My new baby... P3AT

[5string_dean]

Finally got around to purchasing a KelTec P3AT at my local Cabella's yesterday. I don't usually refer to guns as "babies," but this is just so small the term fits. It seems the hard chrome models are hard to come by, so I grabbed this one right away.

Put about 90 rounds through it today & was very impressed... 4 different brands of .380 ammo (2 FMJ & 2 JHP) & only one failure---a classic stovepipe FTE, probably caused by my wife limpwristing it a bit.

There's not a lot of gun to hang onto, but it was surprisingly accurate. I had two standard IDPA silhouette's, one at about 10yds and one at 15yds., and had some pretty nice groups on both.

As you can see from the comparison photo, I also have a KelTec P11 (9mm) and a Ruger P95 (also 9mm). My wife loves to shoot the Ruger and can't stand the P11 (it DOES kick like a mule). I was afraid she'd dislike the P3AT as well, yet she took one shot and declared "Oh, this isn't too bad" and by the time she finished the magazine declared that she'd "like to carry one of these." So now I guess I need to find another....

the Ruger P95 & the P3AT

the whole clan...

 

[birddog]

Congrats on the P3AT...I've handled them several times, and they seem very well made. If my wife hadn't recently added a Colt Mustang to our collection, I'd definitely consider the P3AT for pocket usage.

Nice pictures, too.

 

[DirksterG30]

Congrats on the purchase - I've got one myself and it's my carry-anywhere (where it is legal, that is) gun.

 

[Bobo]

Thanks for the P95/P11/P3AT comparison shot!

 

[NineHotel]

On the P3, if it has a plastic guide rod, call Kel Tec and have them send you a few replacements to keep on hand. The one in the p-32 will bend over time and render the firearm inoperative.

Check the function of your P-3 periodically to make sure the guide rod has not given up the ghost, leaving you with a one shot mini-club.

 

[alamo]

There's not a lot of gun to hang onto, but it was surprisingly accurate.

Get you a Bersa or NAA mag extender like DirksterG30, it really helps with your grip:

http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/p3at-fingerrest.htm

 

[Juna]

How do you like your P95? I'm considering getting one of those...

 

[5string_dean]

Get you a Bersa or NAA mag extender like DirksterG30, it really helps with your grip:

...actually have a couple ordered from NAA... they just haven't shown up yet.

When I ordered a couple spare mags from KelTec I also ordered one of their newly available +1 mag extensions (similar to what they've offered for the P11 for some time now). That let's me get two whole fingers solidly on the grip as well as giving me 7+1 capacity.

 

[5string_dean]

How do you like your P95? I'm considering getting one of those...

The P95 has been absolutely flawless through 2500-3000 rounds (I lost track after about 2000). It has a very light recoil, often having been described as "a real pussycat" by some of my shooting buddies. It's more accurate than I am (yet ) and very easy to maintain. Only drawback is that it is a little bulky.

Since I use it for IDPA competition, I've been thinking about replacing it with a truly full sized gun (CZ75B or Taurus PT92 or something of that sort). When I do, my wife declared that she want's the Ruger for her range gun, so I guess it has her endorsement too!

 

[Wilson 17&26]

All P-3ATs have a steel recoil spring guide rod, as no polymer rod was offered.

I’ll also second the finger extension on your extra magazines. I seldom use one with the standard floor plate. I prefer the NAA (gray) but the Bersa (black) will fit without alteration.

(click to enlarge)

 

[Newton]

I'm very happy with mine, and carry it on occasion loaded with the super hot Santa Barbara truncated cone FMJs.

I certainly don't feel under-armed, but I'm sure the .45 guys would disagree

 

[rhinokrk]

Congrats on the Hard Chrome. Since it's a picture post, here's my P40, P3AT and P32.


Also as stated before, the P3AT has a steel guide rod. FWIW, I've got well over 600 rnds in my P32 and my plastic rod is stiff as ever.

 

[shooter1]

5

 

[shooter1]

Well, guess not---------

 

[michiganfan]

I like mine. So far no failures of any sort. It is my when you can't carry a gun gun.

 

[rockstar.esq]

I just got a p32 and I have to agree with everyone above. These guns are unexpectedly accurate and easy to shoot. I know that the whole 8 rounds of .32 will likely inflict as much damage as one .45 but when you should "have a gun" this is one easy one to pack. Are there any extenders for the .32?

By the way rhinokrk, I'd rather not hear about the "stiffness of your plastic rod"

 

[GlenJ]

Nice collection 5 string. If your like the rest of us P3AT owners you'll find out those heavyer guns will get left home more and more.