[dtalley]

I purchased a 3AT about a month ago at a gun show for pocket carry. NIB, Hard Chrome slide for $260. Hadn't had time to get to the range until today. WOW. I was so afraid from reading all the threads about Failers of all kinds, BAD recoil, Hurting trigger finger and all... I ran 60 rounds through it in 3 different magazines and what a shooter... I love it. Recoil was very managable no failers of any kind. Hitting a pie plate at about 7 yards was no problem. I wasn't going for accuracy just giving it a test to see if I was going to like it. I didn't even take it apart and clean and lube before I shot it. :D

I plan on cleaning it up and lubing and going at it again in a couple of days. I think it's going to be a keeper and daily pocket carry unless something goes wrong between now and the next 500 rounds.

[MR.G]

I have a first generation P-3AT with the hard chrome slide. Over 450 rounds of various brands of ammo without any failures. I carry it when I need something more concealable than my KT P-11.

[Green Lantern]

Congrats! Welcome to the land of owning the (IMO) ultimate "always-gun!" :cool:

I covet your HC slide a little bit, but I've had no rust issues with my basic blued. I was pretty fanatic about CLPing it when I'd carry it...then I discovered Bullfrog too! :D

[obxned]

Everybody who has a problem or thinks they have a problem spouts off. Few of us sing praises or write 'thank you' notes to the manufacturer when we get a really good gun.

My P3AT has never had a problem, even when shot by inexperience people who limp-wristed it. It is amazingly accurate when shot off a rest. It can place a full mag on COM at 7 yards so quickly that it sound nearly full auto.

Enjoy your new gun. Put a couple of hundred rounds through it and then carried it everywhere. Also give the belt clip a try.

PS: I DID write the manufacturer a thank you note!

[ArmsAkimber]

I bought a P-32 when that model first came out. I sold it to fund the purchase of a Guardian 380. I would have gone with the P-3AT if it had been available at the time. The Guardian 380 spins like a top, but feels like it's made of depleted uranium. (Heavy! :uhoh: )

Kel-Tec makes really good guns at excellent prices. My P-11, which is my usual carry weapon, has never failed to function...ever.

Congrats on your new civil rights accessory!

[brett30030]

My P3 goes everywhere with me. Even when i carry my Sp-101, i carry the P3, just because it carries just like a wallet or set of car keys. You made a great choice:D

[Run&Shoot]

You guys are killing me. I gave my S&W 642 to my daughter recently and am planning to replace it soon. But it just fits into some of my jeans pockets and is a bit much for slacks for real concealment.

With all the good reports I read on THR about the P3AT I am now thinking to get one of these first, then later get another 642. I like the 158 gr of the .38 whenever that would be practical to carry. But I think I would carry the P3AT even more often. I usually have a G23 on me so in those cases the pocket gun is just a backup or alternative draw weapon. But sometimes in summer the G23 is not practical, and even the 642 gets tough to carry in light shorts.

[The Amigo]

I traded my Taurus mod 85 UL for one of these about a 2 years ago and no complaints I shoot it once a month to stay proficient and added a +1 mag extension to make it 8 round of .380

[MICHAEL T]

I ve got 3 99.8% of time ones in my pocket. No matter what else I mght be packing or not be packing.

[Ala Dan]

I've got a new KEL-TEC P3AT myself, but its not got the hard chrome slide;
just the basic weapon. So far, I like it pretty darn well~! ;) :D

[03Shadowbob]

I have to say that I have carried my P3AT more often than any other gun. It is very versatile. OWB carry? very thin, no printing with even tight t-shirts, Pocket carry? so light you forget it's there. Surf shorts or Athletic shorts with no pockets? Buy a smartcarry or make one yourself and noone will ever know.
And mine is about as accurate as can be from such a small lightweight pistol.

[solive]

I love mine to, I have had it for 3 months with 0 failures. It goes everywhere with me. Sometimes as my BUG, sometimes as my main CCW.

[DawgFvr]

It's my "Sunday, go to Church" gun. If I wear tight fitting jeans, shorts, it is the only weapon that really just disappears. I carry Corbon DPX in it. I hate to admit it, but I've carried this more than any of my "carry" weapons. Be advised though...it really is only the extension of your fist. After emptying a magazine, and, if time permits, the additional one I carry, I'd be prepared for fist-a-cuffs or flight. This weapon, like all small side arms, might deter a fight but I certainly have no confidence in it ending a determined attacker...short of precise placement of rounds and a lot of luck.;)

[Kilgor]

I love mine, but I think the main spring is weak. When shooting, the slide stays back about 50% of the time. A nudge with my thumb helps it strip the fresh round from the magazine and reload.

