I have about made up my mind to buy a Kel Tec pistol in either .32 ACP or .380. The trouble is, I can't decide which one to buy. From general persusal of posts on the two guns, it seems I see far more reports of reliablity problems with the P3AT. As much as I like the .380 caliber, the P32 seems far less likely to have FTFs, FTEs, etc.
P32 or P3AT - which is more reliable?
- Thread starter Koblenz
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I researched both guns for awhile - decided on neither, but my $.02 from what I've seen is that when the 3AT first came out, it had lots of bugs. I think if you buy a new 3AT, it has just as good of chance of being trouble-free as a P-32.
I'm sure you know, but ktog.org is a forum with many KT enthusiasts that seem very knowledgeable.
Good luck!
I'm sure you know, but ktog.org is a forum with many KT enthusiasts that seem very knowledgeable.
Good luck!
I have done some reading on other forums this morning and reached the decision that I will NEVER buy a P3AT. Nearly every comment was negative, and nearly all were against the P3AT. There was also one criticism of a P11.
So does this mean the P32 is OK? Certainly not necissarily. What if the peronderance of anti P3AT comments simply means that many more P3ATs are sold than P32s. If a company is so determined to make a .380 that does not work, why should anyone trust models in other calibers?
So does this mean the P32 is OK? Certainly not necissarily. What if the peronderance of anti P3AT comments simply means that many more P3ATs are sold than P32s. If a company is so determined to make a .380 that does not work, why should anyone trust models in other calibers?
If a company is so determined to make a .380 that does not work,QUOTE]
I'm all for reliability - I only carry a j-frame or a Glock 26, but this seems a little harsh. Even Glock threads are proportionally problem-oriented. Who posts: "I bought this boring little .380 and it works fine." Not much of a discussion starter...
In doing my research, it appears a lot of the Kel-Tecs have at least break-in issues, some do have to go back to the factory for some re-work (supposedly KT customer service is first rate), and alot of the gurus at ktog.org do some home reliability fixes.
This is absolutely NOT my cup of tea (feels weird defending a gun that I, too, will likely never own), but there are a lot P3AT lovers.
For those that need to have the super-deep concealment afforded by the KT's diminutive size (but might be put off by reliability concerns), I humbly suggest a SmartCarry holster. I mostly use mine for a Glock 26, but I have put my j-frame in there once or twice and it is completely invisible, and I can barely tell I have it on.
I think I have made up my mind. If the model P3AT is so bad as endless posts report, I don't see how the same company would make any effort to make a better product in any other caliber. Maybe the P32 is not getting much criticism - I cannot image that many people own them.
jfh
Member.
I bought a new P3AT last September. I have had problems with mags dropping and / or shucking the remaining rounds--but, by reading in the KTOG forum about the P3AT, I've determined that I was to blame for the problem.
What I had done was slam the magazine home during a reload the first few times I shot it. That shaved the (plastic) mag release, and the result was that the mag would drop during recoil. Further, my grip was probably bumping the mag release button--and a common owner-done fix for that is to sand down the release button. Finally, the addition of mag finger extensions introduces some additional fit / tolerance / leverage issues for the magazine, and that may have had a bearing. I've now replaced the magazine release, and I suspect the problems are gone--I may be finally able to test-fire it again today. Meanwhile, It has ejected reliably, shows no mis-fits at all, and operates reliably in the cycle if the mag doesn't drop.
My overall take on the P3AT is pretty positive. Having said that, I only carry it as a BUG. Its unique form factor / size and its price point make this pistol a real niche product. But, like FranklyTodd, I carry a revolver for PD, not a pocket semi-auto, even though my primary shooting has been with semiauto handguns for nearly twenty years.
Kel-Tec does an excellent job of providing parts to the owner for service--when I requested some for the release repair, they even sent a couple of items I had NOT requested (springs) because they knew I would need them.
