32acp vs 380 acp? for defense, target shooting, price, and all around fun, which is better?

I have two Mod PPs. One is a Walther the other is a Manurhin and there isn't much to choose from between the two. Fit and finish on the Walther is a hair better but performance is identical. They are both ex-West German Police pistols in .32ACP. Accuracy is great with either one as is reliability. After several thousand rounds I don't recall a malfunction with either pistol except a few problems early on with the Manurhin which turned out to be a mag problem. The Mod PP and the PPK are the same pistol except the PPK has slightly shorter barrel and grip. They make great trail guns as they are light on the belt and would be a good bet for concealed carry as they are fairly slim too. The .32ACP is definitely not a first choice as a defense cartridge but with the Winchester Silvertip loading that is available it works better in the real world than paper stats say it should. A nice light easy carrying PP in your pocket is a heck of a lot better than your heavy bulky 1911 back in the safe.

I love my set.

Well I need to address the above, the Walther PP and PPK have different slides, barrels and frames. The PPK is a lot smaller frame and will cut your hand when shooting if you have big hands.

The PPK/S is an abortion combining the PP frame and a PPK style slide. The Interarms and the Frog built are both crap. (not sure about the S&W built ones but I would never own a Walther that was built anywhere but the Thuringia factory) S&W started making the PPK again in 2007.

This is what Wikpedia says:

PPK versus PPK/S

ATF Form 4590 ("Factoring Criteria for Weapons").

The PPK/S was developed following the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA68) in the United States, the pistol's largest market (Hogg 1979:164). One of the provisions of GCA68 banned the importation of pistols and revolvers not meeting certain requirements of length, weight, and other "sporting" features into the U.S. The PPK failed the "Import Points" test of the GCA68 by a single point. (See image of ATF Form 4590 for the complete list of qualifying points). Walther addressed this situation by combining the PP's frame with the PPK's barrel and slide to create a pistol that weighed slightly more than the PPK. The additional ounce or two of weight of the PPK/S compared to the PPK was sufficient to provide the extra needed import points.

Because U.S. law allowed domestic production (as opposed to importation) of the PPK, manufacture began under license in the U.S. in 1978; this version was distributed by Interarms. The version currently manufactured by Smith & Wesson has been improved by incorporating a longer grip tang, better protecting the shooter from slide bite, i.e. the rearward-traveling slide's pinching the web between the index finger and thumb of the firing hand, which was a problem with the original design.

The PPK/S differs from the PPK as follows:

* Overall height: 104 mm (4.1 in)

* Weight: the PPK/S weighs 51 g (1.8 oz) more than the PPK

* The PPK/S magazine holds one additional round, in both calibers.

As of 2007[update], the PPK/S and the PPK are offered in the following calibers: .32 ACP (with capacities of 8+1 for PPK/S and 7+1 for PPK); or .380 ACP (PPK/S: 7+1, PPK: 6+1).

.380 Auto is miles above .32 ACP for self defense. Very few people would say the .32 is a good self defense cartridge.

I can't really speak to those firearms you named, but .380 Auto is a much more often seen ammunition, especially in places like Wal Mart and Academy.

You'll find the .380 ammo to be cheaper, more readily available, and harder hitting than the .32, but the .32 is inherently more accurate. If you're looking for a PPK, why not a Walther?

.380,9x18(9mm Makarov),9x19 is the way to go. The .32acp is fine for plinking...but, not defense. Stay with a Walther or 9mm Makarov.

There is very little difference between a 32acp and a 380acp - it's like asking should I take a hammer to my left toe, or my right toe? Both should hurt about the same, feel the same, and take the same amount of time to heal.

They are not good target pistols and you cannot use one in any form of competition I know of. They are a good side arm for personal protection - that is about it.

just get a 9mm. more power and cheaper ammo. 21 bucks for 100 rounds of winchester white box at wal mart

Go with the .380 but the 9mm is better.

H