Kel Tec .32s and .380s?

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bestseller92

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The little Kel Tecs (the 6.6 ounce .32 and the 8 ounce .380) intrigue me as guns that might be carried when anything else could be too large or heavy (or even as a backup to the primary CCW gun).

Does anyone have any personal experience with either of these models? I'd suppose the rimless .380 might be more reliable (no rim lock) as well as a bit more powerful. What do they usually sell for new at retail?

Thanks for any input.
 
My P32 has been 100% reliable in 200 rds. Not much firepower diff between a 32 and 380, and the slide locks back on the empty mag,unlike the P3AT. I paid 220.00 for mine, out the door.
 
I carry the p3at every day. There are some who say that the .32 is more reliable. Even when i carry my sp101 i carry the kt, because it is so small and light, that i just goes everywhere with me if i am outside of the house.

I bought mine used, but around here they go for about $235 +/-.

Good luck
 
I've carried my Kel-Tec P-32 for the last 4 years and it has served me well.

I've put about 600 rounds through it and the only time I've experienced a problem (FTF) was due to a bad magazine spring on a 10 round extended mag. I haven't experienced any type of rimlock issue, which some people who use .32s have encountered.

I paid $300 for a used 1st gen P-32 from a LEO about 5-6 years ago. I consider it a deal, since NIB P-32 go for about $700 now. I'm in the PRK and the overlords here have deemed Kel-Tec handguns to be "unsafe" for civilian consumption, hence the overblown price on P-32s & P-3ATs.
 
Generally speaking the kt .32's are more relaible than the .380. They have had and continue to have more than their share of quality control problems, but they do give you a lifetime warranty. I have 2 p32's and they are 100% relaible, easy to conceal and reasonably accurate. They make outstanding b/u guns.
 
I bought a KT P-32 several months ago and I find myself carrying it more and more. Fiocchi makes a very hot .32 Auto load which matches the power of the .380 Auto. Look at the bottom of the page and you will find their 60 gr JHP @ 1200 fps & 205 ft/lbs of energy. http://www.fiocchiusa.com/cat_centerfire.php
If you buy either do the "Fluff-n-Buff" on this page and you will think you have a professional trigger job done. http://www.goldenloki.com/guns/keltec/prep.htm

Both are good pistols but I like the P-32 better than the P-3AT. I have over 500 rounds through my pistol and no problems. Carry either the Fiocchi ammo I linked to above or Winchester Silver Tip JHP ammo in your P-32.
 
Our last range trip included 2 P3AT's (.380), one that's well broken-in (plus feed ramp polishing) and one that's pretty new. Zero problems with either of them, and we probably ran through 350 rnds of ammunition, being a mixture of WWB, some cheapo flat nose and regular rounded fmj - not to mention the newer pistol's carry ammo MagTech First Defense.
 
My buddy has the Kel-Tec .380 for a CCW and he loves it. He has shot about 200 rounds with no failures. I fired it at the range, and personally don't care for it. It is too small for me at that caliber, too much recoil for me in that size of a gun. But I can still see the merits of it, it is just not my kind of CCW.
 
Bought a P-3AT used from a guy who disliked it. It was a pretty rough example but after a full fluff n' buff (see http://www.ktog.org/tecwerks.htm) it has worked fine since.

Had to do an extra nice feed ramp polish to get it to feed Cor-Bon JHP but now it's a happy camper and I'm getting pretty accurate with it out to about 20 feet.

Buy the +1 magazine extensions. That little bit of extra grip is a godsend for control.
 
IMHO if you are going to get a mousegun, get a mousegun that has some oomph. Of the two choices presented in this thread, the P3AT is the best. Zespectre has it absolutely right regarding the +1 Magazine extension. With this, you can carry 7+1 rounds in a package that is less than .75 inches in width. Not bad. If you get this little pistol, just remember it's a little pistol meant for shots that are close, as in less than 5 yards. This is not a pistol meant for sub MOA groups at 50 yards.
 
