Used P3AT

[Mr. Mysterious]

Hey everyone, I'm in the market for a P32 or P3AT, and one of the shops by me have a used P3AT that is blued. It has some holster wear, looks remotely clean...and they are asking $189 for it. What should I offer for it? What should I look for on the inside of this thing before I buy?

I can't imagine that it has been shot that much...

Lastly, does the kel-tec warranty transfer?

 

[alamo]

The warranty is not technically transferable per the owner's manual but they've never made and issue of it. They will do repairs under warranty for all owners.

 

[K-Man]

I've seen them new at gun shows in this area for $229, so judge accordingly. I wouldn't go higher than $175, out the door.

Kel-Tec has a great customer service section, so if you have a problem with it, they'll fix it.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Here are their prices on what they have right now:

Used P3AT with papers and zip case: $189
New P3AT Stainless: $259
New P3AT Green/black: $229
New P32 Blue: $211

I'm kind of torn between the P32 and the P3AT...

What should I offer the for the used if I decide to go that route?

I hopefully can find a pdf manual for the P3AT so that I can break it down in the store and check the inards and the barrels...

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Found the manual...reading it now.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Stainless? I didn't know this thing was available in stainless. Are you sure it's not some kind of chromed or nickel finish?

I, personally, went for new. There were some bugs in early models and, while I have no aversion to availing myself of the warranty services, I'd just as soon not lose the gun for a couple of week (although their turnaround time is supposed to be pretty good).

$189 isn't bad, but there really isn't enough difference between that and new to sway me (you might think otherwise).

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Another store has police trade ins on blued P32's for $160. Thoughts on that?

The P3AT might have been chromed...I'm not sure.

 

[azrael]

Stainless=Chrome

$175.00 would be the most that I would pay for a used one..See if he will throw in a box of bullets or something..

 

[eyz]

thats a good price, around here its 279 new p3at and 259 new p32. i would go for the new one. in fact i did buy the new one and out of the box it was a more reliable than my pm9.

 

[shooter.45]

Well I just bought a NIB p3AT Hard Chrome for 269.00.

 

[Jim Watson]

Everybody knows where you can get one cheaper. Or used to. Or should be able to.

I think $189 is a fair used retail price.

IF it works. IF.

Will he let you testfire it?
Or give a money back guarantee?
Or cover return to KelTec if not right?

I'd pay the $189 if he would back it one way or another, but not if it is sold as is where is.

 

[Dave R]

I would definitely choose the P-3AT over the P-32. I traded my P-32 on a 3AT and have been pleased.

The advantages of the -32 are one more round capacity, and a slide that hold open on the last shot. If you have to have one of those, get a -32. Otherwise, get a 3AT.

Edited to add that $189 seems like a decent price to me, if the gun is in good shape.

 

[Safety First]

This is just my opinion... First and foremost I would not want a used P3AT because I would not trust it. It could be someone bought it new and could not get it to work right and gave up on it. i.e. FTE, FTF problems,slide pin walking out,etc... Indeed keltec will probably warranty it if you send it in...Secondly, the price for a new one is not that much more,they are available in the low $200's at many stores,just do a little searching and you should be able to find a new one at a very good price..One other thing is that Keltec has made progress in fixing some of the common problems I mentioned previously. It is reported that the serial no"s starting with "H"are the very latest production models. Hopefully I will pick up a Hard chrome slide P3AT from my dealer tomorrow, it was suppose to be in Monday but I was not able to make it the store.
Anyway good luck with your decision..

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Well, I picked up a used P32. Price was too good to pass up and it was in excellent shape. It was in much better shape than the P3AT was in.

I took it home, cleaned it up and am totally happy with how it is on the inside. It was nice reading the manual before hand so that I was able to break it down in the shop.

Can't wait to shoot it.

Picked up a cheap uncle mikes in the pocket until I decide on an azrael or a KD. Not sure which one yet...

 

[azrael]

GASPPP

You bought a synthetic??

J/k...

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

I needed something! I don't like carrying without the trigger covered.

And I wasn't going to settle for subpar leather...only the best, which would include you and KD

 

[flatrock]

There's good points and bad points about buying a used Kel-Tec.

The bad side would be getting someone else's gun that had problems which is why they sold it.

The good side is that a lot of times Kel-Tecs just need some breaking in, and you may have less trouble with a used one. Kel-Tec does stand by their products.

What I would do is check if the dealer will ship either gun back to Kel-Tec for you if you have problems and only charge you the USPS costs. Dealers can ship guns USPS, us normal people have to pay higher FedEx or UPS next day delivery costs.

If you trust the dealer to work with you on any problems you have with the used Kel-Tec, it's proabably a good deal.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

I don't like buying used guns but I felt comfortable with it. There were two identical P32s there, both were owned by a couple county deputies who traded them in for the P3ATs when they came out. Being police trade-in they haven't been fired much, and I got to pick the best of the two. The other showed some wear in the rear from the hammer, the one that I picked showed no wear except from some slight holster wear, I might post some pictures tonight. There was a little junk in the barrel but that came right out.

Granted I haven't shot it yet, but I'm sure that it should be ok.