Somewhat new to the world of Handguns, I have owned a Glock model 23 now for about 4-5months, put about 300 rounds through it. I love my Glock. Only thing I may end up changing is the holster I carry it with, I have a fobus paddle holster, I may get a thumbreak holster soon.
Anyway my question is to see what everyone feels about the Kel-Tec p32 or the P3at (.380) I want a pocket pistol for easy concealment when I can't carry the Glock. I like the Kel-tec because of the price & the weight but I seem to read mixed reviews on this little gun. Any suggestions?


Thanks

Somewhat new to the world of Handguns, I have owned a Glock model 23 now for about 4-5months, put about 300 rounds through it. I love my Glock. Only thing I may end up changing is the holster I carry it with, I have a fobus paddle holster, I may get a thumbreak holster soon.
Anyway my question is to see what everyone feels about the Kel-Tec p32 or the P3at (.380) I want a pocket pistol for easy concealment when I can't carry the Glock. I like the Kel-tec because of the price & the weight but I seem to read mixed reviews on this little gun. Any suggestions?


Thanks

These guys are KelTec junkies...not exactly an unbiased group, but can answer your questions pretty well:

http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/index.php

Have has a P-32 for a number of years, fingind it a better carry gun than my old Seecamp...no debate about the fit and finsih of teh Seecamp vs. the KelTec, but the Kel Tec has run fine for me from the start.

Most KelTec problems come from their light weight...they DEMAND a hard firm grip to cycle correctly; just a little case of limp wrist and she'll gag.

Appreciate the link.

I am kind of tossed up on the p3at or the p32, not sure which I want to buy. I have sometime to think about it since I just bought my glock & want to pay that credit card off first :D When I get 1 though I am going to buy the extended finger rest.

What are some of the "fluff & buff" things I see a lot of people mention. What do you have to do to get the Kel tec to perform correctly? Or is it something you can choose to do? I want to be able to shoot the thing right out of the box, not having to send it back to the factory or do work on the thing.

What are some of the "fluff & buff" things I see a lot of people mention. What do you have to do to get the Kel tec to perform correctly? Or is it something you can choose to do? I want to be able to shoot the thing right out of the box, not having to send it back to the factory or do work on the thing.

The little P-32 (and 3-AT) run on a differnt double action system...more "Glockish" as the slide partially sets the hammer at easch shot...so the trigger pull doesn't have to set it all, just finish it off. Result is a pretty light DA trigger pull, but without the little pause that Glocks seem to ahve.

The fluff and buff is more important with the full sized (if I can use that term for these little lite handguns) KelTecs. They run on a simpler system where the trigger pull does all teh cocking...and the trigger pull is heavy.

I never did anything but shoot the P-32...trigger smoothed out quickly...don't think you'd need to do a thing.

That is good to hear. I think I may purchase it sooner then I thought, I got an itch for it. The shop I am going to buy it from offered me a p32 in blue for $219.00 or a black grip for $229.00,(most likely stay w/black, the blue looks like a toy) I can also get the p3at for $289 but I am not sure I want that yet, I like what I hear about the .32. Plus they look fun to shoot.

That is good to hear. I think I may purchase it sooner then I thought, I got an itch for it. The shop I am going to buy it from offered me a p32 in blue for $219.00 or a black grip for $229.00,(most likely stay w/black, the blue looks like a toy) I can also get the p3at for $289 but I am not sure I want that yet, I like what I hear about the .32. Plus they look fun to shoot.

Not sure I'd rate it as "fun". Seldom shoot it at any distance, and then it's double taps (or triple...wahterever my level of paranoia at the time) on silo. targets..

Well I am going to save up a little more $$$ then purchase one, maybe in that time I will find something else I like better.

This is a no brainer if the decision is between the P32 and the P-3AT Kel-Tecs. By all means, go with the P-3AT. A .380 ACP beats a .32 every time.

I just bought another one today at a gun show ($214.99), so now I have two. My other one is a first generation and the slide is much to hard to cycle. The new generation version are MUCH better.. go with one. the P-3AT makes an excellent summer shorts pocket gun. At other times I generally carry a PM9 Kahr with +P+ Winchester JHP LE loads.

Well I bought a p32 yesterday. The cheapest I could get a .380 for was $289, so I ended up getting a new hard chrome p32 for $179. I couldn't pass it up for that price.

Try the P-11 KelTec. Mine is a great shooter, and fits in my jeans pocket. I'm not a big guy and I like sending the 9mm to the badguy far better than I'd like sending a .380!
utterly reliable pistol and a perfect package I got mine for 225$ :D

You did well...good price on the P-32. The P-3AT is going for more than it should in many areas...ideally, there would be about a $10 or $20 difference, but suppy and demand.

Yep...have larger guns...have more powerful guns...but there is a place for a thin, small, light weight pistol that is always there. Think of these two as urban insurance.

I also have a Kel-Tec P11, purchased in the mid-90's when they first hit the market. When Kel-Tec improved the hammer spring, I ordered a replacement for my P11 along with a trigger shoe. Then about a hour's worth of work tuning the gun (this is the easiest handgun I have ever done this with) smoothed up the action very nicely.

I don't carry my P11 anymore since I have gone to the Kahr PM series (in 9mm and in .40 S&W). But I won't sell the Kel-Tec since it is a nice little piece.

The PM9 Kahr is smaller than the P11 Kel-Tec and more safely handles +P and +P+ loads (I normally carry the Winchester +P+ JHP LE only in my PM9).

I have, what I believe to be for me, the near-perfect concealed carry gun selection between my PM9 and PM40 Kahrs, and my P-3AT Kel-Tec. Carrying choice depends upon my dress at the time, among other things. Plus I also have a vintage P40 Kahr Elite 98 which I WILL NOT part with for anything.. it is a jewel.

So many great choices and so little money and time, eh?

Different philosphy.

IF you can't find room for a P-32 or P-3AT then you don't have room for ANY handgun. IF you can carry your Kar or other larger handgun, then you can ALSO carry the P-32 or P-3AT. They aren't for by-themselves-carry as much as also-carry.

I prefer a classic SIG P-230. I have not found a semi auto that can compare w/ it's rate or reliability. JP

Well I bought a Kel-tec p32 hard chrome 2 days ago. I just can't wait for my supplement license to come so I can pick it up. The dealer had the parkerized, blue & hard chrome, the hard chrome was more $$$ then the others but since I buy all of my guns from him he gave me a great deal on it. $179.00 down from $239. :D