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Went to the Conroe gun show yesterday and purchased a Kel Tec P3AT and a S&W 638. Took both to the range today and spent most of the afternoon firing them.

I was a little bit disapointed with the Kel Tec; I had numerous FTF and FTE problems. Ran about 150 rds throught it, will run another 150 through it on my next range visit and see if the problems improve. If not then it will go off to Kel Tec, at least most people seem to have good expieriences with their customer service. Recoil was less then I expected, and accuracy was pretty good for that small a gun.

The S&W performed well. Accuracy was very good with three inch groups at 15 yds, not bad for a snubby (at least for me!) Precieved recoil was a little more then I expected higher then the P3AT with regular ammo and quite sharp when used with +P ammunition. Precieved recoil felt less when fired in single action mode. My only complaint on the Smith was that I had trouble picking up the front sught due to the light color.

For now the S&W will be my BUG, but if and when the feed/extact problems are cleared up on the Kel-Tec it will probably depend on my mood that day.

Dave B.

It seems that folks either love or hate the Kel Tecs. I would suggest that you wonder over the the KTOG website and check out a few of the suggestions over there. Everyone that has one that likes them seems to be of the mind that any small gun like th P3AT needs some attention to work effectively.

http://www.ktog.org/

Disassemble the KT P3 and lube it up real good with grease. You might want to buy some Militec grease and oil off the internet. KT firearms love the militec. Shoot it a bunch to wear it in. Get it real dirty. 250 rounds is a good start for a break in session. I used a leather glove with the fingers cut off to keep from blistering my hands. The KT's need a good break in. Try shooting it strong hand only. FTF's are often due to limp-wristing. No offense, but it is real easty to do with the P3AT. You have to learn how to hold those little balls-o-fire. After a few break in sessions, disassemble and look for the slide and frames to show smooth areas where the slide and frame meet. That shows the surfaces are wearing in. You should see an improvement. All firearms, especially the autos do require break in to be functional. It is especially true with the Kel-Tecs. Mine are now 100% reliable.

I bought one of these last month, only to sell it to a fellow forum-member earlier this month.

I have bad wrists, due to being a computer jockey, and I just couldn't handle the snap from this bad boy enough to prefent FTF's.
It was too bad, as it was perfectly-sized, and easy to conceal. I just didn't feel 100% confidant in my ability with it.

Kudos to anyone that does, this gun just wasn't for me.

The P-3AT has substantial recoil, especially before all the parts have worn smooth. Finger extensions (Bersa far right, NAA center below) on extra magazines are very helpful for control during the first few hundred rounds. I seldom fire more than 50 rounds during a single range, as limpwristing will soon follow In fact, while breaking in a P-3AT it’s a good idea to clean it every 25-50 rounds or the metal particles wearing away will cause jams.

As your P-3AT is likely a Second-Generation, make sure your Buttonhead (aka Frankenstein Bolt) hasn’t worked loose (it takes a 2mm Allen wrench). If the buttonhead is the least bit loose you will have an increasing number of failures to extract. Some good P-3AT info at the http://www.KTOG.org Bulletin Board.

Problem was indeed with the buttonhead screw/extractor. Screw was at least a quarter turn loose and the head promptly stripped when I tried to tighten it - metal is very soft. Kel Tec promptly sent me a new screw, extractor, and extactor spring. Took some work to get the old screw out; I had to cut a slot int the head to remove it with a slotted screw driver. Installed the new parts using loctite on the screw and problem seems to be solved! Ran through over 50 rnds with only one failure to extract and that was when I was intentionally limp wristing to find out how tolerant it would be of that.

Still need to run another 150 rds through it and if it functions as it seems too I will be able to trust it for carry. I will probably do that in two sessions since antything over 75 rounds in a session starts to raise a blister in the web of my hand.

All in all the gun seems to be just what I had hopped it would be; a good BUG/Deep concealment Gun.

Dave B.

bauerdj wrote:Went to the Conroe gun show yesterday and purchased a Kel Tec P3AT and a S&W 638. Took both to the range today and spent most of the afternoon firing them.
Dave B.

bauerdj:

This is my first post on TexasCHLforum so hope you won't mind my interjecting my 2c worth on the KelTec & S&W 638 you purchased.

I've had a 638 for several years and it is my favorite revolver for cc. I recommend if you have an interest you consider the Crimson Trace Lasergrips for it. I put a set on my 638 and in any lighting conditions other than direct sunlight it will AMAZE you at the increase potential accuracy it allows. Also, I have two older J-frames, and I was amazed at the improved "target trigger" the 638 has over the older 40/49 models. The older triggers are narrow and serrated, while the 638 (as you know) is a bit wider feeling, and the trigger is smooth.

I also have a KelTec P32. I had considered the P3AT but after talking to the KT Customer Service folks in Cocoa Beach it was suggested that in my particular situation (senior citizen, weaker hand strength) I might be better served by the older, more reliable P32. My P32 has been 100% reliable and very accurate at self defense ranges. I belong to the S&W forum, and the KelTec forum and you can find all the information you need on either any time you need it. KelTec actually has 2 forum sites, KTOG, and KelTecRange. Both are excellent, you might want to check them out. (I also have a 9MM P11 which has been 100% reliable and accurate at self defense ranges).

Hope I didn't get in your business.

Best Wishes,

PX

Not in the least. Thats what this is all about, providing a forum for the exchange of information. I have checked both Kel TEc forums and found them to be helpful. Kel Tec has improved substantially but I still need to put another 100 rounds or so without failure before I will rely on it for carry, until then I will rely on the Smith. That has a bit of a bite to the recoil as well, especially with plus P duty ammunition, but doesn't require near as many rounds to develop confidence in it. I will have to look at the Smith site.

Dave B.