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Author Topic: .380 vs. .32 ACP?  (Read 20479 times)

Offline backupr9

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.380 vs. .32 ACP?
« 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?
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Offline kjtrains

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #1 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.

« Last Edit: January 11, 2012, 11:31:23 AM by kjtrains »
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Offline yankee2500

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #2 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
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Offline kjtrains

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2012, 12:44:24 PM »
« Last Edit: January 11, 2012, 12:47:47 PM by kjtrains »
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Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.  Abraham Lincoln

Offline theirishguard

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2012, 01:48:50 PM »
very good buy and you can get a box from Seecamp. Go for it.  Tom
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Offline backupr9

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #5 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.
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Offline kjtrains

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2012, 02:56:43 PM »
Ohhhhhh!  That is a bummer.  There may be another out there.  Good luck!
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Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.  Abraham Lincoln

Offline MRC

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #7 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.
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Offline Richard S

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #8 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.
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Offline MRC

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #9 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.
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Offline Recluse

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #10 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!
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Offline Robar233

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #11 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
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Offline kjtrains

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #12 on: January 11, 2012, 08:32:06 PM »
And so comfortable to carry!    :)
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Offline yankee2500

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #13 on: January 11, 2012, 09:39:51 PM »
Absolutely SMALL and COMFORTABLE to carry. ;D
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Offline kjtrains

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Re: .380 vs. .32 ACP?
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2012, 10:09:48 PM »
I hear an echo!    ;D
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Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.  Abraham Lincoln
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