Kel-tec?

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I like 'em.

I USED TO HAVE a 32 -- Until my bride just flat declared it was her .32. Well, okay, it was mainly a back up item anyhow.

Then I chanced to make a complicated trade with a dealer pal, who didn't want to pay out any boot, and I ended up with a new P3AT. My wife had some hand surgery and finds the .380 recoil just a bit much in such a light pistol. (She still shoots a P11, a 1911, and a High Power okay, though.) With retirement imminent, it looks as if I'll be carrying the P3AT a lot more.

Best,
Johnny
 
Only one in the household right now, a P3AT that was my wife's birthday present this summer. The top end was sent back to the factory for hardchroming before it was ever fired, and it has never hiccuped or bobbled with any of the several types of ammo it's been fired with. It has about 300 rounds thru it now, we both like it a lot. My copy is paid for and waiting at the dealer's for me to pick up when I get a purchase permit.

Those finger extensions on the magazines really help in recoil control for long range sessions...

Get the P3AT, if you plan to pocket carry it either get a hardchromed one or send the top end back for the $20 HC job at the factory, it is WELL worth it. Disadvantages of the P3AT vs. P32- no slide stop and one less round, advantage: bigger bullet.

lpl/nc
 
My P3AT self destructed. I need to send it in and have it replaced.

You should know that when you fire the P3AT the barrel/feed ramp moves back and badly dents the front of the bullet that is in the magazine. Hollow point bullets are smashed up pretty bad.

Also you will get hit in the forehead quite hard by ejected cases on occation. So wear a hat and safety glasses (no really).

It seems that late model P3ATs have some of the problems worked out in them and are the only ones to have. Because of this I would not buy a used one.
 
I have a p11, bought it a few months ago for a more concealable carry gun. Prob 1000 rds through it so far, with no problems. After getting broken it feeds everything I've run through it. My only complaint is the trigger which really is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It does get better as it breaks in. The gun is a pointer, good for carry but no target gun.
 
I spoke with Kel-Tec on thursday about having a stolen/recovered P-11 refinished.
They are closing for Holiday vacation at the end of business, friday, 12-17-04 and won't re-open until 1-3-05.
They are way back ordered on P3AT guns and you might have some difficulty in getting one for a while.
They are also having trouble keeping up with spare magazine demand.
Thought those with an interest might want the heads up.
 
P-11 and P-32 are both great for the money. I have both and I recommend both to you. The P-32 is so small and light its truly a go anywhere pocket gun. The P-11 with a belt clip conceals very well and is small and light enough that you forget about it.

Regards,

:) :) :)
 
I was at two gunshops in NW Indiana today. Both told me that they cannot get Keltec P3ATs. They are back ordered. Good luck finding one.
 
I've had a P3AT now for a few months, and it's been great...no real problems to speak of. A couple failures to load properly, but that was in the first 50 rounds...now some 300 rounds later and a factory hardchrome slide exchange, a rampectomy and a quick fluff-and-buff, and it's been a flawless performer ever since; I suspect it would've been fine even without these mods. It's the smallest/lightest autoloader with the best power-to-weight ratio out there...and for a little over $200, it's a heckuva deal.
p3at_001.jpg
 
I’m on my way to a gunshow as I type this and will report on the abundance or lack of later. As for magazines, to the best of my knowledge [email protected] on the KTOG has them with or without pinkie extension and NDCC has them advertised in their current catalogue.
 
.32?

Have a P-32 that has a variety of 1200 rounds throught it (ball/Hydra-Shoks/Corbon) and it has NEVER had an FTE/FTF - EVER. I dunnon what all this talk about rimlock is, but I haven't seen it. Not only is this pistol compact and pretty much in my opinion the ultimate pocket pistol, but is surprisingly accurate at short ranges (hey - it ain't a target pistol, afterall) which it would be used. A truely "go-everywhere" carry piece.

The only downside is the argument as to the ammo you should carry - JHP's or ball. Its truly unending. To help, check out www.goldenloki.com where he test fired a variety of ball/JHP .32ACP ammo from a P-32 into ballistic gelatin.

Given the problem free nature of my P-32 (to date) I decided to go with the standard pressure Hydra-Shok. It looked like it had a penetration of almost 10 inches and expansion to .370+", plenty for what it would likley be used for (a frontal "in-your-face" defense shot at 3yrd or less).

Granted, I carry something heavier , like my G19 in 9mm or my 1911 when it gets colder down here in Texas and you'd be facing a perp with more layers of cloth or leather. But for the 8-9 mos of the year it is shorts and t-shirt weather around here, the P-32 is fine - not ideal but for the ability to have a pistol "always" I'm willing to make some tradeoffs.

Of course you could also consider the Bersa Thunder .380 for a bit more "punch" but I guess thats a whole other argument :banghead:
 
I've had a P-32 for about 4 years. Never had any problems with it whatsoever. I've shot about 500 rds through it, all JHP's.

I chrono'd some Fiochi JHP's through it right after I bought it (my CCW instructor gave them to me). They were making 1080 fps, so I'm pretty sure I'd see some expansion. It's enough for what I want in a pistol of this size...multiple, reliable, close-range shots from an extremely concealable weapon with no edges to hang-up on the way out of my pocket. Even though I have medium sized hands, I find it more comfortable to shoot with my middle finger on the trigger...index finger lays alongside the frame just below the slide. Points very naturally this way, and provides a more secure grip.

Accuracy is very good at short ranges...it will print a good group.
 
The only thing I'd change on my P32 is the mag release. Why does the thing stick out so far? I just ordered a Fobus ankle holster for it. Can you say backup?

My P3AT had a little bit too much bite for me. I sold it to another THR member, who I assume is still enjoying it to this day.
 
Another price increase

I finally made it to the Town East (Dallas, TX) gunshow about noon today. About 20% fewer vendors and less than half the crowd. I don’t know if was because it was Sunday or if Mamma had the checkbook buying Christmas.

Prices on Kel-Tec mouseguns were bumped by $5 or so last month and most tables had added another $5-10 for December. There were about a dozen P-3ATs and a dozen P-32s on the 7 tables that had them prominently displayed. Most P-3ATs were priced above $229.

Apparently, A&J Guns didn’t get the word on price increases for this month and had a stock black/black P-3AT for $219 and a black/gray for $229. The only hard chrome P-3AT displayed was at the Bauchman Pawn table for $249. They also had the best price on a P-32, which was $199.
 
Sandpaper

BliTzNicK, many folks have use 600 grit sandpaper on the mag release with excellent results. Just be sure not to take off too much at once. Should you mess it up, Kel-Tec will fix it free.
 
got a bretta tomcat in .32 its a nice pistol but you pay about 300, no problems with it with any ammo and i like that it has a saftey on it because i would dred that some how the trigger could be pulled in my pocket even though i realize its highly un likely i value my jewels alot! :rolleyes:
 
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