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OK, this is something that I have some experience with and will give you my 2 cents on.

The answer is......it depends.

I collect pre-end of WW1 .32 Auto pistols. I am an engineer by training and have been a long time shooter. So between studying collectibles and my technical knowledge, I think I can provide you with some insights. I have concealed carry licenses in multiple states. I prefer pocket carry.

I have a variety of pocket carry firearms. I will choose a different one for different situations.

Serious deep woods pocket carry; In a big jacket pocket or hiking cargo pants pocket is An Astra .44 Rem Magnum stainless steel snub nose revolver called a Terminator.

Moderate deep woods, Mountain biking or rural exploring. Taurus snub nose .357 Mag. Needs a good pocket holster sized to the firearm.

Serious urban pocket carry mostly concealed, in choice of 9mm, Sig 938 nightmare, Ruger LC9s, or Keltec PF-9 after fluff and buff. Needs a good pocket holster sized to the firearm.

Ultra concealable or dressing up carry. KelTec AT-3 in .38 Auto, with a good pocket holster (that I made for myself) Doesn't print, holds and extra magazine fits in dress pants pocket.

Now two important topics you should be asking about but haven't.

(1) Small pistol shooting physics. Yes Physics as in mass, energy, recoil. One of the problems with “mouse guns” as some call pocket pistols, is that they are very small, very light weight and at the ragged edge of firearm design.

Anyone can reliably shoot a M1911-A1 as it is big and heavy. It takes talent to shoo reliably an ultra small ultra light weight mouse gun. To reliably eject a spent semi-auto round after firing, the action needs to be fully worked and the slide travel the full distance. If for any reason your hand/arm absorbs some of the recoil that was suppose to cycle the action to eject and then cleanly load a new round, the firearm will potentially jamb. This is called “limp writing” and has nothing to do with wrist strength. It has to do if recoil energy is transferred from the firearm to shooters hand/arm. Practice helps avoid limp wristing, but it is common in small ultra-concealment semi-auto firearms that are over designed.

(2) Ammo selection. While the most favored WW2 French Resistance concealed carry pocket pistol was the Baby Browning FN .25 caliber, which in some circles was known as s stomach belly gun. Very concealable, but unless into the brain through a skill opening not all that lethal.

Also there are probably more bodies that have been put in European cemeteries with .32 Auto pistols than any other caliber. For decades it was used by police, military and civilians. In fact a .32 Auto pistol was the concealed carry favorite that John M Browning liked to carry. If something was good enough for him (and he could have had any pistol in the world), it should be good enough for just about anyone.

While I have lots of .32 Auto pistols, that would not be my first choice in caliber. I would go up to either a .380 (9mm Kutz), 9mm Makarov, or 9mm Luger round. They are 3 different rounds and are not interchangeable.

For ammo you need to choose something that your pocket carry firearm shoots reliably and that is absolutely critical. My Keltec PF-9 likes anything designed by Hornady. It is not reliable with Winchester silver-tip ammo. My Sig 938, Ruger LCPs love Hornady Crtical Defense ammo. My KelTec AT-3 loves Hornady .380 Critical Defense Ammo.

Something you might want to look into for ammo is Buffalo Bore custom ammo. Most ammo is loaded to below SAAMI cartridge specifications. Buffalo Bore loads to SAAMI specs and should be safe for modern firearms in good condition. Because of our litigious society some commercial manufacturers of ammo load to less than SAAMI power levels and offer customers +p and +P+ heavy loads.

Very short barreled firearms whether revolver or semi-auto or prone to huge muzzle flash that can blind you in low light conditions. Some commercial ammo designed for short barreled firearms uses powers that is less prone to muzzle flash. Again, the key is to get some range time in on an early evening to see how the ammo performs.

Good luck, Pocket carry is my favorite form of concealed carry. Enjoy! Just make sure you practice.

OK, this is something that I have some experience with and will give you my 2 cents on...

Thank you for your reasoned commentary on 32 ACP. Most of the knee-jerks around here don't know that it was a European military/LEO round for decades.

A guy (retired cop) that I have hunted with was chasing a perp down an alley. The perp turned and shot the cop four times in the chest with a 32 ACP, nearly killing the cop. He survived after a 3 month hospital stay and retired out after that. I'm almost certain this was plain ball FMJ ammunition.

That a fleeing perp was able to place four shots center of mass speaks volumes about controllable pistol rounds. Try doing that with these pocket sized 9mm while you're running.

With modern bullets and loads, the 32 ACP will do the job it's intended to: a close range, pocket sized defensive weapon with controllable recoil.

Outstanding and very helpful post. Many years back both spouse and I were using 380 (Walther PPK Made in Ulm) and 38 Special Taurus both of which were loaded with MagSafe ammo- which to my mind had impressive fps out the barrel but-— having experimented, the rounds (which had resin filled hydroshok tips also filled with small ball bearings/pellets).

If one was “up close and musical” straight on with a target— pretty devastating, however in real life situation- firing at a perp at an oblique angle or hitting some belt buckle or other— the round would fragment and be ineffective. So, went with a newer 38 Special revolver with laser and which takes +P ammo. The Walther still presents a problem, but not as much from reading your comments here- as it now has very well made Sellier and Bellot rounds, that penetrate gel to 16” or more depending on distance.

Also have a 1900’s 32 S&W I Frame which is a beautiful original plating, has a small almost “ladysmith” style grip, and can be loaded with the very 32 rounds you describe so well . Saving your post.

Any thoughts on all this? Particularly MagSafe. It was a
SWAT LEO friend that seemed to like them, but they were concerned about a round going through an apt. wall and killing someone next door.

Well and truly stated.