Tiny CCW guns: reliability?
- Thread starter ArmedBear
- Start date
- Status
I have put over 100 rounds through each of a Keltec P32, Keltec P3AT, and a Seecamp 32 without a single problem. The P3AT was the only new one, the others were purchased used.
My buddy was having trouble with his new P3AT, two jams or more per magazine. I tried it and quickly put three mags through it without a problem. He was limp-wristing it, the grip is very important on the tiny pistols.
My buddy was having trouble with his new P3AT, two jams or more per magazine. I tried it and quickly put three mags through it without a problem. He was limp-wristing it, the grip is very important on the tiny pistols.
MICHAEL T
Member
My P3AT is over 800 rounds never a jam of any sort
2 of my P-32 are around 500 and trucking along just fine
Newest P -32 bought for Christmas is at 50 with out a problem
All of these I took home Pulled slide back and oiled the slide rails loaded a mag and when to shooting (nice to live in country) After 50 rounds I took in house stripped and cleaned
2 of my P-32 are around 500 and trucking along just fine
Newest P -32 bought for Christmas is at 50 with out a problem
All of these I took home Pulled slide back and oiled the slide rails loaded a mag and when to shooting (nice to live in country) After 50 rounds I took in house stripped and cleaned
MICHAEL T
Member
No if he had a Mustang he would find their reliable unlike all the threads I have saw about the SIG copy
I have 2 mustangs Their from early 1990's and gee they work fine. I bought both used over the years so no idea how much they were fired
I like the 380 and until ammo shortage shot them a lot .
Zeke/PA
Member
Actually, in warmer weather Cargo shorts with the many pockets makes it easier for me to carry my 638 and a reload.
The smaller autos do not appeal to me at all.
The smaller autos do not appeal to me at all.
OldMac
Member
I must have got a good LCP. No FTF. Only put about 300 through so far but mixed up several types of ammo to see if any would fail. Practice is important with anything to be sure your arm is reliable. I trust mine and carry it most in warm weather. The J frame is also reliable and almost as easy to carry. However, it is easier to find the brass when ejected from the revolver.
I have hundreds of rounds through my LCP. It's never failed to load, fire, and eject and so forth. I stopped shooting it at the range because it hurts my hand so much. I do trust it and carry it often.
No break in, and it shoots fmj and hollow points equally well. It really enjoyed the couple of boxes of Powerball I got for it. I've got cheap Blazer stuff in it now and it ate 94 of them perfectly. The other 6 are still in the gun waiting to hopefully never be needed.
No break in, and it shoots fmj and hollow points equally well. It really enjoyed the couple of boxes of Powerball I got for it. I've got cheap Blazer stuff in it now and it ate 94 of them perfectly. The other 6 are still in the gun waiting to hopefully never be needed.
Mr. Bojangles
Member
I have a P3AT and I've been happy with it. It does have problems with some HP ammo, but has never jammed with FMJ ammo (it has had about 500 rounds through it). Just like any carry firearm, the owner must find ammo that the gun will reliably cycle with.
My LCP has more rounds through it than that with no issues at all.
I think it comes down to this....with any gun, you might get one that will go thousands of rounds with no issues or you might get one that can't get through one magazine without having problems. When you make them smaller and smaller some say it might magnify a problem. Less room for error maybe? Who knows. If you have one that's been reliable with your carry ammo at the range, then why wouldn't it be reliable with that same ammo for concealed carry?
I think it comes down to this....with any gun, you might get one that will go thousands of rounds with no issues or you might get one that can't get through one magazine without having problems. When you make them smaller and smaller some say it might magnify a problem. Less room for error maybe? Who knows. If you have one that's been reliable with your carry ammo at the range, then why wouldn't it be reliable with that same ammo for concealed carry?
Katana8869
Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2006
- Messages
- 401
No issues with either my P3AT or my LCP, several hundred rounds through each and no break-in required
hogshead
Member
I've got a Keltec with over 250 rounds of various ammo through it and have never had any problems. Hope I didnt set your bs meter off.
I've put hundreds of rounds, FMJ and JHP, through my P3AT without any trouble. I've even qualified with it on the regular duty weapon course of fire, that's 100rds in about 35 minutes right there. I carried it for a couple of years as a BUG until I got a scandium j-frame. Now the .380 only gets taken out when nothing else will fit or I feel the need for a third gun.
sm
member
ArmedBear,
My life experiences, began before these newfangled, polymer, semi-autos such as P32, P3AT...etc.
My first CCW was a Beretta Minx (.22 short) and I was in the 3rd grade, age 8.
Next, Beretta Jetfire (.25auto),
Next, Beretta 70 series, and then Beretta Bobcat in both 25 ACP and 22 LR.
Trust me, when I share these were reliable, and I ain't the only one that carried one...and would not hesitate to do so today.
Just I ain't gots one to carry...anymore...*sniff*
My life experiences, began before these newfangled, polymer, semi-autos such as P32, P3AT...etc.
My first CCW was a Beretta Minx (.22 short) and I was in the 3rd grade, age 8.
Next, Beretta Jetfire (.25auto),
Next, Beretta 70 series, and then Beretta Bobcat in both 25 ACP and 22 LR.
Trust me, when I share these were reliable, and I ain't the only one that carried one...and would not hesitate to do so today.
Just I ain't gots one to carry...anymore...*sniff*
I with the shot a lot with few hiccups crowd with KelTecs, a P3AT, a PF 9 and a P11.
BUT-I would suggest with these little rascals (and anything else too), leave the cheap and surplus ammo alone.
KelTec fluff and buff is also a good idea and will speed up the break in period significantly.
BUT-I would suggest with these little rascals (and anything else too), leave the cheap and surplus ammo alone.
