keltec P3 as a first semi?

[rspowers]

Is this an OK gun as my first semi? I was considering the kt p11 or taurus mp 111 but I thought this gun would suit my needs better due to its size, and probably in the spring, I could buy a 9mm. I have read that the kt p3 is not really a beginners gun, why? or is it OK?

[BUCKMARK]

Do you mean the P3AT? Kel-Tec's .380 pocket gun?

If so...

Recoil is pretty stout being a very tiny and light gun.

Grip size is very small making it a harder gun to control for beginners.

Sights are for very close range shooting.

.380 is much better as a Back Up Gun (BUG) than it is for a primary.

All in all, the P3AT is a very good BUG designed as a last ditch effort in self defense. It is a gun that is made to be carried a lot, and shot a little. They are not fun range guns for a lot of shooting with a good level of accuracy. They are much easier to shoot after you get to know the larger guns and get decent at shooting handguns.

My "first semi-auto" handgun would NOT be a P3AT.

[ca2pa]

Originally Posted by BUCKMARK

Do you mean the P3AT? Kel-Tec's .380 pocket gun?

If so...

Recoil is pretty stout being a very tiny and light gun.

Grip size is very small making it a harder gun to control for beginners.

Sights are for very close range shooting.

.380 is much better as a Back Up Gun (BUG) than it is for a primary.

All in all, the P3AT is a very good BUG designed as a last ditch effort in self defense. It is a gun that is made to be carried a lot, and shot a little. They are not fun range guns for a lot of shooting with a good level of accuracy. They are much easier to shoot after you get to know the larger guns and get decent at shooting handguns.

My "first semi-auto" handgun would NOT be a P3AT.

AGREE...
A friend owned this same gun. he loved it, but when i shot it, it fit really weird in my hand, too small to handle IMO and wasnt really sure i would want to carry it, regardless of size but go and shoot it first, tell us what you think.

[XD45]

If you mean a keltec p3at, I agree its not a good first gun. I own one I carry as a bug once inawhile and while it serves its purpse its not a range gun i shoot it once a month or so, just to make sure its in working order and i know how its going to function. you want something where you can put alot of rounds threw if its your first gun so you can get alot of practice in.

What are you looking to do with the gun?

[gf45acp]

While I love my P3AT I would not recommend it as a first gun. It is a deep carry gun, for when you can not carry something bigger, small and light to always be there. It is not made for lots and lots of pratice.

[Mtbkski]

The P-11 isn't that much bigger. You got a 9mm round. 11 rounds. And some decent grips to hold onto.

[32 Magnum]

After owning, shooting and carrying a KelTec .32 for a number of years, I just, two weeks ago, got a 3AT (.380). I just plain love this gun. I've been shooting hand guns for four decades and more and have shot hundreds of different guns. The 3AT is not a gun that will be suitable for beginning shooters for all the reasons listed above. Get yourself a used compact or subcompact 9 mm subcompact if you want to start out with something on the small size. After you become familiar with that gun, then try the micro sized 3AT. With a background in shooting and a bit of experience, you will get much more out of the smallest .380 in existence, and be able to appreciate rather than curse that fine little gem.

[brian]

the gun has no sights, it has a few bumps that, on paper, could pass as sights, but in realitity it has none.
it also has no safety.
it's point and click in a very basic package.
teh grip is large enough to get the trigger finger and the middle finger on it with just a fraction of your ring finger kinda wrapped around under the magazine.
i'll only agree that .380 just makes a good BUG, when somebody stands up to take 5 or 6 hits from one. i'm pretty sure nobody will volunter for that. mine is a primary piece.

[Xringshooter]

Hi rs,

I actually wouldn't suggest the 3AT as a first semi. I think you should go with one of the ones you were thinking about. The Taurus would make a good starter, not too expensive and after you are adept at handling, and you think you may want a different semi, you wouldn't (or shouldn't) have any trouble selling it to get a different one. The 3AT is a good "little" (emphasis on little) but not really a good gun to start with. The posts above are right, it is a good BUG (Back Up Gun) just not a good primary firearm other than in certain circumstances.

[BUCKMARK]

Originally Posted by brian

the gun has no sights, it has a few bumps that, on paper, could pass as sights, but in realitity it has none.
it also has no safety.
it's