"Broke Down" & bought a KelTec P3AT

Martial Archer · February 26th, 2008, 05:44 PM

Well, after an arguement with myself for the past year, I finally broke down and bought a KelTec P3AT.

After obtaining my CWP, I really wanted to find a pistol that I could carry at work. That has not necessarily been an easy task considering I own and operate my own small landscaping business and many days I am out "in the trenches" with the rest of the crew. On top of that, it gets pretty darned hot here in the summer & shorts and light weight shirts are a necessity.

I have tried several different pistol/holster combinations, but nothing has been just right. Carrying my USP40c or even my newest addition, the Sig P250c, can be quite cumbersome during a full day of manual labor. Even my PT145 MilPro or Glock 27 hasn't been right for every occasion. I've eyed the KelTecs for a while and just couldn't quite get over the thought that it/they just look too cheap to be reliable. After searching the forum here and reading the numerous positive posts on the P3AT's, I finally took the plunge.

So, "Lil' Kel" came home with me today. I won't be able to hit the range until Friday to break her in. I'm confident that we'll warm up to each other fairly quickly though & I'll certainly feel better leaving the house in the mornings!

bmcgilvray · February 26th, 2008, 05:51 PM

There's nothing quite like it for size/cartridge capability. Well, Ruger just pretty well duplicated it recently. I'm no fan at all of double action only but the P3AT certainly beats the .25 I used to carry for deep concealment. I pondered the P3AT for a year before I purchased one. Then had a time gaining reliability from it. Now it's fine and has a niche in my wardrobe.

citizen510 · February 26th, 2008, 06:22 PM

I've got my P3AT tucked in my business casual slacks right now. It is the only way I can carry at work. It is not as comforting as my .45 but it is better than a stapler. I have about 300 rounds through it and the last 100 were Federal HP's...no problems with fmj or hp.

I have a belt clip on mine and it hides under the waistband of my slacks. I recommend the belt clip if you must carry concealed. You may want to clean it often as lint builds up in places that will surprise you. I do not have any experience with the effects of sweat but would think that it would be a problem when working outside in the summer time as a landscaper.

It is a nice little gun. Be safe.

monsterdawg725 · February 26th, 2008, 07:11 PM

i carry my p3at in a desantis nemisis best pocket holster/gun combo ive found for me needs.

Moondo · February 26th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Congratulations, on your new purchase. The P3At is a great pistol (despite what some others have posted) just make sure and keep Lil' Kel clean, I clean my P3's after 50 rounds and I never have problems. You might want to check out the Grandfather Oak neck Holster for another carry option, and Corbon DPX ammuntion has put up some great numbers out of the P3At you might want to check that out too. Shoot Straight... Moondo

mslaughtertx · February 26th, 2008, 07:19 PM

They definately have a place and I carry one often when I have no other options. I will soon be switching to a Ruger because the Dept that I reserve with has a contract with them and they will be issued, but I will still keep my Kel-Tec close.

Martial Archer · February 26th, 2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citizen510

I do not have any experience with the effects of sweat but would think that it would be a problem when working outside in the summer time as a landscaper.

Yea, the sweat issue was another reason that I didn't get a P3AT sooner. I know that I'll have to be vigilant keeping it clean and sufficiently lubed but I'd rather do that than be "naked"!

retsupt99 · February 26th, 2008, 07:41 PM

I've had mine for over five years...not a fun gun at the range, but it ALWAYS goes boom. A great gun for the pocket...

Stay armed...stay safe!

SleepingZ · February 26th, 2008, 07:41 PM

Saturday morning you will wake up and realize you have a new best friend---Lil- Kel.

Z

stanislaskasava · February 26th, 2008, 07:49 PM

If you need a cheap pocket holster in a hurry, a local store might have an Uncle Mike's 'Sidekick' in a size 1. It's just big enough and does the job for about $12 IIRC.

