Kel-Tec PAT or P-32

[lailr]

Anyone got any experience with one? Have been thinking of buying one for a back up gun, seeing as how I'm moving from the jail out to the road in my home county soon

[TacAir]

Had the P3AT (and some other KelTec)
sold the lot. On all of the ones I'd owned, the trigger pull was very long, very heavy (at least to me) And KT itself admits to weapons are good for 'about 6K rounds' -- so not a range gun by any means.

They are small and lightweight and the 380 is, I guess, about as small as most folks go for a SDG.

They are a PITA to clean and have small parts that can fly off, disabling the weapon. At the range, no big, surrounded by zombie bikers - well, if it's zombie bikers, you are screwed anyway. To be fair, when I contacted the folks at KT and explained about the part flying away at he range, they sent another at no charge in the First Class mail. So customer service is pretty good.

Oh, and they have color choices. You might want to look at the Ruger carry pistols, of even an Undercover Airweight - the Airweight's are rated for +P ammo.

[lailr]

Oh, and they have color choices. You might want to look at the Ruger carry pistols, of even an Undercover Airweight - the Airweight's are rated for +P ammo.

They were on my list of possibilites, since I'm kinda limited financially right now... mostly the Airweight..... I have virtually no experience with compact, or sub-compact handguns

[TacAir]

If you have never fired a compact (whatever) - see if the local range has a rental you can fire. The experience is completely different or nearly so, from a full-sized weapon, except for the loud noise part.

Used weapons purchased from a reliable dealer may offer some savings..but honestly, in the 300 to 350 USD dollar range, there is a massive number of choices - new and used.

Good luck.

[Browning 35]

I have the P-32, it's the only Kel-Tec I own. It's worked pretty well for me.

Would have gone with the 3AT, but this one fell into my lap used for very little so I went with that.

It's okay for a back up gun. I put 60 rds of the 60 grain Cor-Bon hollow points and 100 rds of Fiocchi FMJ through it when I first got it and it went through without any problems. The Cor-Bon HP's is what I keep it loaded with. Only fired a couple mags through it here and there since then (all HP's), but at 3 to 10 yards it's fairly accurate and at those ranges I can keep them all in the 'A' zone.

For a .32 ACP it sure jumps around quite a bit (I'm used to shooting full-size steel framed pistols), but I think that's because it's so small and lightweight. I have big hands and I have trouble getting two fingers on the grip besides the one in the trigger guard/on the trigger.

There are better choices for more money, but all in all I'd say that it's pretty good.

[MikeN]

I have a P3AT and also a PF-9... Both have been good guns, especially for the cost. Neither are "range" guns, they are personal defense guns. Do a basic buff and keep them clean, and I never have issues with either. The PF-9 is my preferred carry gun, but it definitely has some kick. Both are dual action with relatively heavy pulls, but not a problem.

I actually had them both out today at the range, just to run some rounds through them. Then I spent more time shooting my Springfield XD40, a funner "range" gun

[ChristianCompilation]

I've got three p32's and love them. I have the accessory clips on two of them so I where one on each side. tried a friends P3AT but don't like the amount of recoil. The first one I purchased was black, and that was the only way it came. My second one was gray, third was for my wife so she'd stop taking mine - she picked the color.... Trigger pull isn't to bad at 5.00 pounds approximately varies a little on mine from one to the other.

Crimson Trace has a laser "LG430" that I really like, not sure if your in the market for one. Took me years to spring for one when I started to wear glasses, lol.

I've never had any trouble cleaning mine, but then I collect mouse guns, so that might not help. I've had similar guns that cost way more (seecamp) that I purchased simply for looks and to collect but when I took it to the range - yikes it was super painful to shoot. I know, its not a range gun, but I have my limits. I'm not made of money I want to know that if I take the kids to the range I won't have to worry about anyone's hand getting cut by sharp grips or a frustrated sister throwing it down range (happened once) so totally possible now in my mind. It didn't last long.

Really liked the Beretta .32 Topcat, have two of them. Much more fun to shoot, way more comfortable. not sure if you can put a laser on them, but it has a really nice and natural point of aim. Lot thicker, but guess it depends on how you plan on concealing it - I'm skinny so unless it's winter all my guns are mouse guns, or midsize autos. Sorry getting off topic.

[ElevenBravo]

One word: DB380

http://diamondbackfirearms.com/index.ph ... icle&id=69

Saving my dime to get one. I used to own a KT, proud Ex-Owner.

[Gun_Nut_2k1]

I preferred the P-32. One extra round and a slide hold open device. Either one is a fine concealed carry piece. About the best bang for your buck. Heck when Ruger copies you, you know you got something. They work and they put the round down range in a reasonable group. I have had both and regret selling them.

[swordofthebreeze]

I preferred the P-32. One extra round and a slide hold open device. Either one is a fine concealed carry piece. About the best bang for your buck. Heck when Ruger copies you, you know you got something. They work and they put the round down range in a reasonable group. I have had both and regret selling them.

I second this! I bought Gun_Nut's P32, and have never regretted it. It's a great weapon, for what it's intended to do. And that is to be a dependable, ultra-light, ultra-concealable pistol to take out threats that get in your face. It's not a sharp-shooter, not will it stop a charging buffalo with a single shot. The trigger pull, by nature, will be long. But if you can understand and respect the P32 for what it is, it will make a fine ultra-light pocket pistol. Get a good holster, and throw a few round down range on a regular basis to keep a feel for the long trigger.

Mine has gone bang for me every time, and I happily carry it nearly every day! I've never had any trouble cleaning or disassembling it. Parts will fly out of any pistol if you are not careful with springs. The P32 has very few moving parts to lose, and can be field stripped with no tools, save a single cartridge (the rim of the .32 is used to remove 1 pin, allowing the entire slide to be removed with ease). I can take down and reassemble the weapon in under 1 minute with only a little practice.

[Browning 35]

One word: DB380

http://diamondbackfirearms.com/index.ph ... icle&id=69

Saving my dime to get one. I used to own a KT, proud Ex-Owner.

I was kind of interested in those for awhile, heard that they had some problems though.

[trenchcoat]

I've read some horror stories, but I've been very happy with my own P3AT. I had a few problems in the first 50 rounds or so, but since then, I've fired 400-500 without a single problem. I trust mine. And I never had to fluff/buff.