Kel-Tec .380 opinions, please.

[trapshooter]

Just a few thoughts on this gun.

1. It is not a 'target' gun, or a plinker.

2. It was built for a reason, and if you remember that, you'll be well served by it.

3. The "Smiley Mod", or "rampectomy" is an essential step before firing it, IMO. You will also not ding magazines up if you do this.

4. A thorough cleaning out of the box is also necessary.

Other comments:

~$230 seems to be the street price, NIB, at least in my area and some others (see above).
Recoil is more than tolerable.
Trigger on mine is fine, and it's capable of perfectly acceptable accuracy, remembering #1 and #2 above.
It is a backup gun, or a "carry in tight places" gun. Meant to be used at relatively short range. It may perform better, in the hands of a good shooter, but it does do what it was built for rather well, for the money.

In summary, it's light, small, and 'relatively' powerful. It can be very reliable if properly prepped, and it is worth the slight effort required to prep. Given that you do the prep, it'll do the job when you need it. As always, YMMV.

 

[kokapelli]

"How so?"
The first part of your post sounded like you did not like the P-3AT, but reading on I found you did like it once it was made right by KelTec.

 

[Steelharp]

What exactly IS the "Smiley Mod", or "rampectomy"?

Mikey D...

 

[kokapelli]

Mickey D, instead of me trying to explain it, GO HERE and you can read about it and how to do the "rampectomy" to correct the problem.

It took me about 20 minutes per gun to do the rampectomy.

 

[txgunslinger]

Godd bug...

I bought one about a year ago and have found it to be very reliable, particularly when using Speer Gold Dot ammo. No, it isn't fun to shoot, but it isn't suppose to be. It is a lightweight carry gun that you can stick in your pocket and not even know it is there, all day long. Ditto on the $220 NIB. I like mine and carry it everyday.

 

[Steelharp]

Ok, I can get the used one for $175 OTD. Yes or no? And does the $20 slide deal include a new barrel?

And thanks for the info... I will check it out.

Mikey D...

 

[mod12]

yep!

 

[Wilson 17&26]

See http://1bad69.com/keltec/hardchromeexchange.htm for exchange details.

 

[Steelharp]

Wilson 17&26, thank you. I am calling KT Monday morning to check part availability, and I am picking up the .380 (3AT) on Wednesday.

Trapshooter, thanks for helping with perspective. Sometimes, somebody just has to smack me upside the head about the obvious... just ask my wife!

kokapelli, if it needs it after the replacement of parts... I just might send it to you so it's done right!

txgunslinger, thanks. I get the feeling it will be in my pocket all the time, as well.

Mikey D...

 

[Jedi_7.62]

I've had mine about 3 months and put about 300 rounds through it.
I get some jamming. Not sure of technical terminology but when 1 bullet is fired the next tries to come up and jams the 2 together. I guess the spent shell isn't getting enough time to eject. First 50 rounds were fairly smooth.

Before I criticise I'm going to give a detailed break down and thorough cleaning. And send in for the chrome slide. I was told when I bought this in July there were no chrome slides.

This is no target pistol for sure. Then it wasn't meant to be either. But when put to practical use (man size targets at reasonable ranges) it does fine. In other words It will kill a man at 10 yards.

I'm currently carrying it because at work I'm not supposed to and I do work around some whackos.

I like having 7 strong rounds in my pocket all time and no one knowing the difference and having no encumberrance. This little puppy redefines concealed carry.

So much power so little gun and yet no recoil to speek of.
I had expected it to feel like a firecracker going off in my hand but it didn't.

I've heard there customer service is excellent I'm deffinately going to take the time to "work the bugs out" of this little dandy.

Yea, I'd rather carry a 1911 or even my Makarov, but as long as we have to conceal, this baby is it.

 

[kokapelli]

Jedi_7.62, your jamming problem may be due to limp wristing!

The P-3AT is a super light gun and needs to be held very firmly.

 

[MR.G]

I have two of them. One for each front pocket. One has over 400 rounds, with no failures. The other one has not been fired yet. I own many guns, and the P3AT is the one that I carry the most. The Kel-Tec P-11 9mm gets carried second most. Have one for each front pocket. The P-3AT has its limitations, but until somebody comes out with a gun that is lighter, smaller, thinner, as powerful, and more reliable, I will carry a Kel-Tec.

