Kel Tec question

[Bantam]

Anyone know if Kel-Tec makes good firearms - specifically their P 32 and P3AT handguns?

I have a friend that's fired their 32 caliber and loved it. Said he hadn't fired a smoother autoloader. No jams, nothing.

I have another friend that says their .223 rifle is total crap. Then again, he doesn't like 'plastic' guns anyway (I don't have such a bias!)

Any advice would be great. On another note, if anyone knows of an ultra-ultra-ultra concealable handgun that packs more punch than a .22, I'd like to hear it.

Semi-auto is preferred, but any revolver suggestions would be great too.



Thanks!!

 

[AK103K]

I have a Kel Tec SU-16 rifle and did have a P32 pistol. The rifle has worked fine with no problems other than some minor issues with GI mags. The P32 was a nice little pistol, but mine was not reliable and had a bad habit of not "letting off" when the trigger was pulled.

 

[Mr Jody Hudson]

Keltec makes a well designed, light, small, inexpensive and powerful line of pistols. The 3AT is a fist full of power for such a tiny shirt pocket pistol.

The customer service is terrific so if you do have a problem, they will fix it fast and free. Get one, shoot a box of ammo and hold it TIGHT.

Most of the bad reports on Keltec pistols are from limpwristing. The rifles are reportedly fine too. I have several of each pistol and love them.

For the finest quality, smallest, lightest, most powerful pistol of all... as far as I know... see Rohrbaugh in my signature line. They are about the same size as the P3AT but in 9mm instead of .380. And about $1,000 instead of about $300. And, the Rohrbaugh is worth it!

There are some people who have NEVER had a pistol that they didn't send out to get it perfected... and they report not sending the Rohrbaugh out as there is nothing left to do...

If I were to want a deep concealment pistol it would be Keltec or Rohrbaugh or both! After that it's Glock for me.

 

[Felonious Monk]

KT pocket poppers

Hi Bantam, and welcome!

I can't comment from personal experience on KT rifles, although I've heard several positive reviews on the SU-16 from folks whom I respect.

I own a P-11 9mm, and 3 P-32's.
They are excellent guns, but it depends on WHY you want one.
You mentioned wanting to carry in a deep concealed fashion.

As an always gun, nothing is better IMHO than a P32 or P3AT. Caliber wars notwithstanding, I prefer the extra round with a P32 vs. the P3AT.

You MIGHT need to do a little tweaking to get it 100%.
Same as ANY gun.
There is so much cult support and DIY instruction out there, that it's a simple proposition if the need arises.

And, if you have to enlist the help of the manufacturer, NOBODY has better customer support. You can almost always talk to a GUNSMITH when you call! CAVEAT: they're not real computer-literate, so CALL, don't email looking for help. Email response is usually slow and non-specific.

Small, light, customizable, great support, and yes, reliable.
A good CCW piece at an exceptional price.

HTH!
FM

 

[Lennyjoe]

First off, welcome aboard.

Second, the Kel-Tec has been talked about alot lately. Expecially since the P3AT .380 came out. Do a search for Kel-Tec and read all about it.

I have a P3AT and enjoy the heck out of it. Its ultra concealable and so far utterly reliable. I have just put another 100 rounds thru it since I have had it and its been outstanding. My groups are getting pretty respectable at 7 yds. Its my back up gun as we speak.

No tweaking required on my P3AT at all.

On another note, if anyone knows of an ultra-ultra-ultra concealable handgun that packs more punch than a .22, I'd like to hear it.

The .380 P3AT will fill that bill just fine. 7 rounds of .380 in a pocket concealable pistol for only $239. Well worth the price in my eyes.

 

[azrael]

I have 2 p-11's...2 p-32's...2 p3at's....I love'em


The S2K carbine is on my short list of things to get...I had one and had to let it go recently...SOONNN I will aquire another...


you like this?? THIS IS MY BOOMSTICK!!!!!

 

[22luvr]

I've owned all three.....

The P11, P32, and currently the P-3AT.

Kel-tec makes mass-produced small, lightweight, inexpensive firearms for self-defense. Not cheap; inexpensive.

I put 1,000 rounds through my P32 without a jam. I've put about 300 rounds through my P-3AT and other than a couple of cheap rounds that the extractor pulled off of, it has also been flawless.

My early model P11 has some issues but Kel-Tec fixed everyone of them for free.

Buy with confidence......

 

[patentmike]

I am happy with my P32. I tried a 3AT and it seemed to have trouble extracting. It wasn't mine though, so there's no telling what sort of care it had received. I am not expert, but in my expereince, people with a kel-tec with "trouble letting off" either are not releasing the trigger all the way, or just need to free up the firing pin a bit in its little channel.

 

[AK103K]

My problem with not "letting off" was that no matter how hard you pulled the trigger, the hammer would not let go. It would go bact to just short of its full travel but would not release with the trigger. I made the silly mistake of pulling it back just a tad when it hung up with my off hand thumb while still pulling on the trigger. Just a suggestion, dont do that.

 

[Lennyjoe]

OUCH!!

 

[Wilson 17&26]

I have several P-32s and P-3ATs that function flawlessly. Some folks don’t understand that lightweight can translate into limpwristing. I strongly recommend that new shooters buy an extra magazine and install a pinkie extension for a few hundred rounds. Both the NAA (my preference) and Bresa finger extensions will fit the P-32 & P-3AT. See http://1bad69.com/keltec/p3at-fingerrest.htm

Also be aware that Kel-Tec pistols need a thin layer of grease (not oil) on the rails and hammer interface.