32 vs 380 Kel-tec

[Ghostrider_23]

I have a 32 ACP Kel-Tec and LOVE this little gun. I noticed that the 380K.T. is the same size ect.... Should I upgrade to the 380 and is it woth it?????

Is the 32 better than the 380 on vise verse????? I've heard that the 380 is snappier than the 32, is this true?????

What do you think????

I will be getting a PF-9 as soon as all the bugs are worked out of this amazing 9mm and use the 32 as a BUG. Should I upgrade to the 380????

 

[Ala Dan]

Grab a P3AT, and have all three~!

 

[hagar]

Not much difference as far as stopping power, the P32 is easier to shoot, and the P32 has 10 round magazines with grip extenders available.

 

[Lennyjoe]

hager pretty much summed it up.

I had the P3AT and it is a fun gun to shoot, but it's a handful for a little gun.

I've heard that the 380 is snappier than the 32, is this true?????

Yes, its true. You won't go and shoot 200 rounds thru it at the range. It will beat your finger up pretty good. Not much power gain between the two.

 

[ID_shooting]

Not much power gain?

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

I carry the 90gr gold dots in my P3AT. Per the above Site, .380 has 196 ft/lbs at the muzzle, .32 has 123. That is a 62% difference. May not seem like much, but since you talking under 200 ft/lbs, I want all I can get.

That coupled with the whole .32 rim lock "feature" I choose P3AT.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey folk's-

I just picked up a new Kel-Tec P3AT .380 auto yesterday; along with
a fresh box of Remignton Golden Sabre 102 grain JHP's. My question is,
am I using the correct ammo for this gun? I know there are persons
here with far more experience than I with this little Kel-Tec; so your
advice would be well received. Many thanks in advance, and you all
have a wonderful day.

 

[MachIVshooter]

For the price of them, there is not reason to not have at least one of each. I have a 1G P-32, a 1G P3AT and a PF-9. I like them all (though I seldom carry the P32, since the P3 is basically the same size and almost twice the punch).

I've heard that the 380 is snappier than the 32, is this true

Very much so. 1 box in a sitting and you'll want to switch to another gun. The P3 is not particularly fun to shoot.

My question is,
am I using the correct ammo for this gun?

If yours will run with it, I can't think of a better choice. The 102 gr. GS has proven the best combination of penetration/expansion in my ballistic clay tests. Avg. 9.2" penetration, .48" expanded diameter.

Edit: This test was using a Beretta 84FS and +p handloaded Gold Sabres. Avg. velocity @ 12' was 1067 FPS for 259 ft/lbs. Most loads lose 40-50 FPS in the P3. I did not chronograph this load in the P3, but I did find it rather punishing to shoot.

 

[lesjones]

Go with the .380. The .380 is rimless. The .32 is semi-rimmed and can rimlock.

 

[Atticus]

I just picked up a new Kel-Tec P3AT .380 auto yesterday; along with
a fresh box of Remignton Golden Sabre 102 grain JHP's

That's what I've been shooting in mine...functions well, and is as accurate as I am with the little bugger. My understanding is that Keltec recommends hot ammo for the P3AT -the hotter the better.

One note on making the P3AT much more enjoyable to shoot: Someone posted this idea here on THR awhile back and it works great. Put a little strip of sticky- backed insulation (the thin strips used for window and door frames) on the back of the grip. Cover that with a Hogue Handall (trimmed to size with an exacto knife). Then add the one round mag extender. Fine tune all of the above to make sure that the handall does not interfere with the mag or release. This setup makes the pistol fit an adult size hand and absorbs alot of the recoil.

To answer the original post: Keep both if you can .

 

[denfoote]

That's what I did!!

I have both!!

 

[kokapelli]

There are a lot more brands and styles of ammo available for 380cal than 32cal.

380 ammo is always cheaper and more available than 32 cal.

In the gelatin test done at stoppingpower.net, the CorBon DPX 380 round fired from a P-3AT expanded to over 70cal. Pretty impressive. DPX is not available in 32cal.

380 DPX TEST
10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon 380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Keltec 3AT

Barrier:
Bare Gelatin


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 8.375‚
Recovered Weight: 80.2 gr.
Expansion*: .714 cal.
Velocity: 914.7 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.

 

[The Amigo]

Bigger hole better

Round I use is Remington golden saber in 102g and the second choice is Hydrashocks heres why: http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a10/a10-14.html im not too fond with Corbons in .380 since they tend to fail to expand.