Further--my P3AT--has suffered none of the other problems reported. So, it appears Kel-Tec does continually update their product. It's a "project gun" for gunnies, and can be an effective PD firearm.
Having said all that--I still consider it a BUG, and a last-ditch effort in a bad-breath confrontation.
Jim H.
What I had done was slam the magazine home during a reload the first few times I shot it. That shaved the (plastic) mag release, and the result was that the mag would drop during recoil. Further, my grip was probably bumping the mag release button--and a common owner-done fix for that is to sand down the release button. Finally, the addition of mag finger extensions introduces some additional fit / tolerance / leverage issues for the magazine, and that may have had a bearing. I've now replaced the magazine release, and I suspect the problems are gone--I may be finally able to test-fire it again today. Meanwhile, It has ejected reliably, shows no mis-fits at all, and operates reliably in the cycle if the mag doesn't drop.
My overall take on the P3AT is pretty positive. Having said that, I only carry it as a BUG. Its unique form factor / size and its price point make this pistol a real niche product. But, like FranklyTodd, I carry a revolver for PD, not a pocket semi-auto, even though my primary shooting has been with semiauto handguns for nearly twenty years.
Kel-Tec does an excellent job of providing parts to the owner for service--when I requested some for the release repair, they even sent a couple of items I had NOT requested (springs) because they knew I would need them.
Further--my P3AT--has suffered none of the other problems reported. So, it appears Kel-Tec does continually update their product. It's a "project gun" for gunnies, and can be an effective PD firearm.
Having said all that--I still consider it a BUG, and a last-ditch effort in a bad-breath confrontation.
Jim H.
fletcher
Member
Generally the P32 is considered more reliable. Mine has been completely reliable other than a box of bad ammunition, and my friend's P3AT has also been completely reliable.
I recommend that you do what ever you can to shoot one first to make sure you like it. I have the P3at and I don't like it. I don't like it and usually get one jam per 30 shots. The recoil for such a small frame makes it shooting it unpleasant to say the least. I have to force myself to shoot over 10 rounds at a time. Finally, I am not accurate with it. Finally, I don't like the trigger at all. I don't feel comfortable with it for self defense.
YMMV, but that is just my input. Some people love them. I clean it regulalry and have not done a fluff and buff on it. I have not given a great effort to make it reliable or send it back. I don't have the time or energy. I like the size and weight for when I ride my motorcycle, but is just too small for me to shot well. I am considering another small frame gun instead.
Finally, I don't know the answer your question. Sorry.
YMMV, but that is just my input. Some people love them. I clean it regulalry and have not done a fluff and buff on it. I have not given a great effort to make it reliable or send it back. I don't have the time or energy. I like the size and weight for when I ride my motorcycle, but is just too small for me to shot well. I am considering another small frame gun instead.
Finally, I don't know the answer your question. Sorry.
Here's a positive report for you.
I have a very early P-32 and a very recent P-3AT. Both have been totally reliable. All 4 Kel-Tecs I've owned have worked great right out of the box. I've also heard very positive reports from recent P-3AT owners.
You can get a lemon from any company, but at least Kel-Tec stands behind their guns.
I have a very early P-32 and a very recent P-3AT. Both have been totally reliable. All 4 Kel-Tecs I've owned have worked great right out of the box. I've also heard very positive reports from recent P-3AT owners.
You can get a lemon from any company, but at least Kel-Tec stands behind their guns.
Anna's Dad
Member
I have a P-32 that's been completely reliable. I just ordered a P-3AT so I guess we'll see if it works as well for me.
P32 for nearly 5 years I carry it the most.
Every time I empty the mag that I have been carrying, it fires...
Sweet little pocket pistol!
I love my Keltec.
Every time I empty the mag that I have been carrying, it fires...
Sweet little pocket pistol!
I love my Keltec.
I carry my P3AT nearly everyday! I bought mine used and maybe some of the bugs were worked out of it already. I practice with mine almost every time I go to the range. It has never failed me no matter what ammo I put thru it. I have a Kimber that I can't say the same about. It's a carry alot and shoot little gun and thats what's so great about it. It's my "Get Off Me Gun", and it does the job well.
