Keltec 380
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847 Posts
I have not had any trigger time with the Kel-Tec 380 however it was a weapon I was considering at one time because of it's size. Here is a link to a great review of the .380, 9mm, .32. http://www.gunweek.com/2007/feature0320.html
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63 Posts
Kel-Tec .380.
Shot a friend`s last weekend and had 4 FTE`S and 2 FEF`S. Seems to me the smaller auto`s are prone to this regardless of make. Check it out on the web. I usually carry a S&W 642 or a S&W9ve depending on the weather and how I dress. Both go BANG everytime and that`s what you need in a bad situation.
Shot a friend`s last weekend and had 4 FTE`S and 2 FEF`S. Seems to me the smaller auto`s are prone to this regardless of make. Check it out on the web. I usually carry a S&W 642 or a S&W9ve depending on the weather and how I dress. Both go BANG everytime and that`s what you need in a bad situation.
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297 Posts
I carried one of these for a year without hesitation...never had any feed issues with it with practice ammo...or with the Winchester Ranger ammo I was carrying in it.
It is a difficult gun to shoot well...and it isn't meant to be a range gun. It is a survival gun...
and it does that well enough.
what I really liked about it was that I was able to go armed...every, single, day...for over a year because it was so easily concealed.
It is a difficult gun to shoot well...and it isn't meant to be a range gun. It is a survival gun...
and it does that well enough.what I really liked about it was that I was able to go armed...every, single, day...for over a year because it was so easily concealed.
No direct experience with the .380.
But I do own their .32 and have been nothing but happy with it.
Thefiringline.com has some good input on the gun and thats where I did a lot of my research on the subject.
From what I have found the mouseguns prefer FMJ for feeding purposes. Thats what I use and I have noticed that the JHP can cause the slide to lock back when I try to rack the slide and cycle a round.
Be aware that if you are in the market for a ultra compact .380 that Ruger recently released a "Pretty" version of the KT. You will prob have to wait a month or two to get one, but by the accounts I have heard the fit and finish is light years above the KT. Its called the LCP.
That said, it is still brand new and it may be prudent to wait for Ruger to tweak their offering a bit.
Kahr is also coming out with a .380 but it should msrp around $650.
Gunblast.com has good review of the Ruger LCP if you want to see a video of it.
Though i havn't seen it here, there are lots of Kel Tec haters out there. IF you get a gun with the newest extractor and you use FMJ, my guess is you will be fine. Thus, I would ignore the bashers comments.
In my experience most criticism is based on rumor and hearsay about Kel Tec in general. Lots of people dismiss the guns as Sat. night specials, and who knows...they are cheap and a little rough.
But mine have functioned flawlessly (I had the PF-9 as well).
Best of luck.
But I do own their .32 and have been nothing but happy with it.
Thefiringline.com has some good input on the gun and thats where I did a lot of my research on the subject.
From what I have found the mouseguns prefer FMJ for feeding purposes. Thats what I use and I have noticed that the JHP can cause the slide to lock back when I try to rack the slide and cycle a round.
Be aware that if you are in the market for a ultra compact .380 that Ruger recently released a "Pretty" version of the KT. You will prob have to wait a month or two to get one, but by the accounts I have heard the fit and finish is light years above the KT. Its called the LCP.
That said, it is still brand new and it may be prudent to wait for Ruger to tweak their offering a bit.
Kahr is also coming out with a .380 but it should msrp around $650.
Gunblast.com has good review of the Ruger LCP if you want to see a video of it.
Though i havn't seen it here, there are lots of Kel Tec haters out there. IF you get a gun with the newest extractor and you use FMJ, my guess is you will be fine. Thus, I would ignore the bashers comments.
In my experience most criticism is based on rumor and hearsay about Kel Tec in general. Lots of people dismiss the guns as Sat. night specials, and who knows...they are cheap and a little rough.
But mine have functioned flawlessly (I had the PF-9 as well).
Best of luck.
I have one and really like, and 'appreciate' it. What I mean is that I am very aware of its limitations, tactically, and ballistically. Is it my FIRST choice in handguns for a fight? Nope. Is it a handgun I can drop into my pocket, have ready access to it, and even "make ready" without drawing attention? Yes.
