Ruger LCP and Kel Tec P3AT Again

[mbw]

Went to the range Sunday with both my original Kel Tec P3AT and a brand new Ruger LCP. It was an interesting comparison between these two pistols.

First thing you notice is that the Ruger is much better in fit and finish. The two are almost identical in size. Both pistols will fit into the same formed leather pocket holster. The Ruger grip may be just a hair larger than the Kel Tec but the slides and barrel are basically identical in size. The magazines are identical except for the base plates. The Ruger base plate is taller than the Kel Tec in that it covers more of the body of the magazine. The Kel Tec mag fits in the Ruger but not vice versa. The taller base plate stops the Ruger mag from seating in the Kel Tec.

Accuracy- I could really tell no difference. Both pistols will shoot into one hole at 3 yards and into 2 or 3 inches at 7 yards. No malfunctions with either pistol.

In shooting the pistols it is very apparent that the Kel Tec has the better trigger. The Ruger trigger really stacks before it breaks while the Kel Tec is just a very long smooth pull. Both pistols have a very long pull, but I definitely preferred the Kel Tec over the Ruger in this respect. On a pocket pistol the long trigger pull is an asset in my opinion. Makes for a safer carry.

Bottom line is I am going to stick with the Kel Tec. The Ruger, like I said, has the better fit and finish and is just a better looking pistol. But I like the Kel Tec trigger much better and I could tell no difference in accuracy or dependability between the two. The one thing that I really dislike about the Kel Tec is the ejector. It is a small piece of steel that sits in a groove on the left rail. When you strip the pistol for cleaning it can and does fall out and is easily lost. The Ruger design has fixed this problem with an ejector that is part of the left rail.

[casingpoint]

That model Kel Tec has a reputation for reliability, the P32 is even more so.

[Rex B]

A timely post. I've carried a Keltec P3At ever since I got my CHL. It's been dependable.
But I was in CTD the other day and there as a new LCP in the showcase for a reasonable price, so it followed me home.
I agree on the fit and finish, I appreciate that the ejector won't fall out.
I have yet to get to the range, but I may do that after work today.
As much as I like the KT, I hope I'm going to like the LCP too. It does exude quality and finish where the KT seems a bit utilitarian.

[Purplehood]

A timely post. I've carried a Keltec P3At ever since I got my CHL. It's been dependable.
But I was in CTD the other day and there as a new LCP in the showcase for a reasonable price, so it followed me home.
I agree on the fit and finish, I appreciate that the ejector won't fall out.
I have yet to get to the range, but I may do that after work today.
As much as I like the KT, I hope I'm going to like the LCP too. It does exude quality and finish where the KT seems a bit utilitarian.

CTD?

[Rex B]

Sorry, Cheaper Than Dirt, Ft Worth retail store.
The sales guy laughed and said that LCP had been in the display all of 5 minutes when I glommed onto it.
He said that was about the average.

[NcongruNt]

One thing that I have found that helps with the stack on the LCP trigger - the finger extension for the magazine. Ruger had a special on these a while back and I ordered several. When first shooting the LCP, I was dismayed that it was shooting low. After further work, I found that the issue did not occur when I focused and did slow and concentrated shots. After a while, I realized that because I have such large hands, I was pulling the gun slightly downward just before the trigger broke, due to the very long pull. Once I installed the finger extensions on the mags, I found this problem largely went away. Instead of 1 2/5 of a finger on the grip, I now had 2 full fingers, meaning that I was able to keep the gun much more steady in general. As a result, my shots stopped dropping low, and I was able to maintain these results in controlled rapid-fire - so I am much more confident with my ability to place accurate shots in an emergency.

The gun has never mis-fed or malfunctioned in the ~450 rounds I've run through it so far. I've not had the opportunity to actually fire the P3AT, but my impressions from handling them in stores is that I really dislike the cheese-grater-like texturing on the grip that Ruger wisely did not reproduce for the LCP. There are some subtle differences in contouring on the grip as well, which is why I much prefer the feel of the LCP overall.

[Rex B]

Agreed the the finger lip helps a lot. when you have a tiny little gun recoiling in your two-finger grip, anything to aid control is important.

As for the texture, I can argue both sides of that. While the LCP is smooth and finished, it's also a lot like a bar of soap.
In the heat of an actual exchange, hands sweaty, dark park parking lot, adrenaline - grip might be a lot more important than finish, all else being equal.
I left all the checking sharp on mine.

I had a P32 that had been smoothed. I sold it and bought one that had all the points still on it.

[poppo]

I've not had the opportunity to actually fire the P3AT, but my impressions from handling them in stores is that I really dislike the cheese-grater-like texturing on the grip that Ruger wisely did not reproduce for the LCP.

On the flip side, it's rather trivial to sand down the P3AT grip to your liking and still maintain some texture.

[Rex B]

I posted my own comparison, plus the Colt Mustang, on a separate thread.

http://texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_Forum ... 23&t=22817" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hunter11]

My wife loves her LCP.

[mbw]

Both the Ruger and the Kel Tec are terrific for their intended purpose. They both do the job.

I just prefer the trigger on the Kel Tec over the Ruger.

[Keith B]

Both the Ruger and the Kel Tec are terrific for their intended purpose. They both do the job.

I just prefer the trigger on the Kel Tec over the Ruger.

Question; How many rounds down the barrel of each?? That may make a difference on the trigger of the LCP after more use.

[mbw]

Keith-

Very true!

The LCP was brand new and I fired a total of 100 rounds through it. It did smooth up some during shooting. But it always stacked toward the end of the pull.

The Kel Tec has approx 250 rounds since new.

Having said that, the Kel Tec never did stack on the trigger pull. It has always just been a long fairly smooth pull.

[NcongruNt]

Keith-

Very true!

The LCP was brand new and I fired a total of 100 rounds through it. It did smooth up some during shooting. But it always stacked toward the end of the pull.

The Kel Tec has approx 250 rounds since new.

Having said that, the Kel Tec never did stack on the trigger pull. It has always just been a long fairly smooth pull.

I have something like 500 rounds through mine, and it has the same "stack" at the end of the trigger pull. It was nice and smooth from the get-go, though. I think the stacking characteristic of the trigger pull is mechanical, and will not change with time.