February 26th, 2008, 05:44 PM	#1
Martial Archer Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 121	"Broke Down" & bought a KelTec P3AT Well, after an arguement with myself for the past year, I finally broke down and bought a KelTec P3AT. After obtaining my CWP, I really wanted to find a pistol that I could carry at work. That has not necessarily been an easy task considering I own and operate my own small landscaping business and many days I am out "in the trenches" with the rest of the crew. On top of that, it gets pretty darned hot here in the summer & shorts and light weight shirts are a necessity. I have tried several different pistol/holster combinations, but nothing has been just right. Carrying my USP40c or even my newest addition, the Sig P250c, can be quite cumbersome during a full day of manual labor. Even my PT145 MilPro or Glock 27 hasn't been right for every occasion. I've eyed the KelTecs for a while and just couldn't quite get over the thought that it/they just look too cheap to be reliable. After searching the forum here and reading the numerous positive posts on the P3AT's, I finally took the plunge. So, "Lil' Kel" came home with me today. I won't be able to hit the range until Friday to break her in. I'm confident that we'll warm up to each other fairly quickly though & I'll certainly feel better leaving the house in the mornings! __________________ NRA Life Member Glock 19

February 26th, 2008, 06:22 PM	#3
citizen510 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 313	I've got my P3AT tucked in my business casual slacks right now. It is the only way I can carry at work. It is not as comforting as my .45 but it is better than a stapler. I have about 300 rounds through it and the last 100 were Federal HP's...no problems with fmj or hp. I have a belt clip on mine and it hides under the waistband of my slacks. I recommend the belt clip if you must carry concealed. You may want to clean it often as lint builds up in places that will surprise you. I do not have any experience with the effects of sweat but would think that it would be a problem when working outside in the summer time as a landscaper. It is a nice little gun. Be safe. __________________ It is not the Bill of Privileges. It is not the Bill of Permits. It is the Bill of Rights. People should not be afraid of the government; the government should be afraid of the people.

February 26th, 2008, 07:11 PM	#4
monsterdawg725 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TN Posts: 17	i carry my p3at in a desantis nemisis best pocket holster/gun combo ive found for me needs. __________________ Well hell yes its dangerous if it wasnt i wouldnt be carrying it! XD SC bitone 9mm XD service 9mm Glock 19 9mm Glock 26 9mm Taurus mil pro 140 Keltec p3at

February 26th, 2008, 07:41 PM	#8
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,956	I've had mine for over five years...not a fun gun at the range, but it ALWAYS goes boom. A great gun for the pocket... Stay armed...stay safe! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

February 26th, 2008, 07:41 PM	#9
SleepingZ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ne Posts: 1,073	Saturday morning you will wake up and realize you have a new best friend---Lil- Kel. Z __________________ You can run & hide, but it will take them that much longer to find your body

February 26th, 2008, 05:51 PM	#2
bmcgilvray Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,152	There's nothing quite like it for size/cartridge capability. Well, Ruger just pretty well duplicated it recently. I'm no fan at all of double action only but the P3AT certainly beats the .25 I used to carry for deep concealment. I pondered the P3AT for a year before I purchased one. Then had a time gaining reliability from it. Now it's fine and has a niche in my wardrobe.

February 26th, 2008, 07:13 PM	#5
Moondo Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 55	Congratulations, on your new purchase. The P3At is a great pistol (despite what some others have posted) just make sure and keep Lil' Kel clean, I clean my P3's after 50 rounds and I never have problems. You might want to check out the Grandfather Oak neck Holster for another carry option, and Corbon DPX ammuntion has put up some great numbers out of the P3At you might want to check that out too. Shoot Straight... Moondo

February 26th, 2008, 07:19 PM	#6
mslaughtertx Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: At Work Posts: 344	They definately have a place and I carry one often when I have no other options. I will soon be switching to a Ruger because the Dept that I reserve with has a contract with them and they will be issued, but I will still keep my Kel-Tec close.

February 26th, 2008, 07:49 PM	#10
stanislaskasava Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: U.S. Posts: 520	If you need a cheap pocket holster in a hurry, a local store might have an Uncle Mike's 'Sidekick' in a size 1. It's just big enough and does the job for about $12 IIRC.

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