Bit by the BUG bug.

[spud]

Went out to the Bullet Trap in Plano today to check out back up guns. After some research I wanted to check out the Kal-Tec P3AT .380.

Good price, amazingly small, and shocked me how straight it shot.



I have a mag finger extension off of a Bersa Thunder 380 and a nice pocket holster on the way.

So if your looking for a BUG give this one a go.

[Texasdoc]

well Spud, the one I had was good out to 9yds I could get a fairly good group in the 9"range with mine and I liked it as it was lite and easy to conceal.

I hope yours is a good or better then mine was .

300shooter

[spud]

I was really impressed. Did one clip at 6 feet and got a cd size group. And then moved to about 12-14 feet and got all center mass shots. Double taps get a little crazy, But that finger extension should help my grip on it.

[bauerdj]

If it works reliably they are reql nice. Very accurate considering the sights. Mine (bought in Feb) has been plagued by FTE/FTF to the point where I finally sent it back to Kel Tec. Just got it back yesterday and will be trying it out tomorrow or Saturday. If they have fixed the problems it will be worth the hassels of getting it right, I will soon see. Turn around from Kel Tec was 2 weeks which is pretty good.

Dave B.

note: will post range report after test.

[cjlandry]

Picked mine up today at Shooter's Depot here in Corpus.

I had George sell my Egyptian AK thumbhole sporter on consignment, and used part of the cash to buy the P3AT.



I plan to test it at the range tomorrow. I'm gonna fire at least 50 rounds through it, probably 100, then give a report.

[dws1117]

I've been real happy with mine. It spends a lot of time in my pocket.

[Chris]

why can't a revolver get any love these days?

[spud]

I would love a S&W hammerless revolver. But it a little too bulky and heavy. I have not been able to find a mini revolver that fits my needs that I can still shoot a good group with.

But much love to the revolvers!

[flintknapper]

why can't a revolver get any love these days?

I love my Ruger SP-101. It will never be sold or traded.

[bauerdj]

Well, finally got to try out my "repaired" P3AT. Did not go well, below is a copy of e-mail I sent to Kel Tec:

Received my P3AT S/n HSS13 back from repair on Wednesday, Aug 2. Finally got to test fire it today, August 6.

My first clue that all was not right was when I went to rack the slide after inserting a full magazine. The sliDE did not go quite all the way into battery and I had to tap it home. Thid continued to occur on most reloads throughout the test session.

The first four magazine loads fired without problem. Starting with the fifth magazine reload I started expieriencing FTL. As I continued to test fire the FTL became more numerous and I started to get many FTE as well. This is very similar to the original problem for which this firearm was returned.

Obviously this firearm needs to go back to the factory for a second time. I feel strongly that since the initial problem occured right out of the box, and since you obviously failed to diagnose and repair the problem, that you should absorb shipping charges in BOTH DIRECTIONS by issuing a call tag. I also feel I should be re-imbursed for my previous return expenses of $39.91.

If this is typical reliability of the P3AT I would suggest you take it off the market until you can produce a reliable item.



I am very disapointed at this point.

Dave B.

[spud]

Strange. Sorry your having issues with yours.

Went to the range today and put 100 though it without any problems at all. And as to be expected, the P99 ate all 300 withought fail or issue.

When I got home and went to clean the P3AT it looked brand new inside after 100 rounds. Was expecting it to be worse.

[flintknapper]

Well, finally got to try out my "repaired" P3AT. Did not go well, below is a copy of e-mail I sent to Kel Tec:

Received my P3AT S/n HSS13 back from repair on Wednesday, Aug 2. Finally got to test fire it today, August 6.

My first clue that all was not right was when I went to rack the slide after inserting a full magazine. The sliDE did not go quite all the way into battery and I had to tap it home. Thid continued to occur on most reloads throughout the test session.

The first four magazine loads fired without problem. Starting with the fifth magazine reload I started expieriencing FTL. As I continued to test fire the FTL became more numerous and I started to get many FTE as well. This is very similar to the original problem for which this firearm was returned.

Obviously this firearm needs to go back to the factory for a second time. I feel strongly that since the initial problem occured right out of the box, and since you obviously failed to diagnose and repair the problem, that you should absorb shipping charges in BOTH DIRECTIONS by issuing a call tag. I also feel I should be re-imbursed for my previous return expenses of $39.91.

If this is typical reliability of the P3AT I would suggest you take it off the market until you can produce a reliable item.



I am very disapointed at this point.

Dave B.

Its all "Deja Vu" for me.

When you're finished fooling around with KT, send it to Jack Fuselier for a "real live" repair. Assuming you still want to keep it.

http://www.gunsmith.fuselier.com

I hear Kel-Tec has a better customer service program than when I dealt with them years ago. Thats good.

Hope it works out for you.

[cjlandry]

The first thing I noticed with my P3AT was that if I didn't really "slingshot" the slide on the first round, it wouldn't go into battery.

It only took a couple of times to figure that out, and the gun has performed flawlessly since I learned how to load the first round.

I can get by with gently racking the slide on other pistols, but this one requires a very solid pull to the rear and quick release to chamber the first round.

I don't know if that's the same as your issue, but it's the closest thing mine has had to an issue, and I consider it merely a matter of technique.

BTW, I ran 200 rounds of WWB through it in the past two days, and it hasn't failed once. I failed to properly chamber the first round a few times, but that wasn't the gun's fault.

[bauerdj]

I could easily live with the problem of racking the slide on the first round. The FTE and FTF problems are much more serious and preclude the use of this gun for carry. After the first 25 rds with no problem I am averaging a problem on every 2nd or 3rd rnd.

It is really too bad, the size is perfect, and considering the size and sights it is pretty accurate. The bottom line though is that its purpose in life is either for deep concealment or as a BUG. Both of these functions require a firearm that is reliable. So far this doesn't even come close.

Dave B.

[spud]

I say sell it and get a new one. As I work in the Car Audio area. As you go down in size and price you go down in quality control. My high end amps are good out of the box and never fail. On the other hand, my lower end amps about 1 out of 15-25 are bad out of the box or die shortly after the install.

Point is, these guns are small and made from a "cookie cutter" to stamp them out. With my Walther I got the target the tester shot at and a OK to ship signature from a few people. Then P3AT I got lube and what looks to be a daily planner to hold it in a cardboard box.

Swing by KTOG.org (Kel-Tec Owners Group) and see whats up if you have not been there. Most people have no problems or alot, so sorry to say it you got the runt of the litter.

If the gun fits what your looking for, I would get another one. Just make sure its a 2ed Generation and you clean it before the 1st range trip.