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340pd or P3AT for a POCKET carry gun?

vepr762
I currently carry a S&W 640, but it is too heavy to carry as a pocket gun in the summer. My pants fall down and I walk tilted to one side. I was ready to buy a P3AT, until I read the recent article in American Rifleman. I've never owned a semi-auto handgun because of reliability fears and I grew up with revolvers in every size and caliber. I need some opinions on CONCEALABILITY of the 340pd. I haven't had the chance to find one yet and put it in my pocket. I know about the recoil issues related to its weight, but it is for protection not target use. It can't be any worse than my 44mag or 454 Casull. I'm really on the fence right now because I like the size and weight of the P3AT, but not the reliability issues or caliber.

I am open to suggestions.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • joel_black
    I have carried a Keltec .380 in my pocket ever since they came out. It feeds everything I've tried in it including large hole hollow points.
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  • ndeltaguns
    I too carry the Kel Tec 380. Great size, weight, and is very reliable.
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  • rufe-snow
    Go with the 340 PD, if you can find one. The dimensions are virtually the same as the 640, ( other then the weight ).

    If your use to revolvers, and can understand/tolerate the recoil. My 2 cents it will be the best for you.

    I would definitely try to test fire it with carry loads before buying though. A hot .357 load, rapid fired in a 12 oz. revolver is uncontrollable. Unless you figure on all your shootouts being in a phone both, your going to have problems.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • 74cuda
    My vote goes towards the P3AT Keltec. Great guns....

    "In God We Trust........All Others Go Thru NCIC"
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  • vepr762
    Thanks everyone! I hadn't thought about the rapid fire control issue.
    Reliability doesn't matter if you can't stop your threat.
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  • bambihunter
    Another vote for the Kel-tek. I have one and it is my "never leave home without it" gun. Most of the time I carry my Glock 29 (10mm) but sometimes for whatever reason I simply can't take it, whether it's because of concealment problems, or weight, etc. However, as small and light as the Keltek is it always goes with me...

    If I were to carry a revolver, it'd be one of the new S&W scandium .357 mag 5 shot. I can't recall the number, but I don't think it was the 340 but it seems like the number was close to that one.
    Good luck, either should serve you well.

    The 10mm - either you've got it, or you don't get it...
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  • vepr762
    Thanks Bambihunter. Since no-one has said anything negative I will probably be picking one up this weekend. I hate going "naked." The 340pd is the scandium frame .357. I have the s/s version (640), but it was a special factory run with a talley night sight on front. It weighs almost twice as much as the 340, but it is more controllable in rapid fire situations. I can't part with the 640...I'm a revolver guy. It will be my "cold weather" carry.
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  • v35
    The P3AT carries better than the J-Frame S&W for front pocket carry.
    My Airweight with aluminum cylinder and laser grip sight weighs 12 ounces loaded with 5 lightweight Glasers while the P3AT weighs 10 ounces loaded with 7 rounds of +P HP.
    The Chief is longer by 1 1/2", higher by an inch and fatter by 1/2".
    Keltecs' P11 fitted with a 357 SIG conversion and Tritium sights weighs 21 1/2 ounces loaded with 10 rds of 125 gr ball. It fits within the S&W Chiefs' profile but has better controlability and greater firepower.
    There is no contest in size or weight.
    The only advantage of the J-Frame Smith is the ability to mount a laser grip sight.
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  • ATF
    P3AT Keltec.[^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] [^]

    Eagle_Guns.gif
    standard.jpg

    When a worm wants to relax,does he go fishing?

    ATF,Eagle Guns
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  • allechalley
    A friend of mine has both. Loves the KelTec, had the same problem as the Rifleman article, sent back and they fixed in less than 10 days.
    He is of smaller stature and you really can't tell he's carrying the keltec. He says it is very accurate and other than the one problem, has been extremely reliable. The S&W 340 he carries with .38+p. He tried the .357. Recoil is impressive. The gun is bulkier, but is light. I may have to hunt down a P3AT myself for like Bambihunter has said, you can carry it anywhere, anytime, any weather.
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  • jsergovic
    Hold up a second.
    i pick up a 16 0z. 9mm 6+1 Kahr in a few days.
    Loved the stainless, but went with the polymer/matteblack slide version.
    It's about the size of a Tomcat.

    Range report this week coming.
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