Author Topic: Kel Tec P-3AT (Read 1501 times)

KJohnson260 · « **on:** March 18, 2009, 11:13:00 AM »

Just curious if anyone out there owns a Kel Tec P-3AT that could let me know what they think of it. I am looking for a carry piece for my girlfriend. I carry a Kel Tec P-F9 and have never had a single problem with it so I am hoping that the P-3AT will be just as good. If anyone owns one or has owned one and has some info please let me know.

Thanks,

Ken

ballardw · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2009, 12:32:52 PM »

Don't know about the P-3AT but I find the P-32 to be more uncomfortable to shoot than a 1911 in 45. Light weight + narrow grip area = sharp recoil. But that 45 doesn't hide in places the P-32 can. I imagine that recoil can't have gotten much better in .380, especially with the hotter self defense rounds.

KJohnson260 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:22:48 PM »

Yeah I know the Kel Tecs are not much fun at the range in terms of comfort, my P-F9 has more recoil than I know what to do with and I know the P-3AT probably won’t be much better because of how small and light it is. I’m not really looking for a gun that is comfortable for her to shoot I am looking for one that is reliable and comfortable for her to carry so it is there if she needs it. Thanks for the input though.

Shortmag · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2009, 03:47:35 PM »

a buddy of mine had one that wouldn't reliably feed anything but FMJs. but at the same time, i've many others that haven't had any issues with them. but hearing about my buddies was enough to make me not buy one. luckily, the G/F (LG) bought a G19 and wanted to get rid of her Kahr PM9, I bought it from her and haven't looked back. I know they're spendy, but the Kahrs are worth a look/shoot. the kel-tec will feel cheap afterwards.

SM

KJohnson260 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2009, 04:19:06 PM »

Yeah I really like the Kahr PM9s I’m just a little low on $ right now to go out and buy one. I heard that Kahr came out with a .380 as well, I will have to look into how much I can pick one of those up for.

pv74 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:21:16 PM »

I own one....and I love it...It is smaller than my wallet and slips right in my pocket.

No issues with it feeding all kinds of ammo.
Keltec is known for good customer service so I wouldnt worry about having any issues with it.

It's got some kick...but it's a tiny gun in .380..I can easily hit what I aiming at with it though.

Go buy it

eddymunster · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:37:34 AM »

Who in town carries Kel-Tecs?

9Shooter · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:50:08 AM »

When we bought our PF-9 we got it at Cliffs. Pretty sure Impact has had some in the past too.

KJohnson260 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2009, 02:44:08 PM »

I got my P-F9 at Boise Gun Company, they sold it to me for a good price too. Apparently they don't have any P-3ATs in stock right now though.

luvmy45 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2009, 05:37:44 PM »

I have the Keltec P3AT, I like it and I got it at Cliff's. $289 I think was the price. AND he has extra mags for it as well.

Pros: Small, easy to conceal, with a pocket holster you can carry just about anywhere without any issue of printing.

Con's: Not as finished as the Ruger LCP, but with a dremel tool that is easily fixed.

Kick - yes it kicks, the gun only weighs 9oz or so, there is nothing there to absorb the recoil. It is not an everyday shooter type of gun, you shoot it with your carry load, to make sure it functions, this you shoot it every 6 months or so to remind you how it feels, and carry it when you need it.

Great little gun, the .380 is a mouse load, but there are times when you just can't carry the bigger gun so this fits the bill.

Brian

KJohnson260 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2009, 06:01:42 PM »

Good information thanks.

Kinked_Chrome · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2009, 01:01:52 PM »

You should have keep the jennings 9 and let here carry that. Why do you want to her the P3AT? You should let her carry the PF9 and get a new carry toy for yourself.

SNAFU · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:57:10 PM »

Currently looking at maybe getting a PF-9 for a BUG/work carry gun, personally I hate the P-3AT's Sights. (why they can't use the PF-9 sights on them I have no clue)

luvmy45 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:04:49 AM »

There are sights on the P3AT??

It's not made for long distance work, it's a bug gun, made for up close and personal. If you have to aim, then your probably better off running away. That and sight for a bug gun get in the way. Catch on the pocket holster, pants, items in purse, backpack, etc...

