Shooting my KelTec P3AT today

C

chp

Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
465
Reaction score
31
Location
Atlanta, GA
. . . made me think how much better I like and shoot my J Frames than the KelTec.

I don't know if it's the tiny size of the grip, the trigger, the trigger reach, the way the KelTec points for me - or all of the above.

The J is simply much more of a substantial, capable gun in my hands. YMMV.

The only advantage the P3AT has over a J is the slim profile for some pants pockets. Just my opinion . . .
 
Register to hide this ad
chp said:
The only advantage the P3AT has over a J is the slim profile for some pants pockets. Just my opinion . . .
Click to expand...


Well , it seems you get it. The Kel-Tec is NOT a target pistol , it is NOT a plinking pistol , it is NOT much fun to shoot at the range.

It is a no-frills , bare minimum , ultra-light , ultra compact , last ditch defense weapon.
 
Interesting topic. I carry a PA3 myself only because it is so lightweight, compact and fits so well in my pants pocket, either hip or front....but I have a model 36 that I just love to carry and have all the confidence in the world in....I carry it in a belt holster, flat pancake style, and I wear a Hwaiian shirt with it....even thought its only five shots I can feel confident all five will fire and protect me....the Keltec...I have only had two malfunctions, both reloads bought at the gun show, but I feel 90% safe with it.....compared to 100 with the trusty Smitty......
 
I amost convinced myself to purchase a Keltec P3AT a couple of different times in the past, but I always stopped short of making the purchase when I had the little plastic handgun in front of me at the gunstore. With a good reliable S&W 642 in my pocket I simply could not complete the purchase.

The Keltec may be smaller than the snubby but it does not inspire confidence like a good J-Frame does. After all the snub nose revolver is not so hard to conceal that I would sacrifice it's reliability to carry a Keltec pistol instead
 
chp said:
The J is simply much more of a substantial, capable gun in my hands. YMMV.
Click to expand...
It doesn't.

The P3AT is a deep concealment BUG, a lousy primary and chambered for a crappy cartridge. It is great for what it is and kudos to K-T for bringing such a piece to the market. However, if one can carry more, it would be stupid not to.
 
I have a p3at/P.o.s, wouldn't be worth the effort to sell it. Pretty much anything that's cheap is never worth the money spent. Kinda like shopping at Walmart, most everything is such poor quality, you think it's a bargin, but in the long run, you got had, and people do it over and over again.
 
"...if one can carry more, it would be stupid not to."

Yep. I've had one for 5 years now and do my best to tote something more substantial. It is amazing what one can contrive to carry to avoid carrying a stunted .380. Maybe that's its purpose; to remind me to choose effective over convenience.
 
Titegroups said:
I have a p3at/P.o.s, wouldn't be worth the effort to sell it. Pretty much anything that's cheap is never worth the money spent. Kinda like shopping at Walmart, most everything is such poor quality, you think it's a bargin, but in the long run, you got had, and people do it over and over again.
Click to expand...
If you have reliability problems with your P3AT send it in to K-T. My gun had issues, but they stood behind their product and made things right.
 
My P3AT is only carried as a BUG to a 442 IWB, 438 in an ankle holster and the KT in weak hand pocket. Works for me.
 
I carried a P32 for about a year as the "last ditch" kind of thing....it DID fit perfectly anywhere.

While a different model than you mention, here's issues that never were resolved:

1) caliber;
2) I NEVER could get to the point of hitting anything beyond about 10 feet if I REALLY took my time;

3) the *no lie* THIRD time I had to send to back for factory repairs (all with less than 100 rounds through it) it went away. The LAST time it had just come back from 3 month R&R at the factory, and I had fired TWO rounds through it before it broke again.

Good bye keltech; hello J frame.
 
LCP got good reviews. I bought two. Both had to go back on the recall. One has been sold.......They hide good. I trust my 1908 colt 380 are the smith 37.
 
Dang, some of you guys have some bad luck with guns.


I have the P3AT and a P32, they are both absolutely relaible, I shoot the Win JHP's in the 32, and Federal JHP (personal defense stuff) in the 380. For what the P3AT is ( a flat, ultra concealable little short-range self-defense gun) it works just fine. It handles everything else I have shot in it, my own relaods w/92gr LRN, FMJ by Aguila, S&B, Federal, some Win from the 70's - - no prob.

When the situation requires that I can't carry something bigger and more practical, the KT works.

It's a last resort, kinda thingie.

Flash
 
Funny thing for me. I shoot my Kel-Tec P3AT better then my J Frames. I enjoy the J Frames more.
 
And the 380 vs. j frame controversy rages on ......

At my last local show ,a seller had a Baby Chief with stag grips
for $300.
I came to find the gun was owned by one Ally Moore ,one
of the first ever Navy seals.
He is now 92 years old and still kicking.
I paid $300. for the gun and carry it today.

I have no personal use for plastic 380 caliber pistols.
It seems many nowadays have found a use for them.
Generally the young and uneducated.

Education is a lifelong process, and only comes with
practical experience.

THE MOST IMPORTANT GUN YOU WILL EVER OWN is the one
you have in your hand when you need it.
Whatever it is, if it works, that is all that matters at the time.

Good luck ,,Allen Frame
 
Allen-frame said:
And the 380 vs. j frame controversy rages on ......
Click to expand...

No controversy in my original thread. My KT and my former P32 have been 100% reliable. I like them for what they are, but I can shoot a J Frame much better. The KT is regulated to situations where I can't even put a J Frame in my pocket - which is not very often.
 
i also carry a p3at in the summertime because with shorts and a tshirt on it's hard to conseal my 640. i can put the kel in my pocket an no one notices it. no it's not the best cal. nor the best gun but it's better than nothing...
 
The Kel Tec-P3AT "is what it is", a compromise. It's not fun to shot, not very accurate beyond 7yds or so, BUT it is reliable when properly tuned & easy to conceal in summer clothing (ie.. shorts, jeans and light shirts). It's certainly better than going un-armed when one might otherwise do so due to concealability concerns. This is what it was designed for..........so why put it down??

Don
 
Last edited:
I have a P3AT and it will fit in some pockets that my M&P340 won't but I prefer to carry the 340. I did have real sights added to the P3AT and they dramatically increased it's usability. CUSTOM SIGHTS. I think that the 'pocket guns are for point shooting' thinking came about b/c these small guns generally don't have usable sights.
 
While I prefer my 642 over my LCP, this time of year my LCP sees more carry time. Like mentioned, the LCP / P3AT is not a target gun, not for plinking, and not really for fun (though it still can be).

However, it is so small, light, and thin that it is a great choice for summertime carry. I've carried it as a primary (I'd rather my 642 for a primary) from time to time. I've put enough rounds through it to be confident in it.

When it comes down to it though... I'll just say this:

If I were sitting at my table with my LCP and my 642 and I heard something go bump downstairs... I'd grab the 642 first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

kiki
new sw j frame 442
Replies
16
Views
669
Nomadmax
N
flundertaker
642 vs 442 : Differences
Replies
4
Views
955
haywood
haywood
Eagle1*
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies 442 info?
Replies
8
Views
658
ImDrRich
ImDrRich
B
New 637-2 in place of my 442
Replies
8
Views
702
K Harris
K
M
J Frame aluminum grips?
Replies
2
Views
141
McClean
M

Latest posts

Back
Top