Concealed Carry .32: The Best You Can Get

I don’t know how I became a fan of .32 caliber handguns. The more I’m exposed to them, the more I tend to like them. I know the first .32 ACP pistol I bought was the Savage M1907, and since then, I’ve opened my mind to the little caliber. I expanded into various .32 caliber revolvers and automatics outside of the world of pocket pistols. Through my vast experience, I’ve formed some firm convictions and educated opinions. With that in mind, I’ve compiled my list of the best .32 caliber handguns on the market.

Why the .32?

Well, it’s relatively simple. There’s just so much variety when it comes to .32 caliber offerings. This list doesn’t focus on a single .32 caliber cartridge but encompasses all the major ones, from the .32 ACP, .32 H&R Magnum, and .32 S&W Long, to the heavyweights of the .32 market, like the .327 Federal Magnum and the .30 Super Carry (which, despite its name, is a .32 caliber projectile).

The calibers listed above are all capable of adequate to exceptional penetration. They can all reach the minimum depth of 12 inches through a block of properly calibrated ballistic gel. It can take some smart projectile selection with cartridges like the .32 ACP and .32 S&W Long, but they still make the depth and can even go a little beyond.

The smaller projectiles allow for greater capacity. The .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and .327 Federal Magnum offer one extra round in a J-Frame revolver. The .32 ACP can typically give you one extra round compared to the .380 in-pocket pistols, and the .30 Super Carry can grant a +2 to magazines versus the 9mm.

Finally, they provide similar or even lower recoil. The .327 Federal Magnum can reach the lower limits of the .357 Magnum and has much less recoil. The .30 Super Carry has similar ballistics to the 9mm Luger and recoils identically. Cartridges like the .32 H&R Magnum don’t hit like a .357 Magnum but offer much less recoil with adequate ballistic performance for two-legged vermin. The .32 ACP has half the recoil of a .380 from a small pocket pistol.

The .32 could be a viable defensive choice for many reasons. More than viable, it can truly be exceptional.

The Best .32s

S&W 442 UC

The 442 isn’t new. S&W started making them decades ago. After a quick dip in the Lazarus pit, it’s back with a new look and updated features. Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson developed the 442 UC with the help of a few revolver experts to make it one of the most modern J-frames on the market. The gun chambers the .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W Short.

Features include a high-visibility tritium front sight and an actual rear sight instead of a trench sight. The trigger has been smoothed out to the point of brilliance, and there are about a half dozen other small features that are ingenious to boot.

I can hit a 10-inch steel gong at 25 yards without much of a challenge. The .32 H&R Magnum doesn’t have much recoil, and the .32 S&W Long has rimfire levels of recoil. It’s easy to shoot and very accurate. The gun is straightforward and is everything a J-Frame should be. I would use this .32 over any .38 Special J Frame.

Kel-Tec P32

The Kel-Tec P32 sits on the throne of underrated concealed carry pistols. It’s been around since 1999 and continues to be produced. The P32 was one of the first polymer-framed modern pocket pistols. George Kellgren wisely went with the .32 ACP instead of the .380 but later revealed the P3AT. Chambering guns this small and light in .380 ACP is stupid. It packs a ton of harsh recoil without any real ballistic advantage.

The P32 provides soft recoil, especially in a gun that only weighs 6.6 ounces. It’s super flat and disappears into your pocket. With seven in the magazine and one in the pipe, you get eight rounds of .32. The Gen 2 has actual sights and is impressive in terms of accuracy for such a small gun.

Many people will poo-poo KelTec, and they have had their issues. However, this quarter-century-old design has worked out its kinks. The gun runs and runs without much complaint. Even after months of sitting in my pocket, I can whip it out and let the lead fly without a failure.

Taurus 327 Defender TORO

The Taurus 327 isn’t new, but the Defender Toro Model hit SHOT 2024 and comes with some excellent features to take advantage of the .327 Federal Magnum. The Defender model extends the barrel to three inches total, which helps contain the muzzle blast and concussion of the .327 Federal Magnum. The .327 Federal Magnum’s strength is its velocity, and the longer barrel helps maximize that velocity.

The TORO title means the weapon can wear a red dot, specifically an RMSc footprint red dot, like the 407K from Holosun. A red dot makes the weapon easier and faster to shoot. It can also extend your range and, with some practice, make it easy to hit threats beyond normal ranges.

The gun has a longer barrel but maintains a compact frame, so it’s easy to carry daily. The Taurus 327 Defender features a bobbed hammer, which helps with a no-snag draw and more comfortable concealment.

Smith & Wesson Shield Plus

The Smith & Wesson Shield Plus was one of the first guns to embrace the .30 Super Carry cartridge. The original Shield Plus was a 9mm handgun, but the .30 Super Carry chambering took the “Plus” in S&W Shield Plus to the next level. The smaller projectile allowed the gun to fit two more rounds in each magazine size without adding any length to the magazines.

The Shield Plus series are modern micro compacts in the same realm as the Sig Sauer P365. They’re small but not pocket-sized. The .30 Super Carry has a 12-round, flush-fit magazine. The gun comes in optics-ready configurations and builds on the same reliable system that brought us the original Shield. The iron sights even sit high enough to naturally co-witness with most mini red dots.

The gun has mild recoil, and the .30 Super Carry is nearly indistinguishable from 9mm in terms of recoil and performance. It penetrates deep, hits hard, and expands easily.

Beretta 30X

Last but not least is the brand new 30X from Beretta. This .32 ACP pocket pistol has improved nearly every aspect of the original Tomcat. The 30X is tougher and better made all around. It’s no longer at risk of cracking randomly. The gun comes in two varieties, including one that uses a threaded barrel and suppressor-height sights. The gun’s rear sight can even be removed and replaced with a mount for a red dot.

This micro-sized gun retains the tip-up barrel design. You can load a round into the chamber without needing to rack the slide. The 30X utilizes a button instead of a lever. The magazine release is also placed in a relatively normal position compared to the original Tomcat. The gun features a flat trigger that’s surprisingly light and smooth.

It retains the micro-sized DA/SA design of the older Tomcat. The single action is super smooth and very light. From a pocket carry position, I can nearly score a sub-two-second Bill Drill with the gun. This weapon is the most refined pocket pistol on the market.

The Little .32

The .32 caliber has never been massively popular with American shooters, and that’s a real shame. The various .32 caliber options out there all have significant benefits. The real downside is cost. The guns might be affordable, but the ammo is downright pricey in every single .32 caliber I’ve ever encountered. Still, if you want more capacity, lighter recoil, and easy shooting, go with a 32.

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