[bspidell]

I kind of have a feeling I know which option this forum will vote for in the end, but I've been thinking about a little pocket pistol for awhile now and these are the two that I'm going back and forth on. The price in my area for them is just about equal, but I see more of the Rugers for sale.

What I'm looking for is some pros and cons for both guns. If you've only had one or the other, I would appreciate what you liked or didn't like about the one you have experience with. Thanks in advance!

 

[huffy49]

I evaluated both the LCP and the P3AT a few years ago. I felt that the LCP may have had a very slight edge in build quality, and had a slide hold open lever which the P3AT lacks. On the other hand I felt the LCP had too short and too light light of a trigger pull for what I wanted in a pocketable close defense pistol. I ended up with a hard chrome over gray P3AT. Haven't ever had second thoughts about the decision.

 

[Smallz1216]

I've been trying to decide between them as well. I decided on the P3AT over the LCP because I have always liked the reliability of my P11. Also the customer service at Kel Tec is excellent. The LCP is definitely easier to find. I'm still waiting to find a p3at in my area in the nickel boron finish.

 

[michael t]

I have the P3AT Ruger just copy in a fancy dress. I'll keep the original

 

[bspidell]

On the other hand I felt the LCP had too short and too light light of a trigger pull for what I wanted in a pocketable close defense pistol.

This is quite interesting to me, because trigger feel is an absolute deal maker or breaker. I've read that a lot of people prefer the P3AT trigger because it is lighter and shorter than the LCP, but I guess that I will have to find a P3AT locally to try the trigger out on. I haven't gotten too far in my search yet, so I'm not sure how well either one will feel in my hands.

 

[bspidell]

On another note, I haven't ever had a chance to shoot one of these tiny pistols. What kind of recoil do they have in comparison to a snub nose revolver or a small 9mm like a S&W Shield or LC9?

 

[jonnin]

My 2 cents: Ruger redid the LCP triggers a few years back so early models and the current offering are very different feels. I think its much lighter and easier to use now.

Its hard to compare a 380 to a snub revolver due to caliber difference and no moving parts to absorb any of it. The snub will be worse if talking 38s and up. The shield is probably gentler than these 380s. The lc9 is worse.

The shield is excellent by the way. Im a light trigger guy so I will stop here ... if you are looking at more models, I can comment more as I carry pocket pistols but if you are looking for very heavy long triggers I can't help you.

 

[WPhilB47]

I have owned and also worked on both the 1st & 2nd Gen P3ATs, and the same for the Ruger LCPs. I prefer the KelTec's function, dependability, and serviceability. The LCP has a better fit and finish, and a bolt hold open. I currently own 3 P3ATs and all of my Rugers have found new homes. I'll let that speak for me. The .380 micro pistols have about the same recoil as a J frame in 38 Sp.

 

[bspidell]

The shield is excellent by the way. Im a light trigger guy so I will stop here ... if you are looking at more models, I can comment more as I carry pocket pistols but if you are looking for very heavy long triggers I can't help you.

I have a Shield right now that I'm very happy with, but I'm a small framed guy and I'd like to get one of these pocket pistols for when I just want something to drop in my pocket and go. The Shield is just a bit too big for my pockets.

I am curious about other pocket guns that have decent triggers. I only brought these two up, because they seem to be the most popular.

 

[possumgravy]

I have both in 2nd generation. Both are reliable. I like a lighter trigger and the LCP pull weight is a bit lighter and shorter. The sights on the LCP are a little taller. Both companies have good customer service. If a problem with Ruger they pay shipping both ways. My vote is for Ruger by a small margin.

 

[Pocket-p3at]

Try to hold both. My sister has a newer lcp, I think the grip is more comfortable to hold than my p3at. The Ruger grip extension fits my hand perfect. I have a Pearce extension for my p3at, I think it is just a little too long. Without an extension I can barely get one and a half fingers on the grip. My p3at has been 100% reliable, no complaints mechanically.

 

[raymac1215]

I have owned my 2nd Generation P3AT for many years and prefer the trigger to offer resistance and longer pull. In the case of a defense weapon a very light trigger could bring a mistake by accidentally firing. I was always told never point a firearm at anything you don't intend to shoot, but that is easy to say. If I have no option but to point the P3AT at a person I like knowing the trigger has to be pulled rather hard, unlike the Glock Police Special that will fire by just looking at it. When we first transformed from .357 Revolvers to 9MM Glocks there were quite a number of accidental discharges in the locker room for the first 6 months. The trigger pull on the P3AT is just right in my opinion. On build quality and features the Ruger does have advantages and is heavier. I believe it's down to personal choice. I would carry either firearm without hesitation but I have grown attached to my P3AT. Never any problem on the range, hopefully no problems when I really need it to perform.

 

[bspidell]

It sounds like I can't go wrong with either gun. I'll have to see if the one range that rents guns has either of them for me to try out and just play around with them for a bit to see which I prefer.

 

[carwash]

https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruger/lcp

Hogue Handall Hybrid Grip makes the very thin grip comfortable to hold & shoot all day, only made for the Ruger

 

[jpshaw]

Never considered nor bought my P3AT for comfort of all day shooting. Bought it for maximum concealment and be able to shoot in a bad situation. I get 1 1/2 fingers on mine and can fire it that way. For all day shooting comfort, if someone else will buy the ammo, I will pick my Glock 22 with its 9mm conversion barrel installed.

 

[WPhilB47]

Never considered nor bought my P3AT for comfort of all day shooting. Bought it for maximum concealment and be able to shoot in a bad situation. I get 1 1/2 fingers on mine and can fire it that way. For all day shooting comfort, if someone else will buy the ammo, I will pick my Glock 22 with its 9mm conversion barrel installed.

Exactly. Old posters and new posters alike, this has been, and will go on for years. There is always a deep discussion about the comfort and range accuracy of the mini pistols. Concealment, 25' combat accuracy, and dependable cycling through a full mag are of the most importance. Everything else is just fluff. I prefer my P3AT over my P32, and I worry about penetration and expansion when I pick ammo for it, but, truth be known, it really makes more sense for me to carry my P32, because I can put the 1st round of FMJ on the bridge of your nose at 25'. I don't even try for center mass under 25'. I just practice head shots with the P32.

 

[budman70]

I have shot all of the pistols mentioned here. I also carry in rotation a Glock 43, an ATI LW 45 and a xds 45. More often than not I grab my p3at. It was my first ccw and it's great. In fact I have 2.

 

[OldFord]

Both are good. I bought KT first and will keep it. It works!

 

[cavediver27]

I own both, a first gen P3AT that I've owned for 10+ years and a second gen LCP that I've more recently purchased. The fit and finish of the LCP is superior to the P3AT and the grip of the LCP is more comfortable. The magazine release seems more robust on the LCP as well. You can lock the slide open on the LCP which is nice and you can't with the P3AT. As for reliability, they are both flawless with no failures and I completely trust both. Accuracy? Well, they're concealed carry mouse guns not meant for target or range shooting and are equal in that regard.
I now carry the LCP because it just feels better but the P3AT is a great pistol as well.

 

[gordon11]

In my opinion the LCP has a better finish but my P3AT has been ultra reliable. My actual vote would be for an unmentioned third option, the P32. I like it slightly better. Although pocket guns aren't meant to be range guns, the P32 is actually fun to shoot. I'm not that impressed with the ballistic difference in the rounds.