[HOUSER52]

I picked up a few new goodies for the 3AT this past week and spent an enjoyable afternoon on the range yesterday.

Picked up a Fobus paddle holster for OWB carry. It's a good little holster and can be adjusted for my P32, P3AT and LCP. Retention is good with all of the guns and will conceal well under a jacket or untucked shirt. Range work using it was perfect. Drawing and reholstering was very easy and smooth.

I also added a mag extension. I used a dremel tool to remove just a little bit of material off the bottom then buffed it to make it look like factory. It now gives me a full 2 finger grip and makes the 3AT more manageable without being overly long.

To experiment a little I installed Wolf 13# recoil springs. With the factory recoil spring the empty brass was launced 20-30 feet away, now they are landing 6-8 feet and are much easier to find. Recoil feels about the same or maybe a just little softer. The gun will now chamber hollow points and flat points without any hesitation at all on the feed ramp.

Tried out some hard cast 95 grain Missouri bullets using 231 powder. At 700 fps this load is a little milder than WWB and is great for range practice. Best of all they are a lot cheaper to shoot.

There were no malfunctions at all while shooting and I ended up firing about 75 rounds including 6 rounds of Federal Defense loads.

 

[Picatinny_Pete]

Hello,

Thanks for the report. In general I find that once broken on or fluffed and buffed that the heavier Wolff springs do help with recoil and functioning, especially feeding flat point and JHP rounds where there might be a small amount of extra resistance.

Best Wishes:

 

[BillK]

Thanks for the range report.

Are the Wolf springs a different weight than the stock P3AT recoil springs or are they just of a higher quality?

Bill K.

 

[HOUSER52]

Thanks for the range report.

Are the Wolf springs a different weight than the stock P3AT recoil springs or are they just of a higher quality?

Bill K.

Factory weight is 11# and I installed the 13# just to slow the slide a little so the empties would land a little closer. So far that has worked for me.

I'm not sure who makes KT springs but Wolf springs are supposed to be top quality.

 

[JFB]

the KT springs are made of the highest quality spring steel ( i've forgotten the alloy right now) .
my review of the wolf springs is in the faq/vip
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1245458048/0#0

Are the Wolf springs a different weight than the stock P3AT recoil springs or are they just of a higher quality?.

definately they are of a higher cost  

 

[lklawson]

[quote author=BillK link=1284386522/0#2 date=1284498252]Are the Wolf springs a different weight than the stock P3AT recoil springs or are they just of a higher quality?.

definately they are of a higher cost  [/quote]They're also the only game in town if you want something heavier than the stock springs from KT. I can't imagine their volume is very high on increased weight springs for the P3AT. Naturally costs are going to be higher even if the quality is identical.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

 

[BillK]

First post mentioned brass being thrown shorter distance which for me would be a good thing as my brother reloads for me. Went to the link and read "as far as the flight of spent casings, holding the gun gansta style, they all landed 20' to 30' away, even with my worn factory, with the nearest being with the 16 and the farthest with the factory". Other then maybe how far the brass gets thrown what are the advantages of the Wolf springs over the factory springs? Are they for shooting a hotter round like maybe the Buffalo Bore loads?

Thanks  

 

[Crazy_Horse]

Where did u find the wolf springs at? I went to there web site but I could not find anything fot kel tec.

 

[Picatinny_Pete]

5 shots on each
Remington Green box 95gr MC L380AP

after only 5 rounds the springs free length reduced to about 85%. as could be predicted, the higher stressed 16 reduced to 83%, where as the 13 to 87%
racking the slide and ejecting a live round was no problem even with the 16 now

recalculating the force now has
13 - 10.5#
15 - 11.9#
16 - 12.4#

the stress in the wire at full recoil is now down to about 125% of that of the used factory

as far as the flight of spent casings, holding the gun gansta style, they all landed 20' to 30' away, even with my worn factory, with the nearest being with the 16 and the farthest with the factory

Hi,

I read BillK's comment, and checked out the link. Folks pleases remember that the power of the The P3AT springs will decrease with time so buying the the 13 lb Wolff spring the power will eventually go down to 10.4 pounds. Typically if I'm doing work on a P3AT and replacing the springs I install the 16 pounf spring which eventually drops to 12.4 pounds if they can handle it. The 10% increase in spring power helps with the recoil, and the distance the brass is thrown.

Best Wishes:

 

[HOUSER52]

Where did u find the wolf springs at? I went to there web site but I could not find anything fot kel tec.

Go to their website (gunsprings.com)and click on semi auto pistols near the top. After the new window opens go to the left side and scroll down to Kel Tec and click on it. When that window opens just click on the model of Kel Tec that you're looking for.
I have used their springs in my 1911s for years.

***Tip: If you open the packs be sure to tag each spring with what they are and what they fit! They DO NOT have a way to ID them if you mix them up.  : Been that route before.

I bought the P3AT calibration pack that includes the 13, 15 and 16# springs. I've only used the 13# spring so far but may try the others if needed.