Holster for Kel-Tec P-3AT

Waitone · January 6, 2005, 07:03 PM

I'm about to acquire a Kel-Tec 3AT. I intend to use is in pocket carry.

A few questions:
--Do I need a holster?
--Does it need a backing to break up the outline?
--Hard leather outside // hard leather inside?
--Suede side out?
--Size?
--Good designs
--Good brands
--Good place to purchase

I would greatly appreciate you input and experiences.

CZ-100 · January 6, 2005, 07:06 PM

I purchased a Desantis Nemesis. I think it was $15. I is in my pocket everyday

Here is a Link

Dave R · January 6, 2005, 07:07 PM

Yes, you need a holster. Without one, the pistol tends to migrate to difficult angles, where it becomes hard to draw. It also tends to fill up with pocket lint, which does not aid reliability.

There are quite a few good pocket holsters for the 3AT. Some made my members of THR. I believe a gentleman named Azrael (sp?) makes a nice one. So does RJ Hedley.

I was stupid and bought a cheap Uncle Mikes No. 1 pocket holster before I knew about the better ones. It does not break up the outline of the handle very well, as the others do. And it has to be modified with careful picking of threads in the "tab", and then reinforced in the "tab" area, before it can also hold a spare mag. But once modifications are made, you have a pocket holster that holds the 3AT and a spare mag in a space the size of a wallet.

spin180 · January 6, 2005, 07:47 PM

Some good suggestions above.

I'll throw out one as well.

K&D Holsters

I got one of their Pocket Defenders for my P-3AT not long ago and really like it. See the link below for my post about it w/ a couple of pictures.

K&D Holsters Pocket Defender Review

kokapelli · January 6, 2005, 08:46 PM

I would never carry a single action pistol without a safety in my pocket unless it is in a holster that covers the trigger. That would be just downright dangerous to your body parts.

I carry a P-3AT in one of my two DeSantis holsters. The leather holster with extra magazine does not print at all. The extra magazine squares the silhouette. The Nemesis is a great holster, but will print slightly in tight pants.

Felonious Monk · January 6, 2005, 09:19 PM

Hi, Waitone.

You DO need a holster. I've used pretty much all of the above, until I found the innovative designs by Matt Geissal at www.artofthehide.com. Believe me when I tell you--most folks take one look and go

, but if you get past that point, to where you actually TRY one, and then SHOOT with it, too, you'll never want anything else for a pocket pistol.

Tell him I sent you. He'll take primo care of you.

SHOOT1SAM · January 6, 2005, 10:21 PM

Milt Sparks made mine for my p-32; they'll make you a good one for your P-3AT.

Sam

alamo · January 6, 2005, 11:10 PM

You can't do any better than a Hedley holster. The head gunsmith at KT and others there use Hedleys. They are all molded to the shape of the pistol and quality is 2nd to none. I've got 4 of them:

http://www.hedleyholsters.com/keltec.html

Missouri Mule · January 6, 2005, 11:19 PM

YES! You unquestionably do need a holster of some type.

My personal choices for front pocket and hip pocket carry is Andrews Custom leather.

I also use a Desantis insider IWB, leather with black steel clip.

There are just so many good ones out there.

I tried the Nemesis and for me it feel a little like hiding a pillow in my pocket.
But that is just me. I also tried Desantis's hip pocket hoster and it just didn't work for me.

gbundersea · January 7, 2005, 01:55 AM

For a somewhat amusing explanation of why a pocket pistol should be holstered, see the "Stupid P-32 Trick" near the bottom of this page.

I carry my P-3AT in a K&D Pocket Defender Convertible. It works very well, and can be used for front and back pocket carry, hence the name.

kokapelli · January 7, 2005, 10:04 AM

So many holsters!
So little time!

Lennyjoe · January 7, 2005, 10:53 AM

I use the Uncle Mikes #1 for my P3AT.

I usually stick the spare mag in my left front pocket. Cant see the need to put an extra mag in the same pocket the pistol is in since thats the hand Im gonna be shooting it with.

The Hendley holsters do look pretty good though. I might give one a try.

