P3AT fail.... was .380 Goodness

[Netpackrat]

The P3AT isn't particularly nice to shoot, either. If I don't put a couple of strategically placed band-aids on my hand ahead of time, it's a certainty that I will have to afterward. That said, the little bastard is a lot more accurate than it has any right to be, for what it is.

[Durham68]

NPR, I had the same reliability issues with my P3AT. Then after attempting some ill-advised smithing, and ending up with a pile of parts I couldn't reassemble, I sent the pile back to Kel-tec. They replaced the pitted slide (too much time on my ankle in a holster that exposed the slide to skin/sweat) and FCG. It has been much more reliable since. Even with lower powered reloads after months in my pocket without cleaning.

Point is, if the new spring doesn't help, send it back to them.

[Weetabix]

I have a Taurus P738 that doesn't hurt to shoot, but I don't think I've ever put a hundred rounds through in one session. Keltec PF9 has been reliable and accurate enough. Again doesn't hurt to shoot, but again again, I've not shot that many at once.

[Combat Controller]

I have had great success over the years with both my DiamondBack 9mm and my Kimber Solo. Both fit into slacks pockets and both are just a tad more potent, esp the Kimber as it requires +p to work reliably (according to the box). I have not had any trouble except with one brand of too long rounds in the Diamondback. I also have a .380 version which is the smallest thing ever.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Here is a picture of Mortimer posing with the new mouse gun:

Uh, bro, there's something seriously wrong with that cat.

[308Mike]

Here is a picture of Mortimer posing with the new mouse gun:

Uh, bro, there's something seriously wrong with that cat.

WHY??? That cat isn't violating any of the FOUR RULES that we know of. It might be very difficult for it to actually take a BREATH, but it sure has good firearm-handling discipline (and MUCH BETTER than CA's other Senator, being Barbara Boxturd)!!!

Diane Fuckenstien has exhibited such POOR firearm handling, that any CUB SCOUT TROOP would be able to point out all her violations of the 4-RULES!!

[JAG2955]

A J-frame is where it's at for pocket carry. I went with an M&P340 with an Apex trigger kit. .38 Special reminds me of catching a fastball. Speer's .357 Short Barrel load feels just the same.

[SoupOrMan]

My dad has both a P3AT and P232. I've tried them both with Blazer Brass .380 (because if I put it in my safe I'm going to make sure it works) and liked them. Dad loves his P232 (his idea of concealed carry is a giant "organizer pouch" on his belt that has a barely-subtle Sig Sauer logo on it) , but I would dig the P3AT for pocket carry if I couldn't do the same with my 649.

[Rich Jordan]

The P3AT isn't particularly nice to shoot, either. If I don't put a couple of strategically placed band-aids on my hand ahead of time, it's a certainty that I will have to afterward. That said, the little bastard is a lot more accurate than it has any right to be, for what it is.

My P-32 kept biting my trigger finger on recoil. Dry fire was no problem but live fire, a couple of magazines and if I wasn't bleeding I was at least scraped.

I actually disassembled the piece, sanded down the seam lines on the grip section, including inside the trigger guard, and also slightly shortened the trigger, smoothed and rounded the edges and tip. That made a difference. I also temp glued a bit of moleskin inside the trigger guard (which does not interfere with the shortened trigger) just to test.

It still bites a little but its so much better than before.

[Netpackrat]

Cleaned it and got the new springs in tonight. I ordered both standard, and the first increment of extra power recoil springs, and went with the extra power to begin with. Pretty sure the recoil springs were shot, and I know the magazine springs were. The originals had about 2" less free length than the Wolff replacements, and about 1" less than the factory spring from the new mag that arrived the other day (I had already ordered it before discovering the problems with the pistol). Hopefully I can get to the range for a test later this week; I am optimistic that this may fix it, especially considering that I didn't find anything else obviously wrong with the pistol.