Kinda Unhappy with my new P3-AT .380

1225 Views 33 Replies 16 Participants Last post by HVYCHVY, Jan 7, 2007

sureshot1

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2007

I don't mean to start trouble because everyone on here as been very helpful and nice to me in my past posts, but I am not happy with my KT. 380

Granted I have only shot about 100 rounds through it but according to KT 50-100rds is the breakin time that they stated in their handbook.

First I shot the clean bore winchester round I think they are called and they shoot all over the place and I had two faulire to feeds in only 50 rds.

Seconds I shot( 50rds) the Remington HP you get a Wally World and they shot significantly more accurate but they I had 2 or 3 FTF with them as well so I dont think it is an ammo problem. I have heard about the fluff and bluff but hey if that is something that is needed then by god Keltech should have done the F&B at the factory.

In addition maybe it is my shooting but I can't hit crap past 10 yards and I understand that the gun was not made for long shot but alot of people on here talk about how they get decent performane out of their .380 at 15 yds.

I dont mean to piss any off but my Keltech is a POS so far.

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

adamsesq

· #2 · Jan 5, 2007

Before ANYONE else beats me to it, I'll give you a crisp $100 bill for it...maybe even a bit more...

But seriously, some are not perfect out of the box and need some fine tuning. Check out this thread for a very similar discussion and some really good ideas:

http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=104;action=display;num=1167869544;start=

Tx also has a list of three very important sites to at least read on cleaning, lubricating and F&B.

But, if you are not wanting to go through all that and want to dump it, PM me. Good luck - though it WILL be perfect for you.

-Scott

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GMax

· #3 · Jan 5, 2007

15 yards with a P3-AT is a nice test but hardly realistic practice. It's an up close and personal weapon. With that said mine shoots into one hole at 7-10 yards and has been 100% reliable since day 1. I have an Hxxxx S/N and have had it about 6 months and about 1300 rounds thru it. I did a very thorough F&B before ever shooting it and enjoyed doing it.
No POS here.
Great little carry everywhere weapon.

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gbm5170

· #4 · Jan 5, 2007

In addition maybe it is my shooting but I can't hit crap past 10 yards and I understand that the gun was not made for long shot but alot of people on here talk about how they get decent performane out of their .380 at 15 yds.

Even 10 yards is kind of far for practical accuracy out of the P-3AT. Its a 1 to 3 yard self-defense gun, no more. However, its true, some shooters can get decent groups beyond that (save an odd flier here and there), but its really a funciton of ammo and shooter skill, not so much the gun, in my opinion.

Regarding the FTEs and such, I had much worse until I broke the gun in. Since then (and after applying locktite to keep the extractor bolt tite) its been 100%.

Good luck!

GMax

· #5 · Jan 5, 2007

The gun must be "capable" to shoot accurately in order to do so, regardless of shooter skill. If the gun is not accurate a good shooter won't make it so.

RAT76

· #6 · Jan 5, 2007

Point it at the target, pull the trigger. Don't take a lot of time to aim and don't sqeeeze the trigger, pull it right thru rather quickly.

I find I shoot the P3 better that way. If I try and aim and squeeze slowly I wander off target. Close range defense weapon.

$110

See 2PP, I am trainable.

onefunzr2

· #7 · Jan 5, 2007

$150, sight unseen. Cause I don't mind tinkering with guns.

Wilson

· #8 · Jan 5, 2007

sureshot1 said:
I am not happy with my KT. 380
.
.
I dont mean to piss any off but my Keltech is a POS so far.

Try 50 rounds with a finger extension (NAA or Bersa) while you and your P-3AT are wearing the rough spots off each other.

(click picture to enlarge)

Wilson – who’s sorry adamsesq beat him with that $100 POS offer

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RAT76

· #9 · Jan 5, 2007

Wilson, you are going to have to stop sleeping in. You are missing the good deals.

sureshot1

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 5, 2007

Ya'll can forget it for right now I am not sellling my Keltec .380, I think I am going to have to do what it seems like the majority (not all but most)of the keltec .380 owners are doing and that is either do some lite gunsmithing on the gun myself or send it back to the factory. I plan on shooting it some more before hand though. The gunshop called and said my DPX was in so I will try those as well but I will tell you this I will not be target shooting with the DPX ammo to much.

Although not for sale, I am still currently unhappy with my kt .380 and although I appreciate the tips and techniques people are offering to get my gun in proper working order I still fell that those things should have been done at the factory.

G

· #11 · Jan 5, 2007

sureshot1. I can tell you that I have fired over 4600 flawless rounds through one of my 380 kts and at 10 yards I am not accurate. that shot group by gmax, I would kill for. I can't blame the weapon, I know it is me, I am very good or confident at 5 yards and under. It is not a target gun for sure, but the fte's should not be happening, just make sure you are not limpwritsing it and if it continues, you might want to let kt look at it. I think I wold stilldo alittle polishing around the feed ramp and the barrel chamber. This won't hurt anything. Also you must lube the rails on thie weapon. Give it another 100 rouonds of breakin with all of the above and if it still fte's send it back..

GMax

· #12 · Jan 5, 2007

Factory Hand tuning/smithing would add significantly to the cost.
Also, limpwristing is a huge factor in the functioning of the P3-AT. Make sure you keep a firm grip and lock the wrist.
The Handall Jr. also helps with keeping a good grip and prevents the gun from sliding in your hand during recoil.

