Need advice on what to buy

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fas111

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Hello All: This is my 12th post and I am looking for some advice. I purchased a P-3AT in August. I have had problems with FTE since the git go. Tried 4 different types of FMJ RN ammo and the results were the same. Kel-Tec sent me a new extractor but it did not help neither did two trips back to the mother ship. Despite the problems I have had with this gun I have nothing but good things to say about KT. They offered to take it back and refund my purchase price - it was returned to them yesterday. Now I am faced with the prospect of purchasing a new pistol. I just re-read the Feb. 10 article in the American Rifleman (they did a test of .380s and none of them did very well on the reliability issues). So I am turning to you guys for advice. My price point it a max of $500.00. I am back to carrying my Colt Cobra and although it is light it is too bulky. A wheel gun or auto would be fine but I want something small. I would like to hear from folks who actually own and shoot what they recommend. Thanks and I hope I am not starting a firestorm.
Happy Holidays to all,
 
Sorry about your KT problems.

I have a couple of KTs for concealed carry. But the one carry weapon I think is the best (meaning I feel most confident with it) is a S&W 642 revolver. Compact, light, and there's very good 38+P ammo available these days. In a good holster (I use a Mika) it's extremely easy to carry.
 
Yea I am going to recommend a revolver also but I will suggest a Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. It's a bit heavier than a j-frame Smith but no heavier than most semi autos, and how can you beat 357mag. The good thing is you have a decent price for quite a bit check the classifieds here there are some nice pistols for sale. I personally would recommend a Taurus model 605,650(357) or 85,850(38+P) along with the SP101, I don't really get into the Smith revolvers lately and for what you will pay for the Ruger ($375-425)or Taurus($300-400) I think you will be getting a better gun than what Smith is offering. Also if you get a used piece you will save yourself a good amount of cash so then you can buy lots of ammo and practice.
Sorry to hear about your KelTec my only reference is the P-32 and it has been flawless through about 400-500 rounds.
 
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Have you considered the Kahr 380 ? $500 might get you one if you shop it. It seems to be free of the usual .380 problems. Im on the verge of buying one myself. The only hitch is the cost of the 200 round break-in. You seem to have ruled out the wheelgun due to the size.
 
Glock 19 & cut the handle down to 26 length. Then you have 26 concealability and a 19 sight radius.
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This may be the worst thing I've heard in a while. Let's see let me take my brand new $500 gun and ruin it...why cause a G19 is just too hard to conceal, If the G19 is too big they make the G26. This is totally hack! I understand customizing your firearms to your liking but there is NOTHING custom about chopping something down to make it something so similar to something Glock already makes. Just so we understand the same thing the G19 as a sight radius of 6.02" with a 5.00" height, the G26 as a sight radius of 5.67 and a height of 4.17"; not really significant. I have carried both and can say that the G26 disappears wherever you put it and the G19 will do the same I just never tried it on my ankle but when you're talking about a .35" difference in sight picture and .83 in height is it really worth chopping your $500 gun, you don't think Glock has done enough research to have gotten it right?
 
fas111,
Please don't take this wrong but the problem might have been you. If the pistol went back to Kel-Tec twice and they didn't find anything wrong you might have been "limp-wristing" the pistol. If you don't have a very firm grip with semi-auto pistols, especially light ones like the Kel-Tec you will always have a problem. I highly suggest going to a range that rents guns and try out anything you are looking to buy before you buy. If you continue to have problems it's possible a revolver would be a better choice than a semi-auto.
 
For reliability in that general size it's hard to beat a J-frame revolver or a milsurp semi-auto chambered in 9mm Makarov.
 
Hey guys, definatly not limp wristing it-other guys tried it and had the same problem. I also have a Mauser HSc and Walther PPK both .32 and I have never had a problem with them. They are quite a bit heaver though. I am kind of leaning in the 642 direction at this point. Thanks for all you advice.
 
I'm always amused when someone posts about how a current gun is too bulky and someone suggests a gun that is heavier and bulkier.....:rolleyes:

I doubt there is anything wrong with your Cobra, except for maybe the holster you're trying to hide it with.

The 642 is a fine gun, but it's not that much smaller and you give up a shot.

I'm not a fan of a pocket .380 being a primary, but if you are, consider the Ruger LCP.
 
My kel tec p11 has been the perfect carry gun for me as of late. The trigger sucks so it is not a range gun but I like a stiff trigger for a ccw. Might wanna try kel tec one more time, I hear the pf9 has a better trigger but I can't say for sure.
 
if you want a quality, dependable, accurate carry gun........

1. sell or trade whatever you have and get............

