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Kel-Tec P32PK 32 ACP

Courtesy Gun Tests

A good choice for deep concealment; anyone trained on a double-action-only handgun will find the P32PK to be a most suitable backup.

It’s hard to believe that the P32PK weighed in at just 7 ounces. This is a locked-breech semiautomatic with a flush-fitting seven-round magazine. Measuring just 0.8 inches wide, the P32PK was flat enough and light enough to be carried without detection—it could even be dropped naked into a pocket. But we think choosing one of the sheath-like holsters that protect its mechanism from lint or the trigger from loose objects such as coins is a better idea. There are even holsters, such as those from grahamholsters.com, that disguise its profile as a wallet.

The PK suffix stood for Parkerized, which is the black, glare-killing finish found on the top end. The P32PK is Kel-Tec’s medium-priced model. Fit with a blue steel slide, the P32 sells for a suggested retail price of $318. Topped with a stainless steel slide, the price was $377. All three guns are the same size, not quite big enough to fill the open hand of an average sized man. With the magazine in place, the base pad completed the front of the grip, measuring only about 1.3 inches from the bottom of the trigger guard. This meant gripping the P32 only required the middle and ring fingers. The sides of the narrow 0.7-inch grip were covered with checkering cleanly molded into the polymer.

The 1.8-inch-long backstrap featured vertical lines and a brief palm swell. The magazine release was found at the lower rear corner of the trigger guard on the left side. It operated in the traditional pushbutton manner. Inside the body of the grip was an aluminum sub-frame containing the trigger mechanism and the frame rails. The top of the slide offered enough of a front sight blade to be indexed through the sighting notch at the rear of the slide.

Aside from its small size and light weight, several other characteristics are worth mentioning. We liked the way the magazine clearly showed how many rounds were loaded. The extractor was mounted externally. Double-action ignition was driven by a hammer that stayed nearly out of sight. The trigger

Courtesy, Gun Tests

The action and the support rails of the Kel-Tec pistol were housed in an aluminum sub-frame held inside the narrow lightweight grip.

From the 7-yard line, our tightest groups (measuring about 0.75 inches on average) were produced with the Winchester Silvertip HP hollowpoints. Second were the American Eagle total metal jackets, followed by the Gold Dot ammunition. From the 15-yard bench the difference in accuracy we achieved shooting these three loads did not seem as pronounced. We concluded that a careful marksman should be able to print five-shot groups that measure about 2.25 inches across with the P32PK.

After our benchrest session we went about hammering targets from close range. Our average elapsed time for emptying the seven-round magazine was 2.24 seconds. The average elapsed time between shots was just less than 0.20 seconds. Fully half of our shots landed inside the desired circle. Another 30 percent were grouped high and to the right. We also saw some shots spread out high and low, mostly to the right. Our wild shots during the action test were likely the result of not working the long trigger consistently in an even manner. In some instances we might also have been applying too much grip upon the little gun or simply trying too hard to go fast.

Reader Comments

I would like to learn about carry solutions for this gun

Comment by: TCole | January 15, 2009

I use a Nemesis pocket holster that I bought from Dillon. It rides in my left front pocket and works great. The only drawback was the fact that the mag release button rubbed the inside edge of the holster and popped the mag free occasionally, so I had to reduce the mag release button's height to prevent that. Also, be aware that the Kel-Tec's mainspring is open to air at the butt, and is subject to corrosion if it's not maintained, and ditto with the muzzle, which is not covered by the Nemesis holster's open bottom. Keep your gun clean and oiled, and you'll have no problems.

Comment by: Gaviota | January 17, 2009

Having used the nemesis, i found it to be lacking somewhat. I have found that the Galco pro 436 to be a better choice, It is formed to fit the gun better and has a better retention hook.....c lindquist1/26/09

Comment by: chris l | January 26, 2009

Another answer to a question nobody asked. I can't believe people serious about saving their lives would consider carrying something so ineffective and potentially failure prone as these when a good compact revolver will do the same job better.

Comment by: Mikarome | January 30, 2009

I have owned two Kel-Tec P32s for several years. I shot them enough initially to give them a good function test and break-in. I also polished the feed ramps and chambers, added trigger shoes (for great improvement in perceived trigger pull), and sanded off a few sharp edges on the plastic frame. I run a magazine or two through them now and again just to keep their feel, and carry one in my front pocket whenever I am upright and breathing land am not wearing a more formidable weapon. My wife uses the other one whenever she needs a last-resort, deep-conceal weapon. A .32 may not be the best self-defense round, but it certainly beats having nothing in hand. I have found Kel-Tecs reliable and pretty darn accurate at self-defense distances. I carry mine in a holster fashioned from a leather wallet with a plastic insert from milk-jug plastic to eliminate printing. My wife did the sew-up on the wallet. The rig in my front pocket appears to be a wallet located where some guys carry theirs for safety. No one ever has questioned that I have a gun there. In my opinion, a P32 is what it is, a reliable, accurate-enough, last-ditch weapon.

