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I posted the pics somewhere else here a few months ago, but just for size reference these are a Kahr PM9, Kel-Tec P3AT, and a Seecamp .32:









I've described my poor P3AT before, but the Seecamp and Kahr both run well. I generally don't pocket-carry the Kahr, but that's where the Seecamp goes. These two are my BUGs, and I add a Glock 27 to that role when dress permits. The G27 gets carried once in a while by itself, but I consider the PM9 and Seecamp as secondaries only, even though the PM9 has done "tuxedo duty" before.

Keith B wrote:

tbranch wrote:I tend the think the FTEs that plague some people are simply a poor grip on the weapon...

I have to agree with Tom on the small pocket pistol FTF/FTE issues. Basically, a semi-automatic pistol feeds and ejects from inertia. Small, light pistols have less mass to the slide and frame, so they tend to have more tendency for recoil. If the frame is not held solidly, then the slide doesn't have anything to work against, and in turn will be more likely to FTF/FTE.

Since I dissed my P3AT, I just wanted to note that mine has never had a failure to feed or failure to eject. And it's surprisingly accurate for me considering the size, weight and rudimentray sights.

It just fails to fire. Evidently, shooting standard-power ball ammo only, the firing pin reliably breaks after anywhere from a handful to a few dozen rounds. I get nice, light primer dents and no bang. After the second trip back to Kel-Tec, I'd have sorta thought they might replace the gun because there's obviously something odd with the tolerances in the firing pin assemply on this one. But I got the same gun back again, this time thoughtfully accompanied by extra firing pins and springs.

Maybe I could make one of those cigarette lighter things out of it. Oh wait; I don't smoke...

Excaliber wrote:

dwsUSA wrote:I'll cast my vote for the Kel-tec P3AT. I have had zero problems with mine and it shoots pretty darn good groups considering its size and you'll be hard pressed to find anything lighter...

I don't own one, but I've seen lots of reports that indicate quality control is not consistent. Lots of folks report intermittent failures to feed, failures to eject, and even broken parts after very small numbers of rounds fired. For me, that takes the little KelTecs out of the running for life saving equipment.

I own a P3AT. Bought it about two years ago. It's made two trips to the manufactuter in Florida. The last trip, they were kind enough to include extra firing pins and firing pin springs, presumably so I could change them myself during an emergency situation when the gun failed to fire.

Two years, and I have fewer than 75 successful rounds down this pistol. The only thing thing I trust it to be is a paper-weight.

I bought the gun new and absorbed about $100 in shipping costs to Coco Beach, so it's an expensive P3AT. I won't sell it because I know it won't function.

Needless to say, I can't recommend the P3AT. And I'll probably never buy another Kel-Tec product.

My mouse gun is a Seecamp 32. My BUG is a Kahr PM9. For regular carry, I like calibers that begin with a "4".