[buckshott]

My son works outside and usually carries a Mustang Pocketlite. He is in a hot and dusty job. He is considering a Kel Tec or a Beretta for every day use and keeping the Mustang for other times. He has looked at both and doesn't know which would be the most reliable. Has anyone owned both and what would you recommend?

[MCgunner]

I had one Beretta and it was a POS. But, it's not representative of the whole, I'm quite sure. It was a little .22 short.

But, Beretta doesn't make anything comparable to the P11 Kel Tec for power and concealability and the new PF9 might be even better. It's sceduled to be released soon. I like the double stack hi cap P11, though. It's not all that much bigger than the PF9, only .1" in width and 2 ounces in unloaded weight, same height and length.

I'm sold on Kel Tec for its function, price, accuracy, and reliability. You can pay a lot more and get a lot less than a Kel Tec.

[MICHAEL T]

I'd put the Mustang up as their becoming very expensive. I would go with a new 2nd Gen Kel Tec in 32 or 380 . Their thin light and the new ones are a lot more relieable. I bought a P-32 tested it and went back next morning and bought a 2nd one for wife. I have over 5oo rounds thru mine and wife is around 300. No problems!!! The pistol is simple to take down and clean and if needs repaired you can do .Kt will send parts. or you can send it in. I was one of the KT bashers but no longer count me a fan. If he think about the Tomcat it to big thick and heavy,. Has worst DA trigger Ive ever experiance. all this a a 32.
He can also look at new Bersa CC their now out their a compact version of the 380 Thunder. Should pocket better the full size thunder. also should be in mid $200 range.

[Bobo]

(This is assuming he wants a pocket gun about the size of the Mustang.)

Kel-Tec P-3AT...
Smaller height and width, lighter, larger caliber, cheaper to shoot, cheaper to buy.
Moisture and dirt will affect polymer less than metal. The Beretta Tomcat is all metal.
The latest P-3ATs have been very reliable.

For maintainability under the harsh conditions you mention, a Kel-Tec with a hard chromed slide would be best. These are sometimes hard to find.
Parkerized would be second best.
Blued last.

You could also get a blued one (cheaper, usually about $20 less than a Parked and about $30 less than hard chromed), then after shooting it to assure it's a keeper, get it hard chromed or nickel plated (just about as good as hard chrome). Jack Fusilier will nickel plate the slide very inexpensively, and for a bit more also plate the mags and take-down pin. Many Kel-Tec owners have used his services and have been very pleased. http://www.gunsmith.fuselier.com/slideoffer.html

[ugaarguy]

What Bobo said. My new P-3AT has been flawless thru the 200 round "break in" period. It's size and weight made me trade away my P-11. The P-3AT also has a pretty good trigger, very good for such a small DAO auto.

[Tropical Z]

Definitely a Kel-Tec with a hard chrome slide.I love my P32.

[grampster]

Ditto Michael T on the Tomcat. I have one. The trigger pull is atrocious. I bought it for my wife but I wouldn't let her have it after I shot it a few times.
It also has a problem with the firing pin breaking. It took me almost 6 mos to get a new pin from Beretta. I like Beretta's generally, but the Tomcat is a disapointment. I also have a 9000S and it is fat, heavy and doesn't have much in the balance department. Feels top heavy.

[berettashotgun]

Have a beretta 84 and an 85 model and found they aren't much smaller than my PARA P-12. The sweetie has been carrying a 8040 mini cougar- fits best for her. That said, and although I really like beretta pistols, the other choice makes much more practical sense. BTW, the beretta 85 had a gouged out feed ramp after a few thousand rounds of hollow point ammo. Became a ftf problem; had to go to ball only.:banghead:

[Craig M. Arnold]

My advice to your son would be to get a KelTec. I have two first generation P3ATs. I have about 1,200 rounds through one and about 900 rounds through the other one. Both are 100% reliable. Great little pistols.

Best regards.