Kel-Tec P-3AT

[XD-45]

I'm kicking around the Idea of picking a P-3AT up for CC. Any comments or range reports? What is the comparison of the 380 vs 9mm as a personal defense round, pros and cons.

[em1077]

Or you could wait a little while for the KelTec PF9 to come out.

Its *supposed* to be shipping in July or August.

[NiK]

I carry one almost all the time.

Pros: Extremely easy to conceal. It's thinner than my wallet. It's extremely light. Trigger is consistent. With the right ammo, it's dead reliable. Decent accuracy at last resort distances ( <10 yds). Kel-Tec customer service is outstanding.

Cons: Not a plinker; light weight and small size = snappy recoil. Sometimes the brass smacks me in the head (although that's probably a peculiarity of my own particular gun). Doesn't like steel-cased ammo (Wolf).

I don't have any problem carrying a .380. People spend a lot of time poring over charts and ballistic test data before selecting a $2/round box of ammo, which is fine, but people all over the world die from small-caliber plain jane ball ammo every day.

[jeepguy]

The P3AT has no peer. (well, the P32 is close). I have had mine for over a year. It is my main carry gun in the summer. I live and work in nice areas so the .380 is fine for me,but then again I used to carry a .25. If I go in to a more "urban" environment, then I definitly pack something larger.

[Polymerhead]

I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying a 380. I sometimes don't even feel 100% comfortable carrying my .38 Speer Gold Dots out of mw S&W but it's a lot better than the .380. I never wear anything that can't accommodate my .38 so I would never have a reason to carry anything less. I use a $6 Uncle Mike's pocket holster and it slips right in my front pocket.

The 38 snubbies aren't much more expensive than a Kel-Tec, are reliable with any ammo, are high quality and have great resale value. I wouldn't trust anything with my life that I have to do a "fluff and buff" to make work.

I know plenty of people who carry them though, so I guess that says something. Still, what's the most popular CCW weapon ever? 38 snubbie. That says something to me.

[NiK]

Originally Posted by Polymerhead

I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying a 380. I sometimes don't even feel 100% comfortable carrying my .38 Speer Gold Dots out of mw S&W but it's a lot better than the .380. I never wear anything that can't accommodate my .38 so I would never have a reason to carry anything less. I use a $6 Uncle Mike's pocket holster and it slips right in my front pocket.

The 38 snubbies aren't much more expensive than a Kel-Tec, are reliable with any ammo, are high quality and have great resale value. I wouldn't trust anything with my life that I have to do a "fluff and buff" to make work.

I know plenty of people who carry them though, so I guess that says something. Still, what's the most popular CCW weapon ever? 38 snubbie. That says something to me.

.38 snubbies are a lot bigger than the Kel-Tec. If my boxer shorts had a pocket, I could go armed in just my skivvies and you'd never know.

I've never done the fluff and buff, and my only function problems came from trying to use steel-cased ammo.

Good points about revolvers though. I've been eyeing a Taurus 651 lately.

[agrizzlyman]

The whole idea of "comfort level" when talkling about guns is a little silly, if you ask me.
When a situation arises where you need to act, a cool head and a well placed shot (or 6) and most importantly actually having a gun with you trumps caliber every time. Also, being "comfortable" with a lesser caliber in a good neighborhood but "uncomfortable" in a bad neighborhood is a mind game you play with yourself. If you are confronted by a bad guy in a good neighborhood, does it take less force to subdue him? Is a lesser caliber more powerful the better the neighborhood gets? Perhaps in the bad neighborhood the chance of being confronted is greater but if you need to use deadly force, does it really matter what the location is?
By the way, I carry a Kel-Tec P3-AT when I feel the need and I'm quite comfortable wherever I go.

[demon]

Originally Posted by agrizzlyman

The whole idea of "comfort level" when talkling about guns is a little silly, if you ask me.
When a situation arises where you need to act, a cool head and a well placed shot (or 6) and most importantly actually having a gun with you trumps caliber every time. Also, being "comfortable" with a lesser caliber in a good neighborhood but "uncomfortable" in a bad neighborhood is a mind game you play with yourself. If you are confronted by a bad guy in a good neighborhood, does it take less force to subdue him? Is a lesser caliber more powerful the better the neighborhood gets? Perhaps in the bad neighborhood the chance of being confronted is greater but if you need to use deadly force, does it really matter what the location is?
By the way, I carry a Kel-Tec P3-AT when I feel the need and I'm quite comfortable wherever I go.

+1

I don't carry a P3AT, but my wife does. Great little gun. I'm totally confident in the gun being able to put a BG down with proper shot placement any day of the week. A .380 in the pocket is better than a .45 in the truck.

[jeepguy]

Originally Posted by agrizzlyman

Also, being "comfortable" with a lesser caliber in a good neighborhood but "uncomfortable" in a bad neighborhood is a mind game you play with yourself.

Sorry, but I don't play mind games with myself. I'm NOT talking "neighborhoods" separated by a couple urban blocks. The difference is rural village and inner city. If you think you are at the same level of danger between the two then you are the one playing the mental games.
Altering your defensive weaponry per environment is just another level of preparation to and for your surroundings. The chance of me being accosted by a group of ill intentioned felons where I live is less likely than being abducted by aliens. Traveling to and through Rochester, on the other hand, definitly presents the possibility at a much less desireable percentage. I would carry a AR through there if I could get away with it.
If you are "comfortable" with your .380 in a city like Rochester, then you are a much better man than I.

[Polymerhead]

Originally Posted by NiK

.38 snubbies are a lot bigger than the Kel-Tec. If my boxer shorts had a pocket, I could go armed in just my skivvies and you'd never know.

That's true, but when do you need to go out dressed in only your boxers? The only time I would ever not want to carry my .38 is when I'm running and have track pants on. I've actually been thinking of getting a belly band set up for just that circumstance. Weight is not the issue, it's the movement of the gun in pants that don't have a belt - just a drawstring. Other than that, I'm wearing jeans or dockers and the .38 works just fine - less than 20 oz all loaded up. I personally don't see any advantage to the .380 over the .38 carry-wise, so I choose to carry a more potent package.

Originally Posted by agrizzlyman

The whole idea of "comfort level" when talkling about guns is a little silly, if you ask me.

I'm just going to have to flat disagree with you there. Comfort level is based on a bunch of factors besides caliber. And I carry everywhere I can legally, not just when I feel the need. I've been in some situations where I definitely feel undergunned with my .38 and wish I would have been carrying my XD with 17 rounds instead.