I am in contact with Keltec right now to get it fixed.

[eng23ine]

For those of you that have a blued kel tec, let me recommend sending the slide to Jack Fuselier to have it hard chrome plated.

He uses a satin finish that is VERY durable and slick.

He's doing the slides for ~$25.00, and mag tubes for ~$7.50...IMHO worth every penny.
I had my 1st gen P3at done by him about 1.5 years ago and it still looks like new.

Heres his website: http://gunsmith.fuselier.com/slideoffer.html

I'd also recommend that you guys go to http://www.ktog.org for everything you ever wanted to know about the kel tec's

[MikePGS]

Just as a heads up, the new cdnn catalog (at cdnninvestments.com) has them for $219:)

[CypherNinja]

I recently picked up a parked version and I CAN"T WAIT to get to the range with it!

[michiganfan]

Its the gun you carry when you cant carrry a gun.

[Mississippi]

Just got mine a few days ago.So far I'm loving it.

Do you guys carry with one in the chamber?

[SniperStraz]

Do you guys carry with one in the camber?
Now you've done it! Just kidding. Welcome to THR. You won't find many people here that carry guns without a round in the chamber. It's a DAO and therefore is just as safe as carrying a modern revolver with all of the chambers loaded. So in answer to your question...yes.

[Mississippi]

I feel the same way(safe as a revolver) .Just checking to see how others carry theres.Thanks for the welcome

[Run&Shoot]

Got mine last week!

I bought the plain blued one as that was all that was in stock. I only found one dealer that had any in stock and only a couple of others that offered to order it. the one stocking dealer seems to not be able to keep them on the shelf. He just got in a batch the day I went over (called me at Noon that UPS delivered some) and I bought the last one at 5pm.

I plan to get to the range later this week to run some boxes of ammo through it. Already field stripped it to fluff and buff according to the 14+ steps recommended, and thoroughly cleaned and lubed it.

Appears that Kel-tec applied some of the fluff and buff steps already to this later model one. Some of the steps described in the web instructions like rounding the endge of the feed ramp and some other edges already were pretty good. But I buffed to a shine anyway.

Carry it around in my pocket at the house just to try it our for size is very easy and comfy. Waiting for my Desantis Nemesis holster to arrive. After shooting for reliability it looks like this will be with me 99.99% of the time.

I sure don't want to rely solely on the .380 round, but it is better than my teeth, and I plan to still keep my G23 with me as much as practical.

Overall a very nice little pocket gun that disappears and is so light there really is no reason not to have it with you, and still pack whatever other CCW handgun you already have as well.

[ReadyontheRight]

Do you guys carry your P-3AT in a pocket holster or just in your pocket?

[The Amigo]

Kilgor most P3s have that problem your spring is ok just do a fluff and buff polish the ramp to a mirror like finish and you shall be fine. I have fired other P3s that would need a nudge to chamber a round but after firing the first round they cycle fine. P3s rock

[triguy]

Love my olive drab P-32 loaded with CORBONS and stake my like on it daily. Rust and pocket lint are it's only enemy, oops forgot to mention politicians !

[DawgFvr]

Readyontheright: Always...always carry your pocketed weapon in a "pocket holster"! Not only does it keep the trigger guard covered and lint out of the barrel, but it also keeps the hilt in the the same proper and upward position for dependable drawing in an expedient manner. Mika makes a fabulous one...and very inexpensive. Lots of other pocket holsters out there...I have a nice one from K&D.

Michiganfan: Very well said. "The gun you carry when you cannot carry a gun". I hate to admit it, but I have carried mine more often than my .45 ACP or S&W 642. It is the kind of weapon you carry more than you fire it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3052312&postcount=10

[lateforwork]

First off....what page on (cdnninvestments.com)'s catalog is the gun? For some reason I didnt see it. I'm a glock 19 owner, but looking to purchase a Springfield 1911-A1 Ultracompact, and quite possibly one of these too. Are there any other good guns in this size and price range?

[pfgrone]

Went to the range recently with my 1) S&W 38 snubby, 2) NAA Guardian 380, 3) KelTec P3AT 380. Laid them out beside each other and took turns shooting each in 5 shot rotations. Shot each single handed several rotations in addition to two hands holds. Each has different plusses and minuses.

S&W 38 Model 642.-most recoil of the three but not by much, best sights of the three. No concerns about reliability but it is a bit bulky in some front pockets. Doesn't fill my hand as well as the G380 but better than the KelTec. I love shooting the 38 snubby.

