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Questions about Kel Tec???

Weeks Man
Hello all.

I have a few questions regarding Kel Tec. First of all, I am looking for a small lightweight pocket auto and have looked at the NAA Guardians and have deemed them to heavy for what I want. I keep hearing either really good things about Kel Tec, or really bad.

First of all, what's "fluff and buff?" I hear that many of their pistols must be sent back for this treatment.

Second, what's a good price? My favorite gun shop here in town is selling a parkerized P32 for $229, and a blued P3AT for $239.00.

Third, which caliber? This is going to be my "always" firearm. I keep a .38 snubby next to my bed, a Kahr K9 in my truck and this is going to be something that is with me all the time. It needs to be durable, lightweight and must be reliable. What do you all think? Is the .32 in the right ammo sufficient or is the .380 the right choice?

Fourth and final question. If the .380 (P3AT) is the best caliber for my situation, how is the P3AT as far as quality goes? I have heard that Kel Tec has had some problems with that firearm (1st generation and now 2nd generation). Any comments?

Thanks a bunch and I look forward to everyone's advice.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • groovinmonkey
    Kel-tec's are great pistols, I too have heard much talk of this fluff'n'buff. This has not been necessary with my P11. I have been shooting it for months now and I shoot alot (3,000rnds+ so far). Not a single malfunction. I clean it after every 300rnds or so and it has been a great carry weapon.

    That price sounds good for a new one. I would get the .380, its almost identical in size and you can get a mag extension so its the same mag capacity as the .32.[;)]

    As far as quality goes, read above. I have only heard good things about the .380. Kel-tec puts there steel parts in a tumbler even out any serious protrusions. They are not polished and that is how they keep there costs down, so, I can see how there may be a few lemons (as with any gun manufacturer).

    GET THE KEL-TEC P3AT, You'll be happy you did, I promise.[:D]

    Monkey says:
    crowded elevator smells different to a midget
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  • ATF
    Kel-Tec = Lifetime Warranty [^] [^]

    Eagle_Guns.gif
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    When a worm wants to relax,does he go fishing? "And remember a wet dog doesn't fly at night" "My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be." ATF,Eagle Guns
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  • tlen
    Check out this link for The Kel-Tec Range where you'll find all the info you want to know about any of the Kel Tecs.
    http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/index.php
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  • austin247
    Here's a pretty good Kel-Tec site that also tells you how to do a "fluff and buff".

    http://www.ktog.org/
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  • jjmitchell60
    I have 2 of the P32s and one of the 380s. One of the 32s was my close friends carry piece and it was abused by being in his pocket in all kinds of weather and shot the heck out of. He died last year and I decided to carry it. Well the main spring broke so I called Kel-Tec being I was not the original purchaser. They had me send it back, they fixed the spring, new barrel, cleaned it throughly, and sent it back with the only cost being the shipping/insurance to their factory! You cannot beat their warranty IMHO. As to shooting, the P32 they rebuilt has had many thousand rounds shot through it and the spring would not have broken IF my friend had cleaned it but he laid it up when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and it rusted up so bad the spring broke while I was shooting it after his death. Well worth what they cost and the 380 is like others stated, the same size almost as the 32. At $229, I would buy the 32 IMHO.

    The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
    Rita Mae Brown
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  • idsman75
    If you look at KTOG.ORG you'll notice that Kel-Tecs have something of a "cult" following. The "fluff and buff" types are the types that would take a $225 gun (which is an EXCELLENT gun) and pay someone that much all over again to make it look pretty. They aren't pretty guns. They serve a purpose and a function and they do so very well as long as you can handle the trigger squeeze.
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  • cbxjeff
    75,

    Glad you brought up the trigger. Do you know of a shop that can help that any?

    cbxjeff<P>It's too late for me, save yourself. <br>
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  • Bittersweat
    If you follow the procedures on the KTOG website, you could help that trigger yourself (as I did). I have a P 11 and I like it a lot better after the "fluff and buff" that I learned to do on that site.
    I also reduced the power of the mainspring (hammer spring) by about 2 lbs. That helped also.
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  • tenring
    As to "best" caliber, choose the one with which you can get "the job" done in ONE shot. Don't expect a P3AT to do the same job that an AMT-45 Backup would. I carry both, sometimes. The best "holster" I have found is a re-enforced "ticket-pocket" in my carry-side pocket, sometimes in both pants-pockets. A simple 3 x 5 card prevents print-through, and does not get in the way of my draw. Both of these pieces had a F & P job on them before I ever heard of Groupies doing it; it's cheap insurance. And it helps me stay acquainted with my essential friends.

    "In The Land Of The Dis-armed The Armed Man Is King"
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  • westlund_125
    Get the P11 its the 9mm. They are sweet[:D]

    "A good scope can end a bad situation"
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