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Has anyone heard anything that really separates the P3AT and LCP besides fit and finish?
LCP vs. P3AT
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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...
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80 Posts
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.
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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.
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144 Posts
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.
lol. Anyway yeah, I really thought it was a cool little, lightweight pistol and I am looking forward to shooting it myself.
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16 Posts
LIpstick on a Pig
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.
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.
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2,932 Posts
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.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.
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441 Posts
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.
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441 Posts
Went to the range with the LCP today. Absolutely flawless operation on Winchester White Box and Remington UMC. Decent 2-3" Groups at 10 yards, most error comes form the shooter. Short snappy recoil was tolerable, and not as bad as I expected.
On a side note, the wife went with me and I had her shooting my S&W 22A .22lr. A guy the next bench over was struggling with his new Ruger 22/45. I gave him a couple different types of ammo I had with me and the pistol performed terrible (FTF mostly) with the same ammo my little Smith had no trouble with. I have not had any recent experince with the 22/45s and this one would tell me my 22A is a better piece, at least this time.
On a side note, the wife went with me and I had her shooting my S&W 22A .22lr. A guy the next bench over was struggling with his new Ruger 22/45. I gave him a couple different types of ammo I had with me and the pistol performed terrible (FTF mostly) with the same ammo my little Smith had no trouble with. I have not had any recent experince with the 22/45s and this one would tell me my 22A is a better piece, at least this time.
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548 Posts
My local gun shop has had two LCP's go back to Ruger for the same broken part. Someone on one of the other forums sent his back when his trigger broke after 98 rounds. I won't buy a gun during the first couple of production runs, till they get the bugs out. Just my $.02. Congrats to you guys who have no issues with the LCP.
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441 Posts
I knew of others troubles, but I guess I'm counting on Ruger defending their reputation of building good firearms.
Ironically, this is why the 22/45 guy surprised me. By most accounts that is a GREAT piece of work. I had an old Mark II, still in the family, and still a fine gun. I struggled to ot buy another Ruger .22lr practice gun, but the Smith fit me better.
Ironically, this is why the 22/45 guy surprised me. By most accounts that is a GREAT piece of work. I had an old Mark II, still in the family, and still a fine gun. I struggled to ot buy another Ruger .22lr practice gun, but the Smith fit me better.
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247 Posts
I shot the KelTec and being a female noticed that the finish wasn't all that smooth. The guy whose gun I shot had a rough spot that cut his hand which had to be filed down. I loved the look and feel and size of the gun, but ended up buying one of the Raspberry Rugers, mainly because it was, well, pink. I also looked at the Taurus. I think all three are identical and shoot identical. The only difference with the KelTec is it does not have a slide lock. But now that I have the Ruger, I pull the pin and remove the slide and really have no reason to lock the slide.
Mine was only $289, added a DeSantis pocket holster, ammo and two more mags.
Mine was only $289, added a DeSantis pocket holster, ammo and two more mags.
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110 Posts
I own both. I don't mind beating the P3AT up when working around the house and carry it in a Desantis pocket holster.....the LCP has CT and I use it for "dressier" carry and use an IWB rig by Tennessee Gun Works. I've seen in here and various other forums that some people have experienced finish wear on their Keltec's but after three years of carry with a lot of sweat from the Texas heat, have not noticed any problem....I don't even clean the Keltec and simply wipe it off with a tee shirt occasionally and make sure the bore is clear.
Both are good reliable pistols but the Keltec has a very sensitive trigger reset and the slightest pressure on the trigger after firing will prevent the trigger from resetting. I prefer the LCP. Either are very susceptible to limp-wrist malfunctions.
Both are good reliable pistols but the Keltec has a very sensitive trigger reset and the slightest pressure on the trigger after firing will prevent the trigger from resetting. I prefer the LCP. Either are very susceptible to limp-wrist malfunctions.
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334 Posts
I haven't tried the Kel-Tec but I don't regret getting the LCP.
I've only put about 200 rounds through it but I haven't had any FTF/FTE issues.
I'll be using a Desantis pocket holster when it's worn in enough,fits in my pocket like its not even there.
I've only put about 200 rounds through it but I haven't had any FTF/FTE issues.
I'll be using a Desantis pocket holster when it's worn in enough,fits in my pocket like its not even there.
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6 Posts
Got to shoot my new LCP today. was not sure what to expect. I have heard good and bad. shot 50 rds rem hpt 102 gn good pattern not one fte. Shot 50 rds Rem fmj 95 gn very good pattern, accurate, no fte. This little pistol has a little kick but not near as bad as my glock 27 40 s&w. I love this pistol, light easy to conceal and no malfunctions. I did not like the sights, probably the worst thing about it. I painted the front sight with bright sights and helped a lot. The only other negative was the location of the mag eject, accidently ejected once. I would reccomend to any one looking for a great lightweight concealed weapon.
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187 Posts
I've read about this and am piping up because this fact bothered me. That is the deal killer for me. If it has a slide and takes a magazine, I would expect the basic slide lock function for quick reloading after empty. Without a slide lock, I don't understand the benefit of having a magazine loader vs. the more dependable revolver. I have speed loaders for my wheel guns and they are actually fairly quick once you become proficient. No slide lock kinda kisses the benefit of a semi-auto good bye for me. I'm not particularly fond of Kel-Tec's cheap firearms to begin with. I have to admit, I've only handled them and I've never shot one because you can't find them as rentals (around here).
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