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Kel Tec P3AT

by SL Freeman
(Houston Texas)

P3AT and Holster

P3AT and Holster

With one important caveat. The Kel Tec .380 must be broken in. Thats 5 or 6 hundred rounds. I was personally very disappointed with the little gun until it broke in. Now I trust it.

My test of the baby semi today is to start at the range with the seven rounds I have been carrying. The gun comes out of the pocket and must function 100% or I am going gun shopping. I've had this one for 3 years. It also forces a forgetful person like myself to change out the ammo on a regular basis.

A P3AT is slim and nearly fits in the palm of your hand. It is literally a pocket pistol. I usually carry in an inexpensive pocket holster in my back pocket. They are worth your consideration.

Webmaster Comment: If you have to take 500-600 rounds to "break in" this gun before it is dependable, most people will never get it broken in. Shooting the gun is a study in misery and putting 50 rounds through it in a single session is challenging to say the least.

I appreciate the writer's determination and durability in breaking it in, but this gun suffers from what all "pocket guns" suffer from. They cannot be depended on to operate dependably.

Comments for
Kel Tec P3AT

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Nov 16, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kel-Tec P3AT
by: Anonymous

I have had this little gun for over a year and enjoy it very much. I have not had to put hundreds of rounds through it. It is a very accurate gun. I have bought the side clip for it which allows me to clip it inside my pocket. If I want to carry it on the outside I put it in my Fobus Holster. I have 3 magazines for it and finger extension which help alot when you shoot the gun.
Oct 07, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		at today's prices?
by: Anonymous

Six hundred rounds of almost anything at today's inflated prices (thanks again, Mr. President)is beyond the reach of most people I know. There are more reliable weapons out there out of the box. Glock, H&K, and Sig come to mind. Most of these are larger than the P3AT but then again in a life or death situation larger guns mean larger and wider bullets, therefore bigger holes and hopefully a quicker end to something we all wish never happened in the first place. More money, invested in a more reliable gun right from the start seems a better investment than a semi-reliable minimally effective weapon. Guns are supposed to be comforting not comfortable. If the .380 was so effective, cost conscious Police Departments would issue them because they cost less. I don't see this happeneing anywhere.
May 29, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kel-Tec P3AT
by: Eric

I have owned a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 for 3 or 4 months now. It is not my normal carry gun, as I usually carry a Taurus 24/7 .40 S&W. However, I purchased the Kel-Tec for the specific purpose of carrying in the summer when adequate clothing isn't available for concealment of larger pistols. That said, I have not put hundreds of rounds through the P3AT. I did however, go straight to the range the day I bought it and shot a box of reloads through it. I also shot one clip of Powerball ammo which is what I carry in the gun for defense purposes. Not a single round jammed, misfired or misfed. I am highly confident that this gun will perform flawlessly if I ever have to use it for my defense. Rest assured though, that this gun may never see 500 rounds on the range. It is just too miserable to stand there and throw lead with this thing. It will get periodic test fires but never more than 50 rounds at a time.
Apr 23, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Break-in and Jamming P3AT
by: Anonymous

I have had my P3AT for 3 months. I was very disappointed with it when I first got it. The gun is known to need a break-in of about 300 rounds, which I did not know, and also that it had problems with jamming. After doing some research, which I should have done before buying it, I would have known to polish certain parts of the barrel / receiver, and slide guides BEFORE using it the first time. After firing about 200 rounds and still having jamming issues, I called Kel Tec and they told me to run another 100 rounds (that would make 300)and if it did not clear up to send it back and they would fix it for free. During this time I found information on other owners who had to polish certain parts of the gun. What seems to be the problem, at least for some including mine, was that there are very small machine marks on the on the receiver ramp which causes the bullet or the lip of the cartridge where the bullet is inserted, to hang up. After polishing these few areas, removing some manufacturing burrs on the slide rails ..... THIS IS ONE SWEET DEFENSIVE GUN. Jamming issues are now not a concern for me and I have been able to fire hollow points, in rapid fire, with no hangups. I use a back pocket holster I bought from Stoners Holsters in Ohio, and find this to be a very comfortable combination to carry. My defensive ammo is Speer Gold Dot JHP. If you get a Kel Tec P3AT or own one, make sure you inspect the slide rails, barrel and reciever for machine marks. When I polished mine I use 1000 Grit sandpaper and polishing fiber. Be careful polishing ... the word is POLISH not sand or grind!! If you are not sure of how to do it get a gun smith or send it back to Kel Tec and have either of them do it. GL and God Bless
Jan 22, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mine works great
by: Just my Comments

I guess everyone has an opinion. I have had my Kel Tec P 3AT about 3 months now. It is a great conceal, carry weapon. I have put 200 rounds of Remington ammunition thru it and have NOT had even one FTF or FTE. I have had a 38 special and a 357 Mag for over 40 years, and both are very hard to conceal. I also have a Bersa 380 and a Taurus PT 140 40 Cal. I shoot as often as possible and really enjoy the P 3AT. It is usually my carry weapon because it is so easy to conceal. I think I like to shoot the Bersa best, but then, If it goes bang, I like it.
Jan 17, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kel-Tec Report
by: Gordon Vandermeulen

I have the Ruger LCP which is stangely similar (identical) and I agree with the assessment. It hurts to shoot this gun. Until I got the mag extension from Ruger along with the callback upgrade, my middle finger would slide off the gun . I also have a problem with my thumb to index finger webspace due to an accident. It's tender and breaks the skin easily. Therefore, this gun is for sale and I have ordered Kahr's 380. Much more pricey than kel-Tec or Ruger (about 2X the price), but should be more comfortable to shoot. From the specs and pictures, the grip is longer and more fingers will fit for a better hold, even though the gun is slightly shorter amd thinner than the LCP or Kel-Tec. Already own Kahr's PM9, so I have more confidence in their ability to build an acceptible gun. I'll let you know how that works out.

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