Ruger LCP vs Kel-Tec vs Baretta Tomcat?

[KentuckySteve]

I am going to buy a small 380 to carry in the summer months. I have been looking at the Baretta Tomcat, Kel-Tec P3AT and (online) Ruger LCP. The owner on my gun shop says he like the Kel-Tec and the Baretta 2nd. He said the Luger is too new and on recall.

I have a Ruger 22/45, and I have had no problems what so ever. I Love to shoot it. Online, I have read several negative comments about the Baretta...jams alot, too heavy, too big for a 380, etc.

Thank You in advance for any suggestions you may have! Right now, I'm leaning toward the Ruger....if they start shipping again soon.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

First, Ruger is now shipping post-recall LCP's.

The LCP and the Kel Tec are equivalent. The LCP is prettier.

The Tomcat is thicker, heavier, and I believe only chambered in 32 ACP unless a new version in 380 is available since I last looked at them.

 

[Newton]

My pre-recall LCP was perfect, now that I have it back from the factory it's still perfect but now shouldn't go bang if I drop it.

I was warned not to buy a Tomcat but I did anyway. I think it lasted for 13 rounds before the trigger bar broke.

Beretta should not be selling this gun.

 

[ConstantineJ9]

Ruger

 

[paradox998]

I had two new tomcats this year. Neither lasted more than 60 rounds before the frame cracked.

 

[Ben86]

If I bought a .380 I'd get the LCP without hesitation, I love Ruger products. And the fact that they did the past two recalls, while other companies continue to sell flawed designs, only makes me trust them more.

 

[bensdad]

I sent my LCP back for the recall last monday. the gun was back in my hands - with a spare mag, cute hat and letter of apology - on Friday. The gun has never had a failure. I'd buy another Ruger product in a heartbeat, and I can't recommend the LCP highly enough.

 

[Companion Cube]

Interesting. I wonder what I did wrong... I signed up for the recall online on 11/15 and haven't heard a word.

I sent an email 7 days ago. No response yet.


Here's a recent post of mine from a similar thread:

I probably will not buy a Ruger product again.

Firearms(and the times you rely on their proper function) just are not mistake-friendly. Ruger has now released TWO semiauto handguns that required a recall in a very short period of time. They shouldn't have two recalls in a decade, much less in a year!

In addition to releasing the unsafe firearms, new updated LCPs are showing up on store shelves before Ruger fixes the defective ones they've already sold. I signed up online almost a month ago and have heard nothing(other than the confirmation email, of course). I also emailed them about 5 days ago.

They already have my money, so what do they care that I have an unsafe gun? They've got money to make by making and selling more LCPs!

My P3AT had a problem, too. One phone call to Kel Tec, though, and all was good within a week.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

I absolutely love my kel-tec p3at in .380. The recoil is manageable and it has functioned flawlessly. If you do get the p3at get the second generation model which has a small button-head screw on the rear of the ejector. Kel-tec also manufactures a small clip that attaches to the side of the gun and makes it very easy to clip on you pants. It sounds cheesy but it works well.

 

[jon_in_wv]

The Keltec and LCP get he nod from me. I've fired the Keltec and it was very accurate but recoil was snappy. The latest gen P3ATs have a good reputation. My LCP has and extra ounce of heft that tames recoil a bit and it is also a good shooter. The sight on the LCP are even smaller than the KT however. There are trade offs to both but I would put the on pretty even footing. The Beretta is a 32, its heavier, thicker, and has a prro rep for reliability. I would have to make it a very distant third.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Going to a gunshow this morning and looking for an lcp but I'm not going to be holding my breath.

... one of these days

 

[Geezer Glide]

I'd go with the .380 over a .32.

My Kel-Tec has never been recalled.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

The Kel tec has never been recalled, but the design is the same as the Ruger. So if the Ruger really has a problem so does the Keltec. I speculate that the reason for no Keltec recall is because it would be too costly for a small company like Keltec to carry out a recall of the magnitude required, and would bankrupt them.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

Ruger has a great reputation for Customer Service/Warranty Repair and standing behind their firearms..

KelTec has a great reputation for Customer Service/Warranty Repair and standing behind their firearms..

Beretta has a great reputation for having a crappy Customer Service/Warranty Repair Dept. who will make your life miserable and cause your blood pressure to rise and just trying to deal with them will increase your chances of a stoke or heart attack..

Well, that was my experience with a POS Tomcat..

