Keltec P3AT or Beretta tomcat .32?

[cratz2]

I've had four P32s and have had very few problems. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 3AT though it would have to be hard chromed.

I only know one person that still has a Tomcat (or at least only one that has faith in a Tomcat) though I probably know 6 guys that used to have a Tomcat.

As far as setting there admiring a small pistol, the Guardians and Tomcats and Seecamps are all very nice but as far as having something in my pocket that is small and lightweight and will go bang six or more times in a row, a P32 or P3AT is where my money would go. But I would like to pick up on of those Guardians or maybe an Autauga.

 

[Tomac]

I've carred either a Tomcat or Alleycat (Tomcat w/tritium front dot) as my deep CCW for years in a DeSantis "Trickster" holster. I've never had problems with any of them and prefer the slightly thicker grip & DA/SA action. A cop friend had an early Tomcat that developed a frame problem which Beretta replaced under warranty and he's had no problems since then. Now, what we need is something about the size/weight/cost of the Tomcat in 9mm!
Tomac

 

[Coot]

My sister and I recently purchased P3ATs: hers works flawlessly; mine, a very early product gun (#0009xx) has had several problems, and is en route to Kel-Tec as I write this.

1. Brass ejects into my face
2. Some failures to feed/eject
3. The assembly pin works its way out during firing

I understand these problems are very correctable, and have been addressed in later-issued pistols.

My son also has a Kel-Tec, a P32, which has never had a failure of any sort, and is unbelievably accurate.

In spite of the problems I experienced with my early production gun, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[461]

I've had Both, and both had initial reliability issues. Once sorted out they both ran fine. I wouldn't carry a firearm for defense until I had at least a thousand rounds through it without a hitch. My hands just don't work with these little guys though, I decided my Walther is as small as I choose to go anymore.

Bottom line, be prepared to have either pistol "fixed" right out of the box, but once it is either will serve well if you can shoot them.

 

[Russ]

I have both. My Tomcat is the Inox version. I have never had a problem with it. However, for carry purposes I much prefer the Kel Tec P-3AT. The Tomcat is too heavy and wide for me to carry on a consistent basis. Price wise I paid $279 for the Tomcat in the PRK. They were closing them out before 2001 rolled in because they were not sure if it would make the approved list at the time. I got the KT about 2 years later for $239. Not exactly a great price but not bad. I've seen them for $50 more. They are a somewhat hard to get at this point due to supply/demand issues.

The Tomcat is a higher quality weapon to be sure. I like it alot but for consistent carry, just too heavy.

 

[sm]

No experience with the P32 or P3AT

I did have a Tomcat. Actually mine was the Alleycat, it came with the Ashley sight system from Beretta. Scary accurate, reliable, I used the Fiocchi FMJ and Win STHP.

I also had a LEO friend that worked undercover. His same gun kept breaking the slide, Beretta kept fixing it until basically he was told " designed to carry more than shoot". In his situation and his training regimen he did not carry what he could not practice with. He got his money back and went back to a hammerless J frame. I sold mine becasue I wanted to shoot mine a lot as well, I used mine to trade for a 1911 I wanted more anyway.

The gun is a bit bulky , I can carry a Keltec P-11 easier than the Tomcat. I have a larger caliber rd and I can shoot the P-11 a lot. My P-11 has been 100% reliable from get - go. A Glock 26 will do the same thing. Now we have the Rohrbaugh in 9mm...

I understand the "problems" have been resolved,perhaps the reason we don't hear much is because other guns today in 9mm fit the needs and size of the Tomcat.

I strongly believe in the Beretta Jetfire first then the Bobcat second. The weight to horsepower [ how I refer to size of gun and catridge] is great. Trigger is great on the Jetfire. I become concerned with catridge being "too much" foir size and weight of firearm and things breaking, cracking, or to much recoil to hit well. Sure a 25ACP from a Jetfire or Bobcat is not ideal, Or a .22lr from the Bobcat...but longetivy, practice and being reliable...shot placement comes from practice.

