Laser on P3AT anyone?

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davidd

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My kel tec arrives today. It was delayed due to a very limited supply, at least in my area. The local guys who do have them have bumped the prices a lot. One dealer is asking $350 for the P32 since no one in town has the 380 version. Anyway, the one that was shipped out for me last night is the chrome model, which cost a bit more, but it looks nice and I am told wears better. Anyway, the dealer has the laser attachment that he has tried to talk me into for $129, which may be high, but thought i would solicit your opinion on this accessory.

what are the pros and cons? does it limit compactness or concealment? does it really help much in terms of accuracy? I dont' know anything about them other than the gun dealer likes them.

by the way, I had so much trouble deciding between the 642 and the kel tec, incl consideration for the 340PD that i decided to buy one of each, a 642 and the P3AT.
 
I wouldn't even think of putting the laser on my P3AT. The P3ATs are intended to be small and light. Put that laser on you'll double the weight (my thinking). The chrome models are more reliable, and yes, they do wear better. That is what I have.

Carry the P3AT as is, and learn how to shoot it well. These pistols have some serious recoil. Not heavy...sharp! I suggest, and the local police here carry, solid point bullets. HPs do not penetrate well. Best of luck, and I hope yours shoots as-accurately-as mine. By the way, given the small size, I strongly suggest a lanyard.
 
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A laser would.....

defeat the purpose of a small light pocket gun. A 3AT is a short range defense pistol where use, most likely, will be within 15 yards. Regular practice will negate the need for a laser sight.....chris3
 
Yes, I put the ArmaLaser on my P3. I like it.

The reason I like it has little to do with its' usefulness as a sight though that is pretty good.

What it does is changes the shape of the gun into more of a square, so the outline it shows in your pocket looks nothing like a gun.
In Texas I have to worry about "printing"; the outline or shape of a concealed gun being noticed. It looks more like a wallet in my pocket now.

It also keeps the handgun oriented like I want, it doesn't turn in my pocket any longer. It had a tendancy to flip upside down in my pocket. It stays where I put it now.

I don't notice the additional weight at all.
 
I want (good) lasers on all my defense guns, if available.

I've had the ARMA laser on my P3AT since they first came out. Wouldn't be without it. It changes nothing as far as carrying the gun.

I try to practice with lasers at least a couple times a week. Usually with a Crimson Trace Laser equipped S&W 2 inch J frame because I don't feel like picking up the brass from the semi autos.

(with practice) The laser assures a high percentage of FAST hits centered on the target, with the pistol held in most any position and even in your off hand. Actually a miss is unusual.

It's said that 70-80% of defense shootings are at night or in low light.
Step outside tonight and wonder if you could actually hit anything with your P3AT?
 
I have the "Pocket Slipper" Laser sight on my P-3AT and my P-32 and I find them both to be a big help for old eyes.
 
Lasers on a pocket pistol? I think not. The only saving grace of the P38T is that it slides into your pocket cuz it's so tiny! I can place all P38T rounds in a 12 inch circle at 25 yards slow fire...10 feet quick fire. I would only use a .380 in the last-ditch-tried-everything-else-but-run scenario anyhoo. It truly is the extension of your fist...you better be prepared to run (or use your fists)after emptying the mag in your target anyway. I use the same point of aim...same DAO trigger follow through with all my weapons...revolver as well as autos. Uniformity of training is key.
 
If you can handled THAT big a weapon (P3AT with laser mounted), why not just go for a bigger gun in a larger caliber?

Seems as though you've completely defeated the purpose of the P3AT's design by almost doubling its size and making it no longer as easily concealed.

That gun was designed for "up close and personal" and not for target shooting. If you've got the time and the presence of mind to use a laser sight with a P3AT -- and are engaging a target more than 10'-20' away -- you've arguably brought the wrong gun the fight. I don't see why a laser would be needed at closer ranges.

(And yes, I have a P3AT, and like it a lot... I also have a Kahr P9 and a CZ 75 Compact.)
 
I don't plan on shooting anyone with a .380 unless I am holding the end of their necktie or have them in a headlock. Why bother with sights much less a laser?
 
Walt Sherrill said:
"If you can handled THAT big a weapon (P3AT with laser mounted), why not just go for a bigger gun in a larger caliber?"

The answer is;
Because it's not "THAT big".

It's no bigger in overall length, width, or height than the gun by itself. And it's only a few ounces heavier - not even noticeable.

You can see it here: http://www.armalaser.com/product_100.htm
 
At the distance (7 yards or less) and under the circumstances that I would be using a deep concealment gun like the P3AT, I don't use the sights anyway.

Use your laser sight, and by the time you get off the first shot I'm changing to the second clip.
 
Seems as though you've completely defeated the purpose of the P3AT's design by almost doubling its size and making it no longer as easily concealed
Click to expand...

Apparantly you've never seen the ArmaLaser installed. It neither changes the overall size or length.

Pic from their website.......

proid_100_4.jpg
 
obxned
At the distance (7 yards or less) and under the circumstances that I would be using a deep concealment gun like the P3AT, I don't use the sights anyway.

Use your laser sight, and by the time you get off the first shot I'm changing to the second clip.
Click to expand...

I'll take that bet.

I assume you are saying that you will actually be hitting the target and that you are talking about shooting in low light or darkness, when the laser is used?

