Kel-Tec 380

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ThomasT said:
I just picked up this Kel-Tec 380 i won by accident off GB a few days ago. By accident I had typed in Kel Tec p32 and was looking at the 32s listed and saw this gun and didn't notice it was a 380 instead of a 32. I won the auction by one dollar over the other bidder.

But its mine now and I have to say its a solid feeling little gun. I just picked it up so of course haven't shot it. Plus I have no 380 ammo. I am debating relisting it and just buying a new KelTec 32 and maybe taking a loss on the 380.
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Divine intervention.

You can get 380 ammo that penetrates at least 12'' and consistently expands (Hornady FTX and Sig VCrown):
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
The same can't be said for 32.
 
ThomasT said:
There are several 32acp loads that make the 12"+ mark according to Lucky Gunner.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32ACP
Click to expand...

The best performance I see there from a 3'' barrel is the CorBon 13.7''/.39
So, I was wrong, there is one 32 load that meets that criteria of 12'' penetration and consistent expansion.

However, the 380 Hornady FTX 13.2''/.52 or Sig V-Crown 12.8''/.51 would be preferred if I was limited to either 380 or 32 (thankfully, I'm not).
 
I've had one for at least 10-12 years. It doesn't get shot or carried a lot but has always worked. Some of the smaller 9mm pistols are close enough in size that I usually just carry something like a G43 or Sig 365 when I need a small gun. But there are times where something super small is required and it fills that niche.

Accuracy is pretty limited due to the DAO trigger, tiny size and sights. The 32 wouldn't be any better in that regard. I paid less than $200 for it and it still isn't worth much. Even though it is probably my least used firearm I'm not selling it.
 
MedWheeler said:
ThomasT writes:



The forensics report portion describing the Kel-Tec PF9, which uses the same trigger mechanism, in a high-profile self-defense incident in Sanford, Florida refers to it as a "hybrid double-action."

For the benefit of others perusing...

The hammer is partially cocked by cycling of the slide; pulling the trigger completes its rearward travel and then releases it. If the hammer falls without the gun firing (dud round, empty chamber, etc.), the hammer will be fully at rest and the slide must be at least partially retracted to position it for firing again.

In a true DAO mechanism, pulling the trigger will cycle the hammer from fully at rest to fully to the rear, and then drop it, every time, whether or not the gun fires.

Kel-Tec's P11 is an example of one of their DAO guns. The advantage of the "hybrid" system is a trigger pull lightened somewhat by the partially-cocked position. The disadvantage is that it gives up re-strike capability.
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My Kel-Tec P32 manual says "double action" but the nuance you point out is important. You can't just pull the trigger again on a misfire (with the Seacamp you can). I noticed that I have to pull the slide back about 3/8-inch (didn't measure it) and hear a click, then it is ready to fire with another trigger pull.
 
CDW4ME said:
So, I was wrong, there is one 32 load that meets that criteria of 12'' penetration and consistent expansion.
Click to expand...
OK so there is one. How many do you need? And there were several that reached the 12" mark. Maybe they didn't expand but so what? If they will reach the vitals they will work. And I for one do not put much stock in anything the FBI says. They have their needs and I have mine. Most that did expand made it between 8 and 10 inches. Thats enough to make it through a sternum and into the heart, lungs or liver.
 
I had both the P3AT and the P32. Sold the P3AT and bought another P32 as a car gun. The P3AT was too snappy for me, plus when you clean it, you're always worried about losing the ejector.
 
berettaprofessor said:
I had both the P3AT and the P32. Sold the P3AT and bought another P32 as a car gun. The P3AT was too snappy for me, plus when you clean it, you're always worried about losing the ejector.
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Nice to know. I think this little 32 is a pretty decent gun and I am not so sure I would write it off for SD. It is a very manageable gun, though the sights are pretty weak especially with my blurry close vision. Need to get my eyeglass Rx flipped so the right eye is close and the left eye far, then I would be in business. Or sight with the left eye.
 
The sights are small. I think these are pretty much point and shoot guns made for very close range where you don't have time to use sights.
 
ThomasT said:
OK so there is one. How many do you need? And there were several that reached the 12" mark. Maybe they didn't expand but so what? If they will reach the vitals they will work. And I for one do not put much stock in anything the FBI says. They have their needs and I have mine. Most that did expand made it between 8 and 10 inches. Thats enough to make it through a sternum and into the heart, lungs or liver.
Click to expand...

If you would prefer to bet your life on 32 acp (including non-expanding bullets) that is your choice, definitely not mine.
 
Maybe the question is not whether a 32 can stop a perp, but how can you stop a perp with a 32. Seems like you have to hit him in the eyeball.
 
I love my P3AT.

Very compact, very light, has never failed to go bang, not nearly as bad to shoot as the Internet would have you believe (though a range gun it is not, and it’s probably not for the guy that wants to run 200 rounds through his carry gun every week for practice.)

I’m a big fan of .32acp for recreation, and I think it would probably perform acceptably in self-defense… but I appreciate the .380 chambering of the P3AT. I run Sig V-crowns in mine and they feed perfectly.
 
Mosin77
Very compact, very light, has never failed to go bang, not nearly as bad to shoot as the Internet would have you believe (though a range gun it is not, and it’s probably not for the guy that wants to run 200 rounds through his carry gun every week for practice.)
Click to expand...

That's pretty much how I feel about my P3AT. Not a fun gun to spend all day at the range with but good enough to get the job done up close and in person. I use to carry it in my right front pocket for when I was working in the backyard.
R3RDsoB.jpg
 
bannockburn said:
Mosin77
That's pretty much how I feel about my P3AT. Not a fun gun to spend all day at the range with but good enough to get the job done up close and in person. I use to carry it in my right front pocket for when I was working in the backyard.
Click to expand...
How is that rubber grip cover? I might want something like that for my P32. Be nice if it went up higher, especially to shield the magazine release, which I accidentally pushed while trying out the gun at the range.

Maybe I can wind a lot of hockey stick tape around the grip above and below the magazine release? It would protect the magazine release and enlarge the grip so my trigger reach improves. Or is that way to much of a hack job? :eek:

One problem with these mouse guns is, unless you have rather small hands, the trigger finger is too long.
 
aaaaa

I want to say it was made by Hogue but I can't find any listing for it at their website. They make one for the Ruger LCP and that should probably work for the P3AT as well.
 
I bought a Hogue grip sleeve for my P3AT and I believe they told me to get the one for the LCP2 and it does ride higher at the back. Nice fit.
 
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