My buddy has the Kel-Tec .380 for a CCW and he loves it. He has shot about 200 rounds with no failures. I fired it at the range, and personally don't care for it. It is too small for me at that caliber, too much recoil for me in that size of a gun. But I can still see the merits of it, it is just not my kind of CCW.
Click to expand...
Cowboybootnut,
I agree, that's why I bought a P-32 in 7.65 Browning...
 
Both wife and myself have...

a 3AT and love them. The sights are dead on at 7 yards and we can keep all the shots in a group the size of a quarter. As posted above, the mag extension is well worth the price. We paid about 220 each for them at a local gun show.....chris3
 
I just took my 3AT to the range again on Monday. Once again, no problems. It's had about 200 rounds through it so far. In the beginning it did not like the Speer Gold Dots on the first round chambered. They would hang up just enough on the feed ramp to stop the slide. A slight push with the thumb would chamber the round and then all was good for the rest of the magazine. After polishing the feed ramp this has pretty much stopped. FMJ have been fine since day one. The only other issues occurred when I clearly limp wristed it, teaching me to keep a good firm grip.

Definitely agree with either the +1 extension or the simple finger extensions. Allowed me to get all of my ring finger on the grip.

If you will be pocket carrying, make sure to clean it regularly and you'll be fine.
 
Had a p-32. Great litle gun. Upgraded to the .380 when it came out. Both of my guns were perfect. Some of my friends had problems with theirs but KT took care of them. I use it primarily as a BUG. But it can truley go places
with you that only a .22 or .25 could go at one time. Once you earn to shoot them the little thimgs are pretty accurate. The .32 is more pleasant to shoot. The .380's not bad but it does kick more than the .32.
 
P3at

1000+ rounds in my .380 and still ticking. Would of never believed this gun would be so reliable and nice to carry for so little $$. Some people think you need to pay 800-1500 $$ to be able to be safe I SAY NONSENSE:barf:. I love mine and im waiting for my Dealer to get a darn PF9.
 
For a mousegun I recommend the P-3AT highly.

I have had a P-3AT for about a year and a half now. It has been totally reliable except with Sellier & Bellot ammo. This ammo has hard primers and some P-3AT's have trouble it. I have shot many, many other brands and types of ammo and it has not even burped with those.

Toward the end of last year (2006) some P-3AT's were having an issue with the slides that came to be known as "peening". Supposedly this problem has been fixed. Even so, you should inspect the slide before buying to determine whether this may become a problem with that particular gun. A good description can be had here:
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=104;action=display;num=1180134820

Even if a problem of peening does occur, or any other problem for that matter, Kel-Tec will make it right. Their guns are warranted for life and their customer service is excellent!
 
I've been pocket carrying an olive drab P32 loaded with 60gr. JHP Corbons for 3+ years and the only problems I have encountered are corrosion on the body side of the slide and lint build up.
If the 380 caliber had been out at that time I would have chosen that ride but due to the little difference in calibers I see no reason to update. The KTOG website is helpful also.
 
I've only owned P32's (and one P11) and went thru five or so of them before I found one that worked 99% of the time.I still carry it but always with a large folding knife as a back up.tom.:cool:
 
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I carry my P32 with the+1 extension for 9 rounds of .32acp. The P32 is a BUG to my Glock 27. It has been 100% with about 300 rounds so far. :DI carry a HP in the chamber and another on top of magazine. The rest is FMJ for better penetration in .32 and I do not worry about rimlock. I had Jack Fusileir nickle plate the slide and it is a sweet little pistol.
 
Th P3AT is so small you will literally forget you are packing. Don't limp wrist and you should have no problems. I have a feeling that my p3at might save my hide since i always seem to have it with me.
I would recommend packing something a little bigger if possible.( I know, the KT is so much more comfortable :D ;) )
 
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