Joined
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68 Posts
I had a go anywhere reliable anytime P-3AT ...
(see the quote from my 18 Nov 2008 post below.)
I had solved my mag dropping problems with a metal mag catch.
I remember thinking when I installed it ...
"Hummmn I wonder if the sparse little lip of even this metal catch will eventually wear out just like the stock ones do?"
Well I've received my answer ... at approximately 250 rounds later all mags started dropping again.


I've gone back to a new Kt polymer mag catch and the original flat mag base plates.
The pistol is 100% reliable in this configuration.
My new paradigm for the pistol is to treat it like any machine that has expendables to it (like tires on a car, or oil & filters for an engine.)
This is a new thought train for me as I cut my teeth on my Dad's Colt 1903 Pocket Pistol and my CZ 75 9 MM ... both will just shoot forever.
No problemo though ... I've become adept at changing the mag catch with just a pair of needle nose, a long flathead and a dental pick.
And I don't remove the frame from the grip to do it. It's not actually too hard to do after you've done a few.
I figure I'll just replace part 205 and 208 (catch & spring) every 100 rounds and I'll be good to go.
It's not too much to pay IMO for the ability to so comfortably carry a 380 in your pocket.

From my original post 18 Nov 2008 ...
My Road to Reliability …
• P-3AT NIB serial JCBxx , cleaned & lubed, shot 100 plus FMJ flawless
• Started trying JHP’s, many FTF’s, Fluffed & Buffed which cured problems
• 200 plus rounds & signs of peening began, JFB washer, peening halted
• 250 plus rounds tried One Rd Mag Ext & KT Grip Ext, mags started dropping at percussion,
experimented w/my grip, no change, replaced mag catch, reliable again
• 350 plus rounds assembled 10 Rd 3AT mag (Nu_Agin_Shooter’s Guardian mod)
• Started dropping all mags again … trip to Mother Ship- new grip & mag catch
• Upon return still dropping mags!?! (P-32 then getting all the carry time)
• Considered NAA Guardian replacement … put all mags back to original flat base plate & became 100% again
• Found source for metal mag catch, installed it & put my mods back on all mags ...
now 100% through three mags of each, slow & rapid fire, one & two handed.
It took me quite awhile, but now I have a well broken in 3AT that is carry reliable!
Everything I needed to know to make it happen came out of KTOG’s Search function.
Thanks KTOG!!!

So now adays I don't use any of those extentions ... they were nice, but I can shoot it just fine without them.
Cheers.
(see the quote from my 18 Nov 2008 post below.)
I had solved my mag dropping problems with a metal mag catch.
I remember thinking when I installed it ...
"Hummmn I wonder if the sparse little lip of even this metal catch will eventually wear out just like the stock ones do?"
Well I've received my answer ... at approximately 250 rounds later all mags started dropping again.


I've gone back to a new Kt polymer mag catch and the original flat mag base plates.
The pistol is 100% reliable in this configuration.
My new paradigm for the pistol is to treat it like any machine that has expendables to it (like tires on a car, or oil & filters for an engine.)
This is a new thought train for me as I cut my teeth on my Dad's Colt 1903 Pocket Pistol and my CZ 75 9 MM ... both will just shoot forever.
No problemo though ... I've become adept at changing the mag catch with just a pair of needle nose, a long flathead and a dental pick.
And I don't remove the frame from the grip to do it. It's not actually too hard to do after you've done a few.
I figure I'll just replace part 205 and 208 (catch & spring) every 100 rounds and I'll be good to go.
It's not too much to pay IMO for the ability to so comfortably carry a 380 in your pocket.

From my original post 18 Nov 2008 ...
My Road to Reliability …
• P-3AT NIB serial JCBxx , cleaned & lubed, shot 100 plus FMJ flawless
• Started trying JHP’s, many FTF’s, Fluffed & Buffed which cured problems
• 200 plus rounds & signs of peening began, JFB washer, peening halted
• 250 plus rounds tried One Rd Mag Ext & KT Grip Ext, mags started dropping at percussion,
experimented w/my grip, no change, replaced mag catch, reliable again
• 350 plus rounds assembled 10 Rd 3AT mag (Nu_Agin_Shooter’s Guardian mod)
• Started dropping all mags again … trip to Mother Ship- new grip & mag catch
• Upon return still dropping mags!?! (P-32 then getting all the carry time)
• Considered NAA Guardian replacement … put all mags back to original flat base plate & became 100% again
• Found source for metal mag catch, installed it & put my mods back on all mags ...
now 100% through three mags of each, slow & rapid fire, one & two handed.
It took me quite awhile, but now I have a well broken in 3AT that is carry reliable!
Everything I needed to know to make it happen came out of KTOG’s Search function.
Thanks KTOG!!!

So now adays I don't use any of those extentions ... they were nice, but I can shoot it just fine without them.
Cheers.