.32ACP NAA Guardian, Kel-tec P3AT or Kahr PM9 for pocket carry

[chaim]

Doesn't seem to be too many votes to stick with the NAA Guardian. I'm wondering why. Are you guys just helping me justify (to myself) the purchase of another gun even if I don't really need it (I also notice few if any "trade the Guardian" votes)? Do you guys really think the P3AT is that much of a better choice?

I'm still torn. Keep the Guardian (maybe get the Gutter Snipe treatment at the factory) and get another K-frame sized revolver (probably the .41mag Taurus Tracker). Keep the Guardian (do nothing to it) and get the P3AT and possibly selling the Guardian once the P3AT proves itself. Trading the Guardian for the P3AT and put out little if any extra cash. Or, getting the P3AT and keeping the Guardian for occasional use when in the mood (without plans to later sell it). I'm slightly leaning (today) towards using my current gun money (well, I'm about a month away) on the .41mag Tracker, but the P3AT does seem more and more interesting (and I will take another look at the PF-9).

 

[mavracer]

Doesn't seem to be too many votes to stick with the NAA Guardian.

I may be the odd man out,but thats exactly what I'd do.If its already proved its reliability why take a chance with Kel-tec's spotty reliability.BTW I feal somewhat in the same boat,If I had to do it again today I don't think I'd shell out the money on my seecamp,I'd buy a p3at. but I'm not going to trade off a reliable good shooting gun.I would also recommend the Fiocchi 60 grn SJHP its hot stuff,I've chronoed it at 1000 fps from my seecamp.

 

[NCHornet]

Why are you wanting somebody on a gun forum to tell you what to do? All you will get on this forum is opinions in the end the only one that matters is yours. I have given you mine, and why would you trade your NAA Guardian + $ for a P3AT? I would want $ back on the deal and lot's of it. As already stated you have a proven reliable gun why would you want to take a chance on a KelTec? In the end due what best suits your needs no matter what I or anybody elses opinion is.

 

[chaim]

Why are you wanting somebody on a gun forum to tell you what to do? All you will get on this forum is opinions in the end the only one that matters is yours.

Umm, should we close up shop then, since no one should ask for anyone else's opinion online

More than the actual opinion (don't just name the gun) the reasons behind it are useful. Some are very well thought out and may give me something I either didn't know, or hadn't thought about in a while, that could help me make up my mind. It is also interesting to see how other members of the forum think/decided on the same issue. I may or may not take the members' advice- I know a fair amount about guns, I have my own mind, and I'm not a puppet. Still, there can be useful information that I'll add to my thought process, and it is certainly interesting to hear what others have to say.

 

[NCHornet]

The OP has stated that he has reliable operating weapon in the Guardian, he asked for opinions on what folks thought about him trading for the P3AT and those were given. In his last post it sounds like he asking folks to talk him out of his Guardian, I'm sorry if I have a reliable firearm nobody is going to convince me to take a chance on something else that is hit or miss to say the least. I didn't mean for nobody to ask for opinions because that is how I have learned as well, but as I said in the end we all have to do what we feel is best for ourself. Didn't mean the above to sound like it did. Sorry

 

[Ala Dan]

Actually, I have two choices when it comes to pocket carry-

That being said, I can alternate between the KEL-TEC P3AT .380
(which is lighter is weight); or the all stainless steel Seecamp LWS
32. As of late, the KEL-TEC has seen the most duty~!

 

[chaim]

Didn't mean the above to sound like it did. Sorry

No need to say sorry. I figured out how you meant it, hence the smilie at the end of the first part of my response. No biggie.

 

[Powderfinger]

chaim,
Here are the results of a .380 ammo test (which is 9mm caliber BTW) fired from a P3AT.
The Cor-Bon doesn't seem to expand in it.
The Golden Sabers at 102 gr. or Win. Silver Tip would appear to be the way to go. While the P3AT needs a firm grip (no limp wristing), the recoil is not that sharp. HTH.


http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1523

 

[RyanM]

Personally, I still say to either go for a CW9 now (and resign yourself to carrying somewhere other than in the pocket), or keep saving for a PM9. The PM9 isn't quite a jeans pocket gun, but it will work fine in a slacks pocket. I've handled a P3AT in a store, and did not find it sufficiently smaller than my MK40 to merit buying it. Any time I could carry a P3AT, I could most likely manage the slightly larger, significantly heavier MK40. A Seecamp LWS380, on the other hand, is definitely on my "to buy" list, once I have $800 saved up.

P3AT is 5.2" long, 3.5" high, 0.77" wide.
MK40 (measured with calipers) is 5.57" long, 4.19" high (including sights and magazine), and 0.98" across the grips.
NAA .32 is 4.4" x 3.3" x 0.85".
Seecamp .380 is 4.25" x 3.25" x 0.91".

Thus, both the P3AT and PM9 would be a fairly significant increase in length, the only real difference is the PM9 would be considerably taller and a bit heavier. Depending on your pockets, that could be good or bad. Keeps the gun more stable, but may make it hard to draw if your pockets have small openings.

 

[DAdams]

Choices, Choices

A Seecamp LWS380, on the other hand, is definitely on my "to buy" list, once I have $800 saved up.

I just acquired this a couple weeks ago. Had it to the range two days ago. It's a handful with 102 gr RGS. 25 rounds including WWB 85, SGD 90. I did best with the SGD at 4 yards. After 24 rounds that was enough. It ran all 24 rounds flawlessly. As Larry Seecamps so aptly states, no new handgun should have to be "broken in". That's the way I felt about the PM9 although Kahr says 200 rounds...I have one and either they work 100% or they don't in talking with other owners. Mine got worse as it progressed to 400 hundred rounds, not better.

After one trip back to the factory it's working as it should. This is the first time I have put over 100 round through it w/o a hitch.
I ran 147 gr SGD, 124 gr Hydra-Shok, and CORBON 115 gr DPX +P, including a half a box of Independence 115 gr ball, flawless, .... finally. Now I need to get the sights adjusted and get good with it. I like the form factor and in a DeSantis Nemesis it carries fine in the pocket.



I sometimes carry a M&P 340 J Frame.

 

[22luvr]

I'd have bought a Guardian .32 years ago but I could not get a safe, secure grip on it with my large hands/fingers.

I've owned several NAA minis and you cannot fault the quality of the material and workmanship in the Guardian. They're beautiful little pieces that instill pride of ownership.

If you are satisfied overall with the Guardian (and it sounds like you are) I would simply keep it and not worry about the relative merits of a .32 ACP - VS - a .380 auto.

You might be exchanging something that you enjoy shooting and that is dead-reliable for an unknown quantity.

Yes, I have owned 3 kel-tecs: an older model P11, the P32, and the P3-AT. Of all those offerings, the P32 was the easiest to shoot and most accurate. They are mass-produced, brilliantly engineered but it is my opinion that they do not possess the same quality materials or workmanship that your Guardian does.