P-32 vs P3AT (A different question)

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Crawlin

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DISCLAIMER: This is not a "Is the P3AT better than the P-32" thread. Read below.

At a local range they have both a P-32 and a P3AT both gently used. I am going up there today and going to buy one of them. WHICH ONE? :what:

OK, the P-32 asking price is $200 and the P3AT asking price is $260. I've done a lot of research, here and other forums, on which gun is best and the answer is, no one seems to know/everyone has a different opinion so I am going to decide for my self...

So my next question I will turn to you all, THR, are the prices listed above fair prices for the guns? I was going to offer $230 for the P3AT if I decide on that one, or $180 for the P-32 if I go with it. Not sure which one yet. Also, not sure if it matters for the retail for a new P3AT around here is $299.
 
You should be able to buy a new P3AT for less than $260. Unless its the no longer made first gen model, which might be worth a small premium because its marginally lighter and has a smoother profile without the "franken-bolt" extractor, I'd buy the P3AT elsewhere.

IMHO .380 vs. .32 in a for all practical purposes same size package is a no brainer. Its why my P32 replaced my .25 and why the P3AT immediately replaced my P32 when it came out.

--wally.
 
$260 for the P3AT? Unless there is a sever shortage of them in your erea, that is too high. You should be abel to walk into any large retail shop and buy a new one for $250. $200 is a good fair price for any used P3AT or P32 that is in good condition.
 
In most places a blued P-3AT goes for about $250 or less, Parkerized about $270 or less, and Hard Chromed about $290 or more (hard to find).

That said, prices can vary considerably depending on location.
 
Those prices are rediculous.....wow, so far out of line.

I just bought a NEW P3AT from CDNN for $210. Add $10 for shipping and you get a total of $220 to your dealer. What does he charge for an FFL transfer - mine charges $15........for a total of $235 for a brand new gun.

KelTecs are great guns but often they require a trip back for repair or adjustments. I just checked the KelTec site and they state the lifetime warranty is for the ORIGINAL OWNER ONLY!

That means if (and theres a darn good chance) your gun needs repair/adjustment your out the shipping and whatever they charge for parts and labor.

If you buy new the repairs and shipping are on them.

So not only are you overpaying for a used gun but your setting yourself up for some very real repair bills.

I cant scream PASS any louder...

here is the pic of the new P3AT I got from CDNN yesterday, already put 50 trouble free rounds thru it:

keltec.gif
 
Kel-tec will warranty all of their products regardless of whether you are the original owner or not (although thats not what their warranty states). The prices for both are inflated. Try looking here for more info:

www.ktog.org (go to the bulletin boards).
 
brett,

Thats the opposite of what I have heard....here is a quote from a post I recently read about the KelTec warranty.

Wanted to know if I was the original purchaser, said they didn't care to work on it if I wasn't. Said they wanted proof.
Click to expand...
 
I know there are many satisfied 380 Keltec fans. But, I did a lot of research and got opinions and read comments for moths. It seemed to me that overall, the 32 versions tend to have less problems than the 380 version.

I bought a 2nd generation new P32 in Aug, and am satisfied with it. Paid $229 new for it.
 
aaron

you need to go to KTOG.org to get some real info on this gun. It is for owners and aficionados of ket-tec guns. They will and do warranty all their guns. They will tell a very different story from yours.
 
Thanks for the info everyone. I went up there and offered the guy 220 after shooting it. He took 230 out the door so I'm happy. I put about 50 rounds through it before I left the range with no issues. For $230 I got a uncle mikes holster, 2nd gen P3AT, box, all paperwork, box of 50 range ammo and a box of 25 Carbons.
 
If you got a new 2ndGen with all that (Corbon 20 round box) for 230 you did good. New 380 $229 and tax where I live. I use Corbon DPX for Carry P-32 a few $ cheaper I have both.
 
brett,

Im there, have been for awhile....just relaying information that I have read.

To me its a non-issue, why would you pay more for a used gun then a new one is anyway....regardless of the warranty concerns.
 
aaronrkelly, "KelTecs are great guns but often they require a trip back for repair or adjustments. I just checked the KelTec site and they state the lifetime warranty is for the ORIGINAL OWNER ONLY!"

Thanks for the info. My P32 is serial numbered below #340. I bought it new, and immediately returned it to Keltec because the barrel had been manufactured/rifled off center. Still, it's by far the lowest s/n gun I own, and has given probably 1000 trouble free shots fired.
 
No Brainer

Get the P3AT. It's a better round, hands down, than the .32 ACP. You should be able to get it for a better price brand new though. See if you can talk the store down a bit You never know.

In my experience, I had to do some "Fluff and Buff" work on the feedramp, and had some small burrs that were easily fixed. Kel-Tecs IMHO, need some fit and finish done before they can be fired. They are inexpensive guns that are carried more often than shot. I wouldn't make this a range pistol, but still take it out for practice to work some of the kinks out and find out what ammo works best with it.
 
P3AT

At a gunshow this weekend in NC, P3ATs were running $240 and up for blue, and $270 for the one place that had chrome. I wasn't looking for a .32 so didn't pay much attention to them.

The .32 holds one extra round. The .380 is going to kick more for such a light frame, but neither are meant to be range guns--they are meant to be CCW guns.

For the P3AT, look on the internet to find magazines for about $15-20 each or so. At the gun show, everyone was sold out except for one place wanting $30 each. (The sold-out places were also expensive.) Since this isn't a range gun, there isn't a real need to stock up on magazines--maybe carry one in the gun, one spare, and keep one at home for replacement purchases.
 
I'd vote for the p 32. It has a slide hold open device and greater mag capacity. The 32ACP is usually about 30% more accurate than a 380 all other things being equal. I suspect the 32 ACP of slightly greater feed reliability. A spare mag for the p32 can hold as many as 10 rds. Since you are likely to face more than one opponent in many urban settings, accurate repeat fire is a necessity. Either will work in most cases.
 
The reason I replaced my two P-32 pistols with three, P-3AT pistols is_______

1- I found the P-3AT to be more accurate.

2- the P-3AT will not get rimlock.

3- there is a larger selection of 380 ammo. It is more available and is less expensive than 32acp ammo.

And last___
4- 380 makes a bigger and deeper hole than 32 acp..
 
Price on P32 or P3At

Hi ! Down here in Florida I purchaced both pistols bran new for $ 259.00 each. So if the ones you are looking at are around such price range used, Go for a brand new one. Ihave mine for at least 6 month already not a single hick up.:)
 
FWIW: I paid $225 for a brand-spanking-new parkerized P-32 at a gun show. Both prices seem high (especially the P3AT) to me unless things have gone up that much in the 5-6 months since I bought mine.
 
380 acp

You got a great #at now try as ammo Speer Gold Dot 380 acp and shoot at some books , you will enjoy how they expand to almost a 50 cal. Nice>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
If .32 can't do it, .380 can't either. Rimlock is an issue, granted. Don't recommend HPs for either caliber out of a 2.7" barrel, though. If FMJ isn't good enough, pack a service caliber in something that has a longer barrel.



P.S. people aren't made out of gelatin.
 
Picked up a Hard Chrome P-3AT for $289 at the LGS. It's been flawless. Rides in a DeSantis Nemesis all the time.
 
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