Walter Manurhin PP in .32 ACP

DutchV · Jan 14, 2017

Recently I was offered a Walther Manurhin PP from an estate. I had a look at it but let it pass. Condition was decent with some minor rust and bluing defects. My quick research showed that they were probably first issued as police department guns, and then imported to the US after being rotated out of service.

Before this I wasn't familiar with Walthers. One thing that swayed me against the deal was the caliber. .32 ACP just isn't all that appealing.

So here's the question: Why would a police department want a .32 ACP pistol? Has it ever been considered especially deadly? Sure, it beats harsh words and empty hands, but you could do a lot better. Like a P38 or P1 in 9mm, for instance.

Any ideas? Thanks.

somd_mustangs · Jan 14, 2017

7.65 (.32 ACP) has always been a very popular caliber in Europe dating back to the early 1900's.
Probably John Browning's influence (as it's known as 7.65 Browning too).
Also Europeans seemed to favor the smaller more elegant pistols for self-protection.

BUFF7MM · Jan 14, 2017

James Bond carried a Walther in 7.65. "It has a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window".

https://youtu.be/tU98uP7pXA8

Biggfoot44 · Jan 14, 2017

For many years in Europe .32acp was THE police cal, and not uncommon for Mil issue .

If you are an exclusive big bore and magnum guy, that's a choice, and .32acp isn't you.

But if you are of wider outlook and interest, the.32 is a decent and underated ctg. .380 apologists have no reason to look down on .32acp from a pocket size ( as opposed to micro/ subcompact) format.

John from MD · Jan 14, 2017

Many European officers carried side arms as a badge of rank, not actually for use. The pistols utilizing the 7.65 Browning caliber could be nice and compact.

DutchV · Jan 14, 2017

Biggfoot44 said:
For many years in Europe .32acp was THE police cal, and not uncommon for Mil issue .

If you are an exclusive big bore and magnum guy, that's a choice, and .32acp isn't you.

But if you are of wider outlook and interest, the.32 is a decent and underated ctg. .380 apologists have no reason to look down on .32acp from a pocket size ( as opposed to micro/ subcompact) format.

I'll go look up a ballistics gel test for .32 ACP. I'm not getting my hopes up. Modern ammo for .380 does okay but just barely.

Biggfoot44 · Jan 14, 2017

Bullet type for bullet type,.32acp performs very closely to .380 ( but with better control, trajectory, and penetration).

I'll leave it up to each reader how much that is praise of .32, and how much a slam on .380 .

Threeband · Jan 15, 2017

During WWI, French soldiers made a LOT of raids on German trenches armed only with 7.65mm Ruby-type pistols.

DutchV · Jan 15, 2017

In the days before penicillin, the mere threat of getting shot was a big deal. You'd die an awful, lingering death from sepsis.

I hadn't thought about having a pistol as a badge of rank.

ken792 · Jan 15, 2017

People also used to carry .41 Rimfire (130gr at 425 FPS) in the Remington double barrel derringer and .32 S&W Short (85gr at 700 FPS) in little revolvers for self defense.

I don't believe criminals high on PCP or meth were a threat back then. Even today, a sober criminal would probably rather not be shot using any gun in any caliber.

somd_mustangs · Jan 15, 2017

One of the most popular carry pistols of the time in the US was the Colt 1903 in .32 ACP
Nice slim profile, compact, and "Accidental discharge is absolutely impossible" (from Colt brochure of the day).
It'd get the job done.

mawkie · Jan 16, 2017

Ditto for the Savage 1907/1917 series. Funny how .32 auto versions outsold .380 by at least a 4-1 ratio. Savage just couldn't get the public to warm up to .380, even though it was just as reliable and probably a better "man stopper".

Bob A · Jan 16, 2017

Biggfoot44 said:
Bullet type for bullet type,.32acp performs very closely to .380 ( but with better control, trajectory, and penetration).

I'll leave it up to each reader how much that is praise of .32, and how much a slam on .380 .

Couple this with the fact that the PP/PPK was designed around the .32, performs very well indeed with that round, with minimal recoil and ease of staying on target.

The .380 on the other hand is not pleasant to shoot in my PPK/S, with snappy recoil and a tendency to smokestack if you limp-wrist the pistol. Not the ideal round in a self-defense situation, especially in a caliber that more or less cries out for multiple impacts to assure stopping an attack.

fidelity · Jan 16, 2017

Bob A said:
Couple this with the fact that the PP/PPK was designed around the .32, performs very well indeed with that round, with minimal recoil and ease of staying on target.

...

If I get an older PP/PPK, I plan to get it in 32 ACP for the reason you state. I have other carry gun options in 9mm.

32 ACP can get the job done. In Pennsylvania a couple years back, a physician packing a Seecamp in 32 ACP stopped a large, deranged attacker (took several shots) who was armed with a revolver.

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Walter Manurhin PP in .32 ACP

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