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View Full Version : Kel-tec Debate Dept.. kel-tec vs. kahr vs...


Sinatra877
08-24-2007, 01:18 AM
I saw your comments on the P3AT. This was a post I put on the BF page a half a year ago. Things may have changed but this was our results when we tested them for our Agency. It was a response to a question that another BF member asked about the Kel Tec P3AT's. This was our result and this is the actual quoted comments I made on it.

"The Keltec factory in Florida will work on them if you brought it in to the Armorer. I hear their customer service shop is always very busy (hint-hint).

The P3AT's were actually the 2nd generation from them. The original ones were those crappy Grendels. Anyone remember them? The ones with the 20lb trigger pull. The 3rd generation ones have supposedly fixed the extractor problems. They also have a inconsistent record of shooting +P loads. Some can take it, some can't. For all our testing we used standard 90 gr. FMJ rounds.

They primarily had problems with their extractors. Supposedly they have no more problems. I beg to differ. My old department wanted to test the .380 versions to issue as a back up for specialized units. Out of twenty five P3AT's that we tested, and 25 experienced LEO Firearms Instructors shooting them, only 3 had no malfunctions during the string of 40 rounds and 8 of them broke before shooting a complete 40 round string at only 15 yards . Accuracy was also poor and inconsistent and it needs constant attention regarding rust prevention. We tested a few for that and found that unless you coated them in oil, they will begin to rust within 2 weeks.

The pistol was of course built for 7 yd confrontations but after seeing the test fire and reports. The weapon was inconsistent and we decided to purchase Kahr PM9. The Department felt that it was more of a liability issue if the weapon malfunctioned and got someone killed rather than save a hundred bucks.

This is merely my own personal opinion and the opinion of all the LEO instructors I know: Don't get one. Save a bit more and buy a quality firearm.

Don't let the price of the pistol fool you. You get what you pay for. It may cost you your life. By the way, do your research of Seecamps too. You will find their reputation as a quality firearm has been tarnished alot over the past decade."



No offense though. Some guys just love'm. It just ain't my cup of tea. We just found that they broke easy during a 40 round PPC. I heard that the company will do just about anything to help you solve a problem with the handgun but I've heard too many folks bringing it to the Brevard County Manufacturing plant to be confident in it. But that's my two cents.

sleepyweasel
08-24-2007, 02:00 AM
sinatra......you speak your mind, and so do i ........
I really like my p-11...i did have a few stovepipes during the first 50 rounds or so(ball ammo)after the break in it has been 100% and will eat TAP's or sxt's all day, in fact i would say that this is one of the only guns that favors hp defensive ammo over fmj ball, i believe that it was designed with premiun defensive hp's in mind. The other key to the kel tecs is that they are the gun that is always with you, mine is.I know that if i didn't have the p-11 i wouldn't ALWAYS carry. Now when i make the trip down to columbus i will buck-up and carry the 92, more rounds, longer barrel ,better velocities, ect. I consider columbus to be more "dangerous" than where i live. a p-11 in the waist-band is better than a 1911 in the safe:D

Sinatra877
08-24-2007, 02:09 AM
I carry the Kahr PM9 in a Kydex IWB holster. It's 9mm with alot of power with my Federal Expanding Metal Jacket rounds and it's 33% smaller than a G26 which I loved dearly.

I'll admit that the P3AT is half the weight and almost half the thickness but the only rounds it could use at the time were only .32 ACP's and .380 Auto. We tested the second generation P3AT's when they had a horrible reputation.

The P11 series is light weight and can shoot a 9mm. I believe it can shoot +P rounds too. I just don't like 10-11 lb. trigger pull. It's like a Glocks NY trigger job. I wear a t-shirt and a pair of shorts most of the time when I'm home. The Kahr has given me a good comfortable carry option that I can carry where I train. From my right hip.

Just remember that the comments I had on my earlier thread is for the P3AT's only. We never tested the P11.

sleepyweasel
08-24-2007, 11:10 AM
yeah the trigger sucks, i had a trigger shoe on it for awhile which really helped out but it fell off, i still have it just haven't got around to finding some epoxy that wont melt the polymer. I looked at the kahr, but didn't like the smaller capacity and higher price. I also looked at one at cabella's and their display one had a trigger that wouldnt return, kinda put me off. the p-11 is rated for +p, but the pf-9 while it can handle it the manufacture says only accasional +p. I havent shot the p3at, but am considering it for future purchase.