[Gerald Sykes]

for carring a gun on you , would a 32 cal. or a 25 cal.which would be the best to carry

[Dillinger]

Got to go with a 1911 in .45ACP to be honest. 230 grains traveling at 850 to 900fps can do a lot of damage in a short period of time.

I don't put much stock in either of the calibers you are looking at. Minimal penetration and minimal stopping power. The .32 is the larger of the two, so if you have really tiny hands, or are so lean you owe muscle mass, that would probably be the better of the two evils, but I wouldn't send my woman out with a .32 into the night.

Do you have a specific gun you are looking at getting?

Just my $0.02

D

[gnoll]

i would have to agree on this one i go with the man stopping power of the 45

[Doug1627]

Neither. IMO nothing smaller than a .40 caliber

[greenjeans]

If those are the only two choices, take the .32. Some folks must think a lot of them since Kel-Tec has sold a wagon load of them. Maybe not the first choice of most, but certainly better than nothing.

[chorst294]

If a pocket gun is what you're after, then I would suggest at least a .380 since they come in guns as small as many .32's. North American Arms Guardian .380 and the new Ruger LCP are great, good quality options. I understand the need for pocket guns, but would prefer the proven stopping power of a larger caliber (9mm, .40, .45)

[tommy2waffle]

I have always favored the Colt Detective .38 Spc, for the following reasons, 1) easily to conceal, especially on smaller framed people, 2) I don't have to fiddle with safety mechanisms, and 3) loaded with +P's it has tremedous stopping power. One never knows who his or her assailant will be, and if it is a 6'5" 300 pounder, a 32 cal or even a .380 is not likely to do the job. In a defensive situation, with the blood pumping, I do now want to have to concern myself with anything else other than identifying my assailant, drawing the weapon and firing.

[chorst294]

It sounds like you have the perfect weapon for you for self defense. I enjoy the .38 Spl. round since it doesn't beat you up. I regret to say I recently gave up a chance to buy a really nice Colt .357.

[ScottG]

I've always wondered just how ineffective a .32 ACP really is. Unless we've developed thicker skin, tougher bones and muscles, it seems that the apparently unloved .32 should still do the job. After all, Colt made over half a million of them. Someone must have thought they'd do the job for it to be a production item for over forty years. It seems to me that the little .32 pocket pistol might be a choice for someone recoil sensitive or who can't handle a larger gun. If you can handle it and place your shots well and have the right ammo, I don't see anything wrong with using a .32 as a carry piece.

Of course I've never had to use a gun, so you may take my thoughts for what they're worth.

[Mitya Karamazov]

I just want to point out the new Ruger .327 sp. revolver . Everything I have seen on this new cal. looks mighty impressive ! Plus it's a Ruger wheelgun , hard to beat for carry dependabilty far as I'm concerned ,, also Ruger is offering their own version of the Kel-tec type .380 , which of the two , I'd much rather trust my life to.
Now try not to laugh , or dismiss me as a complete lunatic , but I have , in the past carried a .32s&w revolver , sure it's only about a hunnerd 'n thirty year old cartridge but if you get the bullet where you want it gets the job done. {granted with no room to spare}
I gotta go with .357mag for true carry though . Complete confidence is great to go out the door with. Like the man says though , damn near any gun is the right gun , if you need it and you got it .