Kel-tec vs. LCP 380's

[Rule3]

Originally posted by epj:
Gun Tests Magazine did a side by side comparison a few months ago. They picked the Kel-Tec, though I don't remember the specific reason.

They liked it for the rough grip as the could not hold on to the Ruger (so they say)

I tried their magazine for 1 yr and that's it. They approach testing it very odd ways. They do not compare apples to apples, Will pick a no longer made gun against current ones, $1000 guns against $200 and come up with some very odd conclusions JMO of course.

 

[38-44HD45]

Originally posted by OCD1:

Originally posted by epj:
Gun Tests Magazine did a side by side comparison a few months ago. They picked the Kel-Tec, though I don't remember the specific reason.

They liked it for the rough grip as the could not hold on to the Ruger (so they say)

I tried their magazine for 1 yr and that's it. They approach testing it very odd ways. They do not compare apples to apples, Will pick a no longer made gun against current ones, $1000 guns against $200 and come up with some very odd conclusions JMO of course.

The folks at that magazine are not firearms professionals, nor well-educated in general, best I can tell. I wasted the price of a 1-year subscription myself, several years ago. I would NEVER use anything published therein as a basis for buying or not buying anything.

 

[creedekid]

The folks at that magazine are not firearms professionals, nor well-educated in general, best I can tell. I wasted the price of a 1-year subscription myself, several years ago. I would NEVER use anything published therein as a basis for buying or not buying anything.

I have to agree, I also wasted money on a year's subscription.

The KelTec P3AT is a great little gun. Good enough that Ruger thought it should copy it.

 

[conchmariner]

How does the MRI .380 (Micro Desert Eagle) compare to these two? It's about 200 dollars more expensive, but appears to be sturdier, albeit heavier at 14 oz.

 

[jpwhel]

I have the LCP. For the hot weather in TX it is a nice little lite-weight gun to carry. It has been recalled but Ruger stands by their guns and has decent service. Great little shooter.

 

[GoGators]

Don't base your decision on "who copied who." Colt 1911's have been "copied" by companies like Les Baer, Ed Brown and Wilson Combat.

I have a Ruger LCP that has been 100% reliable out of the box with everything I've fed it. And it's surprisingly accurate for a gun it's size. Get a nice pocket holster, and you won't even notice it's there.

 

[jsd30]

I have a KelTec P3AT 380, and 5 of my friends also have one. We have shot Fed 90 gr HS JHP, Hornady 90 gr JHP, WWB 95 gr FN-FMJ, and Rem 95 gr FMJ, with no issues or failures. IMO, they are reliable, light, easily concealed, and although I have not had an occasion to use their customer service, I have been told that it is excellent.
I did own a bought-new Ruger Bisley Vaquero in 45 LC .. sent it back to Ruger under warranty twice and they never did fix it. Had to take it to a custom smith to get it fixed, then sold it. So, I personally am not a fan of Ruger customer service.

 

[conn ak]

I, too, have the Kel Tec P3AT. Bought it used from a friend who bought a new LCP. I like the Kel-Tec, but the Ruger shoots more accurately in my hands. Overall, the Ruger is a very well made pistol. I've not heard any hammer issues with the Kel-Tec. The Kel-Tec is rough and it ain't pretty, but it's a good gun when concealed carry is difficult when the weather is hot. I do prefer the LCP though. The older Kel-Tecs apparently have a peening issue with the recoil guide rod, but mine is fine.

 

[VdrSain]

North American Arms Guardian seems a good option in this class too, though a bit harder to come by it seems.
Ive been looking into these but think I would rather go with one of the smaller 9x19's. The Kahr PM9 is sweet if a little pricey. Wish Smith or Ruger would do something comparable. The Kel-Tec PF9 seems pretty nice and are pretty reasonable, not sure on the reliability though.

 

[walkin' trails]

A couple of friends have 3ATs. I've fired a few mags out of them and never had a hicup with either. Never heard them complain about the gun's reliability even when brand new. As far as shooting them, they are definitely an in-your-face pistol although by consentrating on what Keltec calls a front sight I could manage to group respectably at seven yards. I've seen one friend short stroke the trigger, and I did so myself as we're both used to shorter semi auto pulls. The small size and weight of the pistol makes the .380 seem powerful. Its one gun I'd like to see Hogue develope a grip sleeve for just to give it a little more substance to hold onto. I haven't handled the Ruger, but if you want a little bitty gun in a decent centerfire caliber, its not a bad selection.

