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My new Kel-Tec P-3AT (great)

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Readyontheright: Always...always carry your pocketed weapon in a "pocket holster"! Not only does it keep the trigger guard covered and lint out of the barrel, but it also keeps the hilt in the the same proper and upward position for dependable drawing in an expedient manner. Mika makes a fabulous one...and very inexpensive. Lots of other pocket holsters out there...I have a nice one from K&D.

Michiganfan: Very well said. "The gun you carry when you cannot carry a gun". I hate to admit it, but I have carried mine more often than my .45 ACP or S&W 642. It is the kind of weapon you carry more than you fire it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3052312&postcount=10
 
First off....what page on (cdnninvestments.com)'s catalog is the gun? For some reason I didnt see it. I'm a glock 19 owner, but looking to purchase a Springfield 1911-A1 Ultracompact, and quite possibly one of these too. Are there any other good guns in this size and price range?
 
Went to the range recently with my 1) S&W 38 snubby, 2) NAA Guardian 380, 3) KelTec P3AT 380. Laid them out beside each other and took turns shooting each in 5 shot rotations. Shot each single handed several rotations in addition to two hands holds. Each has different plusses and minuses.

S&W 38 Model 642.-most recoil of the three but not by much, best sights of the three. No concerns about reliability but it is a bit bulky in some front pockets. Doesn't fill my hand as well as the G380 but better than the KelTec. I love shooting the 38 snubby.

Guardian 380 - fits in my hand real good, recoil seems same as KelTec, don't care for the sights (too thin), The transfer bar spring broke during the shooting session. Previously had the trigger break on the G380. Repaired both of those myself with replacement parts sent to me by NAA. Trigger pull seems a bit long and heavy to me. I really want this gun to work but I am having doubts right now about reliability for CCW.

KelTec P3AT - no problems of any kind yet with this gun, sights - what sights?, the grip feels a little thin in my hands, I like the P3AT trigger pull over the G380. This will probably be my “always” gun. This is a fun gun to shoot - even one handed. The first time I cleaned it, I lost the ejector which is a little steel piece that fits loosely in the frame.

I think all 3 probably shoot more accurately than I am capable of achieving.
I will carry the P3AT and/or S&W 38 but my G380 is on probation for the time being. I probably have 250 rounds thru the KelTec, 400 thru the G380, and 2,000+ thru the 38 snub nose.
Paul G.
 
I don't love my P-3AT. Heck I'm not sure I even -like- my P-3AT. But you'd have a really hard time prying mine away from me :evil:

Probably the best thing I've done with mine (other than fluff n' buff) is to add the +1 extensions to my magazines. It added just enough length to the grip to dramatically improve my control.
The first time I cleaned it, I lost the ejector which is a little steel piece that fits loosely in the frame.
Click to expand...
Heh, yeah me too. Had to look for a while to find the darn thing.
 
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Gets my vote for most likely to be carried. It's light, small and easily concealed. I have yet to experience any type of malfunction. Also, the Mika pocket holster does a nice job protecting it, keeping it in the proper orientation and allows the gun to be drawn from the holster easily while the holster stays in the pocket. While I often carry my P345 or my P111, I always carry my P3At.
 
jmark,

I didn't see a holster for small autos like the P-3AT on the Mika web site, just for snub revolvers. Is that what you are using, or am I overlooking the right one on his sight? Or is it a custom request?
 
Iv'e tried to convince myself I don't want a P3 AT but you guys are warming me up to the idea. I have a BERSA T380 as a truck gun with 9+1 and that's the only 380 I have.
Pimary carry is 642, and unfortunately my PM9 is at Kahr (first time) for repair and it too was on "probation". If it doesn't come around after two trips max, it will be on double secret probation as a trade in. :fire: :D
I want it to be reliable sooo badly cause it fits me like a glove, I really like the ergonomics and it is extremely accurate with a 3.5 inch.