2. S&W model 649 or S&W model 640 or S&W model 60 or S&W model 642.
 
My kel tec p11 has been the perfect carry gun for me as of late. The trigger sucks so it is not a range gun but I like a stiff trigger for a ccw.
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How well and how fast can you hit with it?

A DA pull upwards of 20# isn't the most conducive for speed or accuracy.
 
I owned four Kel-Tecs. One P32, one P11, two P3ATs (one each first and second gen). None was reliable enough to trust or carry. I did a lot of time on KTRange, spent a lot on fresh magazines (which made no difference at all) spent a lot more on a variety of ammo (none of which made the slightest difference) spent a lot of time on the phone with Bill (while I appreciated their CS, did not address the problems) received a lot of springs and other replacement parts (again, to no effect), and did a lot of Fluffing and Buffing (yet more wasted time and effort).

Bottom line--never got any of them to an acceptable level of reliabilty. Sold each at a loss with full disclosure.

Triple-double bottom line: Kel-Tec will never again see a dime of my money. Cross my heart and hope to die.

Since then, I have owned two Ruger LCPs. Both have worked perfectly from round one. The first had to go home for the recall--Ruger paid for everything, including shipping, and included a free spare magazine and a ball cap for my trouble. The LCP worked fine with any and all ammo before the recall, and works just the same since it came back.

I am marginal on my trust of the .380 cartridge, but I have no doubt about the LCP.

I have recently been eyeballing the Kahr P380, as I currently own three Kahrs and am impressed by their action/trigger. They are pricey, but you get what you pay for.
 
I don't even know why Kel-Tec is still selling the P-11 because it has so man "issues". I do however like the newer PF-9 from Kel-Tec.

Getting back the the OP, I have to agree with you on the S&W M642 considering I carry one daily. It's a really nice revolver and it's a very easy carry in your front pocket. (or belt carry if you like)
 
I would recommend a roller, if you aren't sold on reliability of a semi. I carry a 642CT S&W, paired with a Crossbreed holster. A 637 is also an option if you don't want an external hammer. I am extremely pleased with my Sig P238, but as you stated a $500 cap, you won't find one for that. I am 5'10, 165 lbs, and with a Crossbreed Supertuck, I can conceal a fullsize 1911 relativley easy. I had a P3AT for about 2-3 years, and it was a great little gun for CC, but I just never shot it much to become real comfortable with it due to being a very uncomfortable shooter...my .02 worth
 
How well and how fast can you hit with it?

A DA pull upwards of 20# isn't the most conducive for speed or accuracy.
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I can shoot it fast and accurately enough that i feel 100% comfortable carrying it. of course its not as accurate or fun to shoot as my other pistols but it does what it was made to do, carry alot and shoot a little.
 
+1 for KAHR

I'm a sig and XD guy, my wife carries the sub 9 XD I carry the sig 226 when I have a jacket. But I always carry my Kahr CW 40, has a champered slide so it won't snag, I put the clip draw on it and I'm good to go. Mine took around 200 rounds to break in. But since then it shoots great and my wrist is stronger LOL
only has 6+1 capacity but if I ain't done it by then its my time to go.
Just stay away from 180gn bullets, that will take your wrist off ;)
 
As I write this I have an old, beater Cobra on my hip. Under a t shirt it is not seen by anyone or identifiable as a gun. Now that I carry on a reinforced belt it does not fall away from my body.

If you want something more easily hidden but do not want to give up power, I would go with the Kahr PM9.

For me it is not as easy to hit fast and accurate as my beloved D-Frame Colts. But it is an accurate gun and .91 inches thick. ( I have not practiced enough with that long trigger to be as good with it as with the revolvers)

Check out the sticky Bobo's Pocket Pistol Comparison. It is outstanding.

My reasoning is that we should all carry the biggest thing that we can conceal and shoot well. The Kahr CW 40 is a great gun but I am not fast and accurate with a micro 40. lariat is a better man that I :D
 
Had an LCP - Great size, "sexy" gun but terrible shooter for me. Pinched my finger constantly and the sights were ---well - "missing" . Recently bought a Taurus TCP738. Like the trigger and shoots very accurate for me. Conceals very easily. Recoil is better than the LCP for me as well. For what it's worth! CW9 is worth consideration if going 9mm
 
The 642 is a fine gun, but it's not that much smaller and you give up a shot.
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They weigh the same and the Cobra is only about 1/10th of an inch wider around the cylinder (1.400 for the Colt and 1.309 for the Smith). I personally see no advantage to the Airweight when compared to the Cobra in terms of carrying it concealed but the Cobra (as David E pointed out) has a real advantage over the Airweight in terms of ammunition capacity: 20% more bullets (six vs five) in the same sized package.
 
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