Experience with the KEL TEC P3AT 380?
Anyone have experience with them?
With most firearms I'm a decent shot but when trying out a .32acp of a friend I was not impressed ... could barely hit a 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper at 3 yards but maybe he just had a "bad one"?
Thinking of picking one up for summertime CCW, the light weight and small size is appealing.
First hand knowledge preferred.
With most firearms I'm a decent shot but when trying out a .32acp of a friend I was not impressed ... could barely hit a 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper at 3 yards but maybe he just had a "bad one"?
Thinking of picking one up for summertime CCW, the light weight and small size is appealing.
First hand knowledge preferred.
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Both the Kel-Tec 32 and the 380 can be made to print a nice group at 7 yards. You have to practice and get used to the trigger and the lightweight frame.
Mine both work great and will put six-seven rounds in a four to six inch group. You do have to put a couple of hundred rounds through the guns to break them in.
The downside is I don't think these are guns that you want to shoot a lot. I used winchester silvertips and like the performance.0 -
I've had mine for about 3 years now and love it, it shoots every kind of ammo I've run through it with no issues.
I know some guys have said they hated it but I've been very lucky with mine.
I can hit a pie plate at 25 yards and under with it but it is better at around 15 yards and under. For better control consider getting the mag extender so you have more to hold on to.0 -
Like you, I inquired here on GB about the P3AT and for the most part, those who responded did so favorably. I understand from most that it's strictly a very light, thin deep conceal carry gun - a B.U.G. - and not a fun gun for the range by any stretch. But from what many posted, it appears to be reliable and reasonably durable.
Despite all that, I opted to go the extra bucks and get myself a slightly heavier metal Seecamp 32 primarily because I felt it was a better investment and a better and more substantial gun all the way around even though the caliber is smaller.
Shot placement and reliability are what I'm most concerned with, and in a small lightweight gun, I felt I would fare consistently better with the Seecamp.0 -
...Going from being used to a med. large frame gun takes a little practice when you swap to a really small gun; the KelTec, or even a Beretta .25
Have an older Beretta, and have shot the Kel Tec (thinking of getting the .380)..and w/every "small" handgun Ive shot, it took some major practice w/these little things; at least for me it did.
Think it might be due to their slight weight and size, VERY short barrel length. You need to really pay attention to your grip and to really "squeeze" the tripper, or your off a LOT even at a short distance...[;)]
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I carry the Beretta TomCat .32ACP every day. As the others said, moving from something larger to an itty bitty firearm takes some time and a lot of practice to get good, after the bigger ones.
D.0 -
I'm going to the range with mine today to try a trigger shoe.
The trigger bites pretty good with Santa Barbara hot ammo. If the shoe stays in place should help.0 -
I do well when I take up all of the "trigger slack" before I aim at the center of target. That helps! 0 -
I sold my 380 and my 9mm kel tec finger pinching sob, I picked up a Firestorm 380 metal frame and its twice the gun as Kel Tec. About the same price or cheaper. Kel tec has its place in short distance like 5 ft or less. My buddy sold his del tec 380 and picked up the Bersa 380 and loves it. Its kind of like I like ford and you like chevs they will both get the job done.[:0][B)][?] 0 -
Local gunshop near me quit selling them. He said there were too many quality issues, had to send alot of them back he told me. I was looking to get one for the wife but decided against it and will probably get her a Beretta instead. I haven't personally shot one but have looked at them and the fit and finish to me are substandard. I guess you get what you pay for. 0 -
Love mine...Not very accurate but will do the trick when needed.
I only carry mine in the hottest weather.0 -
Carry mine every day. It is fairly accurate at about 12 yards. It makes for a good pocket gun.
I recommend getting the +1 mag extension. It realy helps with the grip and recoil of this little begger.0 -
Ive had my P3AT 380 for about a year and a half now,300rds with no problems.Its my summer carry gun,glock 19 in cooler weather.Keep it clean,polish the feedramp and its good to go,AND DONT LIMPWRIST. 0 -
Tried the 380 with trigger shoe today. It made a positive difference but the small triggerguard still beat up the trigger finger.
I may thin the guard from the inside and polish it smooth.0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
Tried the 380 with trigger shoe today. It made a positive difference but the small triggerguard still beat up the trigger finger.
I may thin the guard from the inside and polish it smooth.
Having owned a Guardian 380 that hammered the h*ll out of my palm and pinched my trigger finger with every shot, I figured that the Kel-Tec was going to do pretty much the same and then some. So, I opted for the Seecamp and I'm delighted that I did.
I do think that the tendency for some guns to pinch the trigger finger after each shot is related to a particular diameter and/or length of the index finger's first digit. Lots of folks have no problem but I'm one who clearly does. Same thing happened to me on a Colt 380 Pocketlite that I was drooling over in a local gun shop. One dry-fire in the store was all it took for me to look elsewhere.0 -
You won't win any gun-battles with a P3AT, but when a mugger demands your wallet, and you pull your Kel-Tec instead, you will be glad you had it. The P3AT is a "carry everywhere" firearm, get a Disantis pocket holster, and it's nothing to slip it into a pocket and go. I usually grab my keys and my P3AT at the same time when I go out. I used to carry a full-sized HK USP, but you had to plan for what to do with the shoulder holster or paddle, but with the P3AT, if you have a pocket, you're good to go. 0
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