Kel Tec PF9 or P3AT or ADD other small autos

[SW CQB 45]

can anyone offer any good or bad comments about these guns.

The wife got her CCHL and someone showed her I think the P3AT and she is on my back to get her one.

I have access to a PF9 to test, but I think she wants the P3AT.

I am looking for a reliable single stack semi auto shooter small and light enough to conceal in a purse, and the gun should not have an extreme trigger pull.

Kel Tec website advertises 5lb trigger pull for the P3AT but nothing for the PF9.

380 or 9mm will be sufficient for what she wants.

thanks in advance

 

[Amy May]

You said you have access to a PF9 to test. I'd say get it and let her test it. You also mentioned someone showed her the P3AT. Was it a friend or a gunshop? If it's a friend perhaps she can test that as well.

I know for me it's great anytime I can fire a gun before purchasing. I'd make far more purchases if I weren't worried about disliking it.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I have had several KelTec 380's and now have a 32.
They all are good guns. Easy to carry and good to shoot.
Your wife needs a gun that she will carry, not leave in
the car or at home. I like them and they are cheap. Some
gun stores are selling them for about $260 new. Don

 

[SW CQB 45]

I have had several KelTec 380's and now have a 32.

Don, I have read that 380 ammo is scarce and expensive.

is that true?

I dont keep up with .380 since I dont have one.

thanks in advance

we will definitely fire the PF9, but it seems the P3AT is a smaller gun. just making sure the P3AT is reliable.

 

[J. Galt]

Interesting review here. If I didn't already have a small 9 I'd definitely consider the P9. Around me .380 ammo seems to be more common and a bit lower priced than it was a few months ago.

 

[kalei]

I carry the Kel-tec .32 daily at work. NICE little gun, accurate easy to shoot. I installed a trigger stop myself and that makes it even better.
As mentioned above, the gun you have is better than the one you leave at home.

 

[SW CQB 45]

JGalt, excellant info and comparison shots with the PF9 and P3AT.

I think the wife would want the smaller P3AT for better hiding.

I also found a P3AT article with good info

Kel-Tec P3AT - The World's Lightest .380 Auto Pistol

 

[truckemup97]

just making sure the P3AT is reliable.

KelTec has been hit or miss, but most are really reliable. Whatever she gets needs to be "wrung out" at the range before relying on it for SD. After 500 rounds, I deemed my P-11 to be reliable, and the trigger got better, too.

If you buy one and have problems, customer service will take care of it.

 

[vero1]

I have both. I carry the P9. - .380 ammo is hard to find most places and is usually twice the price of 9mm. I don't think your wife will like shooting the P9 as recoil is a bit "brisk". Both of my guns are completely reliable and I donot hesitate to carry either of them.

 

[winchester1]

I have both of the guns in question and will offer some obsevations:
The recoil of both guns are "brisk", actually the recoil from both feel about the same. The lighter gun (P3AT) in the lesser caliber seems to feel about the same as the larger caliber in the heavier gun (PF9).

Reliability in the P3AT has been near perfect, I have had a small issue with the magazine on the PF9, but it is not a big deal.

9mm ammo is easier and cheaper to find.

But the big thing in my opinion is the size, the little P3AT goes everywhere with me. It is non-existant in a pocket holster and I think that is why it is still my favorite of the two.

Good luck with your decision

 

[Super Trucker]

They both have a trigger pull that is really looooooooong.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Folks thanks for all the info and comparison pics.

any of the owners, would the Kel Tec's mentioned (P3AT or PF9) would they fall into the category of the ill fated SW380 which were considered throw away guns as they would wear out?

thanks in advance

 

[Smokin' Iron]

My P3AT has been excellent. Very accurate for a small pocket auto and never a single jam or ftf.