IMNSHO

 

[albanian]

I had a P-32 but after 2 trips to the factory to fix reliability problems and it breaking, I got rid of it. I have owned many many handguns in my life and I would rank the Kel-Tec P-32 as one of the worst I have ever owned. I have owned cheap Jennings J-22s that were more reliable and lasted longer.

Maybe I got a really bad one but it was such a dissipointment that I can't ever see wasting money on ANY Kel-Tec product in the near future. It is a shame because when it did work, it was a dream to carry and shoot. It recoiled less than my Walther PP in .32 acp and weighed half as much.

Every Beretta I have owned has been great. The small Berettas are not really that thin except for the Jet Fire but they do work. My Beretta 21A has been reliable enough to carry as a bug. It is not as small as it could be but it is really comfortable to shoot and you can get a nice grip on it.

Get whatever you want, just test it frist to make sure it was fire at least 200 rounds of the type of ammo you intend to carry with out a single jam. If it jams, start over until you can get through 200 rounds with no problems. 1-2 jams in the first 200 rounds is not the end of the world but if you can get through a mag without a jam, you may need to get something else.

 

[azrael]

Kt P3at...hands down the winner

 

[vwfool]

I had and carried a Tomcat for a few years. Great "little" gun. Little for the caliber from the side but definately not from the top or rear. I never thought this until I borrowed and shot my dad's P-32. I would have told you that you were crazy if you had told that the Tomcat was too big for a little pistol. I normally carry a 5" 1911, and I bought the Tomcat for a shorts ant t-shirt carry gun. After carrying my dad's P-32 I sold my Tomcat knowing I would pick up a P3AT later.

It may not seem like it at the gun store or gun show but once you start carrying it, that little bit of a difference in thickness and weight becomes a big difference.

As soon as I dig a few more quarters out of the couch I plan on buying a P3AT.

Happy hunting or shopping or whatever.

 

[Mr Jody Hudson]

I've had numerous Keltecs and still have several in .380, 9mm, .40 and .357 Sig. I've sent two out of perhaps 10 back to the factory and they make them right, first time.

My son has two or three of my .32s now and two or three of my .380s now, but I retain one and all of my others in larger calibers.

Personally, there is only one thing that I've found to be a consistent reason for Keltec malfunctions in any caliber and that is weak grip or wrist. I bought a .40 and two 9mms that were defecive and they are perfect for me, I just hold them tighter.

However, for some reason, of my four 9mm Keltecs, they each shoot to a slightly different place for me, but that is true of my 3 Glock 19s as well. I do not know why different guns, of the same make and model, shoot slightly different for me with different ammo...

However, I've also had numerous Berettas and the only ones that worked well for me were the .22 short Minx. The rest were not perfect enough for me. I no longer own any Beretta pocket pistols. Not since Keltecs came out!

I do retain one, of my previous 6, Walther TPHs, but it too may soon find another home, because of the Keltecs.

 

[BushyGuy]

i have a Tomcat on layaway at my local gun shop, i am pretty sure its a great gun , i will let you guys know after i buy it how it shoots.

 

[hunter25]

I bought a Tomcat new when they first came out. Mine has been perfect in every way, no complaints.
I was surprised to read so many negative comments about them.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I first posted to this message string about 6 years ago.

I've since bought and carried a Kahr P9 (which I gave to my son [a NC Highway Patrolman] as his offduty/backup gun), and a P3AT. (I've had a number of other "compact" guns, but like the Kahr a lot.

The P3AT is a light, very concealable, reliable gun but a bit of a pain for me to shoot. (Something about the trigger guard hurts my trigger finger during recoil.) If I were handier with melting and shaping plastic, I'd enlarge the trigger guard -- but then my pocket holster wouldn't fit and I'd have to have a new one made to fit.

