Our little pistol league requires '32 caliber or greater' to compete. Miss Melodie shot this year with a .22 to get the hang of it but she is not in the running for trophies nor fame and fortune. She is uncomfortable with using a revolver due to the reload round (yes, it can be learned but maybe later). She also has issues with recoil as well as pistol weight. Recall, she broke her wrist in January and wants to work into it, both endurance and strength.

So, I need to find a .32-ish caliber, semi-auto with decent sights and sight radius that ain't too big or heavy.

What I have seen with a short look is Bersa made their Thunder in .32ACP. This would be good as it would make a good understudy for her Thunder 380.

Another interesting specimen was the H&K Model 4 which has 4 interchangeable barrels for .22, .25ACP .32ACP and .380---didn't know it even existed!

There are a number of older models like the 1903 Colt or 1910 Browning but the sights are tiny!

I know there are a few dedicated target pistols like the Pardini or Hammerelli but, for the moment are out of reach.

What else is out there?

Thank you!

Walther PPK ?

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

Useful for Bogart or Edward G. "Johnny Rocco" Halloween parties, tho.

What about a Ruger LC380? Basically the LC9 in 380acp. Would think recoil would be slight and sights are certainly better.

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Check out this Beretta 81 on GB.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=411486540

Or, you could go Llama a'la 1911

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=410824457

In 9mm Makarov. Excellent sights and a good shooter.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=400770436

Heh-heh-heh!

Otony

http://www.carl-walther.de/cw.php?lang=de&content=products&sub=1&subsub=13&...

Might pricey though.

The BERETTA model 100 6" BBL with fully adjustable sights. Mine will do well under an inch at 25 yards with ball ammo.

How about a FN 1922
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=409734476

I think browning made a re run of these in the '70s or '80s and it seems like they had more modern sights.

I picked up a Savage 1907 a while back and it is a decent shooter with cast bullets, again you have the poor sight issue.

What about going with a lighter weight but mid size 9mm and loading it to about .380 levels? You might have to get a lighter recoil spring but brass is everywhere. A 100gr lead RN at 1000 FPS or so would do what you need and it would cheaper than getting a full blown target .32.

Its already been suggested, but the middle sized Berettas in .80 might be a decent one to work with. They look to have big, easy to see sights, and I bet you could find an adjustable rear if need be. The later Browning single stacks with the big goofy 'target' sights that allowed importation could be useful as well. I do agree on the idea of using a 9mm she's comfortable with and loading it light. 90-115 gr bullets loaded light would be a good plan. What about one of the nicer top breaks in .32 with Speedloaders for a reload? Might be easier to use than a swing out cylinder. I know H&R made some longer barreled versions with target sights into the 70's and 80's.

Thanks!

I appreciate the suggestions. We'll keep on the hunt and try out a few for fit and feel.

The biggest problem is the 5-round magazines. Makes shooting a 12-round reload relay a bit frantic!

looks to be great condition:

https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=1392&aid=79209&lid=19689872&...

i buy a lot of stuff through proxibid. very easy to deal with.