Any KelTec Owners here??

[TheLastDaze]

Just curious how many of you ride the fence on the darkside... Personally I always thought keltec to be somewhat subpar from other brands, that is until I owned one.. well actually i own two of the P32 both gens... been a couple years now, carry the gen 2, 24/7, easiest gun ive ever carried hands down...pajamas around the house the whole nine yards, primary and back up as needed... over 1200 flawless rounds through it, absolutely love this thing.....

on my radar...in no particular order

KSG
PMR-30
CMR-30
Sub 2k glock
how many of you are bold enough to admit you carry or own such a piece 😁??

[JethrosDad]

I used to have a PF9. Never had a problem with it, just didnt enjoy shooting it. I would really like a sub 2000 to use with all my glock 17 mags. Would be a sweet combo.

I think kel tecs business model is backwards...they pump out so many handguns that few people buy when they should be churning out the KSG and their rifles no one can find...

[O'Dell]

I've owned two KT's over the years. One had the worse trigger I've ever used and the other just didn't work well. This was years ago and maybe they've improved, but I never bought another.

[ripley16]

I own and really enjoy my two Keltecs, a PMR and a CMR. Both are reliable and a real blast to shoot. The CMR has a habit of not picking up the second round in a mag, but all others feed fine. Go figure. These were purchased as "fun guns" for no purpose other than to make me smile. They do.

[JohnR]

Had and sold a PF9, it hurt to shoot. I have a Sub2000 that takes my M&P 9mm mags and it's a great PCC. I keep looking at the PLR16 and SU16 series, interesting firearms.

[gb6491]

I'm very fond of my P-32...everyday....backup or solo.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2yn1ojl.jpg
My P-11 has a nasty trigger, but it's reliable. I'd probably need to press it up against something to hit it, but I'd be confident it would deliver it's payload.
http://i49.tinypic.com/9t3fw7.jpg
Sub-2000: I've yet to have someone shoot mine that didn't have a favorable comment about it.
http://i53.tinypic.com/33u2vkk.jpg
PMR-30: fun plinker...with lots of flame
http://i43.tinypic.com/2rruc85.jpg
0DwQP9ezgLs

Regards,
Greg

[Ikeo74]

I have thought about getting a Keltec but the ejector looked too cheap. Bought a Taurus TCP instead.

[JethrosDad]

You guys have piqued my interest in the p32. Are they still making them, cant find any at the usual online gun outlets?

[dustnchips]

I don't see the point in 32s. The gun is almost the size of a 380 and the punch is so much less.

[kwh]

Gen 1 P32; Lehigh copper bullets Xtreme Cavitator. Recoils like a .22. Pocket carry in a Remora or Uncle George holster; back-up only. Every day carry in my car's seat pocket. Primary carry is a CM9 pocket carry.
Do not have a .380. It is almost the size of the CM9 and has less punch.
Sub 2000; 9 mm Glock mags (I do not own a Glock). 45 degree side mount red dot "co-witness" sight. Blow-back recoil is somewhat noticeable.

[TheLastDaze]

I don't see the point in 32s. The gun is almost the size of a 380 and the punch is so much less.

not quite.... the .32 isnt as far as you think behind a .380, it carrys one more round and is SUPER LIGHT.. in fact has replaced my LCP...and im sure you wouldnt want to be in front of the business end of a .32

[TheLastDaze]

You guys have piqued my interest in the p32. Are they still making them, cant find any at the usual online gun outlets?

yes they are... KT is making guns in cycles, they only make so many of each rather then flood the market with them... you will see prices come down a little once they release a certain batch of guns, then as they start selling and become more scarce it seems prices start climbing.... You will love the P32 its one of my all time favorite guns and is super reliable right out the gate.... I run Fiocchi 73grn FMJ as defense, looking to get the extreme cavitator as it has very impressive testing..

[JethrosDad]

Interesting info lastdaze. Ill keep an eye out for when a new batch of p32s pop up.