 

[trapshooter]

Steelharp,

Glad to help. Personally, I like the little thing, for it's concealability, and ease of carry. It's not a bad shooter, and I'm glad I bought it. Some people say that they don't think a new gun should need work. Maybe so. But this one, due to it's size, design, etc., just needed a little help, and I knew this before I bought it, having done my homework. Just as you are doing. Somehow, when you know the quirks of a particular gun going in, they are easier to deal with.

A couple of other things. The takedown pin is easy to lose, as it can snap out suddenly..

The guide rod guide and ejector are not permanently attached to the gun, so take care on disassembly that you don't inadvertantly drop them into deep carpet, under a bench, etc.

Hope you have as good an experience as I and some others have had. If not, I think Kel-Tec's customer service is excellent, and they aren't tough to dispose of.

Keep us posted.

 

[George Hill]

Some people say that they don't think a new gun should need work. Maybe so. But this one, due to it's size, design, etc., just needed a little help...

Exactly. That's what makes these little pistols worth a little extra effort on the part of the owner to make sure the gun is suitable for CCW duty. Because it is such a clever package. It is my new AOG... "Always On Gun".

 

[bigmike45]

Had a Kel-Tec .32 and a .380.....sold them both and bought a P11. I am not a fan of the 9mm, all my other semis are .45's, but as a bug, it's size and price are hard to beat. I am much more confident with the 9mm than the .32 or .380. More firepower, more rounds per clip. Mine shooting the rather starchy Federal 147gr. Hydrashock will group 2-3" at 15 yards........freehand. I have had NO FTF, FTE or any other problems in over 1500 rounds. JMHO!!!

 

[Bob79]

Just bought one

I just bought a P-3AT (P-380) after thinking about it for months, and I just shipped it to Jack Fuselier to have the nickel-plating and F&B done on it (good deal for only $60+shipping). I haven't shot it yet, but just handling it and taking it apart, I was impressed. Design seems simple, and its just soooo light and small. I can still get most of my ring finger around the grip, it's very good on size/power ratio. I was hesitant because of the polymer frame, but the slide makes contact with the metal insert in the frame (didn't know that till I took it apart). And then theres the KT "history" of issues, but if they were junk they wouldn't be in business, and there are lots of success stories. But I decided to go through with it, heck I've sent in brand new guns that were almost 3X the cost for problems, but hopefully things will get worked out by Jack. I really hope it runs reliably because I love the really small size and weight (lack there of), in such a good caliber (for a TRUE pocket gun).

 

[SoonerPast]

I tried to gain confidence in the .380, but just couldn't. I found that if I didn't concentrate on getting a strong (with emphasis) grip, a failure to eject was probable. I kept my P.32 and went back to a .38 snubbie; it hasn't failed to fire or eject. In my experience, the P32 is a big winner.

I was at the range and another guy was shooting his new P3AT. He was getting several FTE's and smileys.

Ran in to him again and he had made the same decision I did, but switched to a Kahr.

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

6.5 gr 800X, .357" 110 gr XTP, .970" OAL, my stock Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 produces case bulges in mixed used brass between .0035" and .0115". Show here is a .0115" bulge:

 

[Lennyjoe]

I love mine. Got close to 1000 rounds thru it now and can hit a steel gong darn near every time at 20 yds. Only time it acts up is when it gets around 100 shots fired without a cleaning.

I love it so much that I dont want to send it to Kel-Tec for chroming.

 

[Clark]

This same bulge is so bad, I can see it on the inside.

The recoil and the bulge are intolerable, but that is not the IMR 380 load, but more like the 115 gr 1.10" OAL 9mm load. With the 5 gr lighter bullet and .13" shorter OAL, the pressure could be very high.
http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/380auto.php
http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/9mmluger.php

This would be a terrible carry load with the bulge and the painful recoil, but this does show that with some reduction for safety margin, I am getting real self defense from the tiny and light weight Kel-Tec P-3AT in hot rodded .380 ammo with 357 magnum bullet.