Troubleshooter2

· #13 · Jan 5, 2007

I had similar problems with my the first 100 rounds. I did not do a F&B. Just a little feed ramp polish and clean and lube. Shoots fine now. As others say it is not a target gun. But rather a deep conceal gun to get you out of a bad situation if someone means to do you harm. So if I can put 2 or more quick rounds in center of mass size target at 7 yards I think the gun does what it is designed for. At a price that is hard to beat.

G

· #14 · Jan 5, 2007

troubleshooter + 1 on that...

ned69

· #15 · Jan 5, 2007

I think anything more than 8 to 10 yards is a real stretch for the mighty P3.

I practice at 7 yds and feel thats pushing it. The first box thru it was not too smooth, but got much better with each clean, lube and shoot.

I haven't done any fluff n buff, and it operates great with several hundred thru it since new.

Ned.

Packer

· #16 · Jan 5, 2007

It is nearly impossible to limp wrist this gun from a very firm, push-pull grip:

1. Place strong hand on grip with finger alongside trigger guard.
2. Cup weak hand as if you were going to drink water from it.
3. Rotate weak hand 45 degrees toward your body.
4. Place palm against front of strong hand fingers, with thumbs nearly parallel.
5. Line up on target and push forward with strong hand while pulling back with weak hand.
This will lock your wrist and prevent limp wristing.

Single hand grip:

1. Line up on target.
2. strain hand forward as if you were trying to get the gun closer to the target.
This will lock your wrist and prevent limp wristing.

If you are using one of these grips, and you get malfunctions, it is NOT limp wristing, but the gun that is causing them.

Packer.

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G

· #17 · Jan 5, 2007

ned69 said:
I think anything more than 8 to 10 yards is a real stretch for the mighty P3.

I practice at 7 yds and feel thats pushing it. The first box thru it was not too smooth, but got much better with each clean, lube and shoot.

I haven't done any fluff n buff, and it operates great with several hundred thru it since new.

Ned.

IMO if you have a couple of hundred rounds through it and it is flawless then the weapon itself has already done the fluff and buff for you. F & B only helps break the weapon in faster. Shooting it IMO is the best way to break it in right. The slide and frame will mate with this cycling action far bette rthan any F & B could ever do. You sound like you are now good to go. so "just shooit it like u stole it".

Rubb

· #18 · Jan 5, 2007

I also had FTE issues I could not fix and was very
ticked off, so I sent it back.

Since, I've shot over 100 rounds, 4 different brands
without a hiccup, shooting 1 hand, 2 hand, weak
hand, right and left hand at 90 degrees(gangster)
not a hitch.

KT WILL make it right if you can't.

Rob

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Packer

· #19 · Jan 5, 2007

sureshot1 said:
I don't mean to start trouble because everyone on here as been very helpful and nice to me in my past posts, but I am not happy with my KT. 380

Granted I have only shot about 100 rounds through it but according to KT 50-100rds is the breakin time that they stated in their handbook.

First I shot the clean bore winchester round I think they are called and they shoot all over the place and I had two faulire to feeds in only 50 rds.

Seconds I shot( 50rds) the Remington HP you get a Wally World and they shot significantly more accurate but they I had 2 or 3 FTF with them as well so I dont think it is an ammo problem. I have heard about the fluff and bluff but hey if that is something that is needed then by god Keltech should have done the F&B at the factory.

In addition maybe it is my shooting but I can't hit crap past 10 yards and I understand that the gun was not made for long shot but alot of people on here talk about how they get decent performane out of their .380 at 15 yds.

I dont mean to piss any off but my Keltech is a POS so far.

I'm going to try to explain this to you with something that I posted on another thread:

You just don't get it. This is a group of Kel-Tec enthusiasts. We LIKE these guns. We LIKE the company.

You are welcome to ask for help here, and we will go to great lengths to help you solve your problems.

But the minute you call a KT weapon a POS, it is a faux paux equivalent to being invited for dinner at a man's house and then calling his wife a w hore.

Packer.

onefunzr2

· #20 · Jan 6, 2007

Two Pistol Packer, a big +1.

My sentiments exactly. Only said in a more diplomatic way.

I could have had my 2 gen KT two days before I actually bought it. But I like to be an educated consumer and so spent part of those two days doing research on the P3-AT; mostly here at KTOG. I went back to the dealer and bought it anyway, knowing full well that there was a chance that I got one that had problems. Luckily mine ran the first 200 reloaded rounds, of differing bullet weights, without a wimper. I was and still am thrilled. But if I did get one with problems, I knew that there was a support group right at my fingertips (this fine place) , and a manufacturer that offered exceptional after-the-sale customer service.

Some guys might be spoiled in that everything they ever touch works perfectly from the get-go. Not me. It seems that I need to tweek most all kinds of stuff for it to meet my expectations. I accept that as a fact-of-life of mass produced products. Fine tuning doesn't bother me. However, rotten customer service sends me into orbit. Life is too short, and usually there are other choices, than to continue to do business with those companies. Although I have not had the need, I know from reading what others had to say, that KT stands behing there products and wants their customers to be happy with them. So Kel-Tec is on my short list of gun related companies that offer superior service after the sale. Others on that list are: Do-All traps, Oehler chronographs, Dillon Precision products, Rizinni shotguns, and Kaltron-Pettibone gunpowder importers. I'm sure there are many others that know a satisfied customer is good for business.

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