[sstetson]

Hi Everyone,

I just bought a P3AT and ordered the belt clip.   It arrived a few days ago, but I cant seem to get the pin out to install the belt clip.  I bought a 1/8 inch punch per instructions but after giving it some fairly good "wacks" I stopped fearing that I would damage my new gun.

I did try putting it on top of a stable box with a hole cut out (actually it was the ammo holder from a used box of 9mm ammo), didn't help.

Any suggestions?  The belt clip seems like a good idea but I dont want to damage my weapon.

Thanks -

 

[JFB]

welcome to KTOG.
I have not driven my grip pins out (yet) so I can't speak from experaince, but from hear say, the first drive out of the pin is more of a mental challange, trying to hit with enough force to break it free, yet not with enough to do irresversible damage.

a solid table with a spacer block with holes is what is needed

 

[sstetson]

Thanks for the reply.  I've read the other posts on the forum and they all seem to state that I shouldn’t have to hit it that hard.  When I last tried, I hit it plenty hard and felt that the pin just isn't budging.  I didn't get it to move at all (perhaps it’s the initial movement that is hard).

I would keep trying (i.e. hitting the pin with a 1/8 inch metal punch) but I can’t imagine this little gun will not hold up to the abuse.  Thanks for your suggestions.

PS - I am very impressed with my new P3AT - it shoots very well and I have had no FTF's!!

 

[HOUSER52]

Try removing the pin from the other side.
I drove mine out to swap the grips. They came out using a punch and small ball peen hammer over a block of wood with holes.

 

[sstetson]

You were able to swap the grips??  Where did you buy them?  How hard is it to swap them? Thanks!

P.S. - Thanks for the suggestions.  Still working on getting the pin out (to install the belt clip)...

 

[burley]

KT sells grips in OD green, black and gray. Call to order.

To change out the grip you need to remove the aluminum frame;

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn0iM06KhHw&feature=channel[/ame]

 

[HOUSER52]

Yep. What Burley said. Wasn't too hard either.

 

[marko_pf9]

i would fire the gun a few times before i remove the pins. maybe 100 or so rounds? thats what i did with my pf9.

 

[sstetson]

I took it to the range yesterday, fired maybe 40 rounds through it so I will give it another try using the block of wood trick. Thanks for the help.

 

[sstetson]

ried it from the other side - that pin isn't budging. I looked at the YouTube video re: disassembly and it looks like the pins come out with ease. I guess I will be sticking with the pocket holster (unless I can figure out how to get the dang pin out) I tried soaking it in WD 40 - didn't work. Thanks for the help.

 

[burley]

My P 32 pins were so tight I had to really bang the heck out of the punch. Once they started they got easier but were very hard to get started. Get a big back-block with a hole drilled in it like the vid and hit them suckers hard

 

[TxCajun]

While they will come out from either side, drive them out from the side that is indented with a little dip in it. It sounds like those suckers are in there good. Got a drill press?

 

[sstetson]

I got it!! I pushed it through using the 1/8 inch punch and a bit of muscle per everyone's suggestion (I hit it from the side that was not flush). Thanks everyone for your help, couldn't have done it without you.

 

[TxCajun]

It could be the previous owner epoxied them in, who knows on a used gun.  You could, with a drill bit just smaller than the pin, probably drill them out.  I would think you'd just have to drill through the thickness of the grip, maybe 1/16 inch as that is probably where they are binding.  This is pretty unusual.  I have seen a few that would walk out and had to be replaced, and maybe a couple that were difficult to remove, but nothing that wasn't fixed with a bigger hammer.  :-/

It wouldn't bother me until I needed to work on the internal parts of the gun, but I am not a fan of the belt clip anyway.

 

[marko_pf9]

on my pf9 kel tec says to loctite the belt clip screws. dont overtighten as it will cause binding in my slide lock or they will just strip. i used the blue stuff. the screws can loosen if you dont do it right. no big problem.

 

[torrent]

I have a pocket clip for both my P3At and P11 but never use them because I like my trigger covered when it's on my person. That's just my personal preference and I'm not knocking your choice at all. In fact I've never heard of a ND from a KT that was carried with just the pocket clip. Anyway, I leave the pins that came with the clip kits in the guns even though I don't use the clips. That way if I ever wanted to go quick and light all I would have to do is screw on the clip and go.

 

[sstetson]

Good suggestion. The clip is nice but does add a bit of bulk - and the trigger is not covered.

Thanks -

 

[sstetson]

Just a quick follow up. I mashed my old pin when I was installing the belt clip. I contected Kel Tec - they sent me four brand new ones - at no cost to me. My second generation P3AT has not jammed one time, trigger pull is much better than the LCP, and you can shoot plus P in self defense situations. I am buying a P11. Wish Kel Tec was public so I could buy stock. ;D

 

[Big-Al]

HEY GUYS - THIS MAYBE A STUPID QUESTION - I want to order a clip for my p3at - it asks do i want R or L - I know how i want the clip mounted and where but not sure if everyone mainly Keltek determines the right side of the gun - is the right side the right side while aiming the pistol as if i were shooting or when looking down the barrel? Thanks

 

[haugrdr]

Right side is while aiming the pistol as if you were shooting.