P3AT?

[mr.72]

I almost bought a Kel-Tec P3AT yesterday. If it had been a black frame instead of green, I am sure I would have walked out with it.

Couple of questions for you P3AT owners.

Can any of you get more than two fingers on the grip of this gun? I had two fingers hanging off. With the Pearce grip extension, does that allow you to get just a third finger on it, or all four?

Do you guys have any issue with the slide not locking back on these guns?

Price was pretty good on this one and they had it in stock. My Kahr is at the factory so I have nothing to carry. I guess it hardly matters since nobody has .380 ammo in stock so I probably wouldn't be able to get any here until my Kahr comes home anyway but this looks like the perfect "toss in your pocket" gun. I have not shot one but I shot a LCP and it jumped in my hand bigtime. I think with a grip extension it might be better.

[Tireshred]

My wife and I both have LCP's with Pearce extensions, I have no problem with recoil, she does a bit but can still double tap a sillouette target every time at 7 yards. I can get all but my pinky on it, I'm not sure if she can. My hands are medium-large if that helps.

The only "problem" with the slide not locking is you will dry fire it once every mag unless you keep count, not a problem in my opinion but some think it is.

You didn't ask but function has been perfect on both and my friends with a P3AT say the same thing.

Like you said ammo is the real issue, I've only practiced with mine once in 3 months and she's only practiced with hers once (she carries a Glock 19 most of the time), so the only time I carry it is when I'm walking the dog or scootering around town when I feel I'm least likely to need it.

Hope this helps.

[LarryH]

I have fairly small hands and my pinky falls off the bottom of the grip. However, with a firm two-hand grip, muzzle flip is not a problem.

One thing to be aware of is that the P3AT really doesn't like at least one brand of JHP. My wife bought the ammo and tried it out, so I don't know what it was. From her description, it sounded like the nose of the bullet hung up on the feed ramp.

[Rex B]

I consider the mag extensions almost mandatory.
But your pinky will still be hanging out.

If the price is right, get it. Good value, never an excuse to be unarmed

[Oldgringo]

We HAD one with the grip extension and a trigger shoe when .380 ammo was readily available. It did fit well in one's pocket or purse but it was neither easy nor fun to shoot.

[gregthehand]

I love mine and I have good sized hands. So far I haven't had any problems with too much recoil. I don't want the grips on there because of the extended grip lenght possibly getting caught on my pocket as I'm trying to pull the weapon out of my pocket. Also as far as ammo I use Speer Gold Dots and have never had a single jam using them.

[A-R]

LCP user for more than 6 months. Just got my first grip extension about 6 weeks ago. I like it. It definitely helps. But pinky still hangs off regardless on either grip style. I was able to get both middle and ring fingers on the grip before extension, but the extension makes it all feel more stable.

Recoil is not at all bad, IMHO. Much less felt recoil than my S&W Airweight J-frame .38.

As far as accuracy, Crimson Trace lasergrip is a HUGE help. I have much more confidence in my LCP with laser than without.

I've had very good luck with Hornady Critical Defense - wish they made this in .40 for my Glock.

Kel Tec or Ruger either will fill well the roll you described ... a "toss in your pocket" gun. Just be sure to use a quality pocket holster, these guns are small enough to actually rotate or flip in your pocket - don't want to reach in there when you need it and realize it's turned itself slide down and wedged into the curvature of your pocket.

[mr.72]

Thanks for the input. Since I can't try one with a grip extension I wanted to get an idea of how they fit.

I am leaning towards a P3AT instead of an LCP for a number of reasons, mostly reliability track record, price, and the availability of a clip. While I said "toss in your pocket" odds are more likely that I would appendix-carry a little pistol like this with it clipped inside the waistband. If I am wearing clothes that will tolerate a pocket holster, then I can fit my Kahr into the wardrobe instead.

When I shot a LCP it jumped in my hand not because of excessive recoil but mostly because I was unable to get a solid grip on the little thing. I would fire it and then after the first shot, it would be in a different position in my hand. This was without any grip extension. Experimenting with a grip sleeve might be in order.

Maybe I'll run over and pick that one up. It's green. I want black. But holding out for a black one might be a never-ending wait.

[FlynJay]

Mr.72,
If you are in the South Houson area I would be happy to let you shoot mine with the finger extension. I find it really helps me to keep the grip consistant for follow up shots.

As for the bullet nose hanging up, on mine the first round will hang the slide but if you give the slide a little forward pressure it pushes it through. I have never had a hangup during firing.

[couzin]

Do you guys have any issue with the slide not locking back on these guns?

There is no slide lock on the P380 - there is one the P-32 though. The P380 is a great little pocket pistol.

[Mike from Texas]

I ahve my primary mag that has the factory +1 extension on it and my backup mags have the factory +0 extension on it. I can get a full 3 finger grip with the +1 extension and a 2.5 finger grip with the +0 extensions.

No slide lock at all.

I find that I shoot mine better 1 handed rather than trying to get a traditional 2 hand full firing grip on it. Recoil is easier to tame this way for me as well or at least is is perceived as milder to me.

[mr.72]

Wound up buying a LCP today from another forum member. Price was right. Probably go out and shoot it on Monday.

[Rex B]

I keep two mags loaded for my LCP or P3AT.
One with pinky extension, one without.
If the pants I'm wearing that day have a generous pocket, I use the extended mag and put other in the spare mag pouch.
When I'm wearing tighter pants with smaller pockets, I insert the stock mag in the pistol.

Works for me.

[flb_78]

I've owned both a P3AT and a LCP. I like the LCP better. The grip is checkered deeper and I can hold onto it better. Im lucking to get a finger and a half on one. It's not a fun gun to shoot. It's fun to hand to someone at the range when they look at it funny though and see how big their eyes get when they squeeze one off.
I also have a crimson trace on it.

You can check this thread for pics.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 23&t=24879" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mr.72]

I like the fact that the LCP will lock the slide open. Now I just need to get a Kel-Tec clip to go on it and I'll be all set. I don't think I can get used to carrying this big of a thing in my pocket, since I hate having ANYTHING in my pockets.