Kel-Tec .380 opinion they are very concealable.Do they shoot OK?Considering one

[R.W.Dale]

After much research I went with the P32 for a couple reasons

32 380 JHP's are abysmal penetrators, I won't carry them and FMJ performance between 32 and 380 are pretty much the same so I opted for the extra capacity and shootability of the 32.

I'm really impressed with the accuracy of the tiny p32 It shoots much better than you'd expect a pocket pistol to shoot. Conceialbility is outstanding, If you have a pocket you can hide one of these pistols

 

[Silverhair]

I have a Kel-Tec in .32 and the P3AT, and also have a Bersa in .380, and other handguns ranging in caliber from .45 to .22.

I have never particularly notice the recoil with any of them, nor have I had to readjust the grip after firing. My favotire, of the three, is easily the Bersa, but because of concealibilty I usually carry the P3AT.

The front trousers pocket offers some advantages. If a situation looks like it might get tense, you can put your hand in your pocket and have the gun in your hand, ready to draw, without it being obvious or threatening. You can't pull up your shirt and grab the butt of a belt carried gun like that without everybody seeing and getting freaked out. So you can't get a belt gun ready in advance, but you can do that with a pocket gun. Street-wise perps will usually know exactly what that means when you stick your hand in your pocket, but others won't.

To aid in concealment, I put something on top of the gun to break up the outline.

I haven't tried the sights on the Kel-Tecs as I consider them point-fire guns, and have practiced with them using that method. One hand draw and fire. Aim by the gun being an extension of my arm and pointing. Range for firing is only a few feet. They point very well, at least for me.

I bought and began to carry a Kel-Tec when I was working the midnight shift at a convenience store. The company policy was very strict - no guns at all. So if I carried, it had to be able to not be detected by people who would see me daily. It never was. (Two weeks after I quit, they were held up.)

I did not plan on shooting it out with any robbers. If I thought that all they wanted was the cash drawer, then they could have it. But sometimes they want to hurt the attendent and so I carried.

For ammo, I use hardball. It feeds better and due to the low power of the cartridge I am opting for greater penetration of hardball.

 

[hso]

Y'know, we've discussed these guns several times before and there are plenty of folks with good experience with the P3AT and some with bad.

I carry a P3AT when I can't carry my P11 when I can't carry something bigger.

My wife carries a P3AT.

All three of them go bang when we want them to.

They're not intended to be used except at close range and shouldn't be compared to guns outside their class.

 

[tblt]

Get yourself a LCP if shoots great and with the right bullet will perform good
These pic's are not mine they are from gatorhugger on the ruger forum.just wanted you to know the .380 mwill perform

 

[MCgunner]

If you can't handle the .380's recoil, even in a P3AT, you have issues. ROFLMAO! I'd wait on the LCP. They have reported issues. I'd wait until they catch up with demand and get the bugs worked out. I don't know that Ruger's customer service can match KT, rather doubt it since KT is about the best there is in the industry. I love my 7 Rugers, but I also love my P11. That P11 is as accurate as many full sized service guns, will hold 3.5" at 25 yards off a bench. Sounds like (though I've not shot one for accuracy) the P3AT is pretty decent, too, from what people say. If you can shoot, the gun will shoot. It's probably a lot like snubbies, though. The gun is much better than some of the owners are. If you have problems with the gun "jumping out of your grip", you're not gripping it right....as a for instance.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

Can anyone tell me how the recoil of the P3AT compares to the recoil of the NAA Guardian .380? I've shot the latter - my wife has one and I can get through maybe half a box at the range before the recoil makes my hand too sore to shoot it any more. I'm now in the market for a pocket gun and was torn between getting the Guardian - expensive, but I know what I'm getting - versus the Kel-tec, which is less expensive.

 

[DKA]

Have a P3AT and love it. It is thin enough, that you do not get that bulge in pockets and light enough, you will not realize that you have it there. It is very concealable and very accurate up to about 20'. The recoil is not a problem with me but people differ. :banghead:

 

[rcmodel]

Blow-back action guns like the NAA Guardian will always kick harder / hurt worse then a locked-breach gun like the Kel-Tec.