On these type forums, you'll often hear discussions of 'backup guns, or bugs. I tend to regard my KT as simply one of the guns on me at the time. It may be the only gun on me, which defaults it to the primary for lack of 'competition'. But that is rare. Most often, its carried in conjunction with a larger pistol, ie Glock 36. However, I dont mean to say that the KT is now a backup gun. In fact, being NON leo, or security or anything even remotely like that, chances are that if a situation devolves to the point guns come into play, I have probably already put my hand in my pocket and accessed to Kt, and will use it to fight back to cover & concealment to draw and fight with the larger gun, should things continue to escalate.
I hope I havent muddied the water of your original post, and I hope this helps.
Dan
On these type forums, you'll often hear discussions of 'backup guns, or bugs. I tend to regard my KT as simply one of the guns on me at the time. It may be the only gun on me, which defaults it to the primary for lack of 'competition'. But that is rare. Most often, its carried in conjunction with a larger pistol, ie Glock 36. However, I dont mean to say that the KT is now a backup gun. In fact, being NON leo, or security or anything even remotely like that, chances are that if a situation devolves to the point guns come into play, I have probably already put my hand in my pocket and accessed to Kt, and will use it to fight back to cover & concealment to draw and fight with the larger gun, should things continue to escalate.
I hope I havent muddied the water of your original post, and I hope this helps.
Dan
I got one because I sometimes have an absolute need for something that small. However, it's by far the worst gun I've ever owned. I know lots of people have been happy with theirs - I'm just not one of them. Mine has not been reliable, it's very difficult to shoot well, the mag release is far too easy to hit accidently (both while shooting and also while carrying), the trigger sucks, it has no slide-lock but dry-firing can damage it (so unless you accurately count your shots, you risk breaking it every time you empty a mag), etc. It's a very specialized niche weapon, and it beats nothing if you can't carry something larger, but I personally can't recommend it based on my experience.
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11,589 Posts
I like my P3AT and I shoot it at least as well as any lightweight J-frame, but it's definitely a "shoot a little/carry a lot" type of gun.
But it sure beats dirty looks and harsh language. :thumsup
But it sure beats dirty looks and harsh language. :thumsup
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132 Posts
I carry a P3AT in my pocket every single day. At first it had trouble feeding Federal JHP...but after about 10 min with my dremel and some flitz metal polish, that problem went away. As far as personnal protection...it sure beats nothing at all. It is not my favorite carry weapon, but it does get carried alot.
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763 Posts
P3at
I liked my buddy's P3AT, so I bought one too. I've run about 500 rounds through it with not one single hiccup, regardless of ammo. I polished the feed ramp and cleaned and lubed it before taking it out the first time - that's it. Oh, and paper plate accuracy at 15 yds is not bad for a gun that's intended to be used at bad-breath range. I can't say it's a joy to shoot at the range, but it's a solid choice as a carry weapon when wearing shorts and not much else. I would not hesitate to buy another of these little beauties or to recommend them to others.:2thumsup
I liked my buddy's P3AT, so I bought one too. I've run about 500 rounds through it with not one single hiccup, regardless of ammo. I polished the feed ramp and cleaned and lubed it before taking it out the first time - that's it. Oh, and paper plate accuracy at 15 yds is not bad for a gun that's intended to be used at bad-breath range. I can't say it's a joy to shoot at the range, but it's a solid choice as a carry weapon when wearing shorts and not much else. I would not hesitate to buy another of these little beauties or to recommend them to others.:2thumsup
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13 Posts
I've carried a P3AT for a couple of years now with no complaints. I have about 600 rounds thru it and no problems. I did put about 250 rounds thru it before I carried it on a regular basis and did a bit of polishing inside and the ramp.
No print problems and it's my everywhere gun when I'm not carrying my Kahr P-40.
No print problems and it's my everywhere gun when I'm not carrying my Kahr P-40.
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8,250 Posts
Yes, ones man's paperweight is another man's carry gun.
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