Which .380?

[Ryanxia]

Hi all, I've narrowed down my new every day carry piece between the Kel-Tec and the Taurus. I did a search as I'm sure this has been asked a lot but didn't see anything specific to my question. I am NOT trying to start a .VS thread just would like the opinion of the fine folks at THR

I'm wondering what (if any) major differences are between the two mentioned? I like the look of the Kel-Tec more but am leaning towards Taurus because of the lifetime warranty (and I like Taurus in general). These are the only two factors I'm basing my decision off of right now, any other things I should consider?

(Kel-Tec P3AT / Taurus PT738)

Thanks in advance.

Note: I'm going with a .380 pocket carry because I like to have the same carry piece for every situation and this is what I think will be best for me.

 

[rcmodel]

Kel-Tec also has a lifetime warranty.

A lot of folks have had problems with Taurus warranty work taking forever.
It is also slightly heavier, thicker, and taller then a P3AT.

I own a P3AT and it has been a good gun once the 1st. gen teething problems were sorted out.

You should also consider the Ruger LCP copy of the Kel-Tec.

rc

 

[gunsablazin]

I have the P3AT, I carry it all the time, and add a .38 to it when out and about. I doubt that there is any practical difference between the two pistols that you are considering. I believe that new Kel-Tecs include a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. I chose the Kel-Tec because it was cheaper, and KT has a great reputation for customer service. If I were you, I'd pick the one I liked the best and not worry about it.

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks guys, I didn't think there would be a big difference but always good to double check.

I did not realize that about Kel-Tec's lifetime warranty, if that's the case that is probably what I'll go with. I don't care much for Ruger.

As far as Taurus' repair work taking forever, I had to send a revolver in to them and they replaced a part and had it back to me in 5 days (from date of me shipping it to when I got it back) and that was over the weekend! I was very happy with them.

 

[roachcore]

I've got 1000 rounds through my Taurus with no problems better fit and finish than the kel tec and Mich better trigger than the ruger

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[harmon rabb]

Taurus all day long and twice on sunday. The trigger is MUCH better, and the slide locks back after the last round. You also get 2 mags in the box.

 

[huntsman]

Note: I'm going with a .380 pocket carry because I like to have the same carry piece for every situation and this is what I think will be best for me.

Me too

I can honestly say I’ve never bought a gun because of it’s warranty instead I buy because I believe the gun will last without needing factory repair. My pocket .380acp is an LCP only because I can’t afford a Seecamp yet.

 

[rcmodel]

they replaced a part and had it back to me in 5 days

Your milage may vary.

A friends son broke his brand new Raging Hornet and it was out of service for months waiting on a part to be made out of Unobtainium.

rc

 

[Ryanxia]

I've heard horror stories of Taurus repair but good stories too so who knows.

Does anyone know how many mags comes with the Kel-Tec?
Does the slide not lock back after the last round on the Kel-Tec?

 

[heeler]

The slide does not lock back on the P3AT Kel-Tec.
Neither does it on the LCP or Diamondback.
You can lock the Ruger back manually and thank you for that Ruger.

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks Heeler.

 

[Frizzman]

I have a P3AT that I got in a trade. It had some major problems due to a previous owner doing some hack gunsmithing on it. I sent it to Kel Tec for repair. It took six weeks but when I got it back they had given it a new slide, barrel, internal parts and polished the feed ramp. It was essentially a whole new pistol. They did all that for only $40. I was not the original owner and it wasn't a warranty issue. That is fantastic customer service in my book.

I have had some bad experiences with Taurus service. One revolver went back 3 times and was never right. I am sure that the're many happy Taurus owners. I have wanted to like them but have had too many lemons and gave up on the brand. A friend has a PT92 that he has had for over 20 years and has had thousands of rounds through it without any problems at all.

I also have had a LCP. My friend and I both bought one at the same time on the same day at the same shop. His has been 100% and mine was a jam-o-matic. I got rid of mine.

I would suggest you consider the Kel Tec P32. I have had one for about 6 years. It holds 8 rounds with one in the chamber. It has mild recoil and has been 100% reliable for me. Its a bit lighter and smaller than the .380's. I am able to place more of the .32 bullets into a smaller group faster than with the tiny .380's. The P32 does lock open on a empty magazine. In that regard, it operates like the Walther PP type pistols...Kel Tecs come with one magazine but extras aren't expensive.

