I'm REALLY disappointed in my Kel-Tec P32 . . . . .

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ralphtt

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Needed a small, light pistol for summertime carry. Did considerable research on the P32 and it seemed like it was worth a try, even though there were certain reliability issues.

Got the P32 on June 28. Fired five magazines of assorted ammo and had at least one failure-to-extract on each magazine. :( Packed up the P32 and returned it to Kel-Tec. They replaced the extractor, polished the feed ramp and test fired. Pistol was returned to me on July 12. Good turnaround time, considering the July 4 holiday.

Back to the range today. First magazine, everything worked fine. Eight shots, no malfunctions. But then, the train jumped the track. Tried six other magazines and had at least one failure-to-extract on each of the six. That's it. :eek: The P32 goes into the deep, dark recesses of the safe. It's just not reliable enough to carry.

Cannot justify keeping a pistol for self-defense that's not reliable. Should have known better. Figured the P32 was marginal anyway due to the caliber, but thought it would be worth a try. :barf:
 
If you have not already done so, go to the Kel-Tec Owners Group website and forum. Read the site info, and see if that helps.

http://www.ktog.org


Have you tried different ammo? Some stuff, like the CRAPPY
American ammo, isn't made to spec, and it won't always feed properly. (If they returned it to you, you can be pretty sure it was working right at the factory... They're pretty good.)
 
Walt . . . been there, done that. Some good info on the KTOG. Even signed up for the email list for a while, but was overwhelmed with the numerous silly posts about the difference between a magazine and a clip. ;)

Guess my main problem was the fluff & buff treatment that seems to be the owners' responsibility. :confused: IMHO, this should be done by the factory, WITHOUT the need to return the piece to Kel-Tec.

I used three types of ammo . . . they all had similar problems. As I said, if it ain't reliable, it's not worth anything to me. And that relegates the P32 to the deepest, darkest part of the safe.

Like I said, I should have known better . . . :(
 
as for me i will never buy another striker fired or double action only gun again.the triggers just suck to the livin end.:barf: :barf:
 
Trigger is not bad; and the P32 is very accurate, considering the rudimentary sights

but the doggone thing is just not reliable.
 
I put 1200 rds (mostly cone-nosed FN surplus) thru my P-32 with only 4 FTF. Seems like its kinda the luck of the draw with the P-32's. Sometimes their great as they come, sometimes not so much. Finally got rid of mine because I just couldn't see using a .32 for a carry weapon.
 
Ralph, you seem like a good guy...

..and I urge you not to give up yet. Call Carolyn or Cliff at Kel-Tec. They're the smith's you want to talk to. Say just what you've posted here. I'd bet they will either repair your pistol, give you another one, or refund your money. I KNOW it would be that way. My P-32 is completely reliable with any ammo I've fed it. My trouble was the recoil rod. I was determined to make a factory metal rod work. I tried two and both made my slide lock halfway back and it almost took devine intervention to get my P-32 apart again. I was hot, until Cliff offered to get a refund for me. I didn't WANT or need a refund. I was so flabbergasted by his refund offer, my anger immediately went away. In the end he told me that he had seen only ONE plastic rod break. And the guy broke it himself after field stripping his P-11! I ended up sending my P-32 back to the factory for a grey grip assembly and a bunch of other nice stuff. (This is the part I love to say!) I sent it on a wednesday and got it back on FRIDAY of the same week!

Good luck,
Kentucky Rifle
 
Hi, Kentuck . ..
In my research before purchase of the P32, I read many of your posts on KTOG; and am familiar with your P32 experience. You're right . . . I am somewhat disgruntled and upset, but primarily with my somewhat lofty expectations of a relatively inexpensive sidearm.

I have already talked with Carolyn . . . did this before I sent the P32 to Kel-Tec the first time. I still feel that the pistols should be correct WHEN THEY LEAVE THE FACTORY. Guess I'm just not willing to put up with all the aggravation it would take to get the P32 to function reliably . . .

