Any good and not so costly 380.

[Delija]

Originally Posted by Timmy44221

I vote for the kel-tec P3at. It is much better than it used to be (some people used to bash reliablility). I have one on order myself, and will use it for daily pocket carry.

For concealed carry, nothing compares to a Kel Tec IMO. The KT weighs 6 ounces, the new Bersa CC weighs 17 ounces. Size is proportional to weight (approximately). The KT does cost a bit more, but if you are buying to protect your life and loved one's another $50 or so should not be a deciding factor.
Peace,
D.

[JG1222]

In my experience, nothing beats the size, weight and comfort of the Kel-Tec .380. True, the first generation Kel-Tec P-3AT's had some reliability issues (mostly surrounding the ejector). I own a second generation P-3AT with a new ejector and carry it more often because of the size. (It's true what they say, the best gun in a gunfight is the one you have with you.)

I considered the Bersa Thunder, Walther PPK and the Beretta Tomcat. The Tomcat is only a .32, and the Bersa and Walther .380's were still to "big" for my taste.

You still need to make up your own mind though - If you're at all interested, you should check out the Kel-Tec Forum - the Kel-Tec Owners Group (www.ktog.org).

[O.C. 4 U]

Yea, get a Kel tec in 380.

Then let me know how you like it, cuz I've been wanting on since I saw one in Gander Mountain (in Erie) this past weekend.

[Delija]

Originally Posted by O.C. 4 U

Yea, get a Kel tec in 380.

Don't be too quick to discount the P32. Yeah, the .380 is a bit more powerful (I have guns in both calibers and shooting phone books, and other non-scientific experiments they seem similar).

Ballistically the .380 is closer (a LOT closer) to the .32 than to a 9mm Luger in power. Both rounds are NOT cheap....not compared to 9mm Luger (seems silly size for size).

I feel now (was originally convinced by someone much more knowledgeable than me) that the .32 in the Kel-Tec is a good choice. It is easier to shoot (less felt recoil), has one more round in the magazine, has a "last shot lock-open" slide, and mostly....in real-life self defense distances, caliber is almost meaningless (IMO). From "handshake" distance, a .22 would be plenty. These guns are not for standoffs at a hostage scene...call SWAT with their rifles. They are for if you get mugged or threatened with deadly force at very close distances. To actually shoot someone, you have to be in imminent danger of your life. That means the threat is damn close. No one gets robbed on the street from 25 yards away.

A little gun like the KT has almost useless sights, and that's fine with me. NO sights would be fine with me. In the "heat of battle" I can't imagine lining up a threat in my sights. I'll point the gun and keep pulling the trigger. At eight or ten feet or so, as nervous as I would be, I'm not going to miss. I may get hit first, but that could happen if I were carrying a S&W.460Magnum. (Which would be unlikely....whereas, I ALWAYS have the P32 in my front right pocket).

As a side note...I've shot the p32 from a (sort of) rest, and it is surprisingly accurate. Maybe two inch groups at 10 yards from a "shaky" rest.

Lastly, if there is any difference in reliability between the Kel Tec P3AT and the P32, it seems that the P32 gets the nod. I'd be confident in either with the newer "Generation 2" Kel Tecs.

KT service is beyond description. Twice I called them for accessory parts and both times I got them free of charge the next day in the mail. They sent me a $9 "rim lock preventor kit" (sent two by accident) and a few sets of recoil springs after I lost one (and of course found as soon as I got off the phone with them). Their policy on parts is what Springfield's should be like. Need a barrel? Give a call. Need any part at all? Give a call.

For such a little light "mouse gun" don't let the looks deceive. It is an amazingly rugged little gun. The trigger is a looooong double action only, but really quite a light pull....About 5#. VERY safe. It is also a locked breach design (both the .32 and the .380). The Bersa (and I think the Makarovs too) are straight blow back designs. I'm pretty sure the P32 may be the only locked breech designed .32 caliber gun. It really is an ingenious design. And has been 100% reliable with every kind of ammo I've tried (mostly MagTec, PMC, Gold Dots, Win SilverTips, and WWB (which is not cheap in .32 - $13 for 50).

Get hard chrome if you can....a pocket can get sweaty! (It is not expensive to have the slide hard-chromed afterward if need be. I know the hard chrome KTs are sometimes very hard to find. Nothing else but the slide to worry about...the "grip" (frame) is polymer and the internals are aluminum (except the springs, I guess).

Peace,
D.

[propellerhead]

Originally Posted by Delija

... These guns are not for standoffs at a hostage scene...call SWAT with their rifles. They are for if you get mugged or threatened with deadly force at very close distances. To actually shoot someone, you have to be in imminent danger of your life. That means the threat is damn close. No one gets robbed on the street from 25 yards away...

So true. Thank you.