Kel-Tec .380 good or Bad?

[tblt]

I have a 38 for concealed carry but I think I want something else.I just ordered a Ruger p95 today and I have a few hundred dollars to spend on another gun.
Is the Kel-Tec a ok pistol??? Please tell me yor experience with it or your sugestion of something else .380 or 9 mm around 250 to 300.

 

[B. Adams]

I have a P3AT, and I like it. It's not really fun to shoot, but it's not supposed to be. The recoil isn't bad, but there isn't much room for my finger inside the trigger guard, so my finger takes a bit of a beating. But it fits my hand well, points naturally, and is fairly comfortable to shoot. Better than I expected, actually.

Fit and finish was OK, I cleaned up some of the sharp edges on the frame. Mine seems to be very accurate for it's size, and it's been 100% reliable with any ammo I've tried. The trigger is long and fairly heavy, but otherwise smooth.

I got mine for $219 from CDNN, plus shipping and transfer it came in around $245. I don't think you can do better for the money. The Kahr's feel much better, and are almost as small, but cost significantly more and have their fair share of issues if you read the reviews. I like the Kel-tec because it can be dropped in a pocket and you almost can't tell it's there, and it's cheap enogh that I don't really worry about damaging it as much as my nicer guns. Also, in the unlikely event that it ever got lost or stolen, it would be easy to replace.

They're not the best guns in the world, obviously, but they're a great value and worth buying. They're fairly well made, and the company stands behind their products. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a backup gun, or for those times when everything else is too big.

 

[YZR]

I love mine for summer carry. It disappears in your pocket, it's been totally reliable and you can't beat the price.

 

[gbelleh]

A P-3AT is my always BUG. It has functioned 100% with FMJ, Gold Dots and Golden Sabers. All 4 Kel-Tecs I've owned have worked fine out of the box with no tinkering or fluff & buff needed. You can't beat the size and weight. They are a good value and Kel-Tec stands behind their guns.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have 3, 2 in 32 and 1 380 All have been perfect right from box . I only know of 2 that have been returned to my dealer 1 first gen and 1 2nd gen both were fixed with a little feed ramp polish.
I always have 1 in my pocket no matter what on hip. Small ,lite, and accurate
I was one of the KT bashers belived the internet stories I decided to buy one just to prove to my self they were so bad. Well like I said I now have 3 Wife carries a 32 every where. .

 

[romma]

Sweet little guns that carry easy and conceal the best!

 

[eng23ine]

I have a first generation P3 that has been 100%...as long as i did my part. They usually don't like to be "limp-wristed". I carry mine nearly 24\7\365 and am willing to bet my life that it will go bang if asked to do so.
want more info? http://www.ktog.org/

 

[Craig M. Arnold]

I've got two first gen P3ATs. I've had them for a number of years. One has 1300 rounds through it and the other has 900 rounds through it. Both have been perfect. IMHO, a great little gun for the money.

Best regards.

 

[Javelin]

Get one you will love it and wonder what you ever did before you had it.

 

[71Commander]

I've got two first gen P3ATs. I've had them for a number of years. One has 1300 rounds through it and the other has 900 rounds through it. Both have been perfect. IMHO, a great little gun for the money.

WOW!! I thought the round count for the life of the gun was 1,000 rounds.

 

[romma]

WOW!! I thought the round count for the life of the gun was 1,000 rounds

That's a untruth perpetuated by the evil Keltec haters....

And if your Keltec did seize up after 1000 rds, send it back and the will repair it.

 

[mountaindrew]

I bought a P3AT on the same day I got my ccw back in the mail, and after test firing it, it has been in my front pocket almost every day since. (almost 3 years) I love the pistol if for no other reason than I can literally alway have it with me and with no fuss. I never worry about being "made" It just looks exactly like the wallet in my other pocket ( I use a simple slip-in pocket holster to break up the lines) It works great with no malfunctions, Not the most acurate gun, but the rudimentary sights do their job.

For deep concealment, There is nothing better at any price.

I am also going this week to pick up a PF9 for when I can get away with a slightly larger gun.

 

[jfh]

Round Count: Somewhere on the KTOG forum, I've read that Kel-Tec designs their firearms to a 6,000-round life. I considered it an authoritative resource, so I'm not going to try to find it for the link here.

Since I understand that the early aluminum frame revolvers (and semiautos, I think) were considered to have a frame life of as little as 2000 rounds if one shot +P or +P+ ammo, I think that's a remarkable testimony to technological advancement in firearms engineering.

Jim H.

 

[sisco50]

"WOW!! I thought the round count for the life of the gun was 1,000 rounds."