ScottsGT · January 7, 2005, 02:03 PM

I'll second this one:
http://www.kdholsters.com/pdc.shtml
Couldn't ask for anything better!

Newton · January 8, 2005, 12:52 AM

Looks like it would be difficult to grip in that holster and where's the snag panel that is supposed to catch in your pocket as you draw, wouldn't this thing all come out together in your hand ?

alamo · January 8, 2005, 11:32 AM

This one is easy to grip the pistol so the holster doesn't come out with it. Scroll down to see the back pocket model:

http://www.hedleyholsters.com/howto.html

at-home-daddy · January 11, 2005, 01:36 PM

Another vote for the Hedley...I love mine.

Billy Sparks · January 11, 2005, 02:05 PM

I carry my P3AT in a holster by Azrael. Matter of fact if you go to the group buy section you will find that we is selling off some of this budget holsters. I really like knowing that nothing is getting into the trigger guard of a pistol kept in my pocket.

will919 · January 12, 2005, 12:01 PM

I vote for the nemesis

Walt Sherrill · January 12, 2005, 01:11 PM

I'm having Eric Larsen, HBELeatherworks (and a lon-time participant here as PCRCCW) build me one that looks something like the one in the image, below, for my new P3AT.

I'm having him add a small leather tab upon which I can rest (and push) my thumb to hold the holster in place, if it doesn't catch in the pocket.

I've had pocket holsters in the past, and that little extra piece of materials, good for leverage, made a big difference.

(The picture is a MOCKUP, with the tab added.) The holster is in the work queue.

vitiaz · January 12, 2005, 01:17 PM

These are pretty good,

http://www.pocketholsters.com/

SLCDave · January 12, 2005, 01:27 PM

I ordered one of the P-11 holsters from Azrael in the group buy section. I should hopefully receive it this week.

DarkKnight01 · January 12, 2005, 02:16 PM

for some reason i remember reading somewhere that the kel-tec 32 and the .380 had a clip thing available along the side that was attached to the weapon as an option to not have to use a holster... if this was the case i would probably just clip it on my belt IWB and not worry about using a holster...

anyone know anything about this or was i just drunk?

gbundersea · January 12, 2005, 02:38 PM

DarkKnight01,

Nope, you haven't been drinking! There are indeed belt clips made for the P-3AT/P-32 as well as the P-11/P-40. They come in stainless and blue, and a left-hand version for the P-3AT/P-32 is available.

Take a look at this KTOG thread for details.

DarkKnight01 · January 12, 2005, 05:59 PM

hehe i thought i read about it =) and yes in this case i wouldnt use a holster... i would just clip it onto my belt IWB style probably SOB or just behind my main carry... i do intend to pick up a P3AT soon for a BUG

kokapelli · January 12, 2005, 06:12 PM

Somehow the tought of jamming a pistol down into my pants or pocket without the trigger covered is unerving.

I'm thinking of that trigger catching on something and me loosing some valuable body parts.

January 6, 2005, 07:06 PM	#2
CZ-100 Member Join Date: May 12, 2003 Location: Port St. Lucie FLA. Posts: 935	I purchased a Desantis Nemesis. I think it was $15. I is in my pocket everyday Here is a Link __________________ CZ-100 A Friend Will Help You Move, But a Real Good Friend Will Help You Move a Body.

January 6, 2005, 07:07 PM	#3
Dave R Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 3,628	Yes, you need a holster. Without one, the pistol tends to migrate to difficult angles, where it becomes hard to draw. It also tends to fill up with pocket lint, which does not aid reliability. There are quite a few good pocket holsters for the 3AT. Some made my members of THR. I believe a gentleman named Azrael (sp?) makes a nice one. So does RJ Hedley. I was stupid and bought a cheap Uncle Mikes No. 1 pocket holster before I knew about the better ones. It does not break up the outline of the handle very well, as the others do. And it has to be modified with careful picking of threads in the "tab", and then reinforced in the "tab" area, before it can also hold a spare mag. But once modifications are made, you have a pocket holster that holds the 3AT and a spare mag in a space the size of a wallet. __________________ I am pro-rights (on gun issues).

