I fired one once and all I can say is "OUCH"!!

I have the .380 version...smartly named the model P3AT.
Have had it about a year......shoots wells....accurate to 30 feet.
Reliable and sooooooooooo easy to carry.
A good gun for its intended purpose.

I have a P32 and I had problems when I first bought it. The hammer would not drop, I called Kel-Tec, returned the pistol to them, they sent a new frame with the old serial number, and I have been happy since. It is a great little pistol and the 32acp performs a lot better than it should on two legged creatures. Regards, Richard :-D

I own two and one is my wife's carry gun. We have had no problems with FMJ ammo. Not "fun" to shoot at the range but it goes bang when I pull the trigger.

Kewl. Once I raise the cash, I think I may buy one. When I saw it Sat, I was amazed at the size and weight.

I have a P32 and P3AT. I have fired many hundreds of rounds with the .32, both ball and Winchester Silvertips. It has never malfunctioned. Recoil is light due to the locked-breech design, even though there isn't much to hold onto. The vestigial sights, more than anything else, limit your accuracy. The trigger is long but relatively light and quite smooth.

I just got the P3AT recently and haven't had a chance to shoot it a whole lot, so I haven't carried it yet. Thus far it has been 100% relaible. It does recoil a little harder than the .32, but it is far from uncontrollable or uncomfortable. Assuming it is 100% reliable like its little brother, I will retire the .32 and carry the .380. I already have a buyer lined up for the .32.

I only carry these guns occasionally, the rare times when my clothes don't allow me to carry a Glock. But I have confidence in the little Kel-Tecs. I was talking to a coworker who has a P3AT, and we both agreed that these guns would be a good value at $400. The fact that you can pick them up for $225-$250 is just icing on the cake.

Mike Barham at Galco, two points, 1. I am not sure the actual track record of the .380 is that much better than a 32acp. 2. Kel-Tec's customer service alone make a Kel-Tec P32 worth $400. Regards, Richard :-D

Originally Posted by Richard

I am not sure the actual track record of the .380 is that much better than a 32acp.

Not sure where you're getting your info. I don't buy into the widely discredited Marshall/Sanow "OSS study." In any case, when talking about little pipsqueak calibers, I'll take every bit of extra "oomph" I can get! :-D

Ballistically, Silvertip specs (as an example) show the .32 firing a 60 grainer at 970 fps and the .380 at 85 grains for 1000 fps. Energy difference is 64 foot pounds. So the .380 is basically half again as powerful as the .32. I think that's significant, though of course I recognize that energy isn't necessarily the best predictor of "stopping power." Your mileage may vary.

You do lose one round with the .380 versus the .32, though.

I have 2 P-32 and they both work fine I'm over 500 in one pistol and around 3oo in 2nd.
I carry the Corbon in mine. This round only HP tested by Goldenloki in a P-32 that opened every single time and topped a 1000fps. He tested most brands in the jello including the ball and glaser types
Problem with 380 numbers is their from a larger pistol. Put 380 in a KT and it will lose power You end up will very little difference between 32 and 380. 380 has more felt recoil and noise muzzle flash but little on power increase. Sort of like a 38+P verse 357 mag from a snub I take the 38+P and faster follow up over recoil and noise yes the 357 is hotter but not all that much.
The 32 has 8 rounds 380 -7 32 slide lock open 380 doesn't I can deliver 8 32 before you do 7 380 do to the recoil.

Thats why I have 2 P-32's

Well, I fiddled w/ a Keltc 32 again today while I was paying my deposit on a special order at the gun shop - Nice gun. I think if I get one, though, I'll try the gun show - so I have a chance at the hard chrome model...

I can feel the itch. It's cheap enough that I can probably get one by the end of the year

I've been looking for a new bug, this seems to be what I need. Since I've got some 380 dies it looks like I'll go that way. Anybody have problems with corrosion due to sweat/moisture? I saw the smurf blue one on the other thread, are they all blue?

I just got my CHL in the mail so I went and bought the KelTec P3AT (.380). I love these little guns. I think they are fun to shoot even if these other guys don't think so. If you are looking at the size of the .32 you might as well get the .380 because they are basically the same size physically with a different punch. They are not hard to shoot for a pocket gun. Great smooth trigger for a long double action.

I have the 380 and p11 in blue and carry them with the belt clip. I sweat a lot and so far no problem.

Originally Posted by 2400

I've been looking for a new bug, this seems to be what I need. Since I've got some 380 dies it looks like I'll go that way. Anybody have problems with corrosion due to sweat/moisture? I saw the smurf blue one on the other thread, are they all blue?

The blue one you saw on the other thread was mine. But, they do come in other colors. Black, Gray, Tan, to name a few. The reason I have the blue color, is because I was able to buy it used from a friend with only one shot through it, for $100! That price included the original box of Federal JHP he purchased new the gun, with the remaining 19 rounds. At that price I didn't care about the color. It has been a great little gun with no problems. I carry it everyday in an Elite Survival Systems pocket holster. It is very comfortable in my front pocket, and is not noticeable. I would love to carry a .45 but the way I dress prohibits a larger heavier gun. The P-32 is light, small and reliable. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

Doesn't Kel-Tec make a little clip thingy to attach it to a belt or pant waist? I've used clips and the Barami Hip Grip in the past for small guns and I love'm. If I can find me a cheap Kel-Tech .32 or 380 I'll buy it. Hey, badman400, I'll give you $120 bucks for your blue one, whadda' say? (that's $20 bucks profit)

Yes, they do make a beltclip for their guns. I rather use a holster myself, though...

For a gun that small I may just prefer to stick it in my pocket. It's got a pretty long double action trigger from what I've heard so it should be pretty safe. Maybe an appropriate pocket holster would be better. I really need to go handle one to make some decisions.

Originally Posted by Charlie

For a gun that small I may just prefer to stick it in my pocket. It's got a pretty long double action trigger from what I've heard so it should be pretty safe. Maybe an appropriate pocket holster would be better. I really need to go handle one to make some decisions.

Get a pocket holster. These will turn upside down barrel up pocket holster will keep pointed right way. Uncle Mikes #1 about 12 bucks better than loose in pocket. Put clip on and carry like a pocket knife. Rids low no one will see its a gun.

I have had no trouble with mine ... load it, shoot it, carry it for weeks on end while it fills with pocket lint ... pull it out shoot it and it never misses a beat. I do clean it occassionally.

Well, I looked at a 32 and 380 version yesterday for about 5 min each. I may just get teh 380s. Ammo seems to be about $1 cheaper a box, and the bullet is a bit stronger. And, the width seemed exactly the same. The 380 is a tiny, tiny bit bigger, but not really in thickness.

Went to the Austin gun show today and looked at the Kel-Tec .380's. Knowing they are underpowered relative to the others we all use I think they would be OK for a last ditch, "Oh s**t gun" up very close to the threat. I, like Shipwreck, will probably get one sometime in the near future just for fun.