When it gets dark I'll empty my ARMA equipped P3AT from 7 yards into a 8x11inch target, time the string and post the target.

In the mean time here's a target shot in near darkness, from ten yards, with a Crimson Trace equipped S&W 2 inch J frame.
Oh, and the target was shot left handed from the hip (I'm right handed).
Sorry I don't have the time for the ten rounds.:D

LaserJFrameLefthand10yards.gif
 
jaysouth
I don't plan on shooting anyone with a .380 unless I am holding the end of their necktie or have them in a headlock. Why bother with sights much less a laser?
Click to expand...

Then it seems to me that you are going to be out of luck if the BG decides to shoot you from 7-15 yards and all you have is a .380.

You'll really be SOL if the BG is 25 yards away in the dark dumping on you with a laser equipped Smith 2 inch.

LaserdarkJFrame.gif
 
A few years back I saw a video advertising a laser on the P-32.

A very buxum young lady was standing wearing shorts and a hot pink blouse. She reached up under the blouse, pushed the pistol toward the target put the laser spot on the target and emptied the pistol in seconds.

I was impressed.

Geoff
Who wouldn't admit being interested in buxom blondes with his wife around.
 
That might have been the "Pocket Slipper".

I bought one a couple years back for the P3AT. It's in my junk box now with about a dozen other lasers.
It worked and got the hits in the ball park, but was big, bulky, slow and had no W&E adjustment.

The AMRA laser is a big improvement, small, light, fast and holds it's W&E adjustment.

I really need to practice with the P3AT.
I shoot the J Frame in the evening about twice a week but can't remember the last time I shot the Kel Tec or other laser equipped semi autos. I hate to lose the brass in the grass.:D
 
I have the Arma laser & although it does print square, it is too thick at the corner closest to the the carriers crack to be able to sit comfortably. Use a good rear pocket holster/wallet to keep it from printing. The lil gun is much more accurate with the laser mostly because of the very short sight radius, but like others have said, this supposed to be a point & shoot gun for concealed carry. The laser is fun to play with, but realistically do you really want to draw, wait for the laser, then shoot? Not me, I practice point & shoot so I'm not dependant on batteries. My laser is in the box in case I ever want to play with it, but I'll never carry with it.
 
The laser is fun to play with, but realistically do you really want to draw, wait for the laser, then shoot?
Click to expand...

So that makes no sense to me, what exactly do you mean?

If you have one then you know that the laser comes on as soon as you stick your finger in the trigger guard, what do you have to wait for?
 
So...IS if the Armalaser for $129? That's not too shabby of a deal IMO. Saw the price listed at $155 in a gun mag tonight, and the local dealer is charging in the $160 neighborhood for them.

Still, I dunno if I would or not. The size does not look to make that much of a difference, I do admit that. From a practical standpoint, my #1 question would be "are there any pocket holsters out there to accomodate a Kel-Tyke with the laser?"

From a monetary standpoint, For about the cost of that laser, I can pick up a Mosin Nagant and 300 rounds of ammo! If I did my math right, upgrade to a laminated stock for the Nagant for the local cost of the lasers! :D

My brother is getting a P3AT soon, last I checked he's getting the Armalaser with it. He's already said we should have something like a balloon-popping contest with our Kel-Tecs to test the laser vs iron "sights" options...:cool:
 
I practice draw point & shoot, I don't have be sure to get my finger on the little, laser button, visually confirm the dot & then shoot. Less steps, no dependance on the toy = faster, more dependable for me. I can double tap two paper plates head high very quickly without any visual aids. Your resulst may vary. I will readily admit on distances farther than you'd normally shoot a pocket gun the laser helps a lot, but on mine you do have to remember where the laser is compared to where the gun will hit. The elevation was pretty close on mine, but it was off to the left.
Now, my for my full size nightstand gun, I like a laser. Because, I don't abuse it in my pocket & expect it to work in an emergency, I may have to accurately shoot farther because I may be defending an entire house, I'd typically have a little more time to present it.

Edit: Mine may be a pocket slipper, I bought it a couple of years ago & it is larger than the one pictured with a different button, I still don't want one on my pocket gun though.
 
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Lasers are for use in low light or darkness.
Maybe some shooters can effectively point shoot their P3AT's in the dark but I need a laser.:)

P3AT with Arma laser.
7 yards.
1st shot with pistol drawn from the front pocket when the timer starts.

First target.
P3ATlaser2.gif

Second target.
1st shot = 1.93 seconds
2nd = 1.38 seconds
3rd = 1.15
4th = 1.20
5th = 1.01
6th = 0.99
7th = 1.12
Total = 8.78 seconds.
P3ATlaser.gif
 
I practice draw point & shoot, I don't have be sure to get my finger on the little, laser button, visually confirm the dot & then shoot.
Click to expand...

(full disclosure...I STILL ain't buying one!

....yet...! ;) )

But with the Armalaser, there is no "little button" in the equation.

Hmmm...I "played" with a guys Armalaser-equipped P32 a short while back. After veryifying it was empty, I saw that the laser did indeed come on when your finger enters the triggerguard.

Not being "in the market" for one, I neglected to check or notice...

Does your finger have to be **IN** the triggerguard to activate the laser? Or will it come on if your finger is near it but not actually inside the triggerguard
 
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