Anything wrong with carrying only a bug

[Drunkenmonkey]

I am big on protecting myself but I can't seem to function when I carry anything bigger than my Keltec P32 in my pocket holster. Most of the time I forget its there totally.

I was thinking about it the other day and I have 8 rounds plus the 10 round mag that I sometimes carry in my other pocket. Not to mention the fact that thats only .32ACP.

What say GTCI?

[Nosmik]

Nothing wrong with that. Just make sure it is reliable and have some good FMJ rounds.

[MrMurphy]

It's your life.


I normally walk around in body armor with plates and an M4 and a half ammo load so carrying a pistol (a real one......Glock 30, etc) and a spare mag with Surefire no longer exactly bothers me.

[babietuan323]

It's your life.


I normally walk around in body armor with plates and an M4 and a half ammo load

carrying anything less than this, you're destined for death

[PEC-Memphis]

Nothing wrong with that. Just make sure it is reliable and have some good FMJ rounds.

Why FMJ's. Reliability? If it takes FMJ's to be reliable, I'd carry something else.

The .32 is already a marginal defensive caliber, using FMJ's just makes it less so. There are some good options if you need a "pointy" bullet for reliable feeding, such as the Glasier Safety slug and the Cor-Bon Pow-R-Ball.

[isis07734]

it's better than nothing, just be aware.

[sputnik767]

Why FMJ's. Reliability? If it takes FMJ's to be reliable, I'd carry something else.

The .32 is already a marginal defensive caliber, using FMJ's just makes it less so. There are some good options if you need a "pointy" bullet for reliable feeding, such as the Glasier Safety slug and the Cor-Bon Pow-R-Ball.

I would have to guess for better penetration.

[kensteele]

you'll be fine. the 32 is marginal but it's better than nothing i guess.

[Nosmik]

The P32 is famous for rimlock, a complete gun lockup with hollow points not sitting right in the magazine. There is a fix for that with a wire that fills the empty space in the back of it (magazine). And FMJ for penetration. I use S&B FMJ's in mine.

Like the above post, stay aware of your surroundings.

[scconstable2004]

First rule of any gun fight is to have a gun. There is nothing wrong with the Kel-Tec 32 as a CCW, I often carry one when wearing shorts or dress pants. I found that Corbon bullets would not feed well. I carry Federal Hyrdashocks in mine. You may find that a S&W 38 airweight is a good option as a pocket carry weapon as well. I carry both (not at the same time) and both are good options.

[Drunkenmonkey]

The P32 is famous for rimlock, a complete gun lockup with hollow points not sitting right in the magazine. There is a fix for that with a wire that fills the empty space in the back of it (magazine). And FMJ for penetration. I use S&B FMJ's in mine.

Like the above post, stay aware of your surroundings.

As sad as it is I have had this gun for like 3 months and never fired it.

[GlocksForGoons]

I am big on protecting myself but I can't seem to function when I carry anything bigger than my Keltec P32 in my pocket holster. Most of the time I forget its there totally.

I was thinking about it the other day and I have 8 rounds plus the 10 round mag that I sometimes carry in my other pocket. Not to mention the fact that thats only .32ACP.

What say GTCI?

I carry the exact same thing in a desantis sting holster. It really does dissapear in virtually any pocket.

[valian]

As sad as it is I have had this gun for like 3 months and never fired it.


That doesn't just sound crazy...It is crazy!

So you are carrying a BUG only and never even fired the thing...that is not even remotely smart....especially being the gun is a kel-tec. You might be better armed with a knife at this point because you don't know if the gun will even fire or where the bullets may land if it does...thus you cannot really rely on it to do anything, and if it does fire it may only be good to contact distances anyway. In some situations it might even get you killed. Lay off the drink monkey :-)

I am not trying to be hard on you just trying to get you to wake up!!!! 3 months already and you have not fired it? Get to the range this weekend! And if you have a different gun that you know works......carry it in the meantime.

Best of luck to you
valian

[lance22]

a BUG in the pocket beats a .45 in the safe. More is better, but less is better than nothing. Practice, practice, practice.

[Solid]

Nothing wrong with it. All it is for is a temporary safety device to protect yourself until you can escape from danger.

[Captain38]

It's just a matter of terminology! Technically, a BUG is a "back-up gun" or a spare for the primary handgun, whatever it may be. I don't believe you are truly correct to call a small pocket pistol a BUG IF it's the ONLY handgun being carried. I'd just call it a MOUSE-GUN instead.