The blow-back NAA and Walther PPK actually sting my hand with hot loads that are fairly comfortable in the P3AT, even though it weighs less then half as much as the PPK.

rcmodel

 

[Ala Dan]

I own and sell KEL-TEC's~! My P3AT .380 auto has performed flawlessly,
right from the GIT-GO. I sees a lot of use, as a rear pocket CCW piece;
often times serving as a BUG to one of my .45 ACP 1911's, or my SIG
P220A. I recommend them with the greatest of confidence. Oh~! did
I mention customer service? You probably will never need it; but if you
do, its one of the best in the business~!

 

[LightningMan]

I would like to add that I was talking with a sales person for a police & security supply store, and he knows a PD officer whom qualified with his Kel-Tec .380. Police officers for this area have to qualify with all their duty firearms. I thought that was some fine shooting and was impressed. LM

 

[HK23BEACH]

Thanks for all the information on the Kel-tec.I am going for one!

 

[lloveless]

Enjoy. I have an p32-bought before the 380 existed. My son bought the 380, which I have now used. I put one Mag through it- set it down and won't shoot another. These arthritic hands won't take the abuse. I shoot .44 magnums, the really hot stuff I don't tolerate well either anymore.
ll

 

[tblt]

You will be happier with a LCP

 

[R.W.Dale]

You will be happier with a LCP

WHY?

I've handled both guns side by side, they're the EXACT same.

Only with the lcp for the next year or so YOU get to help the factory work the kinks out of a new product and you don't have nearly the aftermarket support you get with the kel-tec.....well......Other than the kel-tec accessories that'll work on the Ruger because for all intensive purposes it's the same gun

 

[KBintheSLC]

If you can't handle the .380's recoil, even in a P3AT, you have issues.

- MCgunner

Easy there big tough guy. I don't recall anyone saying that they "can't handle" the recoil from the 380... just that the recoil of the 32 is far less annoying.

 

[Tirod]

I'm sure anyone who has handled the KT P3AT and Ruger LCP would note the remarkable similarities. There's nothing wrong with brand loyalty, but choosing something that works better for you is more important. I've handled the KT: like many of you, I'd like to handle a LCP - some day maybe I will.

There are differences that some may want to know about. The Ruger extractor, grip checkering, finish, etc all pose choices a potential buyer may want to research in depth. Clouding the issue with comments on being "identical" is an emotional response not aligned with the facts.

Complaints about Ruger fielding a beta design for customer improvement glosses over Keltec's identical and well documented performance. It's good now, but there were some customers unhappy about the 1 Gen model. Ruger has been making changes on the fly as reported in this forum, and seems equally responsive to customer service and product improvement.

Some people find small frame auto's a bit snappy. I thought the Detonics Pocket Pal in 9mm was, and not so concealable either. It just depends on your hand size, how you shoot, and your experience level. They are not range guns, and trade off recoil management and fast target acquisition for extreme concealability. Compared to others in their class, the Keltec and Ruger seem to lead in performance and affordable price.

Try to shoot both, and pick the one that works for you.

 

[elsullo]

I vote for the NAA Guardian .380

DO find one to handle, and better yet shoot. I have one; never failed; and I don't even remember any problem with recoil--it does not shift in the hand when firing! It is all beautifully milled stainless steel, and that weight absorbs the blowback recoil. It is actually smaller than the Kel-Tec or the Ruger, and feels good in the hand. I forget that it is in my pocket at all times..........................elsullo

 

[Mountie855]

Wife & I have P3AT's for last 3 yrs or so, no problems with them. We had the P32's first, and they worked well also, EXCEPT twice during qualifications I experienced the 32 ACP rimlock- shuts you down, and takes a bit of time to clear.

There is a fix for the rimlock problem, minor alteration to the magazine.

Rimlock seems more prevalent with certain rounds, from what I've read. Mine happened when I was using ball ammo. Never felt comfortable with the 32 after that experience.

 

[markboss]

I own two P3AT's and a Keltec PF9...
I have about 400 rounds thru each of them, and am very pleased....

The P3AT's disappear into my pocket, and I always am glad that I have it...
The PF9 is a little larger, but can be IWB carried, or front pocket carried, without much effort....for the price, all of them are hard to beat..

I only live about 45 minutes from their birthplace....easy to visit, if you have any problems..
They have mailed me a few parts free of charge!!!

 

[hoosier8]

Quote:
You will be happier with a LCP

WHY?

Because he owns one.

My KT P3AT is so small in my hand that I have one finger on the trigger and only one finger around the grip. I don't find shooting it difficult at all. It seems to be very accurate. I have not shot any of my DPX through it yet, which seems to be hotter.