Ruger LCP or Kel Tec P3AT?

[Leatherstocking]

Very similar guns. I've heard mixed reviews of the Kel Tec (problems if not meticulously cleaned). Just checked it out and definitely liked it. Then the gun shop showed me a Ruger LCP. I like Rugers but I hear there is a recall on this gun already. Any thoughts on which one to go with? Thanks.

[Curtis]

I too recently considered both the LCP and P3AT.  I was turned off by the Kel Tek's need for a "fluff and buff" http://www.ktog.org/tecwerks10.htm before satisfactory feeding was obtained.  To me, final finishing and tuning should be done at the factory, but at this price point maybe that's too much to expect.  Then I got on a long waiting list for the LCP, however the recall occurred before I got one in my hands.  I got off the list, so now I have niether.  I'm tempted to explore some of the more expensive examples of "mouse gun" that are out there but in the end I will probably go with the Kel Tek and perform the necessary finishing if needed.

Curtis

[sidekick]

I vote Ruger. Mine has gone bang every time I've pulled the trigger. I don't own a 3AT but do have a Kel Tec .32. It has proven to be less than reliable at times with failures to fire and failures to completely eject the empty, enough so that I find it unacceptable as a self defense weapon.

[Leatherstocking]

Thanks. Saw some other good threads comparing the two after I wrote this one. Wow -seems crazy to me that a person would have to go through all this fluff and buff. Never purchased a gun where I had to do that. If the fit and finish is superior on the Ruger, it seems like a no brainer for me, especially if I can get comfortable that Ruger has the recall bug worked out.

[Savage]

I think a lot of that fluffing and buffing is done by those that just like to tinker. I own two of the P-3ATs, I have had no function problems with either. The first one I bought had a problem with the assembly pin walking out, which damaged the frame. It was replaced by kel tec and a hard chrome slide job was thrown in. I have had occasion to handle a LCP. It did appear to be more nicely finished than the kel tec. Both KT and Ruger have excellent reputations for standing behind their product. If I were in the market for another pistol of this type, I'd give the Ruger a try if the price was close to the KT. Kahr has just entered this market with their own small .380. That gives us another option. It's a bit larger and heavier than the Ruger and KT, but still pretty small. I doubt I'll ever buy another pistol of this type, my kel tecs work reliably and they have a lifetime gurantee, but it's nice to have options. Speaking of which: The PF-9 is a bit larger than the P3AT, but it's a 9mm. Something to consider if it's not too big for your purposes.

Picture attached for size comparison.

[Leatherstocking]

Savage - Thanks. Good to hear your Kt's are trouble free. I am not a tinkerer and don't want to get into doing that. I want something that will be reliable out of the box. I have a 9mm (XD9 subcompact), which is nice in the winter. Really looking for something as small as possible that I can always have in my pocket, even with shorts, etc. The P3AT or LCP seem to fit the bill perfectly.

[eod20]

i have 2 p3's a blued and a parked    i have not had trouble with either.   most of the pd in this area carry one or a 38 Taurus    i have not heard any gripes about them from the other officers in this area     i carry one in an ankle glove and the other in a glove pouch small of the back    i have had trouble with extraction when using cheap pmc ball ammo but i feed them silvertip hollow points and they work great.

[Savage]

I carried the hard chrome P3AT as a backup to my duty gun for years. Usually carried it in the left side cargo pocket of my BDUs. Actually shot decent scores with it when qualifying the backup. Didn't think of carrying on the belt in a glove pouch! Sounds like an excellent place on the duty belt.
Savage

[S.S.]

on a recent tv show, (guns & ammo I think) It stated that the back log of pre-orders for the LCP
was at almost 1 billion ! That is gonna' be a long wait to get one.

[Leatherstocking]

Hmm that sounds like some support for the Ruger. But are you sure about that number? A billion?? I know two places that have the LCP - the local Gander Mtn and a local shop. In the brief looking I have done price seems about the same on both guns. App $300 for the Kel Tec and $330 for the Ruger. One place had both and I think they were both $330.

[Savage]

My local Academy had two a few days ago------------FWIW.
Savage

[Jim in Mo]

I have a Kel-Tec .32 and I've never had it malfunction with any ammo. 60gr Silvertip is my carry choice. I'm getting tired of waiting for the LCP and probably going to get a KelTec 380, it goes for about $260 here and the LCP $330.

[briarpatch]

I have the p3at and would not give it for a ruger. Never had a problem with it. My son in law has one and as far as I know, it has also been trouble free.
Pity, a company puts time and research into a product they saw a need for and a lazy azz big company throws their name at a similar product that is so close in appearance parts look like they might enterchange. Adding nothing to the final product.
Just the 800 pound gorilla we all claim to hate but suck up to when they fart.

[VARMONTER]

I have a naa guardian..nice solid gun for about the same price..not composite though.
if you have some bucks and can wait seecamp makes a great mouse.spendy though..

I got the nice grips for my naa 32

[slim rem 7]

 not gonna comment on the ruger.. my keltec has no fluff an buff ..
it shoots any rnd i put in it an cycles dependably..but as any gun of this wt.. you can t limp wrist it or over lube it.. i shoot mine pretty much unlubed at all..this gun don t like pampering.. just load an shoot it. when thru flush it out an reload for carry.