Kel-Tec P3AT?

[mavracer]

either 380 or 32 will do well as deep concealment or bug, kel-tech seem very popular at THR
ARCHANGELCD +1 nice to see someone else has done homework and thinks the 380 is OMG way better than 32. BTW Fiocchi 60 sjhp chrono 1000 fps out of my seecamp speer and ww 60s are only goin 800 and the back of my trigger finger can also attest to this fact.LOL

 

[aaronrkelly]

I dig mine....but they arent without flaws. I entered into the purchase knowing that so I wasnt disappointed.

I purchased my P3AT from CDNN for $205ish new, got the OD green version.

In the first couple range outings I had 2 failures to extract - kept shooting it because commonly these guns need a little shooting and a little loving.

At around 300 rounds the plastic grip/housing busted right thru the frame pins. Well, that sucks.

Away back to KT it goes. They had it back to me in less than 2 weeks and that was right before Christmas, I was super impressed.

New gun is flawless, NO failures at all......shoots great and so far hasnt broken yet.



This thing has some pretty hefty recoil and it always takes the skin off my trigger finger, as it rubs on the trigger guard during recoil.

Ive ran Speer GoldDot, Remington FMJ and Remington HP thru is with ZERO failures.

I would trust it.....I suggest buying a spare magazine when you get the gun if you can, sometimes they are just as hard to find as the pistol.

 

[shamus]

Please site your source that HALF of all Kel-Tec P3ATs are bad.

I'm not sure how many definitive academic studies have been done on p3at reliability, or any firearm actually. I wasn't presuming to make an academic statement. These questions fall into the realm of hearsay because the *internets* is not scientific. Nor do I give the manufacturer any credit because they have a vested interest in the question at hand.

My conclusion is based off of surfing these kel-tec threads for years and keeping a mental tally of the "yays" and "nays". The kel-tec fans are a vocal bunch so I don't think they are under-represented here, or in any other online forum. The people who have have questionable issues will post here their problems, and the kel-tec fans will post about how they don't have that problem. In the end is sifts out to be 50/50. With some other firearm companies or models, the ratio seems to be nowhere near that.

I have shot one of the things, and was not left with a great impression. I won't say the p3at stinks. When they get it right, they get it really right. When they get it wrong, they'll fix it for you.

 

[buenhec]

I carry a P239 when possible, when I normally couldnt carry I always have my P3AT. You can wear it with Shorts, pants, etc... and it wont pull your pants down to your ankles. Mine was sent to the mothership 2x but finally works great. Would definately recommend.

 

[CypherNinja]

I love mine. Probably one of the best 'always' guns on the planet if your not rolling in cash.

 

[Rustynuts]

Guys over at KTOG recommend shooting it with a bandaid on the trigger finger. Either before, or after you shoot, your choice!

 

[The Amigo]

Best $250 spent on a carry piece. Highly concealable.

I ended paying a little more but couldn't agree with u more mine has the +1 extension for a total of 8 rounds and its my every where gun. I usually carry it 85 % of the time. +1000 rounds thru it and still ticking

 

[BADUNAME13]

Awesome shape / size -- I just wish it was 9mm

I know (orat least, I guess) that no one could make a 9mm gun quite this small, but I think I'd rather put up with the slightly larger 9mm guns, so I don't need to add another caliber to the "arsenal" (shoebox), esp. considering that 380 isn't exactly cheap by comparison to 9mm (the very few times I've priced it -- am I wrong?)

They just came out with a Single stacked 9mm... CDNN has them... See if that's what you want...

 

[jon_in_wv]

I love it when everyone says that Keltecs get SOOO many more compaints than the other small gun manufacturers. Never mind they probably sell as many KTs as the rest of the manufacturers combined. I have only had two, P11 and a P32. Both are fine weapons and I can't wait to get a P3AT.

 

[Black Snowman]

P3AT is my always gun. I carry it as a backup even when I'm carrying something more potent. I can keep it in the black on a silhouette at 25 yards (although they do keyhole) and it's never failed to feed or fire. I use WWB ammo in it. The pocket holster I use is the DeSantis Nemesis and it's served me well.

I guess I got one of the good ones.

 

[PhillyGlocker]

I have fired my friend's P3at a few times and it was brutal. Although it was very reliable, I couldn't see my self owning one. Why not get a Kahr or sub Glock? Each is only a little larger and much more comfortable to shoot.

