P32 Pics....What Is This?

[Phydeaux642]

I have a P32 that I purchased new last fall and have only put about 140 rounds through it. I generally shoot 25 rounds through it when I take it to the range and it has functioned as it should. It is one of those guns that, for me, is shot a little and carried a lot. Well, I was cleaning it last night and noticed some strange things. In Pic 1 you can see a long gouge and what appears to be a cavity on the slide. In Pic 2 is another long gouge with a dinged area at the front that has a little burr. Pic 3 is a closer look at the dinged area. Is this normal or is this something I should have Kel-tec take a look at? Thanks.

 

[XDShooter07]

My P32 has the exact same thing and I've seen at least one other picture of a guy that had his taken apart and I saw the same gouge in his. On mine I sanded the burr down and colored in the gouge with black marker so I could see if it caused any more gouging. I racked the slide a bunch and didn't see anything so I took it to the range and shot 100 rounds without issue but when I got back I can see that it is still causing a little issue so I'm gonna sand it down some more. I also have a spot on the right bottom side of my barrel that is gouging a little divot out of the right frame rail that I need to address.

I like my P32 but that's kind of annoying that I see someone else's gun with the same mark, that makes me think they have a machining problem that they probably see and know about and have done nothing about rather than it being just a small isolated issue.

Anyone else have this same mark on their P32? or P3AT for that matter?

 

[CWL]

It's not on my 2001 KT P32.

Where is the extractor pin hole located on your slide? Is it over that crescent gouge on your slide?

I don't have those scratches either although I have them on other parts of the frame.

 

[gb6491]

The cavity in photo 1 is the bottom edge of the hole for the rear of the extractor on 2nd generation P32s. It is a common occurrence on these Kel-Tec pistols. In it's self, it is not a problem. The burr that is left when the hole broke through the bottom of the slide is and is what caused the long scratch on the frame. I know that it is after the fact, but just sand/file/scrape (whatever works) the burr off the the slide. The scratch will not get any bigger and does not affect the functioning of the pistol. I just convinced myself it's a wear mark; if that helps.


The gouge in photo 3 is caused by the bottom of the extractor and is, again, a common occurrence. It happens at the furthest, rearward, movement of the slide; the damage is done, but, as you noted, has not affected (and probably will not) the pistol performance. Some folks file the bottom of the extractor to preclude the chance of more damage. I, personally, didn't want to screw with the extractor as it works flawlessly. I just filed the frame where it contacts the extractor to preclude said contact.


I have over 1000 rounds through my P32 (most after cleaning these areas up) and the gun has never missed a beat (knock on wood). That said, if the damaged areas bother you contact Kel-Tec about repair/replacement.

Regards,
Greg

BTW I imagine the scratch on the slide is caused by a burr created where the extractor hit the frame. That's purely speculation on my part as it didn't occur on mine.

 

[blkbrd666]

I have heard mention of broken extractors on Kel-Tecs...I wonder if the frame "doesn't" give or chip there, could that be what breaks the extractor?

 

[gb6491]

While hitting the frame certainly doesn't help the extractors any, I think the broken extractors were from a bad batch. At least that's what I remember reading somewhere . First hand, I've had no problems with mine. I did call Kel-Tec to order a spare when I noticed the above situation on my P32; they sent it free of charge and it's still sitting in a drawer.
Regards,
Greg

 

[MICHAEL T]

mine are the same and both over 500 rounds . If it ain't broke don't mess.
Oh my pistols have a study diet of Corbon so if was a problem I sure these hot 32's would have brought it out.