KelTec P3AT in 9x18

No such thing made by anyone.

NO FREAKIN' WAY.

Until I got my P3AT and actually fired it, I also thought that the gun would be even better in 9mmMak, but I cannot recommend such a gun in good conscience. In .32ACP, the Kel-Tecs are shootable enough that you're willing to put in range time with them, but I don't find that to be the case with the .380 gun.

I have to steel myself to practice with my P3AT as it is, it's right on the ragged edge of controllability for me - up-chambering it to 9mmMak would, IMHO, be not enough of a good thing to offset the added wear and tear on gun and shooter. Trying to play the "carry often, shoot seldom" game with guns this small/light, in these calibers, is a bad idea from the get-go - if you don't put in at least 100rds a month, every month, so that you can master the P3AT, you're a greater danger to innocent bystanders than you are to a prospective assailant.

The gun is just so light and has so little frame area to grip, that in .380ACP it will jump and twist itself right out of your fist unless you know how to employ it properly - if the gun were firing 9mmMak, the problem would be even worse. The ONLY way I've found to control the P3AT in rapid-fire is to shoot the gun ONE-handed - that way your gun-hand "rolls with the punch" and stays in the same place on the grip-frame. If I try to shoot the gun in Weaver or Isosceles, my hands are so stable that the gun squirts itself out of my grasp. I've also found that a Hogue or Pachmayr rubber grip-sleeve does wonders in keeping the P3AT anchored in my fist.

I don't find my 3AT to be too much recoil at all. I usually shoot at least 200 rounds through one of my 3, each time I shoot them. I use some extra hot military ammo most of the time as well.

Each of us has our opinion, results and reaction to each pistol. I find them fun and wonderful. The more I shoot them, the more I like them. And I like them a LOT already!!!!

I've found the Bersa magazine extension and Hogue Handall, Jr. help get a much better grip on the P-3AT:

http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/p3at-fingerrest.htm

http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/handalljr.htm

I don't find much difference in perceived recoil between the P-32 and the P-3AT. 9X18 would be more though, so perhaps it would be too abusive. I doubt that it would even fit in this platform since it is a longer cartridge and larger caliber bullet.

I would rather see Kel Tec design a scaled down, single stack 9mm to compete with thr Rohrbaugh on a mass production scale.

If you have a good gunsmith in your area, there is no reason they couldnt reem the chamber and barrel to a Mak chambering. It would be easier replace the barrel. Barsto will make you anything you want, but you have to wait and pay for it............
Shoot well.

If I try to shoot the gun in Weaver or Isosceles, my hands are so stable that the gun squirts itself out of my grasp.

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Great writing ability you have, Kor! Very colorful and clear!

Like Jody, I don't have any trouble holding on to it two handed, but my main complaint is that the grip is so uncomfortable when I put the "super squeeze" on it. If it "squirted" out of my hand, it would take a bunch of skin with it.

I don't like Pachmyer and Hogue grips because they defeat a lot of the utility of the gun for pocket carry in making the grip "tacky" as far as pockets are concerned, and they make the gun a bit wider. Both of those "features" slow down the speed and smoothness of my draw from the pocket.

However, I wouldn't want to be the first one to have one in 9x18 chambering. I subscribe to the idea that most all the damage from firing a handgun should occur beyond the muzzle.

I would think the magazine would be the biggest problem.

I don't find the 3AT to have any recoil and even the little girls shoot em.

the mighty P-MAK

The .380 KT mags should hold the 9x18 just fine. I am going to have to take a 9x18 snap cap to a store and find out. Zund, I also dream of a P-MAK, a P-3AT in 9x18 mak. I wonder if Barsto could make the barrels and what they would cost. Hmm.....maybe a group buy if a we could get a prototype working? Would probably require a stiffer spring. Or maybe not. I hear that P-3AT spring is already pretty stiff.

I think a stiffer spring might be in order jsut to keep wear on the gun down.

Why can't they just make it in 9mm already? As in P119mm as G30:G36

The .380 KT mags should hold the 9x18 just fine. I am going to have to take a 9x18 snap cap to a store and find out.

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I'll check it out right now and get back to you!!

Don't fit!!

I just tried to fit a 9X18 cartridge into a P3AT mag. They don't fit!! It's to long!!
The picture shows the nose of the bullet hanging just over the lip of the case!!

Doh! That's what I get for assuming. So scratch that.

"They don't fit!! "

So much for the P-Mak.

Oh well, I've never been much of a kel-tec fan anyway.

But maybe they could make a P-3AT chambered for .32 NAA?

But maybe they could make a P-3AT chambered for .32 NAA?

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http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=197&highlight=naa