To improve the sight picture, paint the front nub with pink/red/white etc... finger nail polish. (I have a wife and a daughter so the supply is endless) You could also use the sight paint stuff, but it's not any better the finger nail polish.

You should practice with a bug gun so that you can point and shoot from contact distance out to 7 yards MAX. And that might be pushing it.

For a real eye opener, try shooting a 20 - 25 yard group with a BUG gun...

jesterbgood · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:19:33 PM »

Quote from: eddymunster on March 19, 2009, 10:37:34 AM

Who in town carries Kel-Tecs?

I carry a PF-9 on me all the time. It is easy to conceal and since it's a 9mm it has, what I consider, the smallest round I would use for self defense.

Yes it does kick like a freakin' mule, but it is fairly accurate. The key is to go to a range to get comfortable with this weapon.

I really like my Kel-Tec. http://www.ktog.org/ is a great forum for Kel-Tec. The people on there know their Kel-Tec's. Go to http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl this website for the actual forum.

Take care all!

Kinked_Chrome · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:41:07 PM »

Quote from: luvmy45 on March 24, 2009, 08:04:49 AM

There are sights on the P3AT??

I was thinking the same thing, that I don't really need sights when shooting from the hip or while running and diving.

pv74 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2009, 09:35:43 PM »

Quote from: Kinked_Chrome on March 24, 2009, 05:41:07 PM

I was thinking the same thing, that I don't really need sights when shooting from the hip or while running and diving.

Point at bad dude...pull the trigger...hit bad dude at 7-10 yards easy.

I don't have a problem hitting paper bad guys at the range with it.

KJohnson260 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2009, 11:52:19 PM »

Quote from: pv74 on March 24, 2009, 09:35:43 PM

Point at bad dude...pull the trigger...hit bad dude at 7-10 yards easy.

I don't have a problem hitting paper bad guys at the range with it.

Good point, if your shooting it anything further away than 7-10 yards (except for maybe at the range) your not really using it for it's intended purpose. It's made for defending yourself when you have no other options.

Furball · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:28:12 AM »

I own a early Kel-Tec in 32acp. I guess that in the last 6 or 7 years I have put around 3-400 rounds though it. I normally carry it loaded with the little 60 grain Cor-Bon hollow points. These are loaded HOT let me tell you! 1100+ fps over my chronograph. Not much fun to shoot either, but would certainly drather be the shooter than the shootee. Last summer I was out shooting whistlepigs when a big fat badger made a mistake of popping his upper body out of a hole to look at me. I pulled the little gun out of my pocket and hit him square in the chest at about 20 yards. Lucky shot, but wow- that badger was dead at the hit.

Oh, and never so much as a hiccup out of my gun over the years, so I feel pretty good about having it with me. I would rather have my 1911 45 ACP if I was going to be in some kind of serious social encounter, but a .32 in my pocket beats the heck out of a .45 on my dresser.

luvmy45 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2009, 08:14:34 AM »

I know it's a way's out, but next October I believe, at IMPACT on the 2nd Thursday is the IDPA BUG match.

It is a low round count, close contact C'soF that will really give your BUG a work out. And Zona usually throws in a 20 to 25 yard stage just to make people realize that those little BUG are not much good at that distance when you need accuracy.

It is a GREAT place to test out your BUG gun, and to see how it shoots. Anyway, keep this in the back of your minds, you should all come out and try your bug gun, it's a real eye opener.

Brian

kaen3e · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2009, 10:38:11 PM »

I have one for carry in business casual clothing. it works great. it does vibrate a bit with hot rounds but due to the requirments i had it fit the bill very well. a sig p232 is very hard to beat if ya have the budget and is fun to shoot

crj · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2009, 07:08:50 PM »

Ive got one- its a 1st gen so its sights are almost non existent. Anyway my 1st time out with it, after 20 rds and figuring it out, I shot like this at 7 yards. (at first I didn't even hit the paper at 5 yds) Its definitely a point-shoot type thing. In this case the duct tape was my point of aim....this is typical from what Ive read. Its a hide the target type deal for sure. Anyway I'm happy with it.

Author Topic: Kel Tec P-3AT (Read 1501 times)

crj