Dovertail
I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT in .380 ACP loaded with 7 rounds of +P hollow points that have 221 ft/lbs of muzzle energy in a package almost exactly the SAME SIZE as the Kel-Tec P-32 you carry, and from which the P3AT was designed.
I had heard some scary stories about the lack of reliability of a good many small pistols including the P3AT and decided to make my own tests of the small, but relatively powerful semi-automatic pistol.
For EVERY individual test over the three times I went to the range with the Kel-Tec P3AT, I worked the slide to put a live round in the chamber from the magazine, then removed the magazine and added another round to the top of the then full magazine to insure the magazines full spring tension was put on the top round so that if it was EVER going to jam, EACH shot would be a maximum test.
The first time I went to the range, the Kel-Tec jammed three times (failed to chamber a round which got stuck half way into the chamber) and stove-piped twice in 125 rounds. However, I must say that I was using aluminum cased Blazer .380 ammo
and my Kel-Tec didnt seem to like the Blazer ammo very much.
The 2nd time out, using PMC brass-cases ammo, it stove-piped twice (failed to fully eject and dropped the empty, fired case down onto the top of the loaded round in the top of the magazine thus jamming the slide open) in 100 rounds, mostly at the beginning of shooting the 100 rounds. Again, Id fire only one round, then remove and refill the magazine to full capacity after each shot to insure maximum spring pressure against the round in the top of the magazine.
The 3rd time out, the little pistol functioned flawlessly while shooting 140 rounds, the last 35 rounds of which were first, 25 rounds of aluminum-cased Blazer ammo and, last, 10 rounds of +P hollow-points. I also noted that the slide on the P3AT was considerably smoother and easier operating after shooting the first 225 rounds on the two previous trips to the range.
Drawing from my experience, Id suggest that a minimum of 250 rounds be put through any new Kel-Tec P3AT as break-in rounds. After that, an additional 100 rounds with BRASS cartridge cases should be fired through the pistol without ANY malfunctions to insure its proper operation during any possible emergency.
On page 3 of the P3ATs instruction manual, it sez that +P rounds CAN be used on a LIMITED basis.
Since this small, light & handy little pistol is my daily carry gun, I dont expect to be shooting more than 50-100 rounds a year through the pistol since I have determined it is going to function properly under any conditions.
Many of my friends have asked me why I choose to carry the Kel-Tec P3AT when I have over a dozen more powerful pistols from which to choose. I can only point out that its very small size and extremely light weight plus its relatively powerful caliber make it the best of all compromises in a carry handgun.
Naturally, Id MUCH prefer to have the fire-power of one of my Colt 1911A1s in .45 ACP together with the cartridge capacity of the 18 round after-market magazine in my Ruger P-89PD in 9x19 (9mm Luger), the pure brute force of my .44 magnum or the deep penetration of my .357 magnum. However, since I often have to carry the pistol all day, the lack of heavy weight or large size makes the P3AT my BEST compromise choice.
Incidentally, the Kel-Tech P3AT has a life-time warranty for the original owners use if needed. Now how can you beat that? You might consider it for replacement of your P-32.
Strength & Honor
Ron T
Poll