Guardian 380 - fits in my hand real good, recoil seems same as KelTec, don't care for the sights (too thin), The transfer bar spring broke during the shooting session. Previously had the trigger break on the G380. Repaired both of those myself with replacement parts sent to me by NAA. Trigger pull seems a bit long and heavy to me. I really want this gun to work but I am having doubts right now about reliability for CCW.

KelTec P3AT - no problems of any kind yet with this gun, sights - what sights?, the grip feels a little thin in my hands, I like the P3AT trigger pull over the G380. This will probably be my “always” gun. This is a fun gun to shoot - even one handed. The first time I cleaned it, I lost the ejector which is a little steel piece that fits loosely in the frame.

I think all 3 probably shoot more accurately than I am capable of achieving.
I will carry the P3AT and/or S&W 38 but my G380 is on probation for the time being. I probably have 250 rounds thru the KelTec, 400 thru the G380, and 2,000+ thru the 38 snub nose.
Paul G.

[ZeSpectre]

I don't love my P-3AT. Heck I'm not sure I even -like- my P-3AT. But you'd have a really hard time prying mine away from me :evil:

Probably the best thing I've done with mine (other than fluff n' buff) is to add the +1 extensions to my magazines. It added just enough length to the grip to dramatically improve my control.

The first time I cleaned it, I lost the ejector which is a little steel piece that fits loosely in the frame.
Heh, yeah me too. Had to look for a while to find the darn thing.

[gpr]

a good site for keltec is KTOG.org.....friendy people with tons of knowledge....gpr

[jmark127]

Gets my vote for most likely to be carried. It's light, small and easily concealed. I have yet to experience any type of malfunction. Also, the Mika pocket holster does a nice job protecting it, keeping it in the proper orientation and allows the gun to be drawn from the holster easily while the holster stays in the pocket. While I often carry my P345 or my P111, I always carry my P3At.

[Run&Shoot]

jmark,

I didn't see a holster for small autos like the P-3AT on the Mika web site, just for snub revolvers. Is that what you are using, or am I overlooking the right one on his sight? Or is it a custom request?

[DawgFvr]

R&S: Just put in Kel Tek P38T on Mika's form and he will make you one.

[DAdams]

Iv'e tried to convince myself I don't want a P3 AT but you guys are warming me up to the idea. I have a BERSA T380 as a truck gun with 9+1 and that's the only 380 I have.
Pimary carry is 642, and unfortunately my PM9 is at Kahr (first time) for repair and it too was on "probation". If it doesn't come around after two trips max, it will be on double secret probation as a trade in. :fire: :D
I want it to be reliable sooo badly cause it fits me like a glove, I really like the ergonomics and it is extremely accurate with a 3.5 inch.

Hence I can't bash the KT other than like a tire, it sure ain't purty. Uglier than a third cousin. ;)

[flounder22]

Traded in my S&W 908 for my OliveDrab/parkered. 2nd. gen. After a lite F&B it has never missed a beat. Wish I could find another but the gun shops down here claim they can`t get them and when they do, they are gone the next day.: I like front or back pocket carry in my Pocket Pal holster with extra mag.

[flounder22]

For you guys that are always losing your ejector when you disassemble, put a dab of the same grease used on your slide and frame, between the frame and the ejector. That will help it stay in place till you are ready to remove it .

[tinygnat219]

I have one. It's my BUG, or gotta have it with me pistol when I can't carry my Taurus mil pro 145C. It is what it is, an inexpensive pistol that needs some TLC out of the box to make it fully work.

[lanternlad1]

I had two of them. My first one was great, but like a dope I traded it. Bought another one later, and it was a lemon. Traded it for a Bersa CC nickel and I love it. I can carry it anywhere I could carry the P3AT (almost), I shoot it better, and can pistol whip a BG if I run out of bullets. :) Try THAT with a plastic gun. :)

[phoglund]

I have one of these little buggers as well. It's nice to have a handgun you can carry concealed anywhere outside a nudist colony. Shoots pretty accurate at reasonable distances and hasn't had a failure yet. For the $229 I paid for it I almost wish I'd have bought at least one of the other two (Consecutive serial numbers) in the case next to it.

[greyhound]

"For you guys that are always losing your ejector when you disassemble, put a dab of the same grease used on your slide and frame, between the frame and the ejector. That will help it stay in place till you are ready to remove it ."

Not sure if I am wrong, I bought one of the P3ATs today and took it apart - no ejector fell out as stated in the manual, but after cleaning/lubing I ran two mags through it (just racking the slide) with no problems. I am 100% sure there is no part lying next to the workbench and the pistol cycles fine. What gives? I stared at the mechanism for 20 minutes trying to figure out what was with "the ejector will fall from the frame" as per the manual but I saw no ejector falling, yet my pistol at least functioned fine while racking the slide with a loaded magazine.

thanks folks.

