P3AT or PF-9 for pocket carry by guy with big hands

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wnycollector

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I am in the market for a new pistol to pocket carry. Years ago I tried pocket carry with a S&W 638 and didn't like if mainly due to the thickness of the cylinder. I'm now willing to give pocket carry another chance.

In a perfect world I would pick up a P3AT and run a few hundred rounds of .380 through it to break it in and then toss it on a pocket holster and be done with it...but alas we don't live in a perfect world! My first concern is lack of .380 ammo. I cant see buying a pistol and not being able to break it in properly. My second concern is that I have big hands. Even with the +1 grip extension I'm not sure I could get two fingers on the P3AT. I shot a buddies before, but he didnt have a finger extension on his and all I had was one full finger on the P3AT's grip!

I think that the Keltec PF-9 might work for me since it is slimmer than my J frame (1.25" vs .88") and taller than the P3AT (3.5" vs 4.3"). The other big plus is that 9mm is still plentiful and cheap in my area. I plan on going to my local gun store to check both out again prior to buying. Anyone with problems similar to myself, feel free to share their experiences!
 
PF-9 If your hands are that big them get the bigger pistol 380 in my area back on shelf Still not the selection but at least I can shoot again I have been looking at the PF-9 and giving some serious consideration I have 4 KelTecs in the family already so another would feel at home
 
With a 1 fingered grip on the P3, I'd say that is out for sure.

If you have wide hands or wide fingers, you can probably count out a full grip on the PF.

I have long hands, but medium width fingers and I can barely get a full grip on a PF with finger extension.

Taurus 709 might be an option. You'll get better purchase on the grip and although not as tiny as the P3AT, it is pocketable.
 
I am 6'8" and 300lbs with bear paw hands and I carry my PF-9 in a Galco holster in the right front pocket of just about everything I wear for pants. I can draw it out in a heartbeat because the gun is so small and light by simply wrapping my right hand ring finger around the grip and using the rest to guide the gun out of the pocket. I have a couple of police officers that work for me part time who now have them as well after seeing me do so at the office. Of course having a 9mm powerhouse certainly does not hurt.

PF9_PocketHolster.jpg
 
I have both and like them both. I'm 6'3 and have rather large hands and have no trouble with either. The p3at is easy to carry because its so small but the pf9 fits my hands much better and has better sights but it is harder on my arthritic hands. Both are plenty accurate at the distance that they are designed for. I've had the p3at for a couple of years and really like it but now that I have the pf9 it is my main carry piece. I feel that either will get me to my truck and my .357.
 
If you go for the P3AT, make sure and get the +1 magazine extensions. I've got little carnie hands, but my "normal" buddies can shoot it just fine.
 
I went to my local gun store today and checked out three guns (keltec PF-9, P11 and P3AT) side by side and in my pocket. The P11 was out of the running once I pulled the trigger (HORRIBLE, heavy and never ending!!!), the P3AT was just to small...but the PF9 fit my hand like a glove. It had a very decent trigger pull (but then again I mainly shoot DA revolver!). I plan on bidding on one over on auctionarms ($250 w/ buy now+$25 shipping and $20 transfer=$295 OTD). The best price I could find locally was $350 after tax.
 
I pocket carry a PF-9 in a DeSantis Nemesis, but I feel like it is pushing the envelope (I am 5'6" and 135 lbs). The p3at is a lot smaller in the hand. I liked the increased power and ammo availability of 9mm to put up with the larger size.

P.S. The p3at felt like it would be really hard to hang on to.
 
My wife has a P3AT, neither of us have what I'd call large hands but both of us hate shooting it. I imagine with larger hands it would be even worse (seriously after a few shots you want to run it down and tack it up on the target board after a few "bites" on the trigger finger from the bottom of the finger). If you're sold on the size of the P3AT and you're fine with .380, get the Ruger LCP instead. One of my coworkers has one and compared to the KelTec its a joy to shoot.

I'd go with the PF9 if I had it all to do over again ... not significantly larger but a more potent caliber and a little more comfortable looking.

For pocket carry no matter which one you get, the DeSantis Nemesis is a great pocket holster ... sticks in the pocket well and the gun comes out easily (frankly I think leather pocket holsters are just too tight ... a pocket holster doesn't need to be as tight as an IWB holster).
 
Another quick update, I just won a PF-9 on GB for $235+20 shipping. When you toss in $20 for transfer I'm going to be at $275!
 
I have big hands an I like the P-11. I also bought a P3AT and I have no issues with either gun other than needing the finger extension added to the magazine to get a good grip on either one.
 
I just bought a Ruger LCP, basically a K-T P3AT clone.

Fit my hand fine. I looked at the LCP and the P3AT together at the shop. Although I'm a K-T fan, having a K-T Sub2K, after checking the fit and finish of both, I went with the Ruger LCP.

I would suggest before you buy a P3AT you look at both, preferably at the same time.
 
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