The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: backupr9 on January 11, 2012, 11:07:32 AM

Title: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: backupr9 on January 11, 2012, 11:07:32 AM: I've never been interested in "mouse calibers" but have started to get the hots for a Seecamp. That older article equating a .32 ACP to a .45 ball round for effectiveness is likely suspect, but intriguing. For backup/occasional carry, which is preferred.....32 or 380, and why? I have a line on a Seecamp in a gunshop here in Florida (.380, used but looks new, no box for high $600's before negotiation). Would this be a reasonable buy?
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 11, 2012, 11:25:41 AM: It would be a great buy at $600. I have three Seecamp .380's, two new in the box, and one a very early serial no., a Seecamp .32 and a Seecamp .25. For me, the .380 is preferred, although I carry the .32 a lot; just more power with the .380. The Seecamp is one fine pistol and great craftmanship; and if it ever needs service, Larry Seecamp is hands on. He's as close as his cell phone.

If you get it and want a box, call Seecamp and you can get one with the serial no. on it for no charge; I got a new one (box) for the .25 and was willing to pay for it and was told, no charge. Great customer service.
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: yankee2500 on January 11, 2012, 12:31:55 PM: The price is a steal for an excellent condition 380 and the 380 has a lot more ammo options and is much easier to find than the 32 ammo.
I carry my LWS 380 a lot. ;D
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 11, 2012, 12:44:24 PM: Ammo for the .32 is hard to find at times, but for now, seems to be available.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20rds-32-auto-speer-gold-dot-60gr-hp-ammo/cName/32-auto-hollow-point-ammo

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/50rds-32-auto-winchester-silver-tip-60gr-hp-ammo/cName/32-auto-hollow-point-ammo
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: theirishguard on January 11, 2012, 01:48:50 PM: very good buy and you can get a box from Seecamp. Go for it. Tom
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: backupr9 on January 11, 2012, 02:31:09 PM: Sold before I got there today for $689.00. Rats! I'll keep looking. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 11, 2012, 02:56:43 PM: Ohhhhhh! That is a bummer. There may be another out there. Good luck!
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: MRC on January 11, 2012, 05:25:28 PM: If you have never shot a Seecamp 380 I would suggest you try one first. The first time I shot one I thought the gun blew up in my hand. With the mag extension and a little practice they are controllable and reasonably accurate.

In my opinion niether the 32 or 380 Seecamp are primary weapons. For backup, the 32 is a better choice if you are just going to practice occasionally.

By the way, I do own 3 LWS380's and like them.
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: Richard S on January 11, 2012, 06:20:54 PM: John:

I personally prefer the .380 ACP (what our German friends call the "9mm Kurz") over the .32 ACP as a backup round, although I own and use each one on occasion. The following chart compares the ballistics for the listed bullet weights of Speer Gold Dots in .32, .380, and 9mm:

Round Type Weight Muzzle Energy ft/lbs. Muzzle Velocity ft/sec.

Speer
32 ACP GDHP 60 123 960
380 Auto GDHP 90 196 990
9mm GDHP 115 374 1210

But just look at the data for Magsafe's little +p+ .380 "screamer":

Magsafe
380 Auto +p+ MAX 52 342 1720

It would be interesting to fire that Magsafe load in a straight-blowback design such as the Seecamp or NAA Guardian.
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: MRC on January 11, 2012, 07:43:55 PM: Richard

I agree 100% with your comparison of the two rounds. It is the Seecamp 380 that backupr9 is asking about that is not the "Gun for Everyone". It is a tough pistol for me to be comfortable with in a life of death situation.

I carry a 380 about 20% of the time as primary but but it is not a Seecamp. I will never carry a 32 except as backup.
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: Recluse on January 11, 2012, 08:18:51 PM: I recently bought a Seecamp, just to make holsters for them- Didn't care what caliber, just needed one if we're going to make holsters that work correctly, and found one for a very reasonable price.

After I got it home, and looked at it closely, I changed my mind! Decided to keep it for myself!

The one I have is a .32, and while the .380 would have more oomph behind it, I think I'm just as happy with a .32. With my daughter beginning to shoot, I doubt she would want to shoot a .380 with such a small, lightweight frame. The .32 is nicer to shoot, but still has enough power that I don't want to get hit with it!
Besides- I've got the R9 for some serious grunt in a pocket-sized pistol.

Most guns are simply a tool to serve a purpose. The Seecamps and Rohrbaughs are also beautiful works of art!
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: Robar233 on January 11, 2012, 08:25:34 PM: backup,

I bought a LWS32 when they first came out and I love it. I pulled some strings and just got a LWS380 with a custom serial number. I will not part with either they are great. The 380 is my first choice if the R9 is too big to hide, which does not happen often.

I would buy the 380 in a heart beat. It is no 9mm or 45 in stopping power but that LWS380 is SMALL!

Robar233
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 11, 2012, 08:32:06 PM: And so comfortable to carry! :)
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: yankee2500 on January 11, 2012, 09:39:51 PM: Absolutely SMALL and COMFORTABLE to carry. ;D
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 11, 2012, 10:09:48 PM: I hear an echo! ;D
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: backupr9 on January 11, 2012, 10:14:42 PM: Thanks to all for the help and advice. Robert, really appreciate the ballistic info. MRC, agree that neither caliber should be primary carry unless no other choice. My primary is a Kimber Ultra CDPII .45 or an SP101 in .357, depending. The R9 is, as my handle suggests, mostly (but not always) backup. The Seecamp could be a backup to the R9 in either caliber, but I mostly just admire the jewel-like beauty and quality and want it for that reason. I'll keep looking and get whichever caliber come up at the right time I guess.
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 11, 2012, 10:24:23 PM: There is that possibility these days!
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: Jack_F on January 11, 2012, 10:26:35 PM: You should carry at least two guns.......................one is none!
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: Richard S on January 11, 2012, 10:38:12 PM: Quote from: backupr9 on January 11, 2012, 10:14:42 PM
* * * The Seecamp could be a backup to the R9 in either caliber, but I mostly just admire the jewel-like beauty and quality and want it for that reason. I'll keep looking and get whichever caliber come up at the right time I guess.

Speaking of "jewel-like" Seecamps, permit me again to display the LWS32 with pre-ban ivory grips that my beloved little wife found in my gun safe and promptly "requisitoned" for herself:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/lws32withhedleyholsterandcaptainsso-1.jpg)

_______

And, yes, that is one of R. J. Hedley's holsters. He monogrammed it for her after I told him of the . . . "requisition."
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: backupr9 on January 11, 2012, 10:44:08 PM: Speaking of "jewel-like" Seecamps, permit me again to display the LWS32 with pre-ban ivory grips that my beloved little wife found in my gun safe and promptly "requisitoned" for herself:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/lws32withhedleyholsterandcaptainsso-1.jpg)
[/quote]

Lesson I taught my sons: the wife is NEVER to have unrestricted access to the primary gunsafe! ;)
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: Jack_F on January 11, 2012, 10:45:00 PM: Sweet case for the camp..... 8)
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: AmmoToad on January 12, 2012, 12:13:55 AM: RS, once again, I have to say....thanks for sharing...very beautiful indeed...
Title: Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
Post by: kjtrains on January 12, 2012, 07:18:25 AM: Very nice, indeed, RS!