 

[kokapelli]

Round I use is Remington golden saber in 102g and the second choice is Hydrashocks heres why: http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a10/a10-14.html im not too fond with Corbons in .380 since they tend to fail to expand.

That's interesting, but I prefer tests done in gelatin which right now is the gold standard for testing ammo.

In all the DPX gelatin tests I have seen, the DPX bullet has had extremely consistent expansion.

In the gelatin tests below, the Hydra Shok and CorBon's standard jhp rounds went completely through the gelatin block. That means they did not expand.

The stoppingpower tests are an average of five rounds of each brand.

It's true that some of CorBons other bullet designs, expansion was iffy, but not with the DPX round.



======================

The following are results from gelatin tests done at Evan Marshall's "stoppingpower.net" group.

Pistol used is Keltec .380 3AT
Corbon .380 90 gr. +P
Pen 16.50+" Exp N/A (left the block, not recovered)

Speer .380 90 gr. Gold Dot
Pen 10.50" Exp .476

Federal .380 90gr. Hydra Shok
Pen 16.50" Exp .356

380 DPX TEST
10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon 380 80 gr DPX

Testing Platform:
Keltec 3AT

Barrier:
Bare Gelatin


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 8.375‚
Recovered Weight: 80.2 gr.
Expansion*: .714 cal.
Velocity: 914.7 fps

""""""""""

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I found the question confusing, but I voted no, because if you have the .32 (which I do), I see no compelling reason to upgrade to the .380. The difference in stopping power is negligible, and more than made up for in better control and greater capacity. Rimlock is BS. Someone put that out who has stock in Kel Tec and wants everyone to go out and get a new Kel Tec.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I found the question confusing, but I voted no, because if you have the .32 (which I do), I see no compelling reason to upgrade to the .380. The difference in stopping power is negligible, and more than made up for in better control and greater capacity. Rimlock is BS.

I completely agree and don't plan on upgrading, either.

 

[los]

Any time you can upgrade to a larger caliber CCW without adding significant size and weight, and not sacrificing too much cartridge capacity,... it's a good thing.

Concealability, Accessibility and Comfort are important issues that should always be considered and thoroughly evaluated before upgrading to a larger caliber CCW.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have both .Carry my 380 more and have loaded with the DPX This copper bullet is way to go. . Have Corbon HP in 32 as their is no DPX or 32.

The Bersa finger extension helps in control and no loss in concealbility.

 

[Shipwreck]

I bought the P32 in the middle of last year - I thought about buying the 380 - but the recoil is higher. I could shoot the 32 all day (if the ammo wasn't so high), and my hand wouldn't hurt.

Also, at the time, I tended to see more complaints about problems with the 380 version over the 32 version. Don't get me wrong - there are many satisifed owners of the 380 version. But it seemed that the likelyhood of getting a headache gun was lower with the 32.

Since U already have the 32 - I don't see the point in buying another...

 

[michiganfan]

Never shot the 32 but my P3AT is very snappy

 

[kokapelli]

I bought the P32 in the middle of last year - I thought about buying the 380 - but the recoil is higher. I could shoot the 32 all day (if the ammo wasn't so high), and my hand wouldn't hurt.

Shipwreck, so you find that 32 cal ammo is expensive and you can't shoot your P-32 all day because it hurts your hand!

Yes, if you shoot a P-3AT all day, it will make your hand sore too, but you said the P-32 does anyway

You said that 32 cal ammo is expensive and that's true. 380 ammo is cheaper, more readily available and there are more kinds of 380 ammo available than there is 32 ammo.

So what is the problem with the P-3AT then?

Also, at the time, I tended to see more complaints about problems with the 380 version over the 32 version. Don't get me wrong - there are many satisifed owners of the 380 version. But it seemed that the likelyhood of getting a headache gun was lower with the 32.

I owned two P-32 pistols and purchased a P-3AT when they came out.

After shooting the P-3AT a couple of times, I traded my two P-32 pistols in for a second P-3AT, because I found it to be more accurate and felt recoil was no problem for up to 50 round range sessions.

I can tell you from personal experience that the P-3AT is every bit as reliable as the P-32.

Anyone that says there is not a rimlock problem in the 32 cal is flat wrong! I had it happen in my P-32.

