[Picatinny_Pete]

Does anyone own a Beretta 950, 950B, 950BS, Jetfire that they can compare to the P3AT?...

...I have a 25 cal. 950B Jetfire that carries well, but it's way underpowered.  (You can't always stick it in the BG's eye!!)

Hi,

Brassfetcher has some good gel test results at his website comparing the Beretta 21 A against the P3AT which I think is as close as you will get for a true comparison.

Berretta 21A  25 ACP Gel Results:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/index_files/Page1035.htm

Kel Tec P3AT results:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP ammunition performance in ballistic gelatin.pdf

The 25 ACP with FMJ has a penetration of 15"+ vs. about 21" for the 380 Auto w/FMJ against bare gelatin, what does this tell me?  The 25 ACP has adequate penetration with FMJ but requires very good shot placement.  The Beretta 950 also has 8+1 shots vs. the P3AT's 6+1 shots giving it nominally 29% more firepower.  

There's a small arguement for the Beretta 950 vs. the P3AT using FMJ since it has adequate penetration and greater firepower if you are an expert shot.  That arguement goes out the window with expanding bullets, or you are less than a great shooter (big majority of people under stress.)  I think evidence from shootings with both cartridges show that FMJ is ineffective in both, but the edge goes to the 380 Auto using FMJ.  I hope the info helps.

Best Wishes

 

[Picatinny_Pete]

I am going to get a P3AT, and then stash the 950 in my bike's tool bag.

Which is the best practice ammo for the P3AT, and which is the best defensive round?

I've heard that .380 prices are high, and quantities are low.

Hi,

Sounds like a good plan to keep the 950 in the tool bag, it protects the pistol, and keeps its accessable. The best practice ammo is the least expensive that will reliably cycle it, and a magazine worth of your defensive load every so often. The best defensive ammo is what is reliable out of your pistol, you are comfortable with, and performs reliably.

You are right about 380 Ammo its available, but scarce around here in the Springfield/Dayton area. 22LR, 25 ACP, and 32 ACP remain relatively available so that you can practice if you have these calibers on a regular basis. When the shortage was its worse people had 380's but no ammo in a case like that the 25 ACP was better if you had ammo for it, its one of the reasons I still have a Taurus PT-22 in 22LR just in case.

Best Regards:

 

[Picatinny_Pete]

Kirk,

Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it, I'll send a PM later. I have had enough training with edged weapons though to know that people should have some self defense training other than shooting on how to deal with an adversary after they empty their P3AT or Beretta 950, and still have someone to deal with who is really peeved and has a knife. Not everyone who is shot stops, flees, or even knows that they've been shot.

Best wishes: