I have a PF9 and a P32 (not the P3AT) but I have to admit that the 32 is so easy to slip in your pocket that it becomes a favorite very fast (I use a super-fly for both). Your wife would like the P3AT I think for that same reason. The PF9 gives a confidence of more firepower without a lot more bulk if you/she get used to shooting it. When I first got the PF9, I thought it had quite a kick - that was until I got the 638 and 60 (357) - now it seems pretty mild!
Kel Tec PF9 or P3AT or ADD other small autos
- Thread starter SW CQB 45
- Start date
shot both of them, carried both of them ......380 is snappy when you shooting it (but it is really easy to conceal)
price wise....check it out
gunlistings.org - Gun classifieds in columbus, Ohio - wts/wtt KEL-TEC P-3AT 380 ACP
price wise....check it out
gunlistings.org - Gun classifieds in columbus, Ohio - wts/wtt KEL-TEC P-3AT 380 ACP
I have a PF9 and it hides quite well. However, it is hard on the hands due to recoil.
jbcap
Member
I have the P3AT - 380. I like it, as it is easily carried in a pocket. As stated earlier by others, any gun carried is better than the one left at home.
mtheo
Member
I bought a P3AT in 2006. It has been very relialble out of the box with no "fluff and Buff." A firm grip is necessary....my only stove pipes were the result of limp wristing. Limp wristing is not an issue with the .32 . Rimlock can be an issue w/ the .32 with some hollow point ammunition.
If you are practiced w/ any "J" frame double action you'll adapt to the P3AT easily.
I would definitely recommend adding the finger rest bottom plate to all your magazines. This gives you an extra finger on the grip for control and gun retention in a struggle. It adds almost nothing to the size of the gun.
The sights of the P3AT can be improved...go to:
KTOG Forum - HIVIZ for P-3AT
If you are practiced w/ any "J" frame double action you'll adapt to the P3AT easily.
I would definitely recommend adding the finger rest bottom plate to all your magazines. This gives you an extra finger on the grip for control and gun retention in a struggle. It adds almost nothing to the size of the gun.
The sights of the P3AT can be improved...go to:
KTOG Forum - HIVIZ for P-3AT
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I have both and find the PF9 easier to shoot well and almost as easy to conceal. Recoil is brisk with either, but the P3AT tends to be more uncomfortable for me due to the top of the trigger guard slaping my trigger finger. The PF9 has useable sights.
Krull
Member
Had a PF9,ditched it in a month recoil was way too much (for me) felt like I had dislocated my thumb after fifty rounds! 
I'm looking hard at a P3AT,or P32-I have a P11 and that's a sweet little 9
I'm looking hard at a P3AT,or P32-I have a P11 and that's a sweet little 9
I own two P11 models - nice little guns and hide very nice as well. Have looked at the P9 but hear the comments from friends who own them about the way they snap the hand??? I don't feel that with the P11's. I would advise to fire them both before buying - might want to try the P11 as well if you get the chance.
To me, while the recoil of the P11 is a bit less obnoxious, the trigger on the PF9 is so much easier to control. I added one of those rubber Houge slide on grips to the PF9, which seems to help just a bit with the recoil. To me, the recoil is there, but really isn't any worse than a full house .357 in a K or L frame.
No doubt about it - the trigger pull is like 48" long and does take some time getting used to. I also find myself shooting low and to the left due to the trigger pull when shooting quick - you really need to be aware of your grip when firing on the P11.
OP
SW CQB 45
Member
throwing the price out, can we add the Kahr 380 or any other compariable semi? looking for the best model for the wife and the looooong trigger pull may cause some accuracy or flinching issues.
if the gun hurts to shoot, this may prove difficult for her to train.
thanks for all the input so far.
if the gun hurts to shoot, this may prove difficult for her to train.
thanks for all the input so far.
CQB45, given your latest comments, look at the new SIG single-action 380, or the older Colt Mustang Pocketlite. These two are going to be MUCH more comfortable for your wife to shoot, and I never saw that carrying the Mustang with the hammer down to be much of a problem in a "purse-deployed" pistol.
When I was in your shoes, that is what my wife had, always carried hammer down on a loaded chamber. I never encouraged her to carry it C1 (safety lock engaged).
These guns are a bit bigger, which makes controlling them easier and thus inspiring a comfort level I don't think most women would find in the Keltec/Ruger/Taurus/etc.