I also now have a third, P-3AT that is a second generation model and it too has been trouble free.

IMO, if someone is trying to decide between a P-32 and a P-3AT, you are doing them a disservice telling them the 32 cal is a better deal.-

There is only one advantage I can see in the P-32 and that is, it has a slide stop and that's it!-

The P-3AT is more powerfull.-

Uses cheaper ammo.-

Has more brands of ammo available.-

Ammo is more readily available-

There is no possibility of rim lock with the 380 round.-

Just the facts-

 

[Shipwreck]

Shipwreck, so you find that 32 cal ammo is expensive and you can't shoot your P-32 all day because it hurts your hand!

Yes, if you shoot a P-3AT all day, it will make your hand sore too, but you said the P-32 does anyway

You said that 32 cal ammo is expensive and that's true. 380 ammo is cheaper, more readily available and there are more kinds of 380 ammo available than there is 32 ammo.

So what is the problem with the P-3AT then?

U need to go back and re-read what I said. I said I could shoot the 32 all day and my hand WOULDN'T hurt....

 

[dstorm1911]

We have several of each in our family, I use a p3at for situations where its either impossible to carry anything else OR situations where there is very high risk to life but its not legal to posses a firearm (rather be tried by 12 than......) My family and extended family is inundated with females..... All of whome have CCWs some prefer the .32 not so much for recoil reasons but because the lighter recoil spring makes racking the slide easier and because it has a last shot slide stop the .380 doesn't have...

All these comments on the recoil really got me wondering bout these users having so much issue with the recoil, maybe ya'll needa start doin some yard work or hand excercises? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything but guys my Stepdoughter who is 20 but looks and is built like a 12 year old (she'd make a great undercover cop!! LOL) goes through 150 rnds of SXTs EVERY sunday without fail to keep herself proficient as her p3at is the only centerfire she is comfortable with, she only weighs 87lbs is 4'11" tall and has absolutally tiny hands, she can shoot my larger handguns but the grips are all to big to be comfortable to her. We have an 87 year old grandmother on my wifes side of the family that at least twice a week burns up 50 rnds through her P32, All the women on my wifes side of the family are little, all 8 of her sisters use P3ATs with no issues the Her grandmother (the 87 year old) can shoot the p3ats without any problems at all but she can't rack the slide and a double action revolver is to heavy for her not to mention she starts shaking trying to pull even a S&W double action trigger unless its severally worked over...... yet she has no trouble shooting the p3at as far as recoil....

Maybe Mexican women are just tougher? well that can't be it cause my mother is 68 and she uses her p32 to burn up 100 rnds every saturday to stay proficient her other CCW gun is a Czech CZ70 which I've reworked quite a bit she also uses several of my .45s on occasion...


Yard work guys, build up them hands, I turned wrenches and was a steel worker most of my life, the only gun who's recoil I notice is my S&W .500, my mom, she has a yard that looks like a jungle... the original grn thumb, come to think of it........ ALL of these women are into gardening with the exception of Vivi, the future undercover cop, she's into baking and music, doesn't even have a drivers license yet ..... so maybe gardening isn't the solution?

LOL, My wife and two of the girls was just reading the above posts over my shoulder............ ya'll don't even wanna know what they had to say... a polite way to put it is "maybe these guys are all doing the "wrong" kinda strong hand excercises" This is a family site so I'll leave it at that... the comment was made by the 21 year old...... very shockin as she don't even like it when a movie shows nudity LOL

 

[kokapelli]

Shipwreck, If you read the whole sentence as you wrote it,

"I could shoot the 32 all day (if the ammo wasn't so high), and my hand wouldn't hurt."

you can see why I took it the way I did.

With your explanation I now see what you meant.

 

[tinygnat219]

Why carry a .32 when there is a .380 in almost the exact same package? .380 is a better round, has better ballistics, and more defensive loads are available. It's really a no-brainer to get the P3AT.

 

[The Amigo]

slide lock

I rather not get shot with either but the reason i prefer and suggest to get the .380 is because of the rim lock problems experienced with several .32s.

And as far as the slide lock, I don't see not having one a problem usually i count how many shots so far and if I'm out of rounds id rather have the slide closed as to not let other BG know my gun is empty. Ive yet to see someone being shot at counting bullets since they usually running the opposite way.

And when u talking of small rounds like the 2 stated coming out of a short barrel ill go for the most powerful just to tip the balance a little to my side