I never understood the hate for .32ACP, it descended from the holy hands of messiah John Browning himself lol. Plus it served well for many years for european police forces and armies.

This xtreme cavitator looks really neat too. Damn, something else to add to the wish list.

[TheLastDaze]

the trigger is a long da but perfect for cc... in fact i carry mine with the pocket clip at 4oclock most the time without a trigger guard, holster or any such nonesense to add bulk and weight... yes its hot but feel 100% confident it will never under any circumstances discharge...before carrying like this a couple years ago i tried to make gun go off (empty of course) i was grabbing at trigger through pants etc, never would go off...

since then Ive bought a clip draw for my G43 but have yet to fashion a MIC trigger guard for it so i can carry this way... the 43 trigger is much lighter, me no trusty like that :)

$8 for KT clip direct from KT, aftermarket clip draw for Glock was $29 no bueno...:(

[Armybrat]

I had an early Gen 1 P32 with hard chrome slide and a standard Gen 1 P3AT. The P32 was a great little gun that ran smooth as butter. Carried it for a couple of years. Never did warm up to the .380, as it was hit of miss on reliability. Traded them both off, but do miss the P32. It was a midget compared to my LCP.

[JethrosDad]

So I just went back to the dark side. :p

Just picked up my new Kel-Tec P3AT I won on gunbroker from local pawn shop. $148 + tax. Ordered some traction grips, new magazine, and desantis nemesis holster and were just about at the $200 dollar mark.

I love Kahr but as anyone who has been on this site for more than 30 seconds has seen their little .380s have had their issues. I ultimately want a Kahr p380 but decided to wait a bit until most of the guns floating around out there have the new extractor and go through that new chamber diameter checking thing that was mentioned on another thread.

I was looking hard at the Remington RM380 because I wanted last shot slide hold open but ultimately the incredibly cheap price made me go with the P3AT. It will suffice until I upgrade to the P380 ;)

[dsk]

not quite.... the .32 isnt as far as you think behind a .380, it carrys one more round and is SUPER LIGHT.. in fact has replaced my LCP...and im sure you wouldnt want to be in front of the business end of a .32

Agreed... The P32 is just a smidge smaller and lighter than the P3AT, holds one more round, and has MUCH less recoil. Back before WW2 when Colt was selling the Pocket Hammerless Model M the .32 version outsold the .380 version by about three to one. There is very little difference in effectiveness between a .32 FMJ and .380 FMJ, and the lighter recoil and added round of capacity (8 rounds as opposed to 7) were big selling factors.

Today with the improvements in JHP ammo the .380 is pulling ahead of the .32, but it's still pretty close.

[finpro]

I owned a P32 and sold it about 15 years ago when I got a P3AT. I did this because everything I read indicated that a .380 round was about 50% more powerful than a .32 ACP. This reflected information available 15 years ago and data for both calibers were based on longer test barrels than the tiny Kel-Tecs, if that matters.

I am curious to know the source of the information on the .32 being more effective than a .380. If so, I and the numerous manufacturers of .380s have been misinformed. It happens, as we learned from Humphrey Bogart, as Rick, in Casablanca:

Captain Renault (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001647/?ref_=tt_trv_qu): What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?

Rick (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000007/?ref_=tt_trv_qu): My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.

Captain Renault (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001647/?ref_=tt_trv_qu): The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.

Rick (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000007/?ref_=tt_trv_qu): I was misinformed.

[mr surveyor]

Having had 6 other KT firearms since 2005, the P32 is the only one left at the house. I bought it for my wife, and she wants to keep it. I do have to be careful to load one (shorter oal) hollow point in the chamber and one on the top of the stack in the magazine to avoid rim lock, but she still likes it. I could rig up the "Flyer Wire" in the back of the magazine to hold the shorter oal hollow points a bit forward to avoid rim lock, but the cheaper round nose (longer oal) cartridges would no longer be loadable. That's the big issue with the semi-rimmed .32 acp cartridge.


jd

[ltxi]

Not me...I still have some pride left. Not much, mind you, but at least a wee bit.