 

[rayb]

I have a PF 9. My hands are not large, and have stubby fingers. I recommend you try a PF-11 as well. There is some difference.

rayb

 

[cjw3]

Folks thanks for all the info and comparison pics.

any of the owners, would the Kel Tec's mentioned (P3AT or PF9) would they fall into the category of the ill fated SW380 which were considered throw away guns as they would wear out?

thanks in advance

I don't expect to shoot my P3AT enough to wear it out, but anything will in time; I think they can be thought of as something that is intended to be carried a lot and fired a little. An indoor range where I shoot now and then has one and they said it is holding up well, which says a lot for it. As others have indicated, they tend to vary in quality somewhat. You may already have looked here, but a good website is

KTOG Forum - Index

A "fluff and buff" on the P3AT is discussed, which is simple and well worth while. With guns in the price range of Kel-Tec, a little careful polishing goes a long way.

 

[BarbC]

I have had my P3AT for 4 or 5 years. It's one of my favorites for concealed carry.

First - purse carry is not the best way to carry a gun, but if she insists, it's better to at least have one nearby than not at all. The P3AT is light enough to wear on her body with very little effort and printing. You can even clip it onto a bra under her arm. I know, because I've done this but my usual mode of carry is in a Bianchi Pro 100.

Second - the P3AT is hard on the hands. I have rubbed the skin on my thumb bone shear off during practice. I suggest getting her a Handall Jr. or something similar to cushion the harsh checkering.

Third - the P3AT is a close-range belly gun. Practice at 7 yards. What you're trying to practice with a gun like this is quick access and getting off two shots. "Target" shooting is not its forte, but it's accurate enough.

Fourth - The trigger pull on the P3AT is deliberately long and heavy. That's the safety. Be aware that she's going to hate the trigger pull until she gets used to it. Don't give up on it.

 

[walnutred]

In my experience I felt that the I felt that the P11 had less perceived recoil than the PF9 due to the wider grip. Though the PF 9 trigger was better in the examples I shot.

If you reload I'd recommend the 9x19 over the over the 380. In my Keltec the old cast 126gn lead Rn over 3.5gn Bullseye has been a great practice round.

 

[M29since14]

Barb has summed up things very well. Don't worry about wearing out the P3AT since it is not a range gun - just something to have with you when you can't carry a gun. The Hogue handall is a great idea. I didn't know there was such a thing.

There are other choices. The Ruger is nicer in the hand, but the one I had consistently pinched my trigger finger. The Keltec does not do that for me, but the face of its trigger is rough! I will eventually give mine a light buffing with some really fine sandpaper to get the worst of the roughness down to a manageable level.

Taurus has a compact .380. I don't know anyone who owns and uses one, but I have seen it. I did not find it particularly impressive.

I just saw the Kahr 380 this weekend. Nice looking little gun. The trigger is a bit light for my tastes, but it is very smooth - no noticeable stacking. The one I saw may have been unusual. I am not a "chicken" by nature but this is one pistol I would never carry loaded, in a pocket, without a pocket holster. The only real complaint I would mention is the unGodly slide stop/takedown lever (whatever that thing is) on the left side of the pistol that sticks out annoyingly and ruins the otherwise flat-clean appearance. The really big plus, for me, anyway, is the sights. They are not only big enough to actually be seen and used, but they also are replaceable, and drift adjustable at both the front and rear. It looks like a winner. If it comes to pass that it is reliable, it will give the other compact .380s "a good go" in spite of its cost. I am told is is roughly double$$ of the Keltec, but I do not know.

 

[Rule3]

I have both and the the 32. I do not think your wife would like the PF9. The recoil combined with the aggressive grip pattern makes it a bit uncomfortable. The 380 is a fine gun as is the Ruger clone. The 32 KT will lock back after the last round if that is important to you. I prefer the 380 or 32 over the PF 9. Slips in your pocket and you forget it's even there.

As for it wearing out, I doubt it will be shot that much to ever happen. But if you buy it new, it's a lifetime guarantee and KT has excellent customer service.

 

[Wayne02]

I've noticed pictures of the p3at outfitted with some sort of side pocket clip, can the same type of clip be put on the ruger LCP?