If I HAD to make a choice between the three listed, I'd go with the LCP simply because I think Ruger has refined the P3AT clone, and even though they've had some teething issues they have been quick to have recalls and eventually you'll get a good pistol for your money. (And if you have to send your LCP back you might even wind up with a free mag for your trouble.)

Just personal opinion, no offense intended.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[KentuckySteve]

Everyone, THANK YOU for taking the time to answer my dilemma! It looks like the Ruger is the choice. I think I will check tomorrow to see when it will be available.

 

[batmann]

IF you can find one, I like the KT in .380. The Ruger is slightly more refined, but my KT has been reliable and that is all I can ask for.

 

[SwampWolf]

The Keltec and LCP get he nod from me. I've fired the Keltec and it was very accurate but recoil was snappy. The latest gen P3ATs have a good reputation. My LCP has and extra ounce of heft that tames recoil a bit and it is also a good shooter.

For most people, that extra ounce of weight isn't going to make much difference in terms of recoil, "perceived" or otherwise. But the slide hold-open device is a real boon in the Ruger's favor in terms of convenience and clearing a jam under fire.

 

[AdamSean]

I have owned a Kel-Tec P-3AT since they started making them. I love it! I wanted a Ruger LCP, but am thankful i didn't find one before the recall. I still may get the Ruger after I see some hard fact tests done on drop testing and prolonged performance. Until then, there is nothing wrong with my excellent Kel-Tec. Also, it shoots groups like this at 7 yards.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The Kel tec has never been recalled, but the design is the same as the Ruger. So if the Ruger really has a problem so does the Keltec. I speculate that the reason for no Keltec recall is because it would be too costly for a small company like Keltec to carry out a recall of the magnitude required, and would bankrupt them.

The P3's do not discharge when dropped. Ruger simply botched the pirated design.

 

[Old Navy]

In a recent article in one of the gun mags, a test was done between several concealed carry 380's. One was a LCP, i think a kel-tec was one along with a Bersa thunder. The Bersa won hands down.

I bought a thunder 380 for my wife and I like it so much I've just about confiscated it from her. I paid $279 for it and is is super accurate with a great trigger.

I've now bought a Bersa thunder ultra compact in 9mm for $369 and it is just as impressive. They come with a lifetime warranty and both have really crisp triggers. They are Highly recommended.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I think comparing the Bersa to a Ruger or Keltec was a pretty dumb ass comparison. Let me guess... you saw thing in Gun Tests???

 

[jon_in_wv]

Swampwolf have you fired both? The LCP does in fact have less recoil and the weight does make a difference. If you were comparing a 34oz 45acp versus a 35oz 45acp perhaps not but in a 14-15oz 380acp it does make a difference.
The slide lock however does not. How is it going to make clearing a jam under fire easier?? I would challenge anyone to even USE the tiny little slide lock hurriedly under normal conditions much less under fire. The only purpose of it is to make disassembly easier not for emergency clearing drills.

Fire a P3AT and LCP back to back and you'll see there is a difference in recoil for sure. But the LCPs smaller sights may offset the speed with which you can shoot it compared to the P3 so the advantage may not materialize on paper. If your point shooting the advantage goes to the LCP. At least thats how I perceive it.

 

[Old Navy]

Lone gunman,

And your point is???? Who died and left you in charge of literary criticism?

My "dumb assed" opinion IS mine and I'm damn sure my membership entitles me to express it, just as your does.

I don't recall which mag the review was in but it makes sense to me. I've shot all three and the Bersa wins hands down in my book. Your opinion may be, and probably is, different. That, sir, is a good thing.

 

[Rodentman]

I had a Kel Tec and sold it. I have a Ruger LCP and the recall is painless. I didn't get a return box right away after my email to them, so I called, had a box and UPS Red label within a week. I expect to have the gun back this week.

I didn't have any trouble with it before the recall and I expect none after.

I prefer a little more heft in my main carry gun, such as a 638, but the little LCP rides well in a pocket.

 

[F1]

"I sent my LCP back for the recall last monday. the gun was back in my hands - with a spare mag, cute hat and letter of apology - on Friday. The gun has never had a failure. I'd buy another Ruger product in a heartbeat, and I can't recommend the LCP highly enough."
__________________


Well, I sent my LCP back TWO MONTHS AGO because it was jamming and I just got it back today. They sent a form saying they're giving me a free mag for my trouble, but I sent them two and just got back two.