Another P-3AT Range Report

[Rangegod]

Just in case you are getting tired of the reading these I’ll keep this simple.

New P-3AT bought at gun show last Saturday. Serial No. 29XX. No prefiring preparation other than normal field strip for inspection and lubrication with Breakfree CLP.

Fired 200 rounds as follows:

50 rds Win FMJ
60 rds Win STHP
50 rds S&B FMJ
40 rds Speer GDHP

Results: No failures of any kind.

Since I was only interested in function testing today all 200 rds were fired at a single 5.5†Shoot-N-See at 7 yards. The resulting group (actually one big hole) could be covered by a playing card.

Recoil was about the same as my P-32 firing the Cor-Bon load. In other words, not bad at all.

Overall, very satisfied with the gun and I’m sure it will soon replace the P-32 as my secondary and “always†gun.

JAC

 

[Safety First]

Thanks JAC, I will probably wait until spring 04 to get mine,but unless something else comes out before that in a pocket rocket that's probably what I will purchase. So far it seems that most of the reports on theP3At seem to be favorable (most of them)

 

[New_comer]

Gotta chime in before this gets locked too...


I'm truly amazed with the way the 3AT had been built. Reports like this convince me to grab one with no hesitation once I see one.

 

[FJC]

They do seem to be doing well. I took my P-3AT to the range today, and put 150 more rounds through it - not a single failure of any kind.

I had 4 failures to feed with Remington Golden Sabers (in a previous range session, these were the only 4 failures I've ever had with this pistol), but everything else I've fired (Fiocchi, Winchester, Federal, and S&B FMJ, and Winchester Silvertips) have worked without any failures. If I don't count the Golden Sabers, it's gone 280 rounds without a failure.

 

[Mike Irwin]

You're lying, LYING, I tells ye!

It broke the second you paid for it!

It broke worse from being carried out to your car!

Every successive jolt broke it worse, and worse, until the point where you got to the range such that when you opened the case, it was nothing but a pile of unrecognizable powder!

CRAP! THEY'RE CRAP I TELLS YE!

CCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPP!




Ahem... Enough of that...

OK, that said, FULLY tongue in cheek, mind you, I've yet to see one of these, but I am interested.

I fired a .32 the other night for the first time, and it wasn't an unpleasant experience. I managed to group it fairly well at close range, and recoil wasn't bad at all, even with some RWS ammo that appeared to be pretty hot.

I very well may have to get one of the .32s. I hate purchasing guns that I haven't shot first, so I'm going to hold off on the .380...

 

[C.R.Sam]

Just in case you are getting tired of the reading these

Keep em comin.

And thanks.

Sam

 

[Dave R]

I agree with Sam. Keep the range reports coming. A good range report is almost as good as going shooting. They're my favorite posts on THR.

 

[Midiman]

I ordered one from my local dealer today but none of their distributors has one in stock.. people are snapping em up faster than Kel-Tec can crank em out... looks like I'm in for a wait.

 

[mtnbkr]

I fired a .32 the other night for the first time, and it wasn't an unpleasant experience. I managed to group it fairly well at close range, and recoil wasn't bad at all, even with some RWS ammo that appeared to be pretty hot.

It made me ill when someone shot my gun better than I did that night.

Chris

 

[larry408]

I have tried PMC FMJ, UMC FMJ and Magtech JHP in my P3AT with no problems.

 

[P95Carry]

I wait patiently ... well, as patiently as I can ...... whilst my dealer tries to secure me one ..... with all the guns goin to other dudes elswhere ... it ain't fair!

Must be 3 weeks now .. I'm getting fidgety!!

 

[Kimdo]

Another "thumbs up"

Only had time for 50 rounds of Federal 95gr. FMJ but no failures of any kind and 4" groups at 7yds. This is my about my normal accuracy. I'm a lousey shot.
The recoil was a little sharp but managable and with A-grip and a magazine extension will improve a lot, as will the accuracy.
I think that Kel-Tec has just raised the bar in the mousegun market.
Kim

 

[mini14jac]

I put over 100 rounds of UMC and Win. fmj through my P3AT with no problems, and no "fluff and buff".

Southern Ohio Guns has some Dynamit Nobel ammo at $100/1000rds.
The ad says "jacketed soft point" but it really looks more like jhp.
My gun won't feed it yet.
I did polish the feed ramp, and I'm going to try again.
(I've still got 980 rounds left. )

I'm very impressed with mine, but it is a hand full to shoot.
About 50 rounds, and I'm done for the day.
Mine has replaced my P32 as my "always gun".
(Though the P32 was much more pleasant to shoot.)

 

[RKBA 4 Ever]

Thanks for the very well written and good range report.

I just picked up my new P-3AT about two hours ago. Serial # 0024XX. I read as much as I could about this little pistol and it was enough to convince me to have one. And besides, $229 isn't all that much if it turns out to be a lemon.

I originally bought this to be an ankle BUG, but have decided to carry it in my pocket instead. Inside the leather holster I am buying it wil resemble a wallet. I also bought 100 rounds of Lellier & Bellot, 92gr FMJ. I wanted Cor-Bon 90gr JHP but they were out of tactical .380 ammo.

I've been carrying concealed for over a year and to be honest, it is a nice feeling knowing I have a BUG should something go awry with my primary gun.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Took the wife shopping and she chose this little mouse gun as well.

First stop on the way home was the range. Bought 100 rounds of cheap russian ammo, both FMJ and JHP ~90 gr.

Out of 100 rounds, two fail-to-feeds. I blame the ammo (probably not enough pressure to eject/feed). Anyone else have this problem?

It is a 10 oz beauty, although it will take time for me to trust it. I am a .45 acp dude.

 

[P95Carry]

STILL ....... I wait for mine .......... oh, woe is me .......

 

[Bren]

I thought I'd never buy a Kel-Tec,,,,,,,,,,,,

But I bought my 380 tonight,, they just came in, two were conscutive numbers. I took it in the back of the shop and fired 6 Win JHP's and 6 Cor-bon +p's in the tank.

No failers and I actually like it!

Whats the world coming too?

If it proves reliable, I't will be the perfect back up piece.

 

[coylh]

Hello all. My .380 came in today.

Pro:
* About as much firepower as you can get in 8.4 ounces.
* No failures on first 100 rounds (fmj).
* Decent trigger.
* Plenty accurate for its purpose.
* Snag-free design.
* Very slim profile.
* Mild recoil.

Con:
* Very roughly finished. You'll need a bunch of sandpaper and a file.
* Grip checkering is hard on the hands.
* Night sights not possible.
* Finicky dis/reassembly.
* No slide stop function.


I'm satisfied with the gun. If it stays reliable I'll end up carrying it a lot.
If Keltec had upped the price $100 to $200 to improve the quality they would have the best pocket pistol/backup gun on the market. Currently it fills the need, but it will have to earn my trust.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"It made me ill when someone shot my gun better than I did that night."

Dude, I shot ALL your guns better than you did that night...

 

[Blackhawk]

Welcome to THR, coylh!

* Grip checkering is hard on the hands.

One of the first things that Kel-Tecs get when they show up here is a grip smoothing with 400 grit sandpaper. You can't tell the difference by looking, but dulling those checkering points and backstrap ridges does wonders for comfort.

 

[mtnbkr]

Dude, I shot ALL your guns better than you did that night...

Lol. I think I managed to squeeze a slightly smaller group out of my rifle...
I was shooting patterns, not groups.

Chris