If you research Glock or Kimbers you will find a LOT of complaints about them also. KelTecs are inexpensive weapons and the design of the 380 is on the envelope of what that size of design can offer. They apparently took some time to work out the bugs but if you look up the current generation of P3ATs you will find a LOT of positive reports on them. If your not then you probably aren't looking very hard. Also remember that KelTec sells a LOT of guns. Your going to find more reports on them than their competition because they sell a heck of a lot more of them.
My personal P32 has gone through hundreds of rounds without a hiccup of any kind. I would say the current gen P3ATs are probably just as reliable but I would shy away from the first gen P3ATs. I also have a P11 that has been really reliable too.
My personal P32 has gone through hundreds of rounds without a hiccup of any kind. I would say the current gen P3ATs are probably just as reliable but I would shy away from the first gen P3ATs. I also have a P11 that has been really reliable too.
They are both reliable designs. Kel Tec has a larger percentage of duds then other manufacturers, but they stand by their product. If the one you buy isn't reliable, they will make it reliable. I got mine a couple of months before I wanted to start carrying it, just in case it needed a trip back to the factory.
To be sure you will get a mixed bag of testimonials on the P32 and p3AT. One poster mentioned the new P3At may be less likely to give problems than the original, that could be true. I have the original built about 2-3 years ago, it has the hard chrome slide and I truely love mine, no problems with it. I use the Gold Dot 95 grain JHP ammo and it has had one stove pipe that I recall, may have been limp wristing. S&W J frame revolver .38 would also be an excellent choice for pocket carry. good luck...
I think the general consenious is that the p32 is more relaible and less prone to failure than the p3at. I have known more than one indivudal that had issues with their p3at's. They were jam o matics. I think kel tec is pushing the envelope with the .380 on such a small platform. There are p3at's that run fine which leads me to think that kel tec really hasn't done much to improve their quality control. That said, you hardly ever hear of someone who has a kel tec that is 100% bragging about it. I have good friend that had a 100% p32 and traded it for a p3at jam o matic. He sent it to k/t twice and it was still a jam o matic. He got rid of it and bougt a revolver.
If there are shoes on my feet there is a p3at in my pocket. Look in KOTG.org for more info about both guns. Good luck with your decision.
So what, you are immune to attack in your bare feet???
Or are you more vulnerable, so you carry a bigger gun? Kidding... +1! on KTOG, that's a very, very good forum.
My P3AT has been flawless, with no "fluff and buff" needed.
The main problem I hear of with the P32 is problems with feeding hollowpoint ammo without a modification to the magazine. This may or may not be an issue - with the .32, some people prefer to only use "ball" ammo anyway for better penetration.
The main problem I hear of with the P32 is problems with feeding hollowpoint ammo without a modification to the magazine. This may or may not be an issue - with the .32, some people prefer to only use "ball" ammo anyway for better penetration.
I load my P32 mags with one Corbon JHP and the rest is Fiocchi or S&B ball to avoid rimlock. I would really like a P3AT so I can carry a full magazine of quality JHPs.
outdoorman63
Member
the 380 and the 32 we had were both total pieces of junk....every mag had a problem....it was just 2 guns i couldnt bet my or my wifes life on
I have had my 3AT for about four years, carried daily and never a problem with it, I have shot it in back up gun matches too. Its not fun to shoot but the thing weighs less than my wallet and fits my pocket better.
I want to look into those North American Arms mini revolvers, especially the one that shoots .22 Magnums. Kel Tecs just seem to be a roll of the dice, and quite often aren't reliable. Even if I bought one and fired it 500 times without a bobble, I would still be afraid of it breaking on number 501.
DMK
Member
I don't know about that. The P32 was available for quiate a while before the P3AT came out. During that time, it was very popular, being the smallest and lightest centerfire gun widely available.
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