[Cannonball888]

Man, what a long trigger pull! I was squeezing and squeezing wondering when the hammer was going to fall. Also, the thing kept jamming alot until I got about 30 rounds through it then it worked fine thereafter.

[alamo]

I stared at the mechanism for 20 minutes trying to figure out what was with "the ejector will fall from the frame" as per the manual but I saw no ejector falling, yet my pistol at least functioned fine while racking the slide with a loaded magazine.


See part no. 115 (ejector) in the parts diagram link. It fits into the cutout on the left rear side of the frame (see the yellow part - # 210, the frame). The ejector can and will fall out.


http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p3atparts.html

If the ejector fell out, it would have no effect on racking the slide or actually shooting the pistol. I lost an ejector once and it worked fine without it. A bit different brass ejection, but no failures.

[jon_in_wv]

I use Mobile 1 motor oil on my p32. It seems to penetrate the metal and is very slick. I have carried my P32 and gotten it wet several times. I've even gone swimming in the river with it in my pocket twice without a spot of rust on it.

[Cannonball888]

I use Mobile 1 motor oil on my p32. It seems to penetrate the metal and is very slick.
And you only have to change it every 12,000 rounds

[Craig M. Arnold]

I've got two first gen P3ATs. I've had both for a long time. 1300 rounds through number one and 800 rounds through number two. No problems at all!

Best regards.

[jon_in_wv]

Nice Cannonball.

[TimboKhan]

My buddy bought a 3AT here a month or so ago, and when he did I cautioned him that a lot of the people on here and other boards said that the recoil was bad. We took it out and shot it, and I was forced to admit that the people saying that are crazy. The recoil was very, very manageable, and not sharp at all. Recoil would be the last thing that I would tell someone to consider with this gun, based on my experience.

[blackcharlie]

just i pocket but i am very careful so thinck about it

[DirksterG30]

Probably the best thing I've done with mine (other than fluff n' buff) is to add the +1 extensions to my magazines. It added just enough length to the grip to dramatically improve my control.

I prefer using the floorplate extension from a Bersa .380:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/dirksterg30/Kel-Tec/P3ATwsparemag2.jpg

For more info, check here: http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/p3at-fingerrest.htm

[tinygnat219]

obxned,

Kel-Tec has had a history of interesting fit and finish issues with its handguns. They have GREAT ideas regarding firearms that no one else in the industry can match. They have some of the most inexpensive compact pistols out there and have the smallest .380, .32ACP, and 9MMP pistols out there. That being said, they have a problem in execution and fit and finish. My P3AT required the standard "fluff and buff" before I could get it to cycle and fire reliably, there are tooling marks, and some of the metal looked like it hadn't been polished correctly. So, I fixed it. After the fluff and buff, it's been 100% reliable.

In short, KT pistols are what they are: Small, concealable inexpensive pistols that are meant to be carried more than fired and where some need some extra TLC to make them reliable.

I didn't start carrying mine until I had 200 rounds through it trouble free. It's my BUG and serves well in this capacity. I wouldn't get rid of it as it serves its purpose well.

[sig228]

You really need to tinker with some of these. Polish the feed ramp, etc. to get them to a reliable stage. Some are way too picky on certain types of ammo. (The more expensive the better it seems). Got to wear gloves at the range or you are guaranteed blisters. They aren't much fun to shoot. You better keep a stiff wrist or your gonna have FTE's. With all that said, I really love my P3AT!!

[Dallas Jack]

I've had my P3AT for several years. I've never had a problem with it. I think it is a very good, maybe the best always gun. I have a IWB holster for when I am wearing shorts and a pocket holster for quick trips to the store.

Like some others I have added Bersa .380 floorplates to my mags.
Dallas Jack

[erikd65]

I got my P3AT saturday and shot 50 rounds out fo the box without a hitch. I know, I should have cleaned it, but those 50 rounds told me a lot :)

So far I like it. I need to get some more range time in and lubricate it properly before I do so. Also adding the hogue handall jr. and got an Uncle Mikes #1 pocker holster for it.

[leadcounsel]

Do you keep a round in the chamber and ever wonder/fear that the pressure of sitting on the gun may pop off a round? I know it's unlikely, but is it "possible" and worth the risk?

This may be a really really stupid question. I'm just not very comfortable sitting on a loaded gun.

[DawgFvr]

"Pressure of sitting on the gun...pop off a round" Huh? This pistol is just like a DAO revolver...unless you cock the hammer, by pulling the trigger, it will not fire. I have a P3AT....it is the weapon I carry when I am unable to carry a real weapon. I'd rather have a baseball bat...but it will do as a last resort weapon of choice.