[cowboywannabe]

hey bro, that isnt a BUG, its your primary......if you carry only one gun you have no Back Up Gun.

[Bacchus99]

I'd like to carry the G23 more. But being in the South the 642 sees plenty of carry time in the summer. The G23 sees more time in the winter. Man I love that 23!

[Parkshow30]

As sad as it is I have had this gun for like 3 months and never fired it.

I would NEVER carry a gun I have not shot. I will not even carry a gun in less I have been to the range at least twice and have a minumum of 200 rounds through it.

To carry a gun you have never shot is just dumb. You put yourself at risk trying to use an unfamiliar gun in a high pressure situation. Use another gun for carry until you shoot the kel-tec, and get some pepper spray and carry that if you don't have another gun!

[beefums]

A .32 in the hand is better than a .45 in the car.

When my back hurts or I dont feel like carrying large guns, I carry the P3AT in my pocket

[speedlace]

I am big on protecting myself but I can't seem to function when I carry anything bigger than my Keltec P32 in my pocket holster. Most of the time I forget its there totally.
Why is that?
As sad as it is I have had this gun for like 3 months and never fired it.
:wow::faint:
Get to the range and put a batch of magazines down range ASAP.

:)

[magiaaron]

As sad as it is I have had this gun for like 3 months and never fired it.

Correct that. .32s are so much fun to shoot (imo). You should spend some time out on the range making groups and popping cans! :) Otherwise, you won't know if it even goes bang when you pull the trigger! Like they say, the loudest sound you'll ever hear in a gunfight is, *CLICK*:wow:


Why FMJ's. Reliability? If it takes FMJ's to be reliable, I'd carry something else.

The p32 has a 2.7" barrel. With most rounds, it is simply not going to generate enough velocity to expand. With most federal brand products, for example, the .32 comes trucking out of a 4 inch barrel at only about 900 fps. A 2.7" barrel is going to be even slower. Expansion is not guaranteed at all. I will say, however, that the glaser you mention would work, but they are expensive and because of their speed, they don't shoot to point of aim. Because of that, you need to practice with them, but it's hard for most people to practice with them because they're expensive. Also, out of a .32 bullet, it's not going to do much and probably won't penetrate far at all. Then again, .32s aren't known for their penetration potential! :rofl: But, that's just what you have to get used to from a mouse gun, I suppose.

-magiaaron

[Critias]

BUG > No Gun At All.

Carry on. :)

[d3athp3nguin]

hey bro, that isnt a BUG, its your primary......if you carry only one gun you have no Back Up Gun.

Beat me to it... I switched from a G19 to a G26 for everyday carry, and by size standards you could call it a "mouse gun."

Well, due to the fatness of the G26 maybe I should call it a "hamster gun..."

[vafish]

hey bro, that isnt a BUG, its your primary......if you carry only one gun you have no Back Up Gun.

+1

You are not carrying a BUG. You are carrying a Mouse Gun. If you carry 2 Keltec P32's then one of them would be your primary and the other would be your BUG. A BUG is simply your second gun. My primary carry is usually my G17, when I carry a Bug it is my G19. Sometimes I carry only the G19, then it is my primary.

A Mouse Gun is better than no gun at all.

Each of us has to carry what we feel comfortable with. I'm not comfortable with a mouse gun. But if you are, and that's all you feel you can carry, then carry on and what does it matter what we think?

[LUVMYSIGP225]

My winter primary = HK USP .45
My summer primary = Glock 27

My year round BUG =

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/cshilly/IMG_2682Custom.jpg

I spent a lot of time trying to put all 9 rounds in an area the size of a face. Hey, it's better than no backup, but I seldom use it as my only weapon. Maybe for milk runs to the store after 10:00 p.m., and I am feeling lazy.

[smoke]

I would NEVER carry a gun I have not shot. I will not even carry a gun in less I have been to the range at least twice and have a minumum of 200 rounds through it.

To carry a gun you have never shot is just dumb. You put yourself at risk trying to use an unfamiliar gun in a high pressure situation. Use another gun for carry until you shoot the kel-tec, and get some pepper spray and carry that if you don't have another gun!