I believe I was told the P3AT barrel is rated for 6000 rounds. Don't know why anyone would want to put that many rounds through one tho. It is certainly not a range gun. I have fired 650 rounds through mine just to be sure of dependability and now have no problem carrying it. I trust it will go bang if I need it to. I have also ordered the 9mm Kel-Tec (PF9) as well. Should have it this week. I think it would be hard to beat these pocket pistols for the low cost involved. It is very easy to spend twice the money and not get as good a handgun as a Kel-Tec. Just my opinion based on my own experience with Kel-Tec.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, my P11 is over 11,000 rounds and I haven't even changed the recoil spring in it. Dang, guess I need to toss it now that I've read on this forum it's worn out. I never would have figured that since it still holds under 4" at 25 yards and goes bang every time, but if you tell me it's worn out, I guess I gotta believe you....

PS, a thousand or so rounds ago while reading on the KT board that I should change the recoil spring every 5K rounds, I called KT. The technician just told me, don't fix what ain't broke.

 

[71Commander]

Well, my P11 is over 11,000 rounds and I haven't even changed the recoil spring in it. Dang, guess I need to toss it now that I've read on this forum it's worn out. I never would have figured that since it still holds under 4" at 25 yards and goes bang every time, but if you tell me it's worn out, I guess I gotta believe you....

What you need is a reading comp course. Read my third word. it's "Thought". No where did I state it as fact.

 

[sisco50]

"Well, my P11 is over 11,000 rounds and I haven't even changed the recoil spring in it. Dang, guess I need to toss it now that I've read on this forum it's worn out. I never would have figured that since it still holds under 4" at 25 yards and goes bang every time, but if you tell me it's worn out, I guess I gotta believe you...."


lol Well, if you insist, toss it and buy another barrel. Or better yet, let K-T replace it.

Not sure what the P11 barrel is rated for but I believe it is a stouter barrel than the .380 version. Anyway, it sounds as though you have a good one there if you are placing under 4" at 25 yards. lol I would say the 11,000 rounds were well spent in range time.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Something other than the KelTec in the $300 price range is the Bersa Thunder .380. Much more enjoyable to shoot regularly than the KelTec, it's reliable and accurate.

I love mine, the wife loves it so much she's laid claim to it.

 

[MCgunner]

Something other than the KelTec in the $300 price range is the Bersa Thunder .380. Much more enjoyable to shoot regularly than the KelTec, it's reliable and accurate.

Don't fill the niche, apples and oranges. The P3AT is a hide out, pocket gun that cannot be topped. It's tiny, yet effective. The Bersa is probably a better shooter, but the P3AT is the one you want to carry. My 9mm P11 is smaller and lighter, more powerful, and has higher firepower than a Bersa and I gave $260 for it.

 

[Whirlwind06]

MCgunner Wrote:

Well, my P11 is over 11,000 rounds and I haven't even changed the recoil spring in it. Dang, guess I need to toss it now that I've read on this forum it's worn out. I never would have figured that since it still holds under 4" at 25 yards and goes bang every time, but if you tell me it's worn out, I guess I gotta believe you....

I'll save you the hazmat clean up fee. Just send it to me.
I'll even pay shipping

My P11 has close to 1500 or so rounds through it now. Broke a couple ejectors, but I heard that KT has fixed that so the new one I have should be fine.

 

[sisco50]

Why not compare the P11 to the 9mm version of the Bersa instead of the .380 version. One would have to make a decision about carry vs. range gun. The P11 would be the choice for concealment and the Bersa would be the choice for a target or practice gun.

I have a PF9 on order at the moment due to size issue. I like the single stack better for pocket carry.

Anyway, good or bad is relative to many personal factors. What works well for me may not work at all for someone else.

I guess what makes a Kel-Tec .380 (P3AT) good or bad depends on a persons experience with it. My experience with K-Ts has been good.

 

[tblt]

The bersa I believe is 380 my 9 mm is much cheaper to shoot.I asked about the kel tec for carry only.I might shoot it 20 every 6 months

 

[12many]

I might be alone in this opinion, but I think you should try very hard to shoot one or the PF-9 first before you buy. I have the 38 and don't like it. It is very small though and is great to carry. I should say that I like carrying it, but not to shoot it. Like everyone says though, it is meant to be carried and not shot too much.

 

[Safety First]

I have a P3AT hard chrome slide...great deep concealment, always with you pocket rocket...not really a fun gun to shoot, but it is small,thin,light enough to go with you anytime...I thought about the PF9 but it was a little larger than I personally care for, for a pocket rocket...of course,that is just my thoughts and there will be many different points a view. I would not even think about selling mine, very happy with it....get a good pocket holster for whatever gun you choose, it needs to be held stable and secure in the pocket...good luck...

 

[jon_in_wv]

Most Keltec bashers never have owned one regardless of what they say. The fact of the matter is KelTec produces some something like 20,000 P3ATs a year. Of course you hear some gripes. Remember for every whiner there is probably thousands of other KT owners who are perfectly happy. I don't have a P3AT but I do have a P32 and I LOVE IT. I recently traded off my Snub nose .38. I can't convince my self of the need to carry it when I can carry my P32.