Kel -tec 380
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 1
From: Katy, Texas
RE: Kel -tec 380
The Kel-Tec is a great little gun, and very resonably priced & made in USA
Here is one of the Kel-Tec Forums...
http://www.ktog.org/
Here is one of the Kel-Tec Forums...
http://www.ktog.org/
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Kel -tec 380
i carry one every day. bought mine when they first came out. after about 800 rounds it gave out. i sent it back to kel-tec and they were great. put some in new upgraded parts and havent had any problems since. however, its a carry alot and shoot a little pistol. first of all, as has been stated it a 20' pistol at best. also it has a bit of a snap to it as the grip is so small its hard to get a good grip. mine is not fussy on ammo. once i polished the ramp and cleaned up the rails it will shoot anything. i have other carry guns that would be better self defense guns but this is the one that i routinely pick up because its so easy to carry.. have fun
scott
scott
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Kel -tec 380
You can get about the same punch and more penetration, with far less recoil to deal with, using a .32
The kinetic energy is about the same, with momentum on the .380 side, but the real winner is the .32 ability to penetrate more.
With such ludicrous energies at play, you want at least something that will penetrate deep and damage something vital.
The .32 is much more good at this than the lower sectional density .380.
Moreover, less recoil will make follow-up shots easier to aim properly.
I used to own a .32 Walther PP and was amazing for accuracy and the ease with which you could place multiple shots in a small group out to 30 feet. My wife owns a PPk, but it's a little too small for me to shoot quickly.
You may also want to consider the sub-compact Glock models. They are extremely reliable with lots of firepower and heavy punch.
The MOST important thing of all, though, is how the gun feels in your hand. If it doesn't fit properly, and doesn't feel good, and you can't get a decent grip instantly on it, just choose something esle.
Enjoy and be safe.
The kinetic energy is about the same, with momentum on the .380 side, but the real winner is the .32 ability to penetrate more.
With such ludicrous energies at play, you want at least something that will penetrate deep and damage something vital.
The .32 is much more good at this than the lower sectional density .380.
Moreover, less recoil will make follow-up shots easier to aim properly.
I used to own a .32 Walther PP and was amazing for accuracy and the ease with which you could place multiple shots in a small group out to 30 feet. My wife owns a PPk, but it's a little too small for me to shoot quickly.
You may also want to consider the sub-compact Glock models. They are extremely reliable with lots of firepower and heavy punch.
The MOST important thing of all, though, is how the gun feels in your hand. If it doesn't fit properly, and doesn't feel good, and you can't get a decent grip instantly on it, just choose something esle.
Enjoy and be safe.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 978
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern USA
RE: Kel -tec 380
ORIGINAL: gto frank
looking at a Kel-tec 380 to carry while riding just incase self defence is needed any one have one of these and how dose it shoot
looking at a Kel-tec 380 to carry while riding just incase self defence is needed any one have one of these and how dose it shoot
Kel-tec is a great company to work with with excellent customer support. One time I lost the extractor somehow while cleaning the gun. So, with a spirit of humility and credit card in hand, I called customer support to order another one. After getting my address and the model firearm, the girl on the phone just says, "OK, I'll get one headed that way" I said, "don't you need a credit card number?" she says "no, not worth the time for such a small part". Few days later I got an envelope with two extractors in it.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
RE: Kel -tec 380
I have a H&K 4 that came withinterchangeable.380, .32, .25 and .22 caliber barrells and magazines. It came from Germany and I still have the original boxes that it came in. It is very accurate and great to shoot. I understand that they are now being sold in the US but only in the .380 version. I haven't shot the Kel-Tek but I would put my H&K up against just about anything in the accuracy department.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Hershey, PA
RE: Kel -tec 380
I have a P-3AT and also a P-32 and a P-11. All are light and concealable compared to most of their counterparts from other manufacturers.
I generally carry a Kahr PM9, but the P3AT goes with me when I am dressed in a manner that precludes a bigger pistol.
You can improve the grip greatly by using a Houge Jr. slip-on grip. You will need to trim it a bit in length and notch it for the safety button, but oeverall it is a great fit.
I fire Santa Barbara truncated hollow points through it and my P32 works perfectly with Winchester Silvertips. Do a search, there are a number of penetration tests done with both of the calibers. As was pointed out many go for jacketed ammo because it gives better penetration.
Also, make sure you get a 2nd Generation P3AT, they have a different extractor and are more reliable than the original pistols.
I generally carry a Kahr PM9, but the P3AT goes with me when I am dressed in a manner that precludes a bigger pistol.
You can improve the grip greatly by using a Houge Jr. slip-on grip. You will need to trim it a bit in length and notch it for the safety button, but oeverall it is a great fit.
I fire Santa Barbara truncated hollow points through it and my P32 works perfectly with Winchester Silvertips. Do a search, there are a number of penetration tests done with both of the calibers. As was pointed out many go for jacketed ammo because it gives better penetration.
Also, make sure you get a 2nd Generation P3AT, they have a different extractor and are more reliable than the original pistols.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 439
Likes: 22
From: League City, Texas
RE: Kel -tec 380
I carry a Glock 27, sub compact .40cal. Tough to beat having small size and good stopping power. Ive probably put over 1000 rounds through it since I bought it ( 9-01 ) and still works great.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
RE: Kel -tec 380
I've only shot a few .380's andtwo were brand new, but garbage... very jam-prone.
The Kel-tec I shot was the exception. Seemed very smooth, very reliable. If I was shopping for a .380, Kel-tec would definitely be on my list of possibilities.
The Kel-tec I shot was the exception. Seemed very smooth, very reliable. If I was shopping for a .380, Kel-tec would definitely be on my list of possibilities.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 1
From: Boise, Idaho
RE: Kel -tec 380
i pack a kel-tec 9mm. small, light and a breeze to carry. I use a belly bag that has a pistol holster built in. only problem i had was the plastic spring rod that bent and jammed. kel tec sold me a metal replacement that fixed the problem.