 

[SniperStraz]

Its a great little gun. Not the most hardy or durable and its certainly not a pleasure to shoot, but its does serve its purpose. Just be sure to break it in well.

 

[outfieldjack]

Thanks for the comments... I think I'll see where I can get one...

Jack

 

[jon_in_wv]

I beg to differ with you PHillyglocker. The subcompact Glocks are more than a little larger than a KT P3AT. It is a LOT larger. I wouldn't consider the Glock 26/27s to really be a front pocket type of gun where as the P3AT just disappears in a pair of jeans. I would say for regular carry you would be better armed with the Glock but for the combo of concealability and firepower you can't dipute the P3ATs slimness and light weight. If Glock made a small 380 like the KT, now THAT would be sweet.

(And nobody needs to pipe in with the comment that Glock makes a .380 when you can't get it here AND its the same size as the other models so the benefit would be WHAT?!?!!)

 

[GCW5]

It's too handy not to carry one, recoil is pretty stiff, but managable. I have about 3,000 rounds through mine, mostly hand loads, with no malfunctions. I have it in my pocket most all the time, even when I'm carring a full sized pistol.

 

[MICHAEL T]

2nd gen with over 500 rounds no trouble at all.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I fired a magazine through some guys KT 380 on the range one day and I was SO ready to not be impressed. I fired six rounds at about seven yards and put all six of them on the orange dot in my bullseye. HOLY CRAP! This little thing can actually shoot!! It stung my trigger finger and it had plenty of recoil but it was nice. I ended up buying a P32 but I Know I'll end up with a P3AT sooner or later. Everyone should have one.

 

[riomedinamike]

I love the size and weight, and recoil isn't a problem. My main concern as some have mentioned is the mag release getting pushed in pocket carry with enough force to release the mag. That makes it essentially a one-shot pistol if you don't push the mag in when you're drawing it from the pocket. I've tried different holsters, but none have solved the problem. I've relegated the Kel-Tec to ankle carry until I can fix the mag release issue.

 

[The Amigo]

riomedinamike I love the size and weight, and recoil isn't a problem. My main concern as some have mentioned is the mag release getting pushed in pocket carry with enough force to release the mag. That makes it essentially a one-shot pistol if you don't push the mag in when you're drawing it from the pocket. I've tried different holsters, but none have solved the problem. I've relegated the Kel-Tec to ankle carry until I can fix the mag release issue.

Mike I Had the same problem but while firing the gun I would press the release accidentally and drop the mag. A quick fix is to file the plastic release 1/2 ways or enuff to be able to depress the release when intended try filing a little at a time and test. It has worked for me.

 

[WC145]

I have a P3at that I carry as a BUG. I keep it loaded with Triton +P hp's. Recoil is definitely noticeable but manageable. It is quite accurate considering the <3" sight radius and is 100% reliable. As an example, I had to qualify with it last week and was very pleased with the way it shot. We shoot the same course of fire for our BUG's as our duty weapons - 3 to 25 yards, from the draw, from the ready, double and triple taps, failure drills, standing, kneeling, prone, moving, etc. - the course is 50 rounds and we have to go through it twice to qualify. We qualify carrying the guns as we would on duty. For me that meant drawing and shooting with my left (weak) hand as I carry it on the opposite my duty weapon. I would switch back to shooting right handed if we were starting with the gun drawn or after a reload. I'm happy to say that I shot a 49/50 and a 48/50 and outshot (in both speed and accuracy) a couple of guys that were using their duty guns.
As far as I'm concerned my Kel-tec is an indispensable piece of equipment, I don't go to work without it and I'll often carry it alone when I'm off-duty and everything else is too big.

 

[gopguy]

The P3AT has had problems. Everyone I know who has one has had to send thiers back for work. Earlier in May at the OGCA show in Ohio one fellow had his Kel Tec P3AT on display. He had sent this one back for work too... Upon getting it back he took it to the range. I think he said he got two shots off and then Kaboom. It had blown into about seven pieces in what had to be one of the most spectacular looking Kabooms. This thing was fragged. Barrel split length wise. Luckily he had a burn on his finger and that was it as far as damage to him.

A couple of the OGCA directors took pictures, it may turn up on the website...