard-type cord that can be used to carry the P-32 under a shirt, hanging from the neck. This carry mode no doubt will appeal to a lot of undercover police officers.

As a backup gun for police the P-32 really shines, as it can ride basically unnoticed in a small pocket holster. This pistol is also certain to appeal to women who don't feel comfortable firing a .38 or 9mm but still want a really small handgun that can deliver sufficient firepower to stop a violent assailant.

There is no doubt that the masterful combination of dependable firepower and extreme compactness make the Kel-Tec P-32 an extremely viable option in the realm of personal protection handguns.

                                SPEC SHEET
                               KEL-TEC P-32
Caliber:          .32 ACP
Mechanism:        DAO locked-breech semi-auto
Length Overall:   5.07"
Weight:           9.4 ozs (loaded)
Barrel Length:    2.68"
Width:            3/4"
Capacity:         7   1
Suggested Retail: $295 (blue)
                  $335 (Parkerized)
                  $350 (hard chrome)