Comment by: JonSE | February 5, 2009

If you think that you can conceal a compact revolver anywhere near as well as these mouse-guns, you haven't seen either one. As far as failure-prone, KelTec has a history of reliability and outstanding customer service backing up thier lifetime warranty. Ayoob has endorsed them, along with many others. My P38T is a perfect backup gun, completely hidden when carried in even jean pockets and reliable as anything can be, accurate enough to save my butt should I ever need to.

Comment by: GLENN A | November 5, 2009

I prefer to carry my S&W 340PD but it isn't always an option so as a backup I carry a P3AT that I have put well over a thousand rounds through without even a hiccup... Is it my first choice, no but one in the pocket is better than one in the nightstand at home...

Comment by: cctc2006 | November 5, 2009

I have a P3AT, its so easy to conceal that I actually carry it. Mine did require a break-in period, and has been flawless since. Every now and then I empty the carried ammo right from the pocket. I consider that the real test, shooting it like I needed it. Great mouse-gun.

Comment by: slfree | November 5, 2009

I've had a P3AT .380 for almost 2 years. Aside from having to put about 150 rounds thru it initially(for proper functioning)it's all I could ask for in a lightweight carry gun.

Comment by: harko5 | November 5, 2009

I have a p32 and carry it everyday without even noticing it. It wears an armalaser and is carried in a desantis nemesis. Like everyone else I sanded the sharp plastic off and carry the 10 round extended mag with it. The gun has about 500 rounds of everything from cheap wolf to expensive corbon through it with not one malfunction. Talk about a great value.

Comment by: puki biker | November 5, 2009

I've had a P3AT since they came out. Originally mine had to back for service but I had it back in hand within 11 days. Since it has had _many_ hundreds of rounds through it and works fine. I carry a .40 SIG on duty and have a very small Kahr .40 for od/bug .. BUT sometimes I need tiny, unobtrusive, out-of-the-way and that P3AT is perfect and has gone undetected in more places than I care to remember. Insofar as effectiveness, .32ACP (for the P32) isn't a deathray, but I've seen people dead-right-there from .22s and .25s. Pleanty of folks have walked away from worse. Shot placement and HAVING A GUN ON YOU is more important than caliber hooplah. Oh, the P32 in my opinion, is more comfortable to shoot than the P3AT. Something to keep in mind when arming novices.

Comment by: CeltKnight | November 5, 2009

"Shot placement and HAVING A GUN ON YOU is more important than caliber hooplah". While that is technically correct, if I am going to have a gun on me, it is NOT going to be a .32! Why should it be when so many better options are available to start with... it's not like you can ONLY have a .32! I chose a P11 9mm, which is only marginally larger (and I consider the 9mm marginal - at best) but occasionally drop the P11 into my front pocket when I can't hide something better.

Comment by: Markbo | November 5, 2009

Have a .380 Kel-tec. It's a piece of junk. Sent back to the factory, they sent me back a piece of junk. If it didn't have a serial number on it I throw it in a ditch. I'm to embarrassed to sell it, especially knowing someone may depend on it.

Comment by: KEITH E | November 5, 2009

Last month I purchased a pr-owned P32 and installed a new crimson trace for my wife. I put 100 + rds through it yesterday and it performed flawlessely.... I was also sceptical at first (given the bad wrap that Kel Tec has recieved) but a friend who is a retired police officer says he and many of his fellow officers carried these little P32's as back-ups for many years. Even though I was willing to shell-out more $ for the LCP .380, she shot both and liked the P32 better (less recoil). She likes it because she can carry it concealed on her person - rather than in her purse. If a woman is going to be robbed and/or attacked, the purse is the first thing to go - so the gun and cell phone are gone. I must admit that I am impressed with it: best grouping at 15-21 ft was 2.5 inches and about 3-5 inches 30-45 ft - the little gun does take some getting used to.

Comment by: jgrove73 | November 5, 2009

"Have a .380 Kel-tec. It's a piece of junk."

Keith E, could you be a little more specific? And would you like to sell it?

