New P-3AT, serial# JKV## . After the first 100 rounds with the jamming problems FTE and FTL, I called Kel-Tec customer support and they suggested that it was a break-in issue and should resolve itself. He instructed me to clean and lube the gun and shoot another 100 rounds, trying different types of ammo.
I shot 50-60 rounds of different types of ammo with jamming on every shot. I went home to clean the gun and looked it over. I began to remove the screw #183 and found it was loose. I applied Loc-tite, tightened it as much a possible but the head was stripping out. The next day I went and fired two successful mags with no problems and then it began to jam again on the 3rd mag. I then tried to tighten #183 but it was stripped out head. I returned home and removed the screw. After taking the screw out of the gun, I placed it (the screw) in my vice and cut a slot in the allen head screw using a fine dremel cutoff wheel. This allowed me to use a flat blade screwdriver. I applied Loctite and was able to get it good and tight with a flat blade screwdriver.
On the morning of 12/24/07, I went out and I shot two mags of American Eagle with no problems or jamming, and from my best recollection the last case was extracted. I then loaded a mag of the Wolf ammo and when I fired the first shot the gun blew up in my hand. The pictures attached will demonstrate the damage.
![]()
![]()
![]()
On 1-7-07 I talked to KT and they sent a call tag via Email. KT said they would Manufacture a new gun with my same Serial # when they received my gun and ship it out to me. I returned the gun on the 9th. KT called me on the 10th with a “WOW”. They sent my gun to manufacturing and sliced off the serial # for (big brother) and then sent it to engineering for evaluation. KT then attached my serial # to the new gun and test fired it. They sent it to me next day air and I received it on the Monday the 14th.
The paper work included in the box stated; “*****Steel, polymer and aluminum cased ammunitions are NOT recommended****”
I cleaned, lubed and headed to the range. I shot 70 rounds through the new P-3AT flawlessly. I used American Eagle, Winchester and Remington with no problems.
The 'controlled devastation' to the gun is evidence to me of the good engineering at KT. I am still alive and have all 10 fingers and I can still see to count them. (Thanks Kubmiester)
I am very pleased with Kel-Tec costumer service. They treated me very good with fast service and no problems. I am happy with my 3AT and will have it in my pocket when CCP is obtained.
On January 22nd I received a letter from Kel-TEC it stated:
RE; Kel-Tec, P-3AT, JKV##
January 17th 2008
Mr. McConahay
A preliminary examination has revealed both a bulge and pressure ring in the barrel approximately 0.383” forward of the chamber. Damage of this type is consistent with the overpressure/ impact damage, at or in close proximity to, the reinforced chamber area to the stepped down position of the barrel.
The most likely cause of such an incident would have been a bullet, lodged in the barrel from a previously fired round and a subsequent round being fired, driving the second bullet into the first bullet. The resulting impact would have then forced the barrel to expand and release high-pressure gases. These escaping high-pressure gases would have sheared off a portion of the barrel which in turn damaged the slide, at and around, the chamber area. Kinetic energy should have driven the first bullet out of the barrel. Due to the missing second bullet it is surmised that the lack of friction due to the ruptured barrel, coupled with the bullets forward momentum, carried the second bullet the remaining distance free of the bore. Kel-Tec firearms are both proof fired and function fired following assembly. The lack of serious injury is a testament to the firearms design which incorporates safety features to help reduce the risk of serious injury in incidents such as this.In an effort to maintain customer satisfaction, Kel-Tec has destroyed the original firearm and replaced it with our latest model, transferring the original serial number to the new firearm firearm and reinstating its full factory warranty without charge.
I shot 50-60 rounds of different types of ammo with jamming on every shot. I went home to clean the gun and looked it over. I began to remove the screw #183 and found it was loose. I applied Loc-tite, tightened it as much a possible but the head was stripping out. The next day I went and fired two successful mags with no problems and then it began to jam again on the 3rd mag. I then tried to tighten #183 but it was stripped out head. I returned home and removed the screw. After taking the screw out of the gun, I placed it (the screw) in my vice and cut a slot in the allen head screw using a fine dremel cutoff wheel. This allowed me to use a flat blade screwdriver. I applied Loctite and was able to get it good and tight with a flat blade screwdriver.
On the morning of 12/24/07, I went out and I shot two mags of American Eagle with no problems or jamming, and from my best recollection the last case was extracted. I then loaded a mag of the Wolf ammo and when I fired the first shot the gun blew up in my hand. The pictures attached will demonstrate the damage.
On 1-7-07 I talked to KT and they sent a call tag via Email. KT said they would Manufacture a new gun with my same Serial # when they received my gun and ship it out to me. I returned the gun on the 9th. KT called me on the 10th with a “WOW”. They sent my gun to manufacturing and sliced off the serial # for (big brother) and then sent it to engineering for evaluation. KT then attached my serial # to the new gun and test fired it. They sent it to me next day air and I received it on the Monday the 14th.
The paper work included in the box stated; “*****Steel, polymer and aluminum cased ammunitions are NOT recommended****”
I cleaned, lubed and headed to the range. I shot 70 rounds through the new P-3AT flawlessly. I used American Eagle, Winchester and Remington with no problems.
The 'controlled devastation' to the gun is evidence to me of the good engineering at KT. I am still alive and have all 10 fingers and I can still see to count them. (Thanks Kubmiester)
I am very pleased with Kel-Tec costumer service. They treated me very good with fast service and no problems. I am happy with my 3AT and will have it in my pocket when CCP is obtained.
On January 22nd I received a letter from Kel-TEC it stated:
RE; Kel-Tec, P-3AT, JKV##
January 17th 2008
Mr. McConahay
A preliminary examination has revealed both a bulge and pressure ring in the barrel approximately 0.383” forward of the chamber. Damage of this type is consistent with the overpressure/ impact damage, at or in close proximity to, the reinforced chamber area to the stepped down position of the barrel.
The most likely cause of such an incident would have been a bullet, lodged in the barrel from a previously fired round and a subsequent round being fired, driving the second bullet into the first bullet. The resulting impact would have then forced the barrel to expand and release high-pressure gases. These escaping high-pressure gases would have sheared off a portion of the barrel which in turn damaged the slide, at and around, the chamber area. Kinetic energy should have driven the first bullet out of the barrel. Due to the missing second bullet it is surmised that the lack of friction due to the ruptured barrel, coupled with the bullets forward momentum, carried the second bullet the remaining distance free of the bore. Kel-Tec firearms are both proof fired and function fired following assembly. The lack of serious injury is a testament to the firearms design which incorporates safety features to help reduce the risk of serious injury in incidents such as this.In an effort to maintain customer satisfaction, Kel-Tec has destroyed the original firearm and replaced it with our latest model, transferring the original serial number to the new firearm firearm and reinstating its full factory warranty without charge.