KelTec fluff and buff is also a good idea and will speed up the break in period significantly.
When I first got my LCP I went to the range to test before I'd trust it. I fired 200 rounds of range ammo through it. Tht ammo consisted of everyhting from WWB, to Wolf steel cased stuff, Blazer aluminum, Blazer brass, Remington UMC, and even about 100 LRN reloads. I then fired 50 rounds of Gold dots through it. Not a single stoppage in those 250 rounds, and i didn't clean it at all until I got home.
I know from experience that my Sig P232 starts to jam up between 200-250rnds without cleaning it. So in my experience, the LCP is actually more reliable than the P232.
Actually, the LCP has never ever jammed with any type of ammo I've ever put through it. The P232 is much more picky. It'll feed any FMJ, but only certain HP's and even then only until ~round#250.
oldfool
Member
being a long time fan of Colt Government model 380acp for CCW, so I do not have personal reservations about the reliability of a "smallish" pistol of known quality, that has been well maintained and shot a lot (no different than "smallish" revolvers)
I bought a new LCP "7-shot derringer" a while back
bought ~300 rounds total of 380acp, several different brands, all in 50 round boxes of FMJ
(yeah.. that was quite a while back)
shot it all up over 4 or 5 range sessions, cleaned gun in between, of course
not one failure to feed, fire, eject, zero issues
nor any since, though I don't go thru rounds like that anymore, 380acp price/availability being what it is lately
it is what it is ("7-shot derringer")
it ain't what it ain't (not a great substitute for larger & more shootable)
but I don't live a real adventurous life, and do often carry only that LCP, it being so very convenient of course, and am not worried about it's reliability
luck of the draw, maybe... or maybe not
I would never carry any handgun without having shot at least that many test rounds through it first
I bought a new LCP "7-shot derringer" a while back
bought ~300 rounds total of 380acp, several different brands, all in 50 round boxes of FMJ
(yeah.. that was quite a while back)
shot it all up over 4 or 5 range sessions, cleaned gun in between, of course
not one failure to feed, fire, eject, zero issues
nor any since, though I don't go thru rounds like that anymore, 380acp price/availability being what it is lately
it is what it is ("7-shot derringer")
it ain't what it ain't (not a great substitute for larger & more shootable)
but I don't live a real adventurous life, and do often carry only that LCP, it being so very convenient of course, and am not worried about it's reliability
luck of the draw, maybe... or maybe not
I would never carry any handgun without having shot at least that many test rounds through it first
usp9
Member
I have somewhere around 2000 rounds through my Seecamp. It has been very reliable. It has proven itself over 20 years. I sent it back to the company recently for a rehab and it came back looking brand new. A great gun.
I still carry it when I pocket carry, which is often.
I also have a tiny Walther TPH that has been very reliable, but I don't shoot it much, nor do I carry it, (although I did for the short while my Seecamp was in for it's tune-up).
I have a Keltec P32 I have had for 5 years or so. I have shot 1000+ round and the only malfunction of any kind was from using some off brand ammo. I have a feeling if AR gives it a bad review that means that the manufacturers of these guns probably focus advertising dollars in handgun mags. I can say its been 100% for me and it has not lived a pampered life.
I have put over 300 rounds through my ruger lcp, with many weights, brands and designs and it has been every bit as reliable as my glocks. No malfunctions whatsoever. I trust I and my wife's life with it daily.
Take the gun rag reviews with a grain of salt. Also keep in mind that some guns go through a break in period. I also think that guy may have been doing something wrong. Either the guns were really dry(tiny autos need good lube) or he's a limp wrister. I don't know, but don't let that article discourage you from getting the pocket gun you want.
Take the gun rag reviews with a grain of salt. Also keep in mind that some guns go through a break in period. I also think that guy may have been doing something wrong. Either the guns were really dry(tiny autos need good lube) or he's a limp wrister. I don't know, but don't let that article discourage you from getting the pocket gun you want.
wilder
Member
LCP and PM9
I've got 200+ rounds through my Ruger LCP with ZERO issues pre or post recall. Most of it was brass cased FMJ with about 50 rounds of JHP. There was no break in period. It makes a massive difference to add the finger rest mag and a houge handall jr grip sleeve to this gun. It's easy to hold onto after doing so.
I've got 600 rounds through my Kahr PM9 with ZERO issues. It loves the Speer 124gr +P GDHP ammo that I use in it for carry. I didn't own it during the break in period, but the previous owner said it had never had a failure.
Pick any handgun in the world and do a search for it. You will find a very vocal group of customers that have had problems with it. There really is no substitute for your own personal experience with and evaluation of a specific example of a gun you intend to carry.
I've got 200+ rounds through my Ruger LCP with ZERO issues pre or post recall. Most of it was brass cased FMJ with about 50 rounds of JHP. There was no break in period. It makes a massive difference to add the finger rest mag and a houge handall jr grip sleeve to this gun. It's easy to hold onto after doing so.
I've got 600 rounds through my Kahr PM9 with ZERO issues. It loves the Speer 124gr +P GDHP ammo that I use in it for carry. I didn't own it during the break in period, but the previous owner said it had never had a failure.
Pick any handgun in the world and do a search for it. You will find a very vocal group of customers that have had problems with it. There really is no substitute for your own personal experience with and evaluation of a specific example of a gun you intend to carry.
There is a writeup about several .380 pistols in the new American Rifleman. He shot the Kahr P380, Kel-Tec P3AT, Micro Desert Eagle, NAA Guardian, Rorbaugh R380, Ruger LCP, and the SIG P238. All brand new guns, of course, not broken in. Every one had multiple malfunctions, except for the Rorbaugh.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