I'm also looking for a Kahr PM9... (I really like the P9). I'll try to trade for it.

As I noted in my earlier messages, I had a TOMCAT when they first came out. Horrible triggers and so tiny, internally, that most Gunsmiths don't want to mess with them. Too wide for the caliber, and not all that concealable in a pocket.

With the early ones, dry-firing would break the firing pin, and snap caps didn't last long. They may have fixed all of those problems. I don't know why they don't make one in .380.

 

[gimlet1/21]

+1 for the KT, reliable and a good choice

 

[WRGADog]

My vote goes to Kahr P380

I have owned mine for about 4 months and really like it. Tiny gun, easy to conceal, and very accurate for such a small gun.

 

[jhco]

Keltec is thinner and lighter

 

[Rex B]

+37 for the Keltec.

I'm on my 2nd P3AT, upgraded to the HC/navy, nothing wrong with the first one.
Also on my 2nd P32, 3rd P11.

I rely on them, they work.

I did buy my wife a Tomcat, just because she can't rack the slides, and the Tomcat has a ti-pup barrel. And she liked it <shrug>. If she will carry it that's better than something I pick that she doesn't like.

Another thing: We got laser-grips for it. Can't buy those for the P3AT, and I don't like the lasers made for them.

I'll stick with the P3AT.

 

[Seamus O'Connor]

I own a lot of firearms. I will never not have a Kel-Tec P3AT. It carries, conceals and shoots wonderfully. I had a few issues early on that were all operator error (getting used to the recoil in such a light firearm). Since then, I have over 2000 trouble-free rounds through mine firing all types of ammunition. Get one soon. I do recommend you perform a "Fluff & Buff" on it once you get it home and before your first range trip. And don't give up on it or send it back if after 300 rounds you're still having failures of some sort. The failures will most likely be either user error (don't be too proud...I've got over 25 years of shooting under my belt and I will freely admit to having to get accustomed to a new gun from time to time) or it is still breaking in...or a combination of both. Give it a good 500 rounds before you give up on it. Which is good advice for any new firearm...brand new or new-to-you.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I would take a Kel Tec over a Tomcat any day of the week... for many reasons. However, I prefer the P32 over the P3AT as it is far easier to shoot fast, accurate follow up shots with.

 

[benderx4]

IF you buy the Tomcat, make sure you buy the INOX version. As for me, I'd buy another Seecamp!

 

[BushyGuy]

i got my Tomcat today i fired 12 hydrashoks the slide jammed 2 times had to push it in a little, the gun was very accurate at 7 yards i was able to hit the caps on top of the soda bottles. i only had one box of 20 hydrashoks i am saving 8 for carry, i will buy some silvertips next month probably 2 boxes i have 1 box on layaway at my local gun shop. i think the gun needs to break in its a nice gun.

 

[KICK4426]

Out of those 2 KelTec hands down. However, I have owned both of those pistols. I did not like the tomcat at all and had no problems with the KelTec. I recently sold my KelTec and purchased a Ruger LCP. The LCP is not much different than the KelTec but, I trust Ruger more and I like the features of the pistol a little more.

 

[popeye]

I'm seeing the Tomcat's new and blue for $400. I don't think I'd buy a used one. I had a Tomcat a few years ago and the slide cracked and flew off. I never liked the K Tec's, I had one of those with a serial # of 53X. A piece of junk. Seecamps can be had for $500 if you look around. I just bought one and it works. I also have a Beretta stainless 21a .22 that is very reliable.

 

[searcher451]

I'd suggest running a search on this board regarding the Tomcat. Numerous threads have been started and discussed in the past several month alone regarding the Beretta's overall worth, and they should provide something of an eye-opener for anyone contemplating a purchase. The one that I got crapped out after 66 rounds, and getting it repaired was a battle that took weeks and weeks and weeks.

 

[verdun59]

I've owned both and still have the KT. I like it and it has always been dependable, not so with the Tomcat which is gone.