Who's Kel-Tec P-3AT has been 100%

[StrikeFire83]

Hello, everyone.

With all of this talk about the new Ruger LCP in .380 and its, ahem, similarity to the Kel-Tec P3AT, I just wanted to know what people's experiences have been with the Kel-Tec gun. I'm interested only in first person reports, not what your cousin's best friend's grandmother has experienced. Do you have a first or second generation gun?

My own personal 2nd gen P3AT has been 100% reliable over 500 rounds. I never shoot more than 50 rounds between cleanings, and I lock my wrist tightly when shooting. I've shot nothing but Cor Bon hollow points through it since purchase. Mine is the hard cromed model with OD frame, if that matters.

My personal gun has been great, and I'll continue to rely on it. But it seems that a great number of people have had nothing but trouble with the platform, and I'd be lying if I said my confidence in the long term durability/reliability hasn't been somewhat shaken.

Regards.

 

[Anna's Dad]

Mine has been 100% but I haven't owned it long. It did replace a Kel-Tec P-32, however, that was also 100%. Both are 2nd gen.

 

[gbelleh]

My 2nd gen P-3AT has been 100% out of the box with over 350 rounds so far.

 

[sonyhoppes]

Not mine, 1st AND 2nd gen. The 2nd gen's better, but I don't trust it 100% and they've both been back to KT...more than once.

This LCP is looking better and better all the time. Here's a video of it in action. Not one stoppage or failure of any kind. The P3AT is notorious for having the first round FTF by nosediving into the feed ramp if you don't really slingshot that slide. These guys looked like they were riding the slide when chambering the first round and had zero problems. KT, are you listening? You'd better watch out!

http://www.downrange.tv/player.htm?bcpid=452320104&bclid=459256134&bctid=1433966126

 

[Katana8869]

Bought one last friday. I put 150 rounds through it over the weekend most of which were fired one handed. No issues here so far. Mine is a second generation hard chromed slide on a black frame.

Most of the issues that I have read about on the gun forums seem to involve 1st generation P3AT's

I want a Ruger LCP, but I would like to let them be out on the market for awhile before I pick one up.

 

[Geno]

Mine has never had an issue in the 500ish round that I have fired through it.

 

[ugaarguy]

Mine's been 100%, 2nd Gen gun, and I lost track of the round count.

 

[skinewmexico]

Mine has been fine.

 

[murph50]

My first one had to go back to KT and all it needed was the fluff and buff. That was a couple years ago and it's 100% since. My second one I got last year and it's 100%. Both are reliable. That first one is with me everyday.

 

[alamo]

I have a 1st generation and 2nd generation P-3AT. The 1G had a few break-in issues the first outing or two but has been 100% since. The 2G is 100%.

Like any small, lightweight pistol, it's important to keep them clean and well lubed and not expect to them to be a plinker that you can put hundreds of rounds through in one outing.

 

[johndeeere1979]

i had a 2nd gen and 190 rounds and the trigger axis broke and i lost all faith in the gun for CC. most people i have found who think they are great took them out of the box and put them in there pocket and have not shot it too much. i feel much better with my Kahr K9. Can't wait for the new Kahr .380

 

[GLM]

I have a 1st generation P3AT that has functioned flawlessly. However, I have only fired 250 rounds through it.

 

[YZR]

I have a 2nd gen and it's been flawless so far (1+ years)

 

[Troutman]

Their (P3AT) pretty good. I would not compare them to other pistols costing 400, 500, 900 dollar ranges. No more than I would compare a Yugo to a Vett.
If one has problems, after the break-in period, Ones’ option is send it back to kel-tec, let them hone-it for you, or do it yourself, or let a gunsmith do it.
For the price I paid for mine new, a little bit more than 200 bucks, you can’t beat it.
I look at mine as a disposable. If I ever have to use it in an incident, and have to turn it over (investigation). I would not care how it was treated. For that matter, they can keep it.

 

[furyalecto]

Mine was not great out of the box. It likes Wichester better than most other ammo.

 

[fgr39]

mine has been perfect since I got it, about 4 years ago.

 

[buenhec]

Its been 100% since its 2nd trip to the factory where they replaced the slide.

 

[kanderson586]

my first one had zero probs with more ammo thru it than most of you other guys. then i traded it and a j frame for a pm40 thinking it would replace both of them. was dissappointed by the kahr and traded it back for another j frame and a p3at. the new p3at had some fte and sent it back to KT got it back with a whole new slide and it has been perfect so far. I only have about 500 rounds thru it but i have not cleaned it ( on purpose) and it has been flawless. but i must admit i am feeling quite curious about the lcp.

 

[E357]

I have two first generation P3ATs. I did the fluff & buff when I first got them. Both are kept very clean and fired very little. They are 100% with about 400 rounds through each. I never fire more than a box without cleaning.

 

[velvalco]

mine would have fte's at least twice per mag, did the fluff and buff, still jammed up, called KT for a new extractor assemply didnt help. Took it back to the point of purchase for a refund. Now i'm patiently waiting for the arrival of my LCP

 

[tbreed725]

my p3at has always been reliable even limp wristing it.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

Zero problems out of 600 rounds.

 

[Panhandler]

Second generation. Zero problems with 300 rounds of silvertip.

 

[jsconnelly]

My 1st Gen needs to go back. When it did fire, I got the typical brass to the forehead which wasn't a great big deal but then...FTE's, FTF's, Take down pin kept walking out and ended up wollowing out the hole it goes into on the right side of the frame. It's unsafe to shoot right now. These problems happened within the first 100 rounds and I've procrastinated about sending it back. Maybe I'll get to it before summer but I've said that for 3 summers now.

 

[Seafarer12]

Not mine, 1st AND 2nd gen. The 2nd gen's better, but I don't trust it 100% and they've both been back to KT...more than once.

This LCP is looking better and better all the time. Here's a video of it in action. Not one stoppage or failure of any kind. The P3AT is notorious for having the first round FTF by nosediving into the feed ramp if you don't really slingshot that slide. These guys looked like they were riding the slide when chambering the first round and had zero problems. KT, are you listening? You'd better watch out!

I am curious about that video. I wonder if it would have been any different if ruger wasn't their major advertiser. I also am curious if it would have been as reliable if they had been feeding it anything besides FMJ's.


As far as the op asked. I don't have a p3at but my 1st gen p32 has been 100%.