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 P-32
 Newbie Needs Help
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K-Raptor New Member Posts: 2 |
posted March 18, 2001 05:09 PM
    
This is my first time here. I got a P32 about a month ago as a "baby backup". Been having problems ever since, so I need a little help. I checked the archives on Glocktalk, there are some P32 owners there. It seems the P32 is generally reliable, but I'm wondering if I may have got a "lemon". Before taking it to the range the first time, I broke it down, cleaned and lubed all the metal with Tetra, a little armour-all on the plastic. I bought Magtech hardball just for the "break-in". I got at least one ailure to eject (FTE) on each magazine I fired; usually on the 4th or 5th round. The extractor would draw the case about half-way out of the chamber, then release, leaving the brass stuck in the chamber and blocking the next round. First thought, mag spring was to tight. I compressed the mag spring for a week and tried again. Same results, so I checked the extractor for chips or broken edges; didn't find any. Next thought, bad ammo. (I know that non-glocks can be picky eaters). So I switched to Blazers. The Blazers ejected fine, but I got a FTF about every 10th round. I've fired about 100 rounds of Magtech and 50 Blazers. Is it just the ammo, or do I have a lemon that needs squeezing? ------------------ The sign reads: "There are sharks in the water, bears in the woods, and snakes in the grass... watch your step!"
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edward stederson New Member Posts: 17 |
posted March 18, 2001 07:26 PM
I'm no gunsmith, but this is one idea. This pistol (of course) is dependant on slide momentum, all the way backward, to function. Being lightweight, a firm grip is essential to keep the recoil action in the slide. Sounds like you're an experienced shooter, but this is an extraordinarily light pistol. And, with the FTE coming about the 4-5th round, it makes me think of how I tend to become a bit more relaxed after firing a few rounds as I look for a tight group. Hang in there. My main carry is also a Glock. If this weren't a Kel-Tec board I'd say something like, Aren't they great? ------------------
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alamo Member Posts: 70 |
posted March 18, 2001 09:13 PM
Try the advice at Glock Talk unless anyone here has any better ideas. If that doesn't work, call KT. Their customer service is outstanding and they will make it right for you. ------------------
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scromer Member Posts: 44 |
posted March 18, 2001 09:18 PM
K-Raptor, I highly recommend that you do the fluff and buff with the 600 grit sandpaper as described in the tek-werks section of the main KTOG page. I also recommend polishing the feed ramp with a dremel tool and some 1200 grit polishing compound. I also used the dremel to to polish the surface of the slide where it contacts the hammer. ------------------ [This message has been edited by scromer (edited March 18, 2001).]
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K-Raptor New Member Posts: 2 |
posted March 19, 2001 10:21 PM
Based on what I've seen here and at the Glock site, it sounds like it might be worth the effort to put a little work into the P32. I'll give it the Fluff and Buff routine and try a couple other brands of ammo. Winchester (ball and silvertips) seems to be the safe choice for the initial break in. If that passes the test, I'll try the Gold-dot and some Federals. I'll be happier knowing I have more than one choice for ammo. (The Glock will swallow anything, so I'm a little spoiled). If the F&B doesn't work, I'll give KT a shot at it. Now that I have it, I really hate to give it up; it could come in real handy when I don't have a gun close by ;) . But reliability is beyond critical. Probably won't get to the F&B and run through for a couple weeks. Have in-laws on the week-end, so the "boss" is making me do housework the rest of the week. ------------------ The sign reads: "There are sharks in the water, bears in the woods, and snakes in the grass... watch your step!"
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rv8 New Member Posts: 13 |
posted March 19, 2001 11:19 PM
K-Raptor, I feel your pain, and unfortunately, I have no first hand encouragement to offer. I sold my first P32 about a year ago because of all the problems I had with it. Recently, I bought another one hoping that Kel Tec's quality control had improved. Sadly, it hasn't. My current P32 has already been returned to the factory once, then promptly failed on 12 out of 50 rounds of Silvertips. Now they're sending me a new slide stop/ejector for the current problem. I'm committed to making it work, but it's a frustrating task. By contrast, I've owned 6 Glocks, and most of them have never had the first failure of any kind. In fact, I've had fewer Glock failures in 10,000+ total rounds than I had in 50 rounds with the Kel Tec last Sunday. If the P32 wasn't so small and light, it would be gone in a heartbeat. If it doesn't start to behave, it will be gone anyway. Good luck to us both, ------------------ [This message has been edited by rv8 (edited March 21, 2001).]
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treynolds45 New Member Posts: 18 |
posted March 20, 2001 05:43 AM
Back to the basics...for the break-in and also later use, get some Winchester range ammo, and some Winchester Silvertips for defense. They work flawlessly. If this doesn't do it, I'd call Kel-Tec for advice before doing anything else to the pistol. Good luck. Tom R. ------------------
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scromer Member Posts: 44 |
posted March 20, 2001 12:31 PM
I too have been spoiled by my Glocks (19 & 26). The Kel-Tec is a nice little piece, but it is no Glock and that is reflected in the price. I bought my P32 with the idea that it was almost a kit gun. I've spent a couple of hours going over all of the mating surfaces and the work has paid off. I shot about 150 rounds on Sunday with no hiccups. I shot FN surplus, Aguila, S&B, and Cor-Bon. If Glock ever makes a mouse gun in their Smyrna facility, I will buy one in a second. Until then, I am satisfied with my P32. You may want to consider paying the $20.00 for the hard chrome upgrade. It is my understanding that Kel-Tec sends only their best parts out for plating. My P32 is a chromed version. Also, I replaced the stock recoil springs with Wollf 13lb recoil springs and replaced the standard magazine springs with Wollf +10% springs. Check out www.gunsprings.com Good luck! ------------------ [This message has been edited by scromer (edited March 20, 2001).] [This message has been edited by scromer (edited March 20, 2001).]
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MIKE Member Posts: 191 |
posted March 21, 2001 10:23 PM
K-Raptor, The P-32 should work perfectly with most ammo. Magtech FMJ certainly should work 100%. My gun has over 1200 rounds through it and works perfectly, and so should yours. I personally like the Hard Chrome job & the minor F&B they do at that time. Besides, if there is anything wrong with your slide or barrel, you get a new one with the Hard Chrome. Also, when you send the gun in for the HC, they will test it for any problems. Keep in mind that there is a break-in period of about 100-200 rounds. And make sure you are not limp wristing the gun, so maintain a firm grip as mentioned earlier. The P-32 is a fantastic gun, and yours can be too. Mike ------------------
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