Thinking about getting a new mousegun. Keltec .32 or .380

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GlocksRock

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What are the pros and cons of each, price is not an issue for me. I am not considering any other pistol than these two.

Thanks in advance.
 
Mousegun

Hey GlocksRock:

They really are the same gun for all practical purposes. The 3AT is a smidge wider in the slide and a skosh heavier. Note the use of highly technical terms necessary when describing subtleties. The 32 carries one less round. The 3AT delivers a more potent package. Both conceal well and can be usefully deployed in their intended role. Neither one is worth a pinch at any distance. Not the recommended choice if it's necessary to take out a bad guy hiding behind a hostage. I have a P32 and take it with me when I leave the house. It works. I tried a friend's new 3AT weekend before last. It worked, too. I prolly would have bought the 3AT had it been available when I bought the other.

Or you could flip a coin.

Cheers,

Norm
 
They are both mouseguns at best. I picked the extra round and the last shot slide hold open of the P32 over the extra power of the P3AT. I have a green frame, hard chrome unit. I don't think that many hard chrome P3ATs are in the pipe yet.
 
I opted for the P-32 for the same reasons Matt did. Great little gun to take anywhere and that is important for me because being in South Florida calls for some light clothing most of the time.

Whatever you get, make sure you carry it in a holster--either pocket or something else. I wouldn't trust the clip they sell. I had one on a P-11 and it served a purpose but was less than safe IMO.

GT
 
May I recommend...

A Star Model S?

.380 caliber 1911 design, slim, 8 rd mag, fits the hand very nicely, I got one for my wife years ago and liked it so much I had to have one, too... we ended up owning THREE of them!

Here's a link to one but it's kinda pricey:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976375774.htm

OTOH, they don't make or import them anymore. Too bad, after looking at and holding many .380 pistols, this was by far the best we ever found. Good luck!
 
I generally carry my Glock 26 or 30 when I leave the house. But as well all know, sometimes you just can't conceal a gun that size due to what you are wearing at the time, so I have decided on one of the little kel-tecs. I've heard mixed reviews of the p32, but haven't heard a whole lot about the p3at, and was just wondering what the people here thought about them.
 
P-32 P-3AT

I have three P-32 pistols and got the first one when they came out. All three work fine and have since I bought them. I now have an early P-3AT and it made a trip to Florida because it had a FTE problem. They put some upgraded top end parts on and now it is also fine. I was carrying a P-32 every day and now I carry the P-3AT simply because it has a little extra horsepower. If I ever needed it for some serious problem elimination I would hope the extra HP might make the job easier.

Old Man
 
A mouse gun isn't always the first choice, but I'd take a 380 any day over a 32! I'm seriously thinking about getting one.
 
P-40 is usually 1st choice in cold weather. I am 6', 160 and I have trouble covering P-40 in hot. 380 is always in pocket. Recommend KT. Good product, the best service. If it doesn't work right, send it to them, they fix, no charge. You have piece back 7 to 10 days.
 
We still have one P32, I gave the other one to my son.
(Wish I still had it.)
The P32 has all of the bugs out of it, and is very easy to shoot.
I consider them to be excellent, reliable guns.
My wife still has hers.

My P3AT is back in Florida right now. The take-down pin kept walking, even after they sent me a new one. There have been a lot of improvements since mine was made, and I wanted the upgrades.

The P3AT is definitely more difficult to shoot. Can be hard to hang on to, because of the recoil.

Around here, it's easier to find cheap .380 ammo. Individual boxes of .32 don't go on sale.
I did like the last-round-slide-lock on the P32. Wish they would add that to the P3AT.

I'm thinking the P32 would be more fun at the range, and not that much less potent as a self-defense round.
 
I have two P-32s and 2 P-3ATs. I carry the P-3AT because it is more accurate, more powerfull and this is very important and has happened to me a couple of times with the P-32. The 3-AT will not rimlock with HP ammo.

My P-3ATs have been completely reliable after a couple of issues were taken care of. I have over 700 rounds through one without a hiccup.

Although the 3-AT recoil is heavier then the P-32, the P-32's recoil is sharper and more annoying to me.

As for size, the P-3AT's overall width is barely thicker then it's barrel! Pictured below are my 20 ounce Bersa 380 and my seven and a half ounce P-3AT. Both fire the same cartridge. Which would you carry concealed in your pocket?
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profile_1.jpg
 
Called my local store..

My Father showed me his P3AT and I knew I had to have one. I called my local Gunstore and he confidently told me that his store would never carry that gun. "It's not a matter of if it will have problems but when, so we won't carry that gun". Sigh, I haven't heard any bad news on it from anyone. What's his deal? Anyway, If those of you in SC know of a more open minded gunshop let me know. I was so disappointed to hear this from a firearms establishment that made me so proud when they welcomed my guest from the UK. Anyway, I must get a P3AT I need a good pocket pistol.
 
hmm I own several Kel-tecs...2 p-32's and 2p3AT's as well as 2 P-11's...I really like the P-32 but I find myself carrying the p3at more and more...in fact I got one in my rear pocket as I type this...

At one time P-32 holsters outsold the P3at 3-1...now it is becoming the other way around, as people are starting to carry them more...it also helps that kel-tec has finally gotten the bugs worked out of it...
 
I owned a P-32 for a couple of years, and just trades it in on a P-3AT. Very happy with the result.

I agree with kokapelli that the 3AT is more accurate, and recoil is no worse. I enjoy plinking with mine.
 
OHH yea BTW...If you dont want to go the Kel-tec route, then how about the NAA Guardian .32 or .380?? little more wieght but a stout weapon...Also the LWS seecamp .32acp is a nice little weapon..
 
Fowler, I'd find a different place to purchase my needs! That guy doesn't have a clue about KTs.

That statement, "It's not a matter of if it will have problems but when", would be true of any gun!

The owner of the gunshop I deal with, carries a P-3AT in his pocket.

I think your guy is just is not satisfied selling pistols for $250!
 
I am in the same boat you are. I need something smaller then my J frame, but just haven't gotten around to buying one yet. I am planning on going with the P32.
 
BeLikeTrey - I bought mine from Trader World in Charleston, near the airport. Owned by Bill Dukes, good people but sometimes one of the hired help can be negative about some brands. Most people know better and I just say "thats' nice" and go on with my purchase. Price is high as Charleston only has three gun shops of any size. Trader World has their own range next door.
 
Thanks.

I agree with you KOKAPELLI. DELES, I believe I will check that store out when I am down in the next two weeks. I appreciate the heads up. This really has been a big help all you guys (and this wasn't even my thread LOL). After accidentally flashing a cashier at Wal mart while getting my check book I have been really trying to get a nice easily concealable weapon. (by the way she just smiled at me, when she saw how mortified I was ) Plus I hate walking around with untucked shirt all the time. Thanks a million again folks.
Regards,
 
Just a thought

Look at a Kahr PM40 at least once. Big bite - very small package - not much bigger than the KT 32 and it's .40 S&W!
 
The Khar may not be much bigger, but it is WAY heavier. I want something that I can slip into my pocket and not weight it down a lot.
 
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