Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 ACP

[Bman505]

Anyone have any experience with these. It looks like a sweet super light pocket gun. It has my interests up for one. Looks like one can be picked up for $250-$270.

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/161994000/161994526/pix505540546.jpg

[blkdragon1212]

Kel-Tec handguns have been a favorite of officers on this department for years. They are tough, and reliable. The earlier versions where all stainless steel, a bit larger a proven back-up that is dependable. Having said that, don't over look Ruger's or Tarrus pocket pistols.

Side by side, compared to both the Ruger & Tarrus, they are not so different. The Ruger might be just a smige smaller in size, and even more afforable. Not that the "Tec" is overpriced. I like the way it shoots, but I am not a pocket pistol person. A guy that sits one desk over from me bought a Ruger put a crimson trace laser grip on it and swears by that little pistol. He throws it in his pocket and goes.

Might be a good pistol to put in the vehicle, in a small holster under the dash, or beside the seat just in case you can't get to your regular gun. You know, seat belts and the like get in the way of a regular waist holster, and some shoulder holsters.

If you are going to purchase one, you would be hard pressed to find a better pistol in that configuration.

[sinclair]

The Kel-Tec P-3AT consists of a polymer receiver shell that accepts an aluminum block with all of the action parts mounted there, and the barrel is machined steel, fitted into a cast slide. A full length guide rod supports the dual recoil springs. There is no manual safety and no slide lock. I am not a fan of the Tupperware guns but I will not bad mouth them without reason. In this case, here is my reason. I detest any gun that would look like a toy gun to a child. Most young children posses a "sense" about "real guns". They look different and are heavy compared to the toys they have experience with. If you take that away, the only "pause" for thought with a child is gone. The potential for disaster is greatly enhanced with this gun.

Now that I have had my say, here are a fair range of reviews on the gun.

This guy loves it.

http://www.gunblast.com/KelTec_P3AT.htm

This is a comparison piece between the P3AT and the Bersa

http://www.lesjones.com/posts/001097.shtml

This review covers the problems with the gun itself

http://madogre.com/interviews/p3at_review.htm

[AGust82]

I went through this a few years ago. The Ruger LCP is the exact[U] same gun, but with a slide lock. Worth the $20 or so difference in price to me.
I mean it, the [U]exact same. A stolen design some have even called it.

[Bman505]

Thanks for all the help guys. I ordered a Ruger LCP today. I will post some pics when it comes in.

[Tucson]

I used to own one a few years back and it worked. You can find a forum dedicated to these pistols called ktog (i think...) Kel-tec owners group... You'll find some handy info about dehorning. What I liked about it was the fact that I could stick in the coin pocket of my jeans, trigger guard and all, and have nothing but the pistol grip sticking out. Kind of like my jean had a built in holster for it... Like many things that I have owned over the years, this is now no longer in my collection. Not that anything was wrong with it, just tossed it in to the mix when making a deal on another weapon.

[Tucson]

Found the dehorning link, they call it fluff-n-buff...
http://goldenloki.com/gunsmith/keltec/fullrp.htm

The Ruger LCP many not need this treatment. I haven't had any experience with that one so I can't say...

[ArmedBadger]

I have owned a P3AT for many years. Reliable and easy to conceal. 5 Stars

[jimisbell]

Just bought one. It is "butt ugly green" but the price was right. It will be 20 oz lighter than my Beretta which shoots the same round.