How reliable is your keltec P3AT?

[megatronrules]

I'am trying to get an idea on how reiable these guns are from those of you who own them? I am also wondering how reliable they were/are out of the box and if you needed to work on them to send them back to keltec to get them this way? I only plan on useing full metal jacket ammo in mine if I decide to but one based on this posts replies. There are two of these gun NIB at my local gun shop and iam going to go by there today or tomorow to take a closer look at them. what should I look for with these guns are there any tell tale things to beware of when doing a presale examination on them?,if so what are they?

I am kinda hesitant to buy one because of all the p32 issues when they came out I realize this is a differant gun so thats why I'am looking for input from those of you who have one. I'am sure theres been post about this before here but the search funtion isn't working on my computer. My last question is how many round do you guys recommend for the "break-in" phase of these guns? Thanks for any help guys.

 

[redbone]

I have a P32 and a P3AT. The .32 has maybe 250 rounds thru it. Probs at first, but after a fluff and buuf, it has been 100%

The .380 is much better finished and I really couldn't find anything to F&B. One box of S&B FMJ, one box of magtech FMJ, and a box of Corbons, so far. It has been 100 %.

I'm real pleased. The .380 is just enough larger (thicker) than the .32 that the .32 pocket holsters won't fit (too tight), so I bought another front pocket holster.

I say its a good buy for what its for.

RBH

 

[wardog]

I just bought a P3AT. Did the "fluff & buff" http://www.ktog.org/tecwerks12a.htm
cleaned and oiled it, and tested for function.

Used American Eagle FMJ, no problems whatsoever.
I think they have the bugs worked out on this little guy.

I am very happy with mine. For the price/size/weight, I think
it is an ideal back up gun.

 

[denfoote]

My P3AT has been perfect from the very moment I lifted it from the box!! I accidentally did the Chuck Taylor Glock "degreaser" test. The chap who previously owned it cleaned all the luberication off of it before trading it in!! Being enthusiastic, I rushed down to the range to try out my new toy. It fired quite well, considering!! I only had to push gently on the slide after a while to get to go fully into battery. I THOUGHT I had a defective one!! When I got home, I saw what the problem was!! I cleaned it, lubed it, and have been shooting trouble free for neigh onto 350 rounds so far!!

 

[Hazwaste]

I've had an AT for a month. 150 rounds through it with no failures to feed. However, I am experiencing some failures to eject on the last round.

 

[Craig M. Arnold]

KelTec 3AT

I have put about 500 rounds through my 3AT and it has been perfect. I had a P11 and it was ok except for the very long trigger. The trigger is much better on the 3AT. I have a lot of very nice guns to choose from for CCW, however, due to it's very small size, I carry the 3AT most of the time. I believe that it is well worth the money.

 

[Hotel Charlie]

I have had mine for about 3 months and 200 rounds. Other than the occasional shell case between the eyes it has been a great gun.

HC

 

[Bowlcut]

I got one for my dad and have yet to give it to him. but its only got 100 though it so far. first few mags had 2 or 3 failures to eject....but i attest that to limp wristing it. you have to hold on to that gun. its so small its almost hard to. but once i grabbed it, i havent had a problem. pulled about 30 off as fast as i could with no problems at all. gota hold on to that bugger tho

 

[dbracin]

My first P-3AT was 100% reliable, but the assemble pin kept backing out until it made the hole in the frame oval shaped. I sent it back to Keltec and they sent me a complete new pistol (different serial number). So far this one keeps the pin in place and it has been completely reliable. Great customer service, IMO.

 

[mini14jac]

I've got somewhere around 300 rounds through mine.
Mostly fmj rounds with a couple of boxes of different hollow points thrown in.

No functional problems at all.

I do get the occasional empty brass to the head but that's not a problem.

Recoil is a handfull.
I shot about 3 mags on Friday. It was cold and spitting snow.
I didn't shoot the P3AT until my hands had gotten really cold.
Sharp recoil and almost-umb hands - Ouch!

There's no competition for a .380 for CCW.

 

[dawg23]

Sent mine back to the factory for the second time last week:

* Not feeding reliably (jams 2-3 times out of ~20 rounds)
* Empty cases coming straight back into my forehead.

Only paid $212 for it NIB, and it's strictly a BUG. But even BUGs should be reliable.

Mine is an early model (serial # ~1100), and the factory has already replaced the barrel and the slide (they said they are doing this on all P3-AT's with serial numbers below ~2500). If they can't fix it I'll ask them to replace it.

 

[JShirley]

I heard a rumor that SWAT magazine was doing an article on them soon.

Anyway, ejection is "vigorous" and almost exactly straight up. If you don't have your arm locked out, and the weapon is coming back in recoil, guess where that brass shoots?

Stiffer spring makes racking slide a bit harder. If you have weak hands, it could be a problem.

As an aside, using grease on the slide/rail interface when using an aluminum-framed firearm with steel slide is a good idea. Might give you a few extra thousand rounds.

John

 

[dawg23]

Shirley:

Don't know where you get that "ejection is almost exactly staight up."

The first time I sent mine back to the factory, I called ahead to discuss the problems with one of their "gunsmiths." When I mentioned the ejection problem, he laughed and said "Oh - yours, too ?"

The "gunsmith tech" told me that they know this is a problem and that it is related to the length of the ejector. They sent me four extra ejectors, filed down to different lengths and told me to see if one would work. None did.

The empty cases from MANY (not all) P3-AT's come directly back into the forehead - hard enough to draw blood. None of my Glocks, Walthers, Colts, or Smiths (in .45, .40 and 9mm) have ever exhibited this problem over the past 20 years, (neither in practice sessions, training classes nor during IDPA and IPSC matches).

So, as you suggest, I guess the problem must be that I'm not locking my arms.

 

[JShirley]

23:

I get that from observation. Ejection was almost exactly straight up, with a slight rearward angle. Cases were thrown as far as 21 feet.

 

[dawg23]

I need for you to do one of three things:

1. Swap pistols with me.
2. Sell me your ejector.
3. Send yours back to Kel-Tec so they will have a model for fixing mine.

 

[JShirley]

Well, these are SN's (respectively) over 3000 and with an H1 prefix.

I have hit myself with brass in the head, but I believe I limp-wristed that one.

Maybe I should have said, "Ejection with the P-3AT's I've fired will nail you in the head if you don't keep your arms locked out."

 

[Beer for my Horses]

I've had only one jam while shooting my first rounds through my P 3AT. Otherwise it has been very reliable. I'm very happy with it and haven't found a better compromise for a concealed carry weapon. However, I too get the occassional ejected brass in the head; is it really the stiffness of my arms? I like to shoot in a modified Isosceles with my elbows slightly relaxed like shock absorbers. Oh well, it's a great overall CC package.

 

[dawg23]

Quote from JShirley Well, these are SN's (respectively) over 3000 and with an H1 prefix.


As I appreciate it, any P3-AT with a serial number close to 3000 (or higher) is outside of the "recall" for replacement slides and barrels.

The pistols with letters in the serial number are even newer (I'm told that BATF made Kel-Tec change their serial numbering system to include letters) and are also supposed to be OK.

 

[Beer for my Horses]

Break In Time

My last question is how many round do you guys recommend for the "break-in" phase of these guns?

I recommend firing at least 200-300 rounds of the jhp defensive ammo that you are going to carry before putting it into service. It should be 100% with the ammo you choose. From ballistics performance data I have reviewed, it seems that the Speer Gold Dot is the best for .380. If you can get that round to function flawlessly in your 3AT then you've got a sweet set up.