I want your $0.02 on a Kel Tec

[Duane J]

If anyone has something to add to my thoughts, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'm thinking about getting the gal a Kel Tec (and maybe one for me while I'm at it). I'm comparing the size difference between the P3AT and the PF-11. PF would be nice for more bang, but gals wear some tighter fitting clothes than guys do so the P3AT may conceal better. Any thoughts on the contrasting concealability between these two models?

Any other models in the same price range I should consider that would be of similar size?? Ruger LCP? That little Beretta?

Thanks for the input!!

[rtk]

I have owned 2 of the P-11's and 1-P3AT over the years, while they all performed without a problem I would not count on a Keltec if and when I needed one. Does this make sense? No it doesn't but......... I think that there are other options out there that I would rather count on. Even though I do not have one in inventory I would lean towards a S&W J frame before I would count on a Keltec.

YMMV.

I could be wrong, I have been before.

RTK

[tt3]

I like my P3AT for pocket carry. We looked at the Beretta Tomcat too but the grip is too thick. I did get a Hogue HandALL Jr for it though, much nicer on the hands to shoot.
Out of the box it has gone bang every time, done everything correctly every time. No misfeeds, no misfires, always returns to battery, no stovepipes or anything else I've heard. Heck, I even ran the desk course in July's Last Chance Tactical with it.
My wife doesn't mind shooting it, it fits in her pocket too and its light. With the grip it takes the sting away from shooting it too.

It funny you bring this up today, I just parked my Kahr and put the P3AT in my pocket for getting the driveway prepped for sealing. No need showing off the Kahr to the neighbors...

[westhope]

Number one rule about women and guns: Let them decide what they like and works best for them. If they decide it is a 32 ACP Keltec P32, a full size 1911 in 45 ACP, a 22 LR J-frame SW or a 357 Magnum 4 inch K-frame they decide, you support their decision.

Have them take a basic pistol class. Show them different models and types. Have them try these various types. Let them decide what they want and works for them.

I just spent Saturday at Cobb's NRA Women On Target and had several women tell me what handgun their husband/boy friend told them what they should buy. I told all of them, if it was to be their gun, they decide not someone else. All the women then tried several types, most came back a second time to try other types or the same ones again.

The husband of one of the women told her to get a J-frame, when she tried one (that had a trigger job) she could not shoot it double action due to her weak trigger finger. Another woman was told by her husband to get a Sig, she shot and liked the 642 a lot more than the semi-autos. She could not work the slide but had no problem with the double action trigger.

She decides after seeing and trying various types.

The two Keltecs that I have work fine but are not guns I shoot a lot. I did do the "fluff & buff" on them.

[Duane J]

Number one rule about women and guns: Let them decide what they like and works best for them. If they decide it is a 32 ACP Keltec P32, a full size 1911 in 45 ACP, a 22 LR J-frame SW or a 357 Magnum 4 inch K-frame they decide, you support their decision.

Have them take a basic pistol class. Show them different models and types. Have them try these various types. Let them decide what they want and works for them.

I just spent Saturday at Cobb's NRA Women On Target and had several women tell me what handgun their husband/boy friend told them what they should buy. I told all of them, if it was to be their gun, they decide not someone else. All the women then tried several types, most came back a second time to try other types or the same ones again.

The husband of one of the women told her to get a J-frame, when she tried one (that had a trigger job) she could not shoot it double action due to her weak trigger finger. Another woman was told by her husband to get a Sig, she shot and liked the 642 a lot more than the semi-autos. She could not work the slide but had no problem with the double action trigger.

She decides after seeing and trying various types.

The two Keltecs that I have work fine but are not guns I shoot a lot. I did do the "fluff & buff" on them.

I've been through most of this stuff with her. We've shot a few and had her hold a great many at the gun shop. Her number one concern is concealability due to her wardrobe. She's a thin one and wears clothes that compliment it. She's been through the equivilant of a few basic courses and a few permit courses so she has a decent understanding and foundation.

It is good to hear about the reliability here. That was my first concern. Anyone have a PF-9 they would like to comment on??

[TC95GT]

I have a P3AT and have had zero problems with it. It really isn't that bad to shoot either. The most I've put through it at one time was 100 rounds and my hand was just fine. No problems with the function of the gun either. I keep it clean and well lubricated.

It certainly isn't a target gun so don't expect much with regards to the sights, but for close in shooting mine is quite accurate. Concealability is where the Kel tec really shines. If you haven't already check out ktog.org for lots of good info. Good luck.

[Srigs]

I have all 4 Kel-tecs and have carried them all.

The P32 is a small very reliable gun that is easy to shoot but only 32ACP but is one gun that is always available. Never had a malfunction.
The P3AT is almost as small as the P32 (grip is wider for the 380 round) but is ok to shoot as long as you don't limp wrist it. The trigger is better than the P32.
The PF9 (which is the one you asking about I believe) is 50% bigger than the P3xx guns but shoots 9mm. Even my big paws work well on this very narrow and small grip. Both the PF9 and P11 does not like Winchester Ranger FMJ in 147 grain cut off nose compared to any 115 and 124 grain bullets. Good trigger like the P3AT guns.
The P11 (12+1 rounds - the most bang for your buck and size - that can take S&W 59xx and 69xx mags) is the original 9mm kel-tec that is very reliable and fits my hands perfect. The trigger pull is looonnggg but very consistent and I have no problems shooting it.

As long as you don't limp wrist them, they are very reliable and great carry guns. Do yourself a favor and get hard chrome or Parkerized instead of blue because they can rust very easily. Here is my collection of Kel-tecs (so I could make holsters for all 4 ).