[mr surveyor]

Not me...I still have some pride left. Not much, mind you, but at least a wee bit.


pride is saying you don't own a Rohm RG14 .... I have one of those also, but pride is a different matter ....

jd

[ltxi]

pride is saying you don't own a Rohm RG14 .... I have one of those also, but pride is a different matter ....

jd

Well, I wasn't going to go there...but since you brought it up. I did have one of those once.

Bought it as a "Two Dollar Special" curiosity as I was checking out at an Army/Navy surplus store circa 1972. Wildly inaccurate, spit lead. Then wife tried to commit suicide with it in 1978. It wasn't even up to that simplest of tasks. So, after that I got rid of it. And her as well.

[JethrosDad]

Well, I wasn't going to go there...but since you brought it up. I did have one of those once.

Bought it as a "Two Dollar Special" curiosity as I was checking out at an Army/Navy surplus store circa 1972. Wildly inaccurate, spit lead. Then wife tried to commit suicide with it in 1978. It wasn't even up to that simplest of tasks. So, after that I got rid of it. And her as well.

hopefully through divorce and not though "sleeping with the fishes" kind of got rid of her..... :p

[Bawanna]

Ask no questions, tell no lies.

[ltxi]

Ask no questions, tell no lies.

Methinks you've come to know me rather well...:)

[ltxi]

hopefully through divorce and not though "sleeping with the fishes" kind of got rid of her..... :p

Why "hopefully"?

[boscobarbell]

I run Fiocchi 73grn FMJ as defense, looking to get the extreme cavitator as it has very impressive testing..

I've tested mine with both the EC round, and it functions 100%. Unfortunately, over at The KTOG, there are several reports of rim-lock with that round. The recommended solution is usually EC in the pipe, EC as the top round in the mag, and the rest al Fiocchi. Works for me.....

[TheLastDaze]

yeah ive heard mixed results, some have no problems while others do.. when i buy some ec I will probably carry the same way, little to nerving to carry a full mag and worry about "what if"

[gb6491]

I've tested mine with both the EC round, and it functions 100%. Unfortunately, over at The KTOG, there are several reports of rim-lock with that round. The recommended solution is usually EC in the pipe, EC as the top round in the mag, and the rest al Fiocchi. Works for me.....


yeah ive heard mixed results, some have no problems while others do.. when i buy some ec I will probably carry the same way, little to nerving to carry a full mag and worry about "what if"

I'd guess that most folks know what "Rim lock" is, but for those that don't there's a good explanation of it here: http://www.vintagepistols.com/1907/32acp.htm

For those that don't want to follow the link, a quick explanation is: .32 ACP is a semi-rimmed cartridge: meaning the rim diameter is larger than the case diameter. Rim lock occurs when the rim of a round gets trapped behind the rim of the round below it in the magazine. This prevents the trapped round from feeding when it is it's turn to do so.

Rim lock can occur with any .32 ACP ammo, but it is more likely to occur when the overall length of the round is short enough (IE: most hollow points) that the individual rounds can move around (rear to front) in the magazine. In a correctly loaded magazine, the longer OAL of the FMJ usually prevents this movement. The rim lock prevention kit decreases the space (front to back) in a magazine to prevent this movement when rounds with shorter OAL are used.
Here's a shot that shows a comparison of how FMJ and hollow points sit in an unmodified magazine:
http://i19.tinypic.com/6fhy981.jpg

Kel Tec used to sell a kit that prevented rim lock, but it seems to have been dropped (at least I couldn't find it on their website).

