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I recently purchased a Kel Tec P3ATfor use as a BUG. When I first tried it I had many FTE problems and Kel Tec sent me a new extractor, spring and button screw. I installed these and used loctite on the screw and there was great improvement in the FTE problems. This gun will now function perfectly for the first 4 mags and then have FTE problems again. Once I clean it it is fine for another half box (4 mags) and then the problem re-occurs. If this is just the way the gun is I can live with it - 4 mags is more then I carry anyway, but if this is not normal for this gun I would like to get it fixed.

Any info will be greatfully appreciated.

Dave B.

I don't think that is normal. I have a P3AT, a first gen even, and I don't know if I just got lucky or I don't shoot it enough (I can guess what everyone here will say), but I have only had 1 FTE and that was within the first 20 or so rounds. The brass does fly back and hit me in the forehead a lot though, so maybe they cut my extraction port a little off.

There are some instructions for greasing and oiling the Kel-tecs on the kel-tec forum. Have you tried that?

the P3AT is REALLY sensitive to limpwristing. My wrists are bad due to being a computerjockey, so I had to sell mine. I'm wondering if your wrists might be getting tired after a few mags?

There's a website that I can't find at the moment full of P3AT enthusiests. They have a procedure to buff down any rough parts that might help you as well.

Dave,

I have a KT .32 second gen. that has given me no problems...But, I did a few things before taking it to the Range. Join this KT board and they will point you in the right direction, good bunch of guys..

http://www.ktog.org/


Jim

When I had the first FTE after 4 mags without a problem I thought it was limp wristing on my part, I tried to be extra careful of that on the next mag but didn't help. By the way this is my second range trip where the same exact thing happened; 4 mags with no problems then FTE ever 2nd or 3rd round. I was also wondering if the gun heating up could be the cause of this as I ntice the barrel was quite warm after 25 rds or so.

Thanks for the links, I will see what I find there.

Dave B.

Dave,

They can be more helpful than I can...........

Jim

Jim101 wrote:Dave,

I have a KT .32 second gen. that has given me no problems...But, I did a few things before taking it to the Range. Join this KT board and they will point you in the right direction, good bunch of guys..
http://www.ktog.org/
Jim

+1 on ktog - there is a lot of information out there.

There is fellow there that goes by Wilson that I have also seen post here on texaschl that is very knowledgable and I'm sure he will come on soon to help out.

I have a P3AT that I am getting ready to send back to get some work done on it. I have done the fluff and buff and put several hundred rounds through it and I am still haveing issues. I'm sure that KT will take care of it, I'm just not in a big hurry.
John

I've been trying to decide whether to buy a Kel Tec P3AT or a NAA Guardian .380 as a BUG. Seems the Kel Tec owners either lov'em or have all kinds of problems. The Guardian owners like their guns as well, but complain about the weight.

Anybody care to make a recommendation? (My current BUG is a Taurus PT-25, which I don't think has enough power if needed)

I recomend the KT P32 or anything other than the 3AT. .32 totally reliable. I have bought 2 of the 3AT's. How do you get two that will not run?? KT does not know either. Bought one for Mom. FTE. Bought another from a forum member that had wrist trouble & could not handle it. Ran less than 50 rounds & the trigger failed. Will not reset. Most that have had a problem w/ them say they get good response & service from KT. Both times I had nothing but trouble from them in the service dept. 1st time they would not accept it back unless I shipped it from an FFL dealer & insured it. They refused to pay the freight. Much more haggle than space here. Finally got them to send me parts at no chg & I pd a gunsmith here to install. 2nd time. Told me they had a pick up plan w/ UPS. They would pick it up at my house. Trouble there is won't even give you a guaranteed day of pickup. I had to take off work & if they did not come that day then stay home another. That puts twice the gun price in it. Finally go them to agree to send me the pick up slip & me take the gun in to UPS. Great, will be emailed to you tomorrow. Monday. Friday still no shipping slip. O scuse me longtooth, you did not give us your physical address & we have to have it. Told them which email to check & that they had it for just over a week. My email response was "We will get it out Monday". Since they have had it we have had several mails back & forth. All polite but not one we are sorry that you have had trouble. They have had it for just over a month now & say it should be shipped next week some time.

Man, where's "FOWLER" when ya need him?



JP

I just picked up a 3AT, I did the fluff and Buff before shooting it. I took it out to the range yesterday and put 100 rounds through it, No Problems at all! Guess I got a good one not a lemon.

Glad for you guys that have a good one. Hope my sour grape comes back a sweet peach.

Well after finally getting around to do a least a partial Fluff & Buff as recommended on KTORG (buffed chamber and ramp with a Dremel and jewlers rouge) I was able to run through a little over a box of ammo without a single problem. I want to run another two boxes through before I rely on it for carry but I am optomistic that the problem is solved. As soon as I pick up some more ammo and visit the range again I will report.

Dave B.