Hence I can't bash the KT other than like a tire, it sure ain't purty. Uglier than a third cousin. ;)
 
Traded in my S&W 908 for my OliveDrab/parkered. 2nd. gen. After a lite F&B it has never missed a beat. Wish I could find another but the gun shops down here claim they can`t get them and when they do, they are gone the next day.: I like front or back pocket carry in my Pocket Pal holster with extra mag.
 
For you guys that are always losing your ejector when you disassemble, put a dab of the same grease used on your slide and frame, between the frame and the ejector. That will help it stay in place till you are ready to remove it .
 
I had two of them. My first one was great, but like a dope I traded it. Bought another one later, and it was a lemon. Traded it for a Bersa CC nickel and I love it. I can carry it anywhere I could carry the P3AT (almost), I shoot it better, and can pistol whip a BG if I run out of bullets. :) Try THAT with a plastic gun. :)
 
I have one of these little buggers as well. It's nice to have a handgun you can carry concealed anywhere outside a nudist colony. Shoots pretty accurate at reasonable distances and hasn't had a failure yet. For the $229 I paid for it I almost wish I'd have bought at least one of the other two (Consecutive serial numbers) in the case next to it.
 
"For you guys that are always losing your ejector when you disassemble, put a dab of the same grease used on your slide and frame, between the frame and the ejector. That will help it stay in place till you are ready to remove it ."

Not sure if I am wrong, I bought one of the P3ATs today and took it apart - no ejector fell out as stated in the manual, but after cleaning/lubing I ran two mags through it (just racking the slide) with no problems. I am 100% sure there is no part lying next to the workbench and the pistol cycles fine. What gives? I stared at the mechanism for 20 minutes trying to figure out what was with "the ejector will fall from the frame" as per the manual but I saw no ejector falling, yet my pistol at least functioned fine while racking the slide with a loaded magazine.

thanks folks.
 
Shot my P3AT for the first time today

Man, what a long trigger pull! I was squeezing and squeezing wondering when the hammer was going to fall. Also, the thing kept jamming alot until I got about 30 rounds through it then it worked fine thereafter.
 
I stared at the mechanism for 20 minutes trying to figure out what was with "the ejector will fall from the frame" as per the manual but I saw no ejector falling, yet my pistol at least functioned fine while racking the slide with a loaded magazine.
Click to expand...

See part no. 115 (ejector) in the parts diagram link. It fits into the cutout on the left rear side of the frame (see the yellow part - # 210, the frame). The ejector can and will fall out.


http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p3atparts.html

If the ejector fell out, it would have no effect on racking the slide or actually shooting the pistol. I lost an ejector once and it worked fine without it. A bit different brass ejection, but no failures.
 
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I use Mobile 1 motor oil on my p32. It seems to penetrate the metal and is very slick. I have carried my P32 and gotten it wet several times. I've even gone swimming in the river with it in my pocket twice without a spot of rust on it.
 
KelTec P3ATs

I've got two first gen P3ATs. I've had both for a long time. 1300 rounds through number one and 800 rounds through number two. No problems at all!

Best regards.
 
My buddy bought a 3AT here a month or so ago, and when he did I cautioned him that a lot of the people on here and other boards said that the recoil was bad. We took it out and shot it, and I was forced to admit that the people saying that are crazy. The recoil was very, very manageable, and not sharp at all. Recoil would be the last thing that I would tell someone to consider with this gun, based on my experience.
 
obxned,

Kel-Tec has had a history of interesting fit and finish issues with its handguns. They have GREAT ideas regarding firearms that no one else in the industry can match. They have some of the most inexpensive compact pistols out there and have the smallest .380, .32ACP, and 9MMP pistols out there. That being said, they have a problem in execution and fit and finish. My P3AT required the standard "fluff and buff" before I could get it to cycle and fire reliably, there are tooling marks, and some of the metal looked like it hadn't been polished correctly. So, I fixed it. After the fluff and buff, it's been 100% reliable.

In short, KT pistols are what they are: Small, concealable inexpensive pistols that are meant to be carried more than fired and where some need some extra TLC to make them reliable.

I didn't start carrying mine until I had 200 rounds through it trouble free. It's my BUG and serves well in this capacity. I wouldn't get rid of it as it serves its purpose well.
 
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