[gunshop guy]

I have a Kel-Tec P3AT in my pocket everyday. I personally like it a lot. I primarily use it as a back-up gun, but on occasion it is my small-enough to go everywhere gun. For a slim gun that packs a bit more power the PF9 seems to be a very popular gun at the shop. Say what you want about Kel-Tecs but I have never had an issue with mine and is has several hundred rounds through it (Mostly cusotmers trying it out, but a fair amount are mine). I like the Ruger LCP also, but it is not different enough to get me to switch from my P3AT.

[macphisto]

Bottom line: You will not find a smaller, lighter, and more powerful gun than the P3AT for anywhere near the price.

[Victoria]

One of the things I've struggled with as a chick who is going to carry is my wardrobe. I dress mostly in fitted clothing, rather than loose, but the thing that it came down to for me personally is that when I'm going to carry, my wardrobe may need to be adjusted a bit. Being safe is more important than looking my absolute best, but I don't want to have to switch to muumuus.

One of the other things I took a long time to figure out what what size I could carry and where. Personally, I wanted a bit more stopping power than one of the teensy little guns. I just don't trust one of those little calibers to be enough protection in the winter here when people are wearing 12 layers of clothing. So the hubby got his carry gun first and I tried carrying it, and while it's a sort of big and heavy, the weight/height/length didn't bother me. The thickness was what cinched it.

I ended up with a little 1911 because they are very thin, but have plenty of stopping power. It was a choice made after trying different things on and carrying them around, and trying lots of different clothes. With the wee 1911, I can carry under pretty well fitted clothing, and I feel confident in the gun and the stopping power. And I can shoot it pretty well and it's still fun at the range.

That said, we also have one of the smallest Kahrs if either of us is feeling particularly lazy. It'll slip into a pocket and disappear, and we decided to spend the extra money over a Kel-tec or the like mostly because it seems to be a bit nicer to shoot and more reliable and sturdy. Just personal opinions.

The smallest revolver was too thick for me to be able to conceal the way I wanted. I won't completely sacrifice my wardrobe.

[Duane J]

Thanks for the input everyone!!

Srigs, that photo was very helpful. I haven't yet been able to find one with the P3 and PF in the same photo laid out so nicely.

Victoria, would you care to elaborate on what methods and holster types you use to carry with you more fitted clothing? This would be some great information for me to be able to share with the better half.

Thanks!!!

[mnglocker]

Duane, if you and your better half make it out towards the Delano area ever let me know. I have a P3AT, J-Frame, and a NAA Mini that are all very compact guns she and you if you're lucky can try. Not to mention a G23 if she feels she'd like to go bigger.

[phorvick]

My KT P3AT saga.

1. bought one; it never worked; sent it back; they fixed it (my experience is that they have excellent service); but....did not trust it anymore; sold it; made decision to never buy another;

2. bought another; it never worked; ^%&%$&* me for buying again; had it sent back; repairs were great; did not trust it; never will buy one again;

3. "never" arrived; bought #3; superb gun; never a failure; carry 99% of the time;

Short version. The size is terrific; the gun (if reliable) is a decent self-defense round for close quarters (better to carry it than carry nothing!) Superbly concealable. ...and....that size just screams "carry me!!!!"

I also have the Ruger LCP. Similar story...but one difference, and it is odd. The Ruger is "louder". I can shoot the P3AT w/o hearing protection (yes, dumb) and it does not hurt; the Ruger LCP "hurts" w/o protection. Odd.

[Victoria]

Victoria, would you care to elaborate on what methods and holster types you use to carry with you more fitted clothing? This would be some great information for me to be able to share with the better half.

Thanks!!!

I have a belly band I don't like a lot, but for the price it helped a lot with me trying different guns and placements. I have a holster that's adjustable and sits lower in the waistband than a normal one (I think it's the desantis tuck this). It's okay but a bit pokey, and I like where it sits in my waistband. This advice won't necessarily translate to your wife though, but it might help her think of things to consider. I'm probably not as thin as her, and I have a very short waist, which means that anything riding at the waistband where a guy might carry it pokes me in my ribs a fair lot. With the belly band and the desantis, I can put it in a couple different places including appendix, just in front of the hip and just behind the hip (about 1:00, 2:30, and 3:30-4:00 respectively). It depends on what I'm wearing.

Same as with everyone, patterns help, so a shirt with stripes or flowers helps conceal more than a solid color. Shirts and blouses that are more fitted up top and perhaps a bit looser on the bottom, like with an empire waist (your wife should know what that means) help. A good gun belt is a must if she's carrying IWB, of course. Pocket carry is difficult for women with pants that are tailored for women, because the pockets are ridiculously small and/or short. Pockets can be modified, or men's jeans can be worn for pocket carry, but with nicely fitted jeans, it's going to be a huge lump in there even with a good pocket holster. I'd only pocket carry in a coat in the winter probably, otherwise IWB.

I am planning to get a smartcarry to try out with skirts and such, that's next on my wish list.

One other thing that went into consideration for me with limited budgets to work with is that, like tt3's wife in the other thread, I can't carry to work and am not out a whole ton outside that, so I wanted to be sure to buy something I might have a bit of fun with at the range but that was also practical for carrying. Sure, I can't shoot as many rounds through the little Kimber as I can through my full-size Sig, but it's fun enough to go through a box or two when I go out.

[EAGSCCW]

Had my wife try a Kel Tec 380 at Bill's spring show. Neither of us liked firing it, kicked too much for her. I tried a LCP at Bill's fall show, could not keep it on target, also fired a PPK that day and liked the feel and acuracy of it.