 

[BarbC]

The Kel-Tec is rough

Yes, it can be when shooting it a lot to gain proficiency.

So I rectified that problem with a Handall Jr. grip, cut down a bit to fit.

 

[Rule3]

Originally posted by conchmariner:
How does the MRI .380 (Micro Desert Eagle) compare to these two? It's about 200 dollars more expensive, but appears to be sturdier, albeit heavier at 14 oz.

It is a really well made but a little odd looking. I only got to hold and fondle it for a bit at the gun shop. It is lighter than it looks. It is all metal and probably better made than all the others except the Seecamp which in 380 is nasty to shoot. The Micro Eagle lasted less than a day before someone bought it. I thought to long.

The NAA is a great 380 but a little heavy. almost a Seecamp in quality. And yes, I love mouse guns. Have my order in for the first Kahr that comes in. I'll pass on the Tauraus unless it is something really special.

 

[Smitty500Mag]

I think people might have the early model Kel-Tec P-11 mixed up with the P-3AT on the drop firing. I believe the early P-11's and P-40's could fire if they hit directly on the end of the barrel.

I remember one of the members of the Kel-Tec forum building a stand for drop testing and putting a P-3AT in a PVC pipe with a 90 degree ell and capping it off and drop testing it many times where it would hit directly on the end of the gun barrel everytime to see if he could get it to drop fire and it never did. He dropped it a lot further than someone would be able to accidentally drop one out of their pocket. He put it up 10 or 12 feet and dropped it over and over again and it never fired.

I've carried mine for many years but I've never dropped it or any other gun for that matter. How many people here have ever dropped one of their children when they were babies? That's the way you should care for your gun to. I treat my gun as if my life depended on it.

Smitty

 

[Red Tex]

Several months ago I got the notion to purchase an LCP, anticipating months of hot Texas weather ahead. To this day, I've never seen an LCP. So instead I got a P-3AT.

No regrets.

I've fired Buffalo Bore hardcast, Remington UMC FMJ, Remington JHP, Winchester WB flat nose FMJ, Hornady JHP, and Magtech LRN through it without a single hiccup. Seems to be extremely reliable.

But it isn't a firearm I'd ever develop an attachement to. It's like an inexpensive but very useful tool. Well suited to its role.

 

[Haku]

I have the Kel Tec P3AT, the Ruger LCP, and the Beretta TomCat .32. I picked up the LCP at a local pawn shop NIB for $289.00. That was a good buy. I like the Kel Tec the best and carry it always. I just got the LCP it seems like a great auto but I don't have extra mags for it yet. The TomCat is a heavy brick with that stainless blowback slide, but a good pistol.

 

[Jkwas]

I don't use the handall's anymore, don't like the bump. I've gone to bicycle tubing. Here's mine:

 

[dlstewart01]

I nave never owned a Kel-Tec but have been wanting a Ruger LCP for a while. There were none to be found aroung here. Got up early this morning and went to the Nashville gun show. Got there in time to get in line close to the front. There were two Ruger LCPs there. One was already sold, the other went home with me, YAAA

I havnt fired it yet but it looks very well made. I just ordered 3 extra magazines from Ruger. The gun show was better then normal as well.

Have a good one,

Don

 

[rwschill]

Is the new Sig 238 380 a good choice for CCW? I have a Kel Tec 380 which is fine and no issues but always looking at new guns.

 

[38-44HD45]

The new P238 is a nearly direct duplicate of the old Colt Mustang Pocketlite, but with good sights and aluminum grip panels. I will be buying at least one.


FWIW, I have 3 P3ATs and two Mustang Pocketlites already.

 

[JoeR]

Just purchased my lil' elsiepea. I have not had a chance to fire it yet. I also have a CZ-83 in 380, but it's much heavier/larger than the LCP. I wanted the LCP for summer carry. The CZ is ultra reliable and I'll carry it when I can.

If I can carry anything I like, it'll be the 629. I trust it when I'm off the beaten path camping and such. I know it'll take down anything in front of it and is accurate enough to hit water filled milk jugs at 100 yards (not everytime, but enough to make me happy.) I like the 4" 586-7 also with the surprise 7th round. I've taken prairie dogs up to 50 yards away with it.

I should have the CCW back from Colorado on April 13th. They take the exact 90 days authorized.