How to EASILY make a Kel-Tec P3AT 100% reliable, P3AT Review
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 12:49 am
I've test fired the Kel-Tec P3AT. It is a very surprising gun. It has a surprisingly high amount of recoil. It has the most recoil of any auto pistol that I've ever shot! I think that it's because it is so lightweight that there is very little mass and inertia to counter the force of the bullet. The trigger is heavy and jerky. If I were to rapid fire it, the gun would only be accurate to FIVE (5) feet! It is only accurate if you slowly squeeze the trigger. WIth rapid fire, expect 14 inch groups at 5 feet. Slow shooting with Speer Gold Dots at 7 yards, expect 2.5 inch groups 1 inch towards 7 to 8 o'clock from point of aim. Slow shooting with Aguila FMJ, expect 4.5 inch groups at 7 yards, groups 1 inch towards 7 o'clock from point of aim.
For a control, to make sure that it's not my shooting technique that's at fault, I shot a BB gun. The 200 fps BB gun shot 1 inch groups at 7 yards, groups 1 inch towards 11 o'clock from point of aim.
If you were to practice a lot to gain better trigger control, this would be a fine self-defense gun. However, the gun has so much recoil that my wrist hurt, my thumb felt like it was dislocated, and I had callouses after shooting only TWENTY rounds! So, unless you are impervious to pain, it would be impossible to shoot enough with this gun to gain proficiency with it. Also, I read on another forum that Kelgren of Kel-Tec says that the gun is only designed to shoot 5000 rounds reliably.
I would only recommend this as a BUG or a gun when your clothing doesn't allow anything bigger since this is a very small gun.
I used to have reliability problems with the Kel-Tecs, even after the "fluff and buff" (see the Kel-Tec owner's site). However, a very easy way to make the Kel-Tecs 100% reliable without the troublesome "fluff and buff" is to simply oil the feed ramp with plenty of breakfree CLP (or some other low viscosity gun oil). I also carefully applied with a rag a bit of Breakfree CLP to the tips of the bullets, too. Careful not to use too much oil so that the gunpowder gets contaminated with oil. Using this technique, I did not have any jams due to the gun. I had 1 jam due to operator error. I accidentally nudged the mag release. The take-down pin also came loose a bit during firing, but not enough to dislodge.
This brings us to the Ruger LCP. It has an indented magazine catch release to avoid this type of malfunction. It also has a slide hold-open, which the Kel-Tec did not. The action and trigger are also a tad smoother than the Kel-Tec. It also does not jam if you neglect to slather a generous helping of oil on the feed ramp. The Kel-Tec WILL jam unless the feed ramp is well oiled.
Conclusion: When oiled properly, the Kel-Tec is a fine back-up gun that is inexpensive. If you use it as a primary carry gun, keep in mind that if you jerk the trigger during the stress of a gunfight, you should only count on it to hit a man-sized target at 5 feet. Most robberies and car jackings happen at close range, so although this gun is not ideal, this is an adequate gun.
P.S. Stay tuned for a future review of the Ruger LCP.
P.P.S. So far, this is my favorite carry pistol. However, I have not had the pleasure of test firing a Ruger LCP yet (my friend hogged it during this trip to the range). In my upcoming review, I will let you know how the Kel-Tec P3AT compares to the Ruger LCP.
For a control, to make sure that it's not my shooting technique that's at fault, I shot a BB gun. The 200 fps BB gun shot 1 inch groups at 7 yards, groups 1 inch towards 11 o'clock from point of aim.
If you were to practice a lot to gain better trigger control, this would be a fine self-defense gun. However, the gun has so much recoil that my wrist hurt, my thumb felt like it was dislocated, and I had callouses after shooting only TWENTY rounds! So, unless you are impervious to pain, it would be impossible to shoot enough with this gun to gain proficiency with it. Also, I read on another forum that Kelgren of Kel-Tec says that the gun is only designed to shoot 5000 rounds reliably.
I would only recommend this as a BUG or a gun when your clothing doesn't allow anything bigger since this is a very small gun.
I used to have reliability problems with the Kel-Tecs, even after the "fluff and buff" (see the Kel-Tec owner's site). However, a very easy way to make the Kel-Tecs 100% reliable without the troublesome "fluff and buff" is to simply oil the feed ramp with plenty of breakfree CLP (or some other low viscosity gun oil). I also carefully applied with a rag a bit of Breakfree CLP to the tips of the bullets, too. Careful not to use too much oil so that the gunpowder gets contaminated with oil. Using this technique, I did not have any jams due to the gun. I had 1 jam due to operator error. I accidentally nudged the mag release. The take-down pin also came loose a bit during firing, but not enough to dislodge.
This brings us to the Ruger LCP. It has an indented magazine catch release to avoid this type of malfunction. It also has a slide hold-open, which the Kel-Tec did not. The action and trigger are also a tad smoother than the Kel-Tec. It also does not jam if you neglect to slather a generous helping of oil on the feed ramp. The Kel-Tec WILL jam unless the feed ramp is well oiled.
Conclusion: When oiled properly, the Kel-Tec is a fine back-up gun that is inexpensive. If you use it as a primary carry gun, keep in mind that if you jerk the trigger during the stress of a gunfight, you should only count on it to hit a man-sized target at 5 feet. Most robberies and car jackings happen at close range, so although this gun is not ideal, this is an adequate gun.
P.S. Stay tuned for a future review of the Ruger LCP.
P.P.S. So far, this is my favorite carry pistol. However, I have not had the pleasure of test firing a Ruger LCP yet (my friend hogged it during this trip to the range). In my upcoming review, I will let you know how the Kel-Tec P3AT compares to the Ruger LCP.