Kel Tec P-3AT 380

[agksimon]

Kel-Tec 3AT Reliability

I have Tooltech sites on my 3AT and it really increases the accuracy out to 15 yards or more. Used a Dremel with jewelers rouge on a bullet shaped pad to polish the ramp and chamber. Absolutely no malfunctions with any type of ammo. Also, the Bersa finger rest really helps controllability.

 

[ZeSpectre]

The best review I've read on a P-3AT is HERE. To sum up, this little pistol is a lot like a jackhammer. Not really very pleasant to use but can get the job done.

I started off shooting a friend's gun and decided that I really didn't like shooting it, but that I'd get one because it is so damn small.

When I finally got one it was from a guy who was utterly frustrated with it and just wanted to "get rid of the damned thing". What it really needed was a pretty extensive "fluff n' buff" like they describe over on the KTOG site. It had an astounding amount of "flash" on the mold lines of the polymer grip that needed to be trimmed off (especially around the magwell so that the magazines would fit correctly). I also had to do a serious polishing of the feed ramp (which took it from refusing to feed JHP to feeding them just fine). Another issue on mine was that the guide rod felt like a rat-tail file so I also polished the guide rod up which smoothed out the action a LOT.

So for me all of this was no real big deal, I like to tinker with this stuff. But if I had bought this gun new and found these QC issues I think I would have been somewhat annoyed to say the least.

Oh and +1 on getting magazine extensions (either the +1 rounders from Kel-Tec or the Bersa ones) because the additional grip is a night and day difference in controling the wee beastie! I've got my extensions on order and they should be here soon.

EDIT: Damn I just noticed the OP was two years old. I guess we've revived an OLD thread. Now I feel silly.

 

[Green Lantern]

I went though a bit of trouble to locate and buy my 2nd Gen...and after owning it, I would HAPPILY have gone through much more!

MY "fluff and buff" was a couple of boxes of Remington 88gr JHPs through the gun in a few sessions! Only one jam, limp-wrist.

You own a Bersa, you say? Then don't worry about the recoil of the P3AT, ya can handle it! Yeah, I got the badge of honor - the blister on my trigger finger the first time I put a few mags through it! But that, and maybe a limp-wrist jam or two later, you'll soon get a feel for it.

I love the P3AT's unparallelled concealability, so I don't use extensions myself. The Bersa mag floorplate can be fixed to the P3AT mags...but if I WAS going to sacrifice some concealability for a better grip, I'd also throw in an extra round by using a FACTORY extension.

Bottom line - I love it, a lot of others love it. Heck, a local guy started getting some in (FINALLY) and he can't keep them in stock! I say go for it now, or :banghead: later!

EDIT - two years...D'OH! Oh well - more KT pr0n:
Here's mine with some Cor-Bon DPX (fired into wet newspapers)

 

[PhillyGlocker]

A female friend of mine has one. I fired it at the range enough to give my opinion. It is definitely snappy and has some noticeable recoil. You can not limpwrist with this gun or it will jam. It is tolerable but not a gun that you will favor to shoot often. For self-defense it is perfect. Small, light weight, and conceals very well in a pocket. I don't own one because I prefer Glocks for self defense, but I would have no problem recommending the Keltecs for CCW.

 

[gym]

I am going to pick a 9mm keltek I believe it's the PF-9. Although I will rework it right from the get-go. I have witnesed two out of 3 of my friends 9mm the first one they came out with around 7 years ago, break the first time out. Yes break, the firing pin snaped off in the middle of a clip, and the other one just fell apart, we were laffing so hard I really don't remember much else. But they were way ahead of themselves, when they first came out. We were all paying dearly for 32 caliber seacamps, remember, you elders, mine was $1050, and I was so happy to get one, guys were on "the list" for 2 years, lol, what a bunch og craxxx, that was. And half the seacamps didn't shoot right out of the box either. The Seacamp trick was, get the damm thing to shoot two clips without a jam, and don't even clean it, if you shot 12, or 11 (they don't like you to empty the clip, because of the mag follower shoving that last one in like the apollo 9. I still have mine, always make sure no one uses it as a cigarette lighter, lol, I have to live another 50 years to get my money out of that one.

 

[finz50]

P-3ATs are awesome...bought mine a few weeks ago and don't gou out without it now.

 

[Katana8869]

I bought a 2nd gen P3AT about a month and a half ago. 200 rounds so far and it runs fine. It is the first thing that I put in my pockets in the morning and the last thing that I take out at night.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I bought one after hearing all the hoopla on the internets. It's been 100% reliable, more accurate than any gun that small has a right to be, and hasn't left my side since. It's as much trouble NOT to carry something that small than to toss it in a pocket holster. It's not the most fun to shoot (one step up from a derringer) but it's not a pleasure plinker anyway.
Car keys and BUG.

P.S.- Does everyone's P3AT chuck brass like it's angry at it, or is mine hyperactive? It launches them about 30 feet behind me, over the top of our toy hauler.

 

[Ala Dan]

Yep, I only one of many who owns a KEL-TEC P3AT .380 ACP. Mine
has run flawless, right out of the box for 'bout 200 rounds now. My
carry load is Remington's 102 grain Golden Sabre JHP's~!

 

[jocko]

doubletap

all the kt's seem to do that. I ordered from wolffs their 13# recoil springs that they show for the kt32 (which will interchange),l they are a few pounds heavier than the stock kt spring,s and I also feel a better grade and quality to. That helped tame down the brass flying out of site alot for me. You might try that tos e eif it helps yours any. as long as it goes bang, I would not worry to much about where the brass goes unless you reload. I do think the heavier springs are alittle kinder to the over all wear and tear on the gun to..

 

[jocko]

ala dan

damn those tenn gals sure looked great last nite against stanford. Not sure if stanford showed up to play last nite..

 

[alamo]

I am going to pick a 9mm keltek I believe it's the PF-9. Although I will rework it right from the get-go. I have witnesed two out of 3 of my friends 9mm the first one they came out with around 7 years ago, break the first time out. Yes break, the firing pin snaped off in the middle of a clip, and the other one just fell apart, we were laffing so hard I really don't remember much else. But they were way ahead of themselves, when they first came out. We were all paying dearly for 32 caliber seacamps, remember, you elders, mine was $1050, and I was so happy to get one, guys were on "the list" for 2 years, lol, what a bunch og craxxx, that was. And half the seacamps didn't shoot right out of the box either. The Seacamp trick was, get the damm thing to shoot two clips without a jam, and don't even clean it, if you shot 12, or 11 (they don't like you to empty the clip, because of the mag follower shoving that last one in like the apollo 9. I still have mine, always make sure no one uses it as a cigarette lighter, lol, I have to live another 50 years to get my money out of that one

Gym,

This thread originated 11-12-05 and the last posting before yours was 2-17-07. There's plenty of current Kel-Tec threads - you really shouldn't reply to threads that are 2 & 1/2 years old unless it is a follow-up to what was discussed on the old thread.