Never say Never. I would prefer to not carry a gun that I haven't shot but if the situation dictates, you take your chances. I can think of a couple of times where I've carried guns that I haven't shot but it was because of the situation. I agree that carrying something that's known to have problems, like the Keltec P32 is especially dangerous.

[Parkshow30]

Never say Never. I would prefer to not carry a gun that I haven't shot but if the situation dictates, you take your chances. I can think of a couple of times where I've carried guns that I haven't shot but it was because of the situation. I agree that carrying something that's known to have problems, like the Keltec P32 is especially dangerous.

I will still say never. Shoot some rounds at a range the day you buy your gun, or carry one that you have practiced with.
We are not talking about some riduculous situation where S has already HTF, its everyday normal life right now, you can go to the range and shoot if it is a priority. If you spend the money on a gun, then you can spend money on some ammo to shoot, or to drive 4 hours to a range if thats what it takes.
What situation are you in that forces you to carry a gun you have never shot? Were you walking down the street with a friend when you were unarmed, and a bad situation happned and your friend armed you?
I once bought a new handgun that I really wanted to carry, but could not get to the range for 3 days. I carried my other gun until I could shoot the new one.
If it is your first handgun waituntil you have had a chance to shoot it, if you are 30 and never carried before, another few days wont matter, and if you really think it will, its time to take a night off from bowling and get your butt to the range.

[smoke]

I will still say never. Shoot some rounds at a range the day you buy your gun, or carry one that you have practiced with.
We are not talking about some riduculous situation where S has already HTF, its everyday normal life right now, you can go to the range and shoot if it is a priority. If you spend the money on a gun, then you can spend money on some ammo to shoot, or to drive 4 hours to a range if thats what it takes.
What situation are you in that forces you to carry a gun you have never shot? Were you walking down the street with a friend when you were unarmed, and a bad situation happned and your friend armed you?
I once bought a new handgun that I really wanted to carry, but could not get to the range for 3 days. I carried my other gun until I could shoot the new one.
If it is your first handgun waituntil you have had a chance to shoot it, if you are 30 and never carried before, another few days wont matter, and if you really think it will, its time to take a night off from bowling and get your butt to the range.

If you must know-

1.) I was asked to go with another person to transport a large amount of $ to the bank from a friend's store. I was visiting from out of state and had no gun. My friend handed me a GLOCK from under the counter. I gladly took it. Was I worried about it not working? - Not in the least.

2.) Working in a state where I could not buy a gun from a dealer because of residency requirements. Bought a gun from a co-worker (J-Frame) and carried it. Had no worries that it would work if I needed it.

There's one more, but I'll keep that one to myself.

[michael t]

Best shoot it and make sure it works I carry no pistol I haven't fired. at least a 100 rounds from. All my kelTec have been fine out of box but doesn't mean yours is. I would almost bet you will get a lite hammer strike in first couple of mags.

[Parkshow30]

If you must know-

1.) I was asked to go with another person to transport a large amount of $ to the bank from a friend's store. I was visiting from out of state and had no gun. My friend handed me a GLOCK from under the counter. I gladly took it. Was I worried about it not working? - Not in the least.

2.) Working in a state where I could not buy a gun from a dealer because of residency requirements. Bought a gun from a co-worker (J-Frame) and carried it. Had no worries that it would work if I needed it.

There's one more, but I'll keep that one to myself.

Ok, I'll take it back. I am not one to travel out of state much, actually I will only make it out of state maybe once a year, and usually its through gun friendly states. LAst time it was from MI to Florida, so no problems there.

[Dean]

It doesn't matter what gun you have. What matters is that you know how to use that gun to prevail over a criminal.

I'm leaning towards ball ammo in everything .38 J-frame / .380 and below.
Ball penetrates deeper than a hollow point. If you can't carry a service pistol or compact you might carry a couple of BUG size guns, maybe one on each side where permitted.
The important thing is to have two weapons with at least one accessible to each hand. That and a cell phone, so you have the ability to call the police. If you have room you might also carry a small flip top can of law enforcement strength pepper spray. That's pretty good personal protection minimum gear. Let's call that "The Basics." Here, I'll list it out:

The basics
gun
2nd gun or knife
cellular phone, turned on and ready with speeddial set to call the police
pepper spray
wallet and keys

[smoke]

I'm leaning towards ball ammo in everything .38 J-frame / .380 and below.

