[whatever]

I have a p3at that began having some extraction issues a while ago. I tried a new extractor and springs, but the problem persisted. A quick email to kel-tec and they told me to send it in. Two weeks later I've got an entire new slide, a polished feed ramp and most importantly, a malfunction-free shooter.

A big thumbs up for Kel-Tec in my book.

[intercooler]

Nice report

[MedWheeler]

Thanks for sharing. I own two Kel-Tecs (PF-9 and P-32), and enjoy them both. I hope I don't actually need their CS, especially considering I'm not the original owner of the PF-9.

[MachIVshooter]

I hope I don't actually need their CS, especially considering I'm not the original owner of the PF-9.

They don't care, they'll fix it.

They've sent me replacement parts for free even when I told them I lost the part. They never asked for proof of ownership or original purchase, just name and address.

Their reputation is built on great value and great service, both of which they have consistently provided.

[engineer88]

I gotta tell ya, I have had nothing but great experiences with their customer service as well. I wore down a mag catch on my P3AT, one call later and two days wait and I had a new spring and catch, free of charge in my mailbox. That is service. I will continue to buy Keltecs as a result.

[bigmike45]

Plus they are 100% American Made!
I own 4 of their fine guns and never had any problems.
PF9
P11
PMR30 &
RFB

[possum]

great to hear! thanks for sharing with us and other kel-tec owners.

[wally]

They turned my RFB around in about 10 days door to door. Can't wait for the weekend to see if its really fixed or not.

They took care of me with my P3AT too.

[harmon rabb]

Thanks for sharing. I own two Kel-Tecs (PF-9 and P-32), and enjoy them both. I hope I don't actually need their CS, especially considering I'm not the original owner of the PF-9.
They don't care. You can tell them you're the 7th owner and they'll still fix it.

[JustinJ]

They may great but it is apparently from lots of experience. Sorry, but too many people who own Kelteks know from personal experience how good their CS is. That's not a good sign.

[Norton Commando]

Sorry, but too many people who own Kelteks know from personal experience how good their CS is. That's not a good sign.

Good customer service beats lousy customer service every time, regardless of the frequency. What's more, customer service can make or break a company. The bottom line is that KelTec works hard to make things right with purchasers of their products and that goes a long way in building a solid customer base.

[engineer88]

I have had eight, still have five, only had the one problem ever. I would say that is pretty good. :)

[paddling_man]

Kel Tec - I've owned two... still have one.

Kel Tec advice, having spent a bit of time of the two Kel Tel forums:

1) (Upside) Their customer service is AMAZING. If you have a problem, send it in with no questions asked. The smiths there go thru the guns well, performing feed ramp buffs/profiling, extraction, etc., and you end up with a gun that will feed anything.
2) (Downside) The QC department stinks. Most folks would prefer guns LEAVE the factory being able to feed/extract well.
3) (Neutral) You learn basic gunsmithing as an owner. Google "fluff and buff" and see how many of the first twenty responses are specific to Kel Tec. It refers to the need / expectation among the kel tec community to deburr/polish your own slide/feed ramp/extractor lip/etc on the brand new guns to ensure reliability.

The sad fact is that, as an economy priced gun, many folks will buy them as their one-and-only gun, go to the range and shoot half a box of ammo and bring the other half home for the next 10 years. There is a healthy chance of an unreliable gun. More so than many, many manufacturers who spend more time in finishing/QCing the guns at the factory.

Best advice? (True with many manufacturers - particularly true with Kel Tec.) AVOID the first gen of a new release; they tend to use the purchasing group as beta testers. They do make novel approaches and for that I give them kudos.

I still carry and trust my P3AT though I won't have it within 20 miles of a beach... just having it in pair of shorts (pocket holster) and a walk on the beach - too gritty to fire.

[GlockFan]

I've had a p3at for 3 years now and, although i have not put more than 300 rounds through it, it has never had a problem. I commend them on their taking chances on new designs when few others do. I originally hated the sub2000 now it looks pretty cool.

[makarovnik]

Excellent customer service

[JustinJ]

"Good customer service beats lousy customer service every time, regardless of the frequency. What's more, customer service can make or break a company. The bottom line is that KelTec works hard to make things right with purchasers of their products and that goes a long way in building a solid customer base."

We're not talking about kitchen appliances here. "Excuse me knife wielding mugger, please hold that thought while i dial Keltek CS to figure out why my gun won't shoot!" I'd rather have gun from a company with poor CS and know its highly unlikely i would ever need it.

[Old Shooter]

I'd rather have gun from a company with poor CS and know its highly unlikely i would ever need it.

I would venture that a gun from a company with poor customer service is just as likely, or even more so, to fail when needed as a gun from a company with good customer service.

Reliablity, quality of design and customer service would seem to be like that three legged stool we hear about every now and again.

For what it's worth my P-11 just keeps gong bang, bang, bang all day long.

[gunsablazin]

I'm happy to hear that KT has good service, I'm about to buy a P3AT. I've looked over the pocket pistol choices, and the KT looks like the best pistol for the money. I'm not a big fan of the .380 as a self defense round, but in reality there are times when it is difficult to conceal a "real" gun. I'm using a Baby Browning in .25ACP right now, so the .380 will be a nice step up from that.

[harmon rabb]

I'm using a Baby Browning in .25ACP right now, so the .380 will be a nice step up from that.

hell yes. i saw a test where a 25acp from a baby browning bounced off a plastic frisbee. yeah. not good.

[JustinJ]

"I would venture that a gun from a company with poor customer service is just as likely, or even more so, to fail when needed as a gun from a company with good customer service."

I've heard HK customer service is poor but only from a very small handful of people.

[MCgunner]

I've got a P11 that's 15 years old and 11,000 + rounds have fed through it without a hitch. Yeah, they're good quality functional guns, too.

[dogrunner]

I was gifted a well used p3at & while I'd never have purchased one I gotta admit that I am more than just a little impressed! Damn thing shoots as well as my S&W #36, with U.S. ammo it's utterly reliable. Only gripe I have is that it will not reliably shoot that cheap Tula ammo..........and that stuff holds tight little clusters from 10 yards! Actually far, far better in terms of accuracy than either Federal or Winchester, at least in that gun.

I'll probably drop it off at the Cocoa facility next week for a re-finish and spring job, glad to hear their turn around time is so quick.

[Capt. Ct.]

I've owned many guns over my lifetime. The only two that gave me problems was a Glock and a Sig. Go figure. Two of the most trouble free guns out there.

[wally]

The only two that gave me problems was a Glock and a Sig. Go figure. Two of the most trouble free guns out there.

Even the very high dollar custom guns suffer "infant mortality" failures. Its why decent customer service is important.

[Browns Fan]

Happy P32 and PF9 owner here, too! Never needed their CS, but glad to hear about it!

[Nefarious79]

Glad I havent had to use it either but its nice to know its there just in case...getting on a 1000rds through my PF9 without a hiccup

[wally]

They fixed my RFB quickly, too bad it only stayed fixed for ~ 75 rounds :(

We'll see what they say about it the second time.

[slowbutsure]

bigmike45.... I noticed that you posted owning a KelTec PMR30. I have been looking at buying one, and would appreciate any info you might want to share about this pistol. sbs