cc-hangfire
New member
JERRYS, I'm still LMAO over your kind description of us fat old men as "plump"!! That was diplomatic!
Keltec p32 vs p3AT
- Thread starter adamBomb
- Start date
Cheapshooter
New member
Why not, I talked myself into getting one after reading several threads about them. Like I said in a previous post, kust for grins. Doubt that it will replace my LCP though. I tried the belt clip thing on it for a behind my back carry option, but it kept popping loose, so that option went out the door.
Plus I haven't shot it enough to prove reliability to me. It's having a problem with not going into battery at times. Started not chambering at all on the second, or third round. Then it took a little bump on the back of the slide to get it to go forward, pick up a fresh round, and chamber it. Another couple mags through it, and now it has an occasional "delay" before the slide moves forward. I think a good cleaning, and lube plus a hundred or so rounds will have it running just fine.
Went to 5 different stores. The first 4 did not carry anything keltec. I got lots of 'why are you looking for a .32?'
Finally the fifth store had the P3AT. They also had the LCP, Bodyguard, and Taurus. They also told me they could order the .32 but again suggested that the .380 was a much easier round to find. I looked at the bodyguard, P3AT, and LCP for probably 45 mins. I put them in holsters and carried them.
I couldnt tell a difference between them at all. I was splitting hairs and each had some small advantages. Any size differences weren't really noticeable. I liked the bodyguards features but not the price. It was the most expensive.
I ended up getting the LCP because it was $70 cheaper than the P3AT. I dont care about price if there is a quality difference but the two guns seemed exactly the same so I went with the least expensive. The .32 would of also been about $65 more than the LCP. Anyway, I am happy. Now I need to research holsters, get some ammo, clean it, and head to the range to see just how uncomfortable this thing is to shoot haha.
Finally the fifth store had the P3AT. They also had the LCP, Bodyguard, and Taurus. They also told me they could order the .32 but again suggested that the .380 was a much easier round to find. I looked at the bodyguard, P3AT, and LCP for probably 45 mins. I put them in holsters and carried them.
I couldnt tell a difference between them at all. I was splitting hairs and each had some small advantages. Any size differences weren't really noticeable. I liked the bodyguards features but not the price. It was the most expensive.
I ended up getting the LCP because it was $70 cheaper than the P3AT. I dont care about price if there is a quality difference but the two guns seemed exactly the same so I went with the least expensive. The .32 would of also been about $65 more than the LCP. Anyway, I am happy. Now I need to research holsters, get some ammo, clean it, and head to the range to see just how uncomfortable this thing is to shoot haha.
The Gen 2 Ruger has better sights (though for most close up work, they probably won't be used) and the extractor isn't held on with a screw.
Years ago, KelTec fans used to talk about how do to a "fluff and buff" to get the P32s to work right, perhaps that is no longer necessary. My Gen 2 LCP worked flawlessly out of the box, though a Gen 1 I owned previously was a jam-o-matic.
Cheapshooter
New member
You won't regret your pur hase of an Elsie Pea!
For a pocket holster you can't do better than a DeSantis Nemesis.
http://www.desantisholster.com/THE-NEMESIS
I don't see any reason for other than pocket carry such a zmall pistol.
I highly suggest you find some Speer Gold Dot HP ammo for carry. But first run a hundred or so rounds of fmj range ammo through it as a shake down. Not necessarily a "break-in" but just a way to gain confidence with it. I didn't have a single failure of any kind with my shake diwn of my LCP. Haven't had a single problem afterwards either.
Youight also wa t to add a Hogue Handalp grip sleve. Some add them to absorb some recoil. I didn't have any problem in that department, but it does give me a little better grip without any noticable difference in concealability.
http://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Handall...qid=1455663765&sr=8-1&keywords=hogue+lcp+grip
For a pocket holster you can't do better than a DeSantis Nemesis.
http://www.desantisholster.com/THE-NEMESIS
I don't see any reason for other than pocket carry such a zmall pistol.
I highly suggest you find some Speer Gold Dot HP ammo for carry. But first run a hundred or so rounds of fmj range ammo through it as a shake down. Not necessarily a "break-in" but just a way to gain confidence with it. I didn't have a single failure of any kind with my shake diwn of my LCP. Haven't had a single problem afterwards either.
