[SirIsaacNewton]

Has anyone heard anything that really separates the P3AT and LCP besides fit and finish?

[Dillinger]

The fact that neither one is a 1911? *ZING*

Sorry bro, I got nothing on this one...

JD

[Mark F]

Originally Posted by SirIsaacNewton

Has anyone heard anything that really separates the P3AT and LCP besides fit and finish?

NOT really. There are minor dimensional differences. I'd say flip a coin: heads is Ruger, Tails is Tel Tec. Right now the Tel Tec P3AT is more readily available... As tiny plastic guns go, they are both OK. I bought a P3AT simply because the Ruger LCP was on back-order...

[greenjeans]

I have the P3AT and don't plan on getting rid of it for the LCP. Mine has been dependable and from what I have read the LCP's are really not any more so. They do have two features that are pluses. The ejector is fixed and will not fall out and the guide rod opening at the muzzle is a part of the slide rather than a separate piece. Both of these on my Kel-Tek are very easy to misplace when cleaning.

[Mark F]

Originally Posted by greenjeans

I have the P3AT and don't plan on getting rid of it for the LCP. Mine has been dependable and from what I have read the LCP's are really not any more so. They do have two features that are pluses. The ejector is fixed and will not fall out and the guide rod opening at the muzzle is a part of the slide rather than a separate piece. Both of these on my Kel-Tek are very easy to misplace when cleaning.

I agree, those parts are easily lost... I haven't lost mine yet but I probably will one of these days. I don't shoot my P3AT very often but it gets cleaned about every 2 months. It's my pocket carry and it picks up pocket bunnies and other FOD.

[painted_klown]

It's funny I stumbled across this thread today and right after I read it my buddy calls me and said his GF's mom just purchased one (P3AT) and she had brought it over after leaving the local shop. I went over and checked it out. It seems like a really cool little pistol. My friend and I were drooling all over it of course so she said that she will take us out and let us shoot it when she goes. I have never had the opportunity to fire a .380 or such a small pistol yet so I am curious as to how it feels. My guess is that due to the size of the gun in relation to the size of the cartridges that it will be relatively loud and possibly have some rather "snappy" recoil.....just guesses though from my VERY limited handgun usage. I am sure I will be proven wrong when I actually get to shoot it. lol.

Anyway yeah, I really thought it was a cool little, lightweight pistol and I am looking forward to shooting it myself.

[Mark F]

Yes they have a snappy recoil, especailly if you use higher powered ammo like Cor Bon. It's an excellent pocket gun, but that's all it is. There are far better autoloaders if you go up in size a bit.

[River Bend]

kinda applies, the Ruger LCP is indeedy a nicety of Pocket rockets but the Kel Tec, established, proven, redesigned as far as failures go (ejector, etc) and the Ruger is a name brand dear to most hearts. But when you take away that lipstick (The Ruger name) a 380 is a 380 and I prefer the P3AT until much time has passed and the Ruger proven to be better than the Kel tec.
I am on my n2nd one, the latest generation with all the redesigns and it has yet to fail to function as it should. It is a constant pocket companion and the hard chrome slide, after a year, still does not show any holster wear from the leather or cordura pocket holsters I swap out often.

[Mark F]

Originally Posted by River Bend

kinda applies, the Ruger LCP is indeedy a nicety of Pocket rockets but the Kel Tec, established, proven, redesigned as far as failures go (ejector, etc) and the Ruger is a name brand dear to most hearts. But when you take away that lipstick (The Ruger name) a 380 is a 380 and I prefer the P3AT until much time has passed and the Ruger proven to be better than the Kel tec.
I am on my n2nd one, the latest generation with all the redesigns and it has yet to fail to function as it should. It is a constant pocket companion and the hard chrome slide, after a year, still does not show any holster wear from the leather or cordura pocket holsters I swap out often.

My Kel Tec has proven itself worthy to carry in my pocket as well. I use an Uncle Mike's holster and it's very comfortable. A .380 is about as big as you will get and still have (1) pocket size (2) 6+1 rounds (3) ammo variety (4) reliability. A have a .357 Mag in my car, while it's greatly superior in firepower she no carry like a P3AT.

[bgeddes]

I took a trip to Cabela's tonight, looking for some other stuff, and happened by the pistol counter. I am/was sort of eyeing the 'pocket pistols' for a future purchase. Well as it turns out, they had both the P3AT and the LCP. THe LCP looked and felt to be a better built piece. They only had one (other than the display unit) so I bit. I also bought their last two mags. Range report will commence as soon as I collect a bigger variety of ammo.