January 6, 2005, 09:19 PM	#6
Felonious Monk Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: Lilium Inter Spinas Posts: 678	Hi, Waitone. You DO need a holster. I've used pretty much all of the above, until I found the innovative designs by Matt Geissal at www.artofthehide.com. Believe me when I tell you--most folks take one look and go , but if you get past that point, to where you actually TRY one, and then SHOOT with it, too, you'll never want anything else for a pocket pistol. Tell him I sent you. He'll take primo care of you. __________________ Sheepdog and Grey Tribesman

January 6, 2005, 10:21 PM	#7
SHOOT1SAM Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Location: Somewhere around the block.... Posts: 576	Milt Sparks made mine for my p-32; they'll make you a good one for your P-3AT. Sam __________________ "He who would give up Liberty in exchange for temporary security, deserves neither Liberty nor security"-Benjamin Franklin

January 7, 2005, 01:55 AM	#10
gbundersea Member Join Date: June 12, 2004 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 75	For a somewhat amusing explanation of why a pocket pistol should be holstered, see the "Stupid P-32 Trick" near the bottom of this page. I carry my P-3AT in a K&D Pocket Defender Convertible. It works very well, and can be used for front and back pocket carry, hence the name. __________________ Greg Bunch gbunch@PSEnhancements.com PS Enhancements Home of the P-Sight rear blade sight for Kel-Tec P-3AT and P-32 SHIPPING AGAIN AS OF 3/31/2007! See the Concealed Carry Magazine P-Sight review BEWARE OF COUNTERFEIT P-SIGHTS! Last edited by gbundersea; January 7, 2005 at 10:06 AM. Reason: typo

January 6, 2005, 07:03 PM	#1
Waitone Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: The Land of Broccoli and Fingernails Posts: 5,411	Holster for Kel-Tec P-3AT I'm about to acquire a Kel-Tec 3AT. I intend to use is in pocket carry. A few questions: --Do I need a holster? --Does it need a backing to break up the outline? --Hard leather outside // hard leather inside? --Suede side out? --Size? --Good designs --Good brands --Good place to purchase I would greatly appreciate you input and experiences. __________________ "As riches increase and accumulate in few hands, as luxury prevails in society, virtue will be in a greater degree considered as only a graceful appendage of wealth, and the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican standard. This is the real disposition of human nature; it is what neither the honorable member nor myself can correct. It is a common misfortunate that awaits our State constitution, as well as all others." Alexander Hamilton (speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, June 1788)

January 6, 2005, 07:47 PM	#4
spin180 Member Join Date: December 30, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 419	Some good suggestions above. I'll throw out one as well. K&D Holsters I got one of their Pocket Defenders for my P-3AT not long ago and really like it. See the link below for my post about it w/ a couple of pictures. K&D Holsters Pocket Defender Review

January 6, 2005, 08:46 PM	#5
kokapelli Member Join Date: January 27, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,226	I would never carry a single action pistol without a safety in my pocket unless it is in a holster that covers the trigger. That would be just downright dangerous to your body parts. I carry a P-3AT in one of my two DeSantis holsters. The leather holster with extra magazine does not print at all. The extra magazine squares the silhouette. The Nemesis is a great holster, but will print slightly in tight pants.

January 6, 2005, 11:10 PM	#8
alamo Member Join Date: December 27, 2002 Location: austin, texas Posts: 1,219	You can't do any better than a Hedley holster. The head gunsmith at KT and others there use Hedleys. They are all molded to the shape of the pistol and quality is 2nd to none. I've got 4 of them: http://www.hedleyholsters.com/keltec.html

January 6, 2005, 11:19 PM	#9
Missouri Mule Member Join Date: December 30, 2002 Location: Mid, MO Posts: 428	YES! You unquestionably do need a holster of some type. My personal choices for front pocket and hip pocket carry is Andrews Custom leather. I also use a Desantis insider IWB, leather with black steel clip. There are just so many good ones out there. I tried the Nemesis and for me it feel a little like hiding a pillow in my pocket. But that is just me. I also tried Desantis's hip pocket hoster and it just didn't work for me.