Youight also wa t to add a Hogue Handalp grip sleve. Some add them to absorb some recoil. I didn't have any problem in that department, but it does give me a little better grip without any noticable difference in concealability.
http://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Handall...qid=1455663765&sr=8-1&keywords=hogue+lcp+grip
Limnophile
New member
When evaluating terminal ballistics performance the FBI gives penetration 3.5-times as much weight as it gives expansion. What model, even if simply conceptual, do you use to assess terminal bullet performance?
Bill DeShivs
New member
If I were in the FBI, I might give credence to their performance tests. 
I bought the P32 when it came out in 1999.
I bought the P3AT when it came out.
I bought the LCP when it came out.
I have carried all of them.
Right now I carrying the LCP because the laser fits in the Desantis better.
I would LIKE to carry the PF9, but I can feel it. I can't feel any of the small 3 in my pocket.
I bought the P3AT when it came out.
I bought the LCP when it came out.
I have carried all of them.
Right now I carrying the LCP because the laser fits in the Desantis better.
I would LIKE to carry the PF9, but I can feel it. I can't feel any of the small 3 in my pocket.
limnophile said:
The model I use is to assess terminal bullet performance is "will someone be more likely to stop what they are doing if I shoot them with this bullet rather than no bullet at all?".
So far the answer has been a resounding "YES" no matter what caliber or bullet is modeled, even the much-disparaged .22's, .25's, and .32's.
My experience has been (4 years military, 8 years deputy sheriff) that even if it only penetrates 3 or 4 inches, threatening to stab someone in the chest and face with the equivalent of a 3 or 4 inch long ice pick a half dozen or so times drastically changes their behavior.
I used to carry a .25 Bauer as a deep (third gun) back-up. Bought a P-32 when they came out in the late 90's and been carrying it since then with no regrets.
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I'm glad that you were able to get the better pistol in a better caliber.
As for your holster, I have found the Uncle George's pocket holster to be one of the best. He only makes his holster for a select few pistols and does a fine job as a craftsman.
The holster looks just like a wallet in the pocket and the pistol is extracted easily when needed.
http://www.unclegeorgeswalletholsters.com/Pages/default.aspx
My LCP in n Uncle George's Pocket Holster:
As for your holster, I have found the Uncle George's pocket holster to be one of the best. He only makes his holster for a select few pistols and does a fine job as a craftsman.
The holster looks just like a wallet in the pocket and the pistol is extracted easily when needed.
http://www.unclegeorgeswalletholsters.com/Pages/default.aspx
My LCP in n Uncle George's Pocket Holster:
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Thanks I am going to check out holsters this weekend. I just stripped and cleaned the gun. The spring metal piece in the springs flew across the room and I was lucky to find it in my garage
I picked up 100 rounds of winchester and will take it to the range tomorrow during a work break to see how it fires.
I picked up 100 rounds of winchester and will take it to the range tomorrow during a work break to see how it fires.One thing nobody mentioned, oddly enough,
is that 7.65mm-Browning is also .32acp
It is slightly hotter, to the tune of about two grains of powder on average...
From my particular european-made .32acp,
it prefers 71-grain and smaller, absolutely hates 73-grain from anyone...
but will shoot smiley-faces in the targets all afternoon long
One other thing...I'm finding that a rotation of CC's is a wonderful thing.
Different pistols for different areas, weather, attire, etc...
Options are an awesome thing!!
Of course, smart money says make sure all your controls are the same
All down, or all up for Fire, or no safety at all (Revolvers/Glockity).
Wallet Holsters...make SURE that you don't cut a finger-hole in a wallet holster...
(meaning you can pull the trigger without removing it from the holster)
as that turns it into an AOW, which is more headache than its worth.
I used to want one of those Brett Maverick Trick Holsters,
until we found out they were illegal as all heck without $200 & a Tax Stamp...
Which is kind of a shame, because it'd cut down on robberies like a MOFO!!
"Here's my wallet...BANG BANG BANG!"
