Another Rate 'Em Thread!

[Ala Dan]

Seecamp .32 ACP vs. Kel-Tec .32 ACP

Lot's of folk's like the Kel-Tec because of its weight; but isn't the
Seecamp a better (more reliable) firearm? I know there is a big
price difference, $459 for the Seecamp vs. $239 for the Kel-Tec;
but isn't the difference worth it?

 

[Lt. G]

Never have owned/handled/or shot a Seecamp. However I do own a Keltec 32. It's light, goes bang every time I pull the trigger, and is on target/POA.

The mouse that roared!!!

 

[Ala Dan]

Which ever one I were to choose would only serve on an alternating
basis with my 1-1/8" barrel NAA .22 magnum as a BUG. So far, the
NAA "mini-magnum" has served well it that roll.

 

[deercop]

I have both, as well as a P3AT. I carry my Seecamp daily, as a backup, and leave the KelTec's on the shelf for my wife and I to carry when we go walking.

 

[kikilee]

I have had both in the past. The only one I still have and carry is the seecamp. I must have gotten a lemon, but I had a couple of problems with the kelTec that required it to be sent back on more than one occassion. I know it could happen on any gun but for me this was my lemon.

 

[MikeJ]

Hi Ala Dan,
I know that it isn't on your list but have you considered the Naa Guardian? I bought the Kel Tec .32 and the Guardian .32 and wound up keeping the Guardian. I can't really fault the Kel Tec other than it always felt like a toy to me. I really like the Guardian and carry it in a R.J. Hedley pocket holster, another great product and good guy to deal with.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I have a Kel-Tec, originally because of cost. Then also because of availability. And so far, reliability, no problems witht he P-32 at all, it fires, it locks back when it is supposed to. It works, and it is thin and light.

 

[Chipperman]

I have a Seecamp, and it is very well made.
I cannot get a Kel-Tec in MA, so I don't own one.

The Kel-Tecs are great guns, but it will wear out if you shoot it a lot. Most people don't shoot pocket guns much, so it's not an issue.

The Seecamp is solid steel, and will last forever.

 

[Bobo]

Check out the NAA Guardians at:
http://www.naaminis.com/index02.html
Especially the 25NAA and 32NAA models. A lot of punch for avery small package! A little less money than a Seacamp and readily available. New Seacamps can be hard to find. Also, lifetime warranty.

Both the 25NAA and 32NAA rounds are only made by Cor-Bon right now and are pricey, but for a concealment weapon not a target gun, you probably wouldn't be shooting a huge amount of ammo anyway.

Also, Cor-Bon makes a 71 grain FMJ Performance Match cartridge in 32NAA for $24.00 for a box of 50.
The normal 32NAA cartridge is a 60 grain HP for about $11.00 for a box of 20.

The 25NAA has a 35 grain HP cartridge for about $11.00 for abox of 20.

While you're at their site check out the Reviews and Articles page:
http://www.naaminis.com/prodrevw.html

They also have Message Board at:
http://www.naaminis.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

BTW, I have no connection with NAA, just admire their guns, warranty, and service!

 

[MICHAEL T]

BY reputation alone Seecamp wins Just look at all the people sending their KT back for repair. Don't see many my Seecamp is broken reports.

 

[GaryP]

My experience with the small 32's leads me to rate as follows:

1. NAA Guardian .32acp
2. Seecamp .32acp (These are factory tuned for SilverTip)
3. Kel-Tec .32acp not in the same league with #1 & # 2 but not bad for the price!

 

[Zundfolge]

BY reputation alone Seecamp wins Just look at all the people sending their KT back for repair. Don't see many my Seecamp is broken reports.

You don't suppose that might be because for every Seecamp sold there are a dozen Kel-Tecs out there?

 

[nero45acp]

I don't own a Kel-Tec, but I carry a Seecamp everyday in my back pocket. It's a well built, reliable (with silvertips and gold-dots) little pistol.

I did seriously consider getting the Kel-Tec because of it's lighter weight, but I read enough reports/posts about reliability issues with the Kel-Tec, that I was scared off and bought the Seecamp instead.


nero

 

[Cortland]

Of course the price difference becomes very dramatic when you move up to .380 ACP. The .380 Guardians are only slightly larger than the .32 Guardians, and are in the $400 range. I've heard that the .380 Seecamps are the same size as the .32s, but whenever I see them forsale they're in the $800-$900 range. Yikes.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Thank you each and everyone for the fantastic reports on both products!
I sell more Kel-Tec's than I do Seecamp's; mainly due to price I suppose.
But, I agree the Seecamp is a better built pistol. We were lucky enough
to get 4 factory fresh, NIB Seecamp's; and currently have them priced
at $459.88. There was a time when LEO's desired these small pistols as
a BUG to their service weapons; but they were very costly, somewhere
in the $700 range. I'm glad to see the price has decreased quite a bit,
without jeopardizing their quality.

Att: Mike J- No sir, I plum forgot the NAA Guardian .32. Many thanks
for reminding me, and I will check it out.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

As far as .32's go I like the Walther PP and CZ 70 better than my Kel-Tec P3AT. I bought the Kel-Tec because of the novelty of it and small size. I haven't shot it enough to know if it is more reliable than the PP or CZ. I just ordered a CZ 83 today and think that's probably the gun I'll carry. But who knows? As hot as it gets here in Florida in the Summer the Kel-Tec may work out best with summer attire.

I thought the ladies only had problems with how to accessorize.

 

[kokapelli]

If you have not shot your KelTec enough to know how good it is I can ell you about mine.
I replaced my fine p32s with two P-3ATs. One has about 3000 rounds through it with about 300 of those round being the very hot Santa Barbra Police ammo from Spain. That pistol is 100% reliable and very accurate at short range. I usually practice at 7 yards. The other P-3AT is my always gun with somewhere around 500 flawless rounds through it.

The KTs are thinner and much lighter than any of the other guns mentioned here and are the only ones with a locked breach action that makes the pistol less punishing to shoot.

I traded a NAA Guardian for my first P32. The Guardian had the stove pipe problem that seems common in that pistol. It felt like a brick in my pocket and just ripped the heck out of my trigger finger. I'm not knocking it, but it certainly is no KelTec. Can't comment on the Seacamp.

The KelTec gets a bad rap because some do have to back for repairs. Well, show one brand that does not have some returns to the factory.

There have been way more P-3ATs sold than all the other pocket guns combined, so of course there are some that need a little tuning.

 

[Joe D]

I have put hundreds of rounds through my Kel-Tec 32 without a problem. The only round I use for carry is the Corbon. It is the only .32 that expands all the time. The rest of the Corbon ammo is junk.

 

[macavada]

I read somewhere (probably on this board) that Winchester changed something with the Silvertip that affects its function with the Seecamp, and that Seecamp no longer recommends Silvertips. I think they are now recommending Federal, IIRC.

I've got a NAA guardian in .32 NAA. Ammo is expensive, but I don't think I'd want an extended shooting session with it anyway, because it hurts like hell. I guess it is just the way it fits the web of my hand.

Luck.

 

[kokapelli]

Get yourself a Keltec. The locked breach design takes the bite out of the recoil and it's so lght it won't feel like a brick in you pocket.