KEL TEK 380

[TabulaRasa]

I like my P3AT, mine is the 2nd generation version. I've put around 500rd. through it. The slide occasionally needs a little forward assist when racking the first round, but you just have to tap it lightly and the spring does the rest.

From what I've seen, the LCP is a pretty close copy of the P3AT internally. Externally it seems to have a smoother, more rounded off finish. The biggest difference is the manual slide lock. Wish my P3AT had that--it would help alot for disassembly. Not worth the money to me to switch just for that though.

[monkeylips]

I have a keltec 380. its kinda tight for my finger but it shoots ok

it will be my pocket gun when i get my permt

[JohninMinnesota]

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[Pat]

John,

Thanks for all your work and pic taking. That was an excellent review!

[JohninMinnesota]

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[bobby b]

I'll chime in, even though this is an old thread.

Bought the P3AT about four months ago.

It's pretty inaccurate over 15 feet. With my Glock 9mm, I can reliably get 28 of 30 shots into a five-inch circle at 35 feet, but, with the KelTec and 20 shots, I'll get 5 or 6 in that circle. I've sandbagged it down pretty tight to see if it was simply my aim, or movement, but it still throws wild, in all four directions.

The trigger action throws off my aim some, too. (Yeah, right, it's the trigger, uh huh . . .) If I hold the gun hard with my left hand, (or sandbag the gun), and ever so gently pull the trigger with my right hand untensioned, I can do better - maybe a 40% improvement.

I've put about 700 rounds through it - all fairly standard plinker-power stuff - and it's still stovepiping (maybe 1 bullet per 2 mags), or, less frequently, hanging up on loading (maybe 1 bullet per 10 mags). As mentioned, unacceptable for carry protection so far, unless I want to depend on a "one shot and then throw it at them" technique.

I've fluffed and buffed and refluffed and double-buffed and I'm about to send it to KelTec for their treatment of the problem (which, from what I hear, WILL result in a working, non-jamming gun, for free).

But I'm determined to make this work, because the size and weight and flatness and power make this the ultimate pocket-carry gun, and when you wear suits (sometimes with a jacket on, sometimes not), pocket-carry is all you can do, unless you can find one of those Maxwell Smart 9mm ties.

[GordyTheCook]

A lot of people love them but a good buddy of mine has two that aren't worth a damn, they fail to feed and or fail to eject and they tare up the hand if you have a big hand. I have put probably 50 rounds threw each of his and regretted it. even though I wood like a pocket pistol I think I will stick with my Kahr P40 and get a 357 instead "witch I found easier to shoot then the Kel-tec" Good luck.