Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 pistol: "Airweight Defender" by Nutnfancy

Kel-Tec is rightly known for bringing high value, reliable auto pistols and the SU-16 series to the shooting public. They all have garnered a solid reputation for reliability and overall good accuracy. This is the table top review of the excellent P-3AT .380 pistol, previously shot at the Nutnfancy Tactical Clinic in the desert (see vid). This is an excellent backup handgun for police officers or even a primary gun for CCW holders and armed, responsible civilians. It did hiccupp once in the break in period, as predicted by the owners manual, but was completely reliable thereafter. Its high points are its decent DAO trigger, good accuracy, and most beneficial, its extreme lightweight and slim profile which make it very comfortable in carry. Its sights do indeed suck (low contrast and imprecise) and could use a lot of improvement but of course it will be a rarity for the gun to engage beyond 10 yds. Judging from my experience in the clinic and in years past, the P-3AT is a high value .380 option that could save your life. Nutnfancy highly recommends this little affordable auto. Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 9 out of 10 (weight considered)

Category:

Science & Technology

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[Peidmonte89]

The only thing I dislike about this gun is that Kel Tec has still not added a last round lock back feature on the slide. I mean why not? Seriously Ruger, IO, and Taurus all hoped on this while Kel Tec still hasnt . C'mon Kel Tec get on the ball here!

[medicrod1]

@Peidmonte89 No

'slide lock to keep the weight down good trade (I think) to be the only pistol of the size that can (per builder) use +P ammo. I love my rugers and wanted a LCP but ruger says no to +P ammo as with the rest even S&W but Kel Tec says not to use them all the time. I carry this or my P-90 so when it's the 380 I want the +P (more bang for my buck)

[red6slider]

EDC CCW gun :) Love it!

[ALIENWarriorX]

@ALIENWarriorX The only thing I had to work on was that the extractor was slamming into the aluminum frame inside the grip and messing that up a little so I just took a nail file to it and smoothed it down.

[ALIENWarriorX]

My P-3AT was bought new in 2008 and I can't recall having even one jam while firing. Now I did have a jam if I didn't let the entire force of the return spring shove the round into the chamber and overcome the friction of the ramp while using JHPs but FMJ's never had a problem either way. I think I even cleaned and lubed it before I took it out the first time. This little sucker is pretty much always in the ol pocket in its holster. I have the one with the blued slide and gray grip/frame.

[charger19691]

I owned this same gun, it was a pretty decent firearm, however I hated the way Kel-Tec finished the polymer. It just looks downright cheap and felt the same way. Kel-Tec needs to improve the quality and fit and finish of their Polymer frames. As for now it's just rubbish.

[JoeySk84life]

anyone else hear a little fart at 3:30 haha

[armedtetrapod]

Is that a baby in the backround at 5:00?

[Peidmonte89]

@ConnorsDad24 yes the p32 does the p3at does not.

[ConnorsDad24]

@Peidmonte89 I own a p32 and mine locks back on the last round i'm not sure when mine was made i bought it used.

[Peter556NATO]

I'm always realy happy when i can Google video search a gun and TNP comes up :)

[Dredbearded]

Well I have a very specific question. I let the regular maintainance go a bit too long, I'm a truck driver and my p3at sat too long. It was clean but managed to rust slightly on the slide. Can I clean it and duracoat the slide or do you have any other suggestions. Or a video you could refer me to?