.380 opinion

[vickark]

I'm considering a small pocket pistol and was looking at a kel tec p3at .380.
This would be a alternative carry weapon where my 9mm or the .40 would be too big to
carry at the time. Any opinions on this gun? Thanks
Happy shootin'

[MoJo]

I have a P3AT it is OK but, very susceptible to limp wrist and no slide lock, the .380 round is marginal at best. I've been considering a .38 snubby to take its place. The .38 is a lot better in the stopping power dept.

[Hos]

That's one of those love 'em or hate 'em pistols. I don't have one and can't comment besides the fact that it's only a bit shorter then a regular CCW 9 mm, e.g. my Taurus 9mm is only a 1/2 inch longer then the Keltec.

The .38 snub is good but since I prefer semi auto I've been looking into Seecamp's .380 which is quite a bit shorter then the Keltec but I'm still not sure about it.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_61861510" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good article on gun sizes below for reference:
http://www.smallestguns.com/?order=caliber.id" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Let us know what your preference decides.

[MrsFosforos]

If you're considering at Seecamp .380, you might think about going up one more notch to look at the Rohrbaugh 9mm.

[Oldgringo]

I suggest a Sig P 230 or P 232. Either is ideal for pocket/purse carry to office, church, funerals, bar mitzvahs and other more formal ocassions where a larger piece may be obtrusive.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have one. It isn't my favorite pistol, as it is pretty much a pistol of last resort carry for me in terms of personal preferences. The trigger is surprisingly good and it has reasonable accuracy for such an inexpensive little gun, but the trigger guard tends to beat up the knuckle of my trigger finger under recoil. Of my two pocket guns, I much prefer my 642, but I carry the P3AT when the 642 is "too big."

[Hos]

If you're considering at Seecamp .380, you might think about going up one more notch to look at the Rohrbaugh 9mm.

Thanks Fos although it's price would be going up 3-4 "notches." After reading a few articles, I'm going to get it anyway ...now, time to save up $1,100!!!!!!

FYI: doing some research found another great web site with tons of links to small hand guns.
http://www.mouseguns.com/semis.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mike from Texas]

I carry a P3AT as a BUG every day. I would not feel as comfortable with it as my Kimber, but it's better than nothing at all. As far as reliability, mine is 100% through about 600 rounds. I shoot Double Tap 95 grain Gold Dots at 1000fps. I don't know many people that would stand up and volunteer to take a magazine (or 3) full of them.

You may want to hold off just a little while and look at the upcoming .380 from Kahr.

[TexasVet]

The Ruger LCP, the nicer finished 3AT clone, is not easy to shoot accurately one handed, snappish, but fits in most pockets easily. Some suggest the NAA 32 round as an alternative, kind of a mini 357sig. Look at the Walther PPS as well, slim, can get 9mm or 40SW and not overly expensive. on the insides it seems like a Glock, and is really accurate little gun.
Whatever you choose, you'll at least have a gun with you, and that's the first rule of a gunfight.
Just try it before you buy it !

[jiannichan]

I've never shot a P3AT or LCP, but for a small CCW or BUG, I'd go for the PPS in 9mm. That is what I am thinking about getting next to carry for BU. I've shot my buddy's and it felt really good in my hand and nice and slim.

[SCone]

Of all the choices for CCW, I carry an LCP on a daily basis. Is it the best choice? I think so, even though it's not the most potent choice for CCW, the fact that it's in my pocket all day more than makes up for it's limitations.

[AggieMM]

I have a P3-AT, and like it as a pocket carry. However, if I had to do it over again, I probably would have saved up for a Kahr PM9, as I would prefer to have a 9mm over the .380.

Ryan

[RKirby]

I have a P3AT that I traded for from a forum member. It's been 100% reliable for me and I trust it enough to include it in my carry rotation. I also have faith in the .380 round at the close combat range that it will most likely be used, though I hope and pray it will never be needed.

There are times when I just can't conceal my 1911 or XD. When that happens the Kel-Tec and a spare mag in a pocket or ankle holster allows me to go armed when I might not otherwise.

[kalipsocs]

As long as you can be proficient with it then thats all that matters. Just buy some quality ammo and make sure it feeds well. I have a Ruger LCP and it gets more time with me because I don't have to fit my wardrobe around it. It may not be the best choice, but it is better than nothing. I certainly don't feel uncomfortable with "only" it on me.

[PArrow]

You can trash the 380 round and the small pistols all you want, but consider this.

I carry the Ruger LCP as my primary weapon. It's for personal defense, I'm not carrying with the idea that I will be stopping a shooter gone wild in the mall or thwarting a bank robbery. I can however empty the entire mag into a 10 inch circle at 20 feet and it fits nicely where most people would expect a man to carry a wallet. And I can retrieve it with the easy at which I'd pull out my wallet.

So you decide, massive fire power that's hard to conceal and maybe harder to retrieve that will give you a one shot kill if you get the first shot, or a smaller pistol that is easy to hide, easy to retrieve that will just about guaranty you the first shot.