It consisted of a modified floor plate. modified follower and a spacer that went into the back of the magazine.
Here's a photo that I posted some years back showing the components of the kit:
http://i9.tinypic.com/6le28ac.jpg
Here's some Xtreme Cavitator in one of my mags with the kit installed:
https://s26.postimg.org/k2r5lnxxl/2_copy.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


The kit may be out of production, but you can make a "Flyer Wire" that accomplishes the same task:
http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/flyerwire.htm (http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/flyerwire.htm)


The kit and the wire work fine. The downside is FMJ won't work in magazines that have them installed.
However, the Flyer Wire and the kit's spacer can be removed with little effort to allow the use of FMJ in the magazine. The other components work just as well with or without them.
Myself, I have other magazines for FMJ use:bump2:

Regards,
Greg

[washerman]

i have a Keltec pf9...only pistol i could find that has very light weight (12 ounces), holds 7+1, 9mm, hammer fired, no safety cause of the trigger, pocket safe trigger....kicks like a mad mule....don't care...didn't buy it for range practice

[Bawanna]

Excellent informative post Greg (as usual). That's one nasty looking bullet. I didn't know what an Extreme Cavitator was. I don't much care to get hit by one of them, any other 380, probably don't matter much.

[JethrosDad]

Just got to the range with the little p3at. Plenty accurate at 7 yards. Shot 100 rounds like a champ. Wouldnt want to be on the business end of it, thats for sure.

14971

[Bawanna]

Target looks like the bullets are keyholing?
Nice little group.

[JethrosDad]

Not sure what keyholing is, ill have to google it.

The targets I shot with my Kahr CW9 look the same though. Using cheapo aguila FMJ for both .380 and 9mm

[Bawanna]

Keyholing is when the bullets go through the target sideways. The bullet apparently isn't stabilized and spinning on it's axis, but tumbling end over end.

I don't know why a 380 would do that. It also might just be the photo or the paper tearing making it appear to be keyholing.

[JethrosDad]

could it be due to shooting against an unsupported paper target? At the indoor range we just clip the target to the doo-dad at the top of the post.

[Bawanna]

Could very well be just that.
The paper is just tearing instead of making a clean hole.

Put a cardboard backing or shoot a pumpkin or melon or something and it will tell for sure if that's the case.

I suspect your right in that it's just the target.

[unclenunzie]

I've found that lower powered rounds combined with an unsupported paper target can often tear the paper, giving the appearance of keyholing. So I think I'm agreeing with what you all are saying here :)

More to the topic at hand, I bought a gen 2 brand new P32 a while ago because it has a very good reputation for reliability. I have not been disappointed. It's very light, thin, and easy shooting. Mine has the parkerized slide.

[Armybrat]

[COLOR=#000000][FONT=verdana]I'd
Here's some Xtreme Cavitator in one of my mags with the kit installed:
https://s26.postimg.org/k2r5lnxxl/2_copy.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


Regards,
Greg
Say Greg - Your magazine looks a lot like my standard RM380 mag that has this "baffle" insert. It must be from Rohrbaugh's original 9mm design. Both their 9mm & .380 pistols were the same dimensions as were the magazines, but they put the insert in to accommodate the shorter 9X17 cartridge.

Remington obviously did not change that feature after they bought out Rohrbaugh in 2014. Makes me wonder if they will introduce a 9mm with the same RM platform?

http://www.armedlutheran.us/wp-content/uploads/RM380_01.png

[drw]

I have a P-32 that my daughter likes to shoot. Not much recoil and it works.

[jagower]

I have a p3at that I've had for about 5 yrs that has been flawless. It gets carried allot and shot a little. Never had the .380 keyhole but I remember a warranty return for no rifling in the barrel.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[JethrosDad]

I took the P3AT to the range again and used a cardboard back behind the paper and it didn't make those "keyhole" looking marks. It shot excellent but I noticed after about 75 rounds the gun gets really dirty and the action becomes gritty but it just keeps chugging along. Rides excellent in a SM2 Sticky holster in the pocket, hasn't left my side since I put it through its paces. Been using Fiocchi Extrema as carry ammo. Seems to perform just as well as critical defense and is about 8 dollars cheaper per box.

[Bawanna]

Good news. It was just tearing the paper before as someone predicted. That's a good thing.