TexasCHLforum.com

2farnorth wrote:

gigag04 wrote:You guys carry what you want - and feel free to disagree. This is only the internet...

I would suggest that ANY handgun attempting to present itself as a serious defensive weapon that requires the regular application of a thread locker to prevent a catastrophic failure is not to be taken seriously.

Thread locker is used in many safety applications especially in high vibration areas even on your car and on big trucks. That is what it is made for. I've found it on brake caliber bolts and other critical areas.
As far as regular applications, it is only used when the item is reassembled from the occasional cleaning the firing pin channel. The threads must be lube free for it to work.
Now to really make your day ( ) that same bolt that was loose also keeps the firing pin in it's assigned channel.

I use thread locker on my track motorcycle too...that proves nothing to me about Kel-Tec's quality...

On my ARs I stake things that might back out and cause the gun to fail. Threadlocker doesnt belong on a pistol. On a last resort pistol, it should work without thread locker, crazy glue, or pixie dust. Maybe a light coat of oil...that's it.

Again, carry what you want.

You guys carry what you want - and feel free to disagree. This is only the internet...

FWIW I have seen a wide variety of firearms run through qualifications and none of them have the frequency and degree of failures that the Kel-Tecs do. I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch, but in my personal and professional life, I have seen MANY handguns run through various courses of fire. I would suggest that ANY handgun attempting to present itself as a serious defensive weapon that requires the regular application of a thread locker to prevent a catastrophic failure is not to be taken seriously. I'm not talking about a sight post flying off, this is a game ending failure. I'm not trying to step on toes and say your brand sucks...but I can't for the life of me wish for any of you to reach for that thing and squeeze off a life-saving round, only to have the gun fall to pieces in your hand, eliminating the possibility of follow up shots.

CC Italian wrote: Gig I do have to wonder why a Leo would even carry this as a backup while on duty? It's. Not like they are going to get in trouble for printing! Why not just a tried and true 13 ounce j frame. The only purpose for a gun like the p32 or p3at is deep concealment.

I used a Kahr P380 because it was lightweight. I ankle carried and running after someone jumping fences gets difficult with a ~ 1lb revolver on your ankle.


Turns out I didn't describe it right earlier...the extractor did not shear off - the screw holding it in backed out, which caused casings to not eject and also let the firing pin fall out the back of the pistol. I thought the screw was attached to the extractor.

What a piece...

Pics

We are wrapping up our annual qualifications at work. One component of these qualifications is the officers qualifying on their individually owned backup guns and weapons they intend to carry off duty. Ever year, guys show up with Ket-Tecs of various models. Every year we get a new batch of catastrophic failure stories from the Kel-Tecs. Over the past few years I have seen no less then 8 P3ATs die on the range (the actual count is higher, but I was not present when they went down). We are not a giant department, with about 130 sworn officers. These are not minor failures, mind you, in most cases the gun was not able to be repaired even after the range went cold, and we had down time. This year, I handled a PF-9 that belonged to one of my teammates. It had experienced a subtle failure that went unnoticed until he went to shoot his next string during qualifications...the extractor had broken smooth of the gun, and the gun was done. This wasn't a screw backing out, though that would have been equally as tragic in a defensive setting, the extractor snapped off at the attachment point.

If these were isolated incidents, I could maybe be more understanding, but my sample size is significant enough for me to write these things off.

I can't say enough bad things about this brand. I would NOT trust my life to one, or let a loved one/friend/acquaintance do so either without giving them an earful. These products are absolute trash and I can't for the life of me believe that dealers continue to sell them to the concealed carry crowd for defensive purposes with a clean conscience. I see this as an ethical issue that business owners need to address.

I forgot to take pics at the range, but I will try to get some from him tonight and post them up. I don't intend to step on anyone's toes that currently own one of these, but I cannot warn you strong enough that these things are not quality products. Personally, I have experience with Kahr - they are in the same markets with a much higher quality product. I know there are others with good reps, but I am sticking to personal experience in my comments.