 

[heeler]

My experience with the Kel-Tec P32 is the same as Frizzman's.
They can say what they want about the .32 ACP but Kel-Tec hit an absolute line drive home run with that little model.
Mine has really grown on me.

 

[kokapelli]

I have both and both are good, but the Taurus does come with two magazines, has better sights and as mentioned locks back on the last round.

I did have a problem with one of the magazines on the Taurus. Called them and they wanted the magazine and pistol back to check out.

Taurus paid postage both ways and I had the pistol back in one week flat.

Other than the magazine i have not had a problem with the Taurus.

Over all I think the Taurus is the better choice, but If you like the feel of the P3AT I would not hesitate to get it.

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks for all the input, I think I'm going to go with the Taurus. I feel a certain loyalty towards them anyway (not sure why, just treated well and I like them) but the slide locking back on last shot is a big deal for me, I can't imagine why you wouldn't include that feature.

 

[AJChenMPH]

The TCP far and away has the best trigger out of the box of the pocket .380s I fondled, and the slide lock-back after the last round is a nice feature. Mine had to go back once to address the "light strike" problem (the hammer would slip and fall before it would fully cock, so you'd fail to fire -- turnaround was two weeks), and the fellow to whom I sold it had to have it replaced outright when something went wrong. I now have an LCP and am very happy with it (bought it used -- the trigger has lightened up and smoothed out nicely).

My perception of the P3AT is that people seem to have a love/hate relationship with it -- either there are a lot of problems, or it runs 100% (especially once they've done the "fluff and buff" to it).

Good luck either way!

 

[marv]

I have both the KelTec and the Taurus. Carry both in the same Nemisis holster (not at the same time). Taurus has a far better trigger pull than the KelTec or the LCP. But the grip is slightly longer, has squarer (is that a word?) edges and sharper corners making it print worse. The KelTec grip is more rounded making it disappear in most any pocket.

 

[PabloJ]

When buying new and affordable I would take take Argentinian Bersa Thunder over anything.

 

[kokapelli]

When buying new and affordable I would take take Argentinian Bersa Thunder over anything.

In the original post it was stated

"I've narrowed down my new every day carry piece between the Kel-Tec and the Taurus"[\b][\quote].

If I thought the poster wanted other recommendations I would have picked the Sig P238 without hesitation and unlike the Bersa it fit's in my pocket.

 

[drsfmd]

We've had to send in a LOT of Taurus and KelTec 380s for warranty work. I wouldn't suggest you buy either. Both companies will take care of you (eventually), but the failure rate is far too high with both.

Since you've already ruled out the Ruger (which is a MUCH better gun that either the Taurus or KelTec), I'd suggest you look at the Diamondback. It's only a little more money, and it's a lot more gun.

As Kokapelli notes, the Sig 238 is a great choice too, as is the Magnum Research Micro Eagle, which IMO is the best made 380 on the market, albiet it's also probably the heaviest.

 

[welldoya]

When I was buying a .380 a couple of years ago I did a lot of research. Ended up with the LCP. I read a lot of bad experiences with the TCP and didn't like the fit and finish of the Keltec.
The local Academy Sports used to carry the DB and they cleared them all out several months ago for $220. The guy behind the counter told me they had too many of them coming back.
I started to get one since they were that cheap but after doing some reading decided not to.

 

[drsfmd]

That's interesting welldoya... I bet we've sold 100 Diamondbacks, and only one that I know of has come back (and that for a user caused problem). Always be skeptical of what you're told by minimum wage employees in big box gun shops... most just make it up as they go.

 

[kokapelli]

That's interesting welldoya... I bet we've sold 100 Diamondbacks, and only one that I know of has come back (and that for a user caused problem). Always be skeptical of what you're told by minimum wage employees in big box gun shops... most just make it up as they go.

I had a Diamondback 380 and it was the worst gun I have ever owned, even after a trip back to the factory.

 

[welldoya]

I didn't not buy a DB just because of the employee's story. Maybe they have fixed the problems but I read of a LOT of problems with the DB while I was in the market for a pocket gun. I have no experience with them, just relied on what I read.
I do like my LCP though.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I would suggest a P3AT. Check out CDNN since as of right now they have Billfold Brown P3ATs for $189 and all black P3ATs for $209. It would be pretty hard to beat or even match that price for a brand new one in the store, even after and shipping/transfer charges.

Just click on their PDF catalog: http://www.cdnninvestments.com/