Redlg155
Member
Good Day Folks,
Recently I picked up a new Keltec P3 AT as an answer to the days where I just can't dress appropriately to carry a larger Handgun. As you can see from this picture, the Keltec P3A-AT fits this need nicely. Not much larger than my keys, yet it packs a nice punch with 6 +1 rounds. I'm writing this from a viewpoint that everyone is a little familiar with the gun..or at least the looks of the Keltec, so I won't go into too much detail there.
Until now, my history with Keltec has been pretty dismal. My previous Keltec P-32 was plagued with problems, notably rust, failure to eject and best of all, the magazine release button spring popped out with the first round fired. The notion of sending it back to the factory didn't appeal to me, so I ended up selling it to someone with a full disclosure of the problems.
I gave Kel Tec one more try because I believe that guns sometimes have a "spirit". Some are good luck while some have a demon in them that refuses to listen to us. Well, this one must have been a good one because we had a little conversation and I made it plain that she would be at the bottom of the river if she failed me!
Initial Impressions.
Workmanship was decent and the parkerized slide gave it a nice utilitarian feel to it. The rifling is ok, but a bit rough in the grooves where it looks like there are some marks. The chamber is also a bit rough inside and could use a polishing, but as I would find out later, why fix something that isn't broken? I only had two main complaints. The first was that the mag release button extended too far out, causing it to release the mag in the holster, a Galco Stow n Go inside the pant holster. I ended up filing until the button was almost flush with the frame. Now it releases with direct finger pressure, but not if I put my thumb over the entire release.The second complaint was the ejector. Why in the world they made it so that it could fall out when disassembled, I don't know except for the ease of replacement. So if when you disassemble one, make sure you know it's still there!
Shooting the Kel Tec
This Shoot n C target shows seven rounds at seven yards from the target. Not super, but just right for what I need and the intended ranges.
In total I fired 100 Winchester 95gr FMJ and 20 Speer Gold Dot 90gr JHPs. Recoil was brisk but nothing that anyone couldn't handle. Ejection was positive....extremely positive! Empties flew up and slightly to the right, about 7 feet up. I shoot at a covered range and the empties were flying up onto the roofing. Sort of reminded me of my AK slinging brass. I also caught one in the forehead ala glock style when I intentionally limpwristed to test the weapon. As for problems...other than 3 failures to fully return to battery in the first 50 rounds, I had no problems. All three of those were associated with limp wristing on my part when my hand got tired. Other than that...zero problems! At count 80 I decided to limpwrist with an entire magazine. Other than pelting my own self with empty brass, I experienced zero malfunctions. Now I do not advocate nor do I intend to say that the weapon will not malfunction this way..I just wanted to see what would happen.
On another note, I need to take the time to color in the "sights", or what little there is of them. Unless I took the time to deliberately aim at the target, all of the shots would hit high. The way the gun sits in your hand makes you point it a bit high unless you make a conscious effort to drop the muzzle a bit.
I did not test the ammo in any formal penetration tests. However, these pictures show that the .380 95gr FMJ penetrated completely through a 2x6 board. Not scientific...but definitely there in the OUCH! factor.
FRONT
BACK
I'd say this one is a keeper. She does well despite the not so smooth chamber and rifling. Reliable and accurate enough for my needs. The only serious downfall I see is that I end up taking this thing with me everywhere...even when I know I can carry a bigger handgun. I need to break myself of that habit, but it's so easy to do with the small Kel Tec!
Recently I picked up a new Keltec P3 AT as an answer to the days where I just can't dress appropriately to carry a larger Handgun. As you can see from this picture, the Keltec P3A-AT fits this need nicely. Not much larger than my keys, yet it packs a nice punch with 6 +1 rounds. I'm writing this from a viewpoint that everyone is a little familiar with the gun..or at least the looks of the Keltec, so I won't go into too much detail there.
Until now, my history with Keltec has been pretty dismal. My previous Keltec P-32 was plagued with problems, notably rust, failure to eject and best of all, the magazine release button spring popped out with the first round fired. The notion of sending it back to the factory didn't appeal to me, so I ended up selling it to someone with a full disclosure of the problems.
I gave Kel Tec one more try because I believe that guns sometimes have a "spirit". Some are good luck while some have a demon in them that refuses to listen to us. Well, this one must have been a good one because we had a little conversation and I made it plain that she would be at the bottom of the river if she failed me!
Initial Impressions.
Workmanship was decent and the parkerized slide gave it a nice utilitarian feel to it. The rifling is ok, but a bit rough in the grooves where it looks like there are some marks. The chamber is also a bit rough inside and could use a polishing, but as I would find out later, why fix something that isn't broken? I only had two main complaints. The first was that the mag release button extended too far out, causing it to release the mag in the holster, a Galco Stow n Go inside the pant holster. I ended up filing until the button was almost flush with the frame. Now it releases with direct finger pressure, but not if I put my thumb over the entire release.The second complaint was the ejector. Why in the world they made it so that it could fall out when disassembled, I don't know except for the ease of replacement. So if when you disassemble one, make sure you know it's still there!
Shooting the Kel Tec
This Shoot n C target shows seven rounds at seven yards from the target. Not super, but just right for what I need and the intended ranges.
In total I fired 100 Winchester 95gr FMJ and 20 Speer Gold Dot 90gr JHPs. Recoil was brisk but nothing that anyone couldn't handle. Ejection was positive....extremely positive! Empties flew up and slightly to the right, about 7 feet up. I shoot at a covered range and the empties were flying up onto the roofing. Sort of reminded me of my AK slinging brass. I also caught one in the forehead ala glock style when I intentionally limpwristed to test the weapon. As for problems...other than 3 failures to fully return to battery in the first 50 rounds, I had no problems. All three of those were associated with limp wristing on my part when my hand got tired. Other than that...zero problems! At count 80 I decided to limpwrist with an entire magazine. Other than pelting my own self with empty brass, I experienced zero malfunctions. Now I do not advocate nor do I intend to say that the weapon will not malfunction this way..I just wanted to see what would happen.
On another note, I need to take the time to color in the "sights", or what little there is of them. Unless I took the time to deliberately aim at the target, all of the shots would hit high. The way the gun sits in your hand makes you point it a bit high unless you make a conscious effort to drop the muzzle a bit.
I did not test the ammo in any formal penetration tests. However, these pictures show that the .380 95gr FMJ penetrated completely through a 2x6 board. Not scientific...but definitely there in the OUCH! factor.
FRONT
BACK
I'd say this one is a keeper. She does well despite the not so smooth chamber and rifling. Reliable and accurate enough for my needs. The only serious downfall I see is that I end up taking this thing with me everywhere...even when I know I can carry a bigger handgun. I need to break myself of that habit, but it's so easy to do with the small Kel Tec!