January 7, 2005, 10:04 AM	#11
kokapelli Member Join Date: January 27, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,226	So many holsters! So little time!

January 7, 2005, 10:53 AM	#12
Lennyjoe Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: Behind the lines in Maryland Posts: 5,334	I use the Uncle Mikes #1 for my P3AT. I usually stick the spare mag in my left front pocket. Cant see the need to put an extra mag in the same pocket the pistol is in since thats the hand Im gonna be shooting it with. The Hendley holsters do look pretty good though. I might give one a try.

January 7, 2005, 02:03 PM	#13
ScottsGT Member Join Date: December 30, 2002 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,983	I'll second this one: http://www.kdholsters.com/pdc.shtml Couldn't ask for anything better!

January 8, 2005, 12:52 AM	#14
Newton Member Join Date: December 27, 2002 Posts: 1,224	Looks like it would be difficult to grip in that holster and where's the snag panel that is supposed to catch in your pocket as you draw, wouldn't this thing all come out together in your hand ? __________________ Newton

January 8, 2005, 11:32 AM	#15
alamo Member Join Date: December 27, 2002 Location: austin, texas Posts: 1,219	This one is easy to grip the pistol so the holster doesn't come out with it. Scroll down to see the back pocket model: http://www.hedleyholsters.com/howto.html

January 11, 2005, 01:36 PM	#16
at-home-daddy Member Join Date: February 27, 2004 Location: Seattle area Posts: 147	Another vote for the Hedley...I love mine.

January 11, 2005, 02:05 PM	#17
Billy Sparks Member Join Date: January 1, 2003 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 742	I carry my P3AT in a holster by Azrael. Matter of fact if you go to the group buy section you will find that we is selling off some of this budget holsters. I really like knowing that nothing is getting into the trigger guard of a pistol kept in my pocket.

January 12, 2005, 12:01 PM	#18
will919 Member Join Date: January 24, 2004 Posts: 54	I vote for the nemesis

January 12, 2005, 01:17 PM	#20
vitiaz Member Join Date: December 27, 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 36	These are pretty good, http://www.pocketholsters.com/

January 12, 2005, 01:27 PM	#21
SLCDave Member Join Date: March 22, 2004 Location: Salt Lake Valley Posts: 821	I ordered one of the P-11 holsters from Azrael in the group buy section. I should hopefully receive it this week. __________________ "The evils of tyranny are rarely seen but by him who resists it." -John Hay, 1872 Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

January 12, 2005, 02:16 PM	#22
DarkKnight01 Member Join Date: January 11, 2005 Posts: 391	for some reason i remember reading somewhere that the kel-tec 32 and the .380 had a clip thing available along the side that was attached to the weapon as an option to not have to use a holster... if this was the case i would probably just clip it on my belt IWB and not worry about using a holster... anyone know anything about this or was i just drunk?

January 12, 2005, 02:38 PM	#23
gbundersea Member Join Date: June 12, 2004 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 75	DarkKnight01, Nope, you haven't been drinking! There are indeed belt clips made for the P-3AT/P-32 as well as the P-11/P-40. They come in stainless and blue, and a left-hand version for the P-3AT/P-32 is available. Take a look at this KTOG thread for details. __________________ Greg Bunch gbunch@PSEnhancements.com PS Enhancements Home of the P-Sight rear blade sight for Kel-Tec P-3AT and P-32 SHIPPING AGAIN AS OF 3/31/2007! See the Concealed Carry Magazine P-Sight review BEWARE OF COUNTERFEIT P-SIGHTS!

January 12, 2005, 05:59 PM	#24
DarkKnight01 Member Join Date: January 11, 2005 Posts: 391	hehe i thought i read about it =) and yes in this case i wouldnt use a holster... i would just clip it onto my belt IWB style probably SOB or just behind my main carry... i do intend to pick up a P3AT soon for a BUG

January 12, 2005, 06:12 PM	#25
kokapelli Member Join Date: January 27, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,226	Somehow the tought of jamming a pistol down into my pants or pocket without the trigger covered is unerving. I'm thinking of that trigger catching on something and me loosing some valuable body parts.

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