Of course, if I ever hit the lottery...I'd buy them and a few other things
& give the BATF their silver..LOL
Everything I own would have a suppressor & a trick hidey-cases like in that movie
"Once Upon A Time In Mexico" & the rest of the "Mariachi" trilogy...
not to mention a few things from the "Sabata" series...
probably more than a few from the old "Wild Wild West" tv series...
is that 7.65mm-Browning is also .32acp
It is slightly hotter, to the tune of about two grains of powder on average...
From my particular european-made .32acp,
it prefers 71-grain and smaller, absolutely hates 73-grain from anyone...
but will shoot smiley-faces in the targets all afternoon long
One other thing...I'm finding that a rotation of CC's is a wonderful thing.
Different pistols for different areas, weather, attire, etc...
Options are an awesome thing!!
Of course, smart money says make sure all your controls are the same
All down, or all up for Fire, or no safety at all (Revolvers/Glockity).
Wallet Holsters...make SURE that you don't cut a finger-hole in a wallet holster...
(meaning you can pull the trigger without removing it from the holster)
as that turns it into an AOW, which is more headache than its worth.
I used to want one of those Brett Maverick Trick Holsters,
until we found out they were illegal as all heck without $200 & a Tax Stamp...
Which is kind of a shame, because it'd cut down on robberies like a MOFO!!
"Here's my wallet...BANG BANG BANG!"
Of course, if I ever hit the lottery...I'd buy them and a few other things
& give the BATF their silver..LOL
Everything I own would have a suppressor & a trick hidey-cases like in that movie
"Once Upon A Time In Mexico" & the rest of the "Mariachi" trilogy...
not to mention a few things from the "Sabata" series...
probably more than a few from the old "Wild Wild West" tv series...
One P3AT in house I like the P3AT 3 women in house all carry the P-32 because of recoil. I have put finger rest on all of them . Only rimlock experience was shooting the Winchester flat nose junk . Same OAL as most HP use good ball and don't worry if P-32. In my P3AT I use Corbon DPX .
With all that I am finding the PF-9 in my jeans pocket or IWB more and more
I like KelTec my P3AT is around 12yrs old and trouble free as have been the P-32's and PF-9 .
With all that I am finding the PF-9 in my jeans pocket or IWB more and more
I like KelTec my P3AT is around 12yrs old and trouble free as have been the P-32's and PF-9 .
wild cat mccane
New member
No. I owned and loved a P3AT in hard chrome with a grey grip.
The LCP is better with the Gen2 trigger and usable sights. Those are not minor upgrades.
The LCP is better with the Gen2 trigger and usable sights. Those are not minor upgrades.
I've never looked down the slide of my P32 so I don't know if the sights are usable or not. It shoots where I point it out to 7-10 yards, which is probably farther than I'll ever need use it.
When I went to look at a pocket gun I rented a P32 at the range, and one of the sales guys let me shoot his P3AT at the same time. I ended up with the P32, the recoil on the P3AT was just to sharp to be pleasant.
When I went to look at a pocket gun I rented a P32 at the range, and one of the sales guys let me shoot his P3AT at the same time. I ended up with the P32, the recoil on the P3AT was just to sharp to be pleasant.
Have both. The P32 is much easier to shoot than the P3AT. Some say the .32 can have problems with rimlock. Maybe so but mine never has. .380 has more juice obviously. .32 an extra round and much easier to shoot. Wouldn't use hollow points in it. The .380 has some decent JHP's anymore. But it is not a range gun. After a few rounds your ready to put it away.
I have a Ruger LCP. I put the houge grip on it and an 11 lb. recoil spring with a steel guide rod. Made a heck of a difference. if they make a similar set up for the P3AT that would make the decision a lot easier for me.
I have a Ruger LCP. I put the houge grip on it and an 11 lb. recoil spring with a steel guide rod. Made a heck of a difference. if they make a similar set up for the P3AT that would make the decision a lot easier for me.
I actually ended up getting the DeSantis Super Fly.
http://www.desantisholster.com/SUPER-FLY
Its basically the nemesis with a detachable flap. I tried them both in my pockets and I thought the flap might come in useful for certain situations, otherwise they were the same. Now I need to get to the range but it doesn't look like its going to happen until next weekend because of some scheduled work travel
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