I don't agree with this. Most lesser caliber (< .380) HP ammo doesn't expand reliably and the hollow cavities tend to plug. It still penetrates almost as well as FMJ though when this happens. The answer is multiple COM hits.

For .38 Snubbies, there no reason to go with ball or RNL ammo. There's plenty of good stuff out there for this application. Probably the best is the Speer GD 135 gr +P SB load, but there are other good ones too.

[RONSTAR]

If its the only gun you are carrying how can you call it a bug?

[phone*guy]

My daily carry is a S&W 442 W/Speer GD .38+P. Its hard for me to hide anything else...I wear slacks/dockers and a button up shirt at work...No jacket. Like several have said, a BUG in hand is better than a .45 in your safe! Practice, practice, practice!

[Skintop911]

I am big on protecting myself but I can't seem to function when I carry anything bigger than my Keltec P32 in my pocket holster....What say GTCI?

This is indicative of a lack of training and lack of dedication.

What does "I can't seem to function" mean?

Have you tried carrying a more substantial handgun, with a quality belt and quality holster? Ankle carry? Pocket carry?

Many here carry 2-3, at a time, routinely. Surely, there is a configuration that can be found allowing you to carry one more suitable.

It is often simply a mental exercise as well. Decide that you'll ignore that extra bit of weight or extra lump.

You're carrying something, and recognizing the value in it. That's a start. Finish the race.

[Warp]

I think it's been covered, but....


It's not a BUG, it's just a mouse gun.

FMJ > JHP in such a small caliber. The most important thing ballistically (obviously shot placement is #1 overall) is adequate penetration. Don't worry about expansion/diameter until you get penetration.

It needs to be proven to work before being carried. NEVER fired it...and it's a KelTec? :shocked: Now, if it were a high quality firearm known for reliability, I might feel differently. I carried both my G26 and my 642 before firing them (though not for long). But not the KelTec!

A mousegun in the pocket beats a .45 in the safe/car....but wouldn't you rather have a .38spl/.357/.40/9/.45 on your hip? I do.

[Lewsid 13]

I occasionally carry my Kel-Tec P3AT with a spare mag when I'm making short trips, or dressed in a manner that would make carrying a bigger gun more difficult (rare). But to carry it without having ever fired it sounds like a bad dream. I had numerous problems with my Kel-Tec initially. Only after putting about 300 rounds through it, doing the good ol F&B and then sending it back to Kel-Tec do I now feel comfortable carrying it as a mouse gun or BUG.

[Warp]

I occasionally carry my Kel-Tec P3AT with a spare mag when I'm making short trips, or dressed in a manner that would make carrying a bigger gun more difficult (rare). But to carry it without having ever fired it sounds like a bad dream. I had numerous problems with my Kel-Tec initially. Only after putting about 300 rounds through it, doing the good ol F&B and then sending it back to Kel-Tec do I now feel comfortable carrying it as a mouse gun or BUG.

Same here. Though with a P3AT.

I have since sold the P3AT and replaced it with a 642. ;)

[passive101]

If I was working and could not carry anything bigger I would carry it. It's better then nothing that's for sure.

[Jack23]

As many above have stated, nothing wrong with the P-32 for defense. I have one myself and often it is all I have on me in hot weather. The thing you need to realize is that although it can be effective as a defense weapon you are greatly restricted in the number and types of situations where it would be appropriate.

First of all you don't want to be in a situation where you are in a gunfight with someone across the street or any distance much over 12 - 15 feet. I practice with mine in both sight aiming and point and shoot and I find that 15 feet is about the limit of my comfort with this little mouser.

I feel just fine if the BG is inside ten feet. I can have it out and put 8 in his face before he realized what is going in.

As to the FMJ or hollow point type ammo, the truth is that most hollow points don't feed properly and you can get "rim lock" with them because of the slightly shorter shell casing and the fact that they actually have a rim that slightly stics out past the body of the shell casing. There is a modification you can make to your magazines where they feed properly but with out that you should probably use only FMJ.

I have studied the difference in performance in .32 auto and find that with a hollow point you can have some failure to expand properly due to the lite charge and when it does expand you give up penetration. With the FMJ you get much better penetration, according to what I've read. Still there are advantages to both I suppose. I decided to stay with the FMJ ammo for now. It feeds flawlessly in my P-32.

[smoke]

.32 HP Rim Lock in the P32 can be cured by modding the mags.

Also cured by getting a P3AT.