[Rustyg]

I have found a slightly used (less than 50 rds.) P3AT for sale for a decent price and would like some opinions.  What should I look at or check before I fork over the cash?  Any signs of a problem that might be visible that I should look for first?  The guy says it is in like new condition and has never had a hiccup,  from the pictures he has sent me it appears to be in like new condition.  I just wanted to know if there might be any early warning signs to look for.  Thanks in advance.

 

[adamsesq]

My only question would be serial number and peening. Is it in the range that was peening? If so, check it over carefully and/or be ready to send it back if needed. Not a reason NOT to buy it, but just be ready.

-Scott

 

[Rustyg]

My only question would be serial number and peening.  Is it in the range that was peening?  If so, check it over carefully and/or be ready to send it back if needed.  Not a reason NOT to buy it, but just be ready.

-Scott

What are the serial number ranges I should watch for?

 

[PshootR]

Look for slide peening and/or thin metal where the recoil rod comes through the front of the slide.

Quote from JFB on Sep 5th, 2008, 9:44pm:
The range was HZXXX to JBXXX

Quote from JFB on Sep 7th, 2007, 8:05pm:
UPDATED
Slide peening serial numbers -- 1,000 from J0000 (calc # week's production) -- estimated (CWAG) or actual manufactured date

HZUXX -- xx --*7/20/06
JODXX --1.4-- 8/7/2006 CWAG *7/27/06
JONXX --2.2-- 8/14/2006 CWAG
J26XX --7.4-- 9/11/2006 CWAG
J2AXX --7.8--9/15/2006 CWAG* 09/06
J3QXX --12.6--*10/20/2006
J4RXX -- 16.1--11/20/2006 CWAG
J5DXX --18.3--12/4/2006 CWAG
J5KXX --18.9--12/7/2006 CWAG
J5HXX *12/05/06
J65XX --20.9--*12/13/2006
J6HXX --22.0--12/18/2006 CWAG
J7CXX --25.0--*1/12/07
J87XX *02/2507
J8DXX
J8UXX --30.0--*02/26/07
J9XXX -- 30.6 -- 03/01/07 CWAG
JAFXX -- 35.4 -- 04/05/07 CWAG

* Kel-tec verified manufacture date.

 

[adamsesq]

[quote author=adamsesq link=1230522319/0#1 date=1230522702]My only question would be serial number and peening.  Is it in the range that was peening?  If so, check it over carefully and/or be ready to send it back if needed.  Not a reason NOT to buy it, but just be ready.

-Scott

What are the serial number ranges I should watch for?[/quote]

is your friend.  I'd do a search for "peening" in the P3AT section over the last year.  You'll find it.

-Scott

 

[crv99]

The newest ones should be fine. I just got one in November and shot the crap out of it over the Christmas holiday. Zero problems and it was very well machined. Beyond hand cycling a bunch of snap caps and a good clean/lube, I did nothing to get it to run, unlike my other ones that required some sort of fluff and buff type operation. No peening...nothing. Excellent pistol! I wish I could tell you the serial number, but this P3AT was a replacement for an old unreliable 1st gen one and they stamped my old serial number on the new frame. I do have another 2nd gen P3AT "pre new hammer block" with a serial of HHVXX and it's been a very reliable and a good (no peening at all) pistol after the initial fluff and buff/break in.