Gaviota

Comment by: Lee W | November 6, 2009

I have owned & carry a P32 for at least 10 years It has always functioned flawlessly. I carry it daily (thru the worst neighbor hoods)neatly tucked in with the belt clip sold by Kel Tec & a DeSantis Nemisis holster. I wear it with a shirt tucked in & it has NEVER been noticed even by people who know I carry. My other carry gun is a Kel Tec PF9 (I used to have a P11 but found it as thick and heavy as my Glock 26)No a 32ACP is not a big blaster but it beat nothing at all. I carry it more than any of the other 9 carry guns I own because it so small and light.

Comment by: jminch | November 6, 2009

When I wanted a gun that would not be noticed, the size and weight of the P32 made it the one I bought. I can carry it more often than any other gun, and that's the important part. Having a larger, more powerful gun at home or even in another room would not protect me as well as having a .32 on me and ready to use.

Comment by: MICHAEL H | November 6, 2009

Caution - over time, hollow-points carried in this gun, because they are shorter than ball rounds, can cause a rim-lock jam. Kel tec knows abpout this and sells a rim-lock spacer kit for their mags. They CLAIM this is an infrequent issue - IT IS NOT! And if it happens, you have a one shot pistol! It takes 5 hands to clear this malfunction. I experienced this mal function and know if 3 others that also did.

Comment by: L. B | November 6, 2009

I have read, with a smile, the comments on the kel-Tec cal .32. I don't own one and would never bet my life on such a small cal. pistol. As a former police officer I saw a fellon shot twice with 2 .38 special 158 grain lead rounds. The guy walked to the ambulance. That convinced me that the .45 auto was the only pistol to carry. On duty or off.

Comment by: lastcop | November 12, 2009

Yeah, because nobody's ever lived after being hit by a .45, right? And a .22lr never killed anyone, right? Get a clue.

Comment by: GLENN A | November 13, 2009

Glenn A, you are right on both points you made about a.45 not always killing and a .22lr able to kill. Very astute of you, but you obviously missed the main point which is stopping potential. In my 12 years in law enforcement i don't remember any fellow officer using a .32 for a backup to his duty weapon. I did carry then and still carry today a .45 Auto. I have been blessed in that I have never had to use it, but if I ever do, I know that it will stop the fight.

Comment by: lastcop | November 13, 2009

You've missed the point of this weapon. What do you carry in a .45 that I can drop in my pocket and carry completely discretely in any situation? That's the void this type of gun fills. I carry a commander sized 1911 on a regular basis. Sometimes, however, in certain situations, I can't carry that discretely. So the KelTec (mine's a .380) fill a void and allows me to carry a weapon when the .45 has to stay home. Anyone who carries should be able to see the merit of owning a mousegun.

Comment by: GLENN A | November 14, 2009

The Kel-Tec P32--.32 ACP is the pistol that I will have with me at all time. My other--larger and better pistols will be at home in a drawer. But I can take Keltie with me everywhere. end

Comment by: Trog | November 14, 2009

The Kel-Tec P32--.32 ACP is the pistol that I will have with me at all time. My other--larger and better pistols will be at home in a drawer. But I can take Keltie with me everywhere. end

Comment by: Trog | November 14, 2009

Hey Glenn, Trog, I understand the concept of discreet carry. If a .32, or a .380, which is only marginally better, gives you confidence go for it. As for me, Colt .45 auto says it all. I carry everyday and it gives me all the confidence I want in a hand gun.

Comment by: lastcop | November 14, 2009

There are two kinds of cops. I know now which kind you are. If you don't get it, there's nothing I can do to help you.

Comment by: GLENN A | November 14, 2009

Hey Glenn, why the personal attack? We are talking hand guns here and personal preference. If yours is a mouse gun so be it, but don't attack someone you don't know who likes something different. Also, in case you didnt know it, there are small .45s that fit the discreet carry bill.

Comment by: lastcop | November 14, 2009

Quote: "The Kel-Tec P32--.32 ACP is the pistol that I will have with me at all time. My other--larger and better pistols will be at home in a drawer".

That too is a personal choice. If you are not commited enought to carry enough gun, something is better than nothing.

Quote: "There are two kinds of cops. I know now which kind you are. If you don't get it, there's nothing I can do to help you."

I find that a pretty inflammatory statement. 'There are 2 types of cops'? Are you a cop? No? Then there's nothing lastcop can do to help you.

What an absurd statement.

Comment by: Markbo | November 20, 2009

yawn...

Comment by: GLENN A | November 20, 2009