Kel-Tec had my pistol over the July 4 holiday and they were closed for part of that week. Thus, they kept the pistol from July 3 when they received it until July 11. To their credit, they returned it via next-day-air and I received it on July 12. No problem with their customer service or their willingness to do the right thing, but they need to get it right the first time. ;)
 
Bummer!

So, what would you take for the unreliable little paperwieght? If the price is right I could deal with the aggravation of sending it back... :D
 
Ralph (Endowment NRA Member, eh..That is super!!)

I agree with you 100%!
The P-32's should be perfectly fluffed and buffed BEFORE they leave the factory. Alas, it just is not so. Also, it is a special disappointment when a firearm doesn't meet the high expectations that you had hoped for. However, if you can get your P-32 to work well (and by that I mean 100% reliable), you be pleased by the simple qualities of "thin and light". I know that you're more than a little disgusted right now (I would be too!), but just make up your mind that Kel-Tec IS GOING to make this right for you! Take a deep breath, send it back after talking to Cliff (this time they'll probably pick up the tab for shipping, although you sound like that is the least of your concerns), and forget about it until it comes back....repaired.
I collect pocket pistols. I've got a bunch, from Seecamps on down. I carry my P-32 a lot. I really think KT will make your P-32 right for you.

Good luck and let me know,
Will
 
My P-32 has been reliable, but I've only put a few hundred rounds through it. Used the cheapest ammo that I could find. I did have it F&B and plated by Keltec. Send it back, or sell it. You shouldn't have to do the work yourself on a new gun.
 
I have had no problems with hardball .32. And the Gold Dots I use have also been reliable. Keep trying different ammunition. Maybe that is the problem. Mine shoots fine and I am very impressed with it.
 
I know that this doe not help your problems, and probably not feelings either, but here goes. I initially had some problems with the slide hanging up after ejection and before stripping another round from the magazine. Turned out to be a small burr on the slide. Smoothed it off - no problems since. It has functioned with all ammo, FMJ and HP and even the infamous American. Reliability is not an issue with this one.
 
Appreciate the encouragement and I may yet decide to give Kel-Tec another chance . . . kinda' hate to spend the $25 for next-day delivery, but . . .

Arub - thanks for the tip, but this one never ejects the empty hull and then there is nowhere for the next round to go as it slides up the feed ramp. Average so far is once (plus a little) per magazine; and it does get frustrating after a while. :rolleyes:

I'll give it another try in a day or so with yet another brand of ammo and make a decision then.
 
My P32 has been reliable and accurate for a gun its size.

I've put 500+ rounds through it without a problem.

I only use Fiocchi 73gr. FMJ in it.

I added agrip to it and the finger extension from NAA.

I am probably the only one who doesn't want mine chromed.

All in all, it doesn't have the fine finish of some of my other guns but its price reflects that. I would like to see an upgraded P32 with a nicer finish etc. sort of like the difference between the old Kahr "value gun" line and their regular gun line.
 
In the time you've spent complaining here about it, you could have done the fluff-and-buff and been done with it.

I had a couple of FTF in the first couple of mags with my P32. Did the fluff-and-buff and its been 100% since. Try it. The P32 is a great little pistol and its nice to have something that can be carried no matter how you are dressed.
 
Ralph...

Call Cliff in the morning and tell him that you've already sent it back once. I'll bet he get's you free shipping. Send me an e-mail if you need the toll free Kel-Tec phone number, or anything else. We'll get this little problem straightened out for you!
Hey, wait one....I've got the toll free number for Kel-Tec right here: 1 (800) 515-9983.
There, maybe it won't cost you another cent!
Let us know!

Kentucky Rifle

Arub: How did you find that burr? Could you see it? Or did you find it by feel?
Thanks,
KR
 
Duh!!

Yea dude, those things are crap, best to leave them at the stores! They're toys that happen to shoot real ammo. Get a real good gun like a Bersa, Beretta, anything but those damn Kel-Tecs.
 
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