BarbC
Member
Is she dead set on a semi?
A revolver may be a better choice. No limp-wristing factor and a .38 wadcutter may be more effective than a .380 stovepipe.
If she is that new to shooting, I really would advise going with a revolver.
A revolver may be a better choice. No limp-wristing factor and a .38 wadcutter may be more effective than a .380 stovepipe.
If she is that new to shooting, I really would advise going with a revolver.
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OP
SW CQB 45
Member
she has a model 10 2" and wants a small thin semi.
I guess I want to hit the mark right the first time so she will train with it.
I guess I want to hit the mark right the first time so she will train with it.
BarbC
Member
I have a whole collection of "the perfect carry guns". 
And a boxful of "the perfect holsters".
If you really want to go with the KelTec P3AT, get the grip for it, which is an enormous help for comfort and accuracy.
And a boxful of "the perfect holsters".
If you really want to go with the KelTec P3AT, get the grip for it, which is an enormous help for comfort and accuracy.
Ah, the subject of training has reared its ugly head. If your wife is a novice shooter, I can pretty much assure you that none of the small autos are going to be very good learning guns. I am a pretty experienced shooter and am not very sensitive to recoil. A couple of mags of the P3AT is all I want in a session. The PF9 I can shoot a little longer, especially with some of my slightly reduced power handloads. Ditto for the P11. Small guns in general are guns for experts, not beginners. That said, the easiest of the bunch to learn with is going to be a steel frame J frame loaded with wadcutters or other "target" ammo. If the gun hurts her to shoot, training sessions will be very brief and spaced widely apart.
Also, something that may not have been mentioned is racking the slide. If you are shopping for an auto for the distaff side, be sure they can comfortably rack the slide on any auto they plan to carry. This may eliminate a lot of semi-autos in a hurry.
Also, something that may not have been mentioned is racking the slide. If you are shopping for an auto for the distaff side, be sure they can comfortably rack the slide on any auto they plan to carry. This may eliminate a lot of semi-autos in a hurry.
smith revolver cop
Member
I recommend the North American Arms Guardian. I have it in .380. Might be a little heavier than some of the others, but it's all stainless, and 100% reliable. It also has a true double-action trigger mechanism, so a "second strike" is possible. I never had any problem with defensive ammo, but it didn't care for the primers on Blazer ammo (which my then-department used for practice and qualifications). If the round didn't fire, I just pulled the trigger again, and the Blazer always went off the second time. (I could do it so quickly, it took the rangemaster almost a whole course of fire before he noticed it even happened!) NAA Guardian is a nice little .380 (I think also available in .32).
smith revolver cop
Member
Good advice... a 442 would be a great choice.
I agree with this post, and Barb's comments, as well... I've got the Ruger LCP (it does not 'bite' my finger...), as it seemed a little better made, and to me, had a better trigger than the Kel Tec. I love the size of the Ruger, and do not find the recoil to be too much. The trigger pull is very long and a bit heavy, but fairly smooth; good gun for it's purpose.
This all being said, I just bought the Kahr P380. It is actually a little smaller than the Ruger/Kel Tec, has much better sights, and has a great trigger (Kahrs really have wonderful triggers). As with any "pocket" gun, especially ones that only have trigger safeties, I plan on using a pocket holster for safe carry.
My main carry guns have been a Colt Defender, and a Kahr PM9. I have been so happy with the PM9 (again wonderful trigger, great size for the caliber, and very accurate), that when I saw the P380, and saw that it is as small as the LCP, I decided to jump on it. I have not shot it yet, but look forward to doing so this weekend...
The Kahr is definitley more expensive than the Ruger and Kel Tec, but I really like the quality, sights, and trigger of the Kahr; I couldn't resist.
Didn't really read through all this but I'll give my $.02. I have the 3AT and the wife has the Ruger LCP. I really like both of them but if I were going to buy one again it would be the LCP. They are the same size but the LCP just feels better in hand than the KelTec. The KelTec has some pretty sharp checkering on the grip that just isn't as comfortable in hand. Both guns shoot great and have never had any problems out of either one. If you are looking for something really small to carry every day then either of these would work great. The trigger pull is fairly heavy in my opinion, but I like it that way for carrying in the pocket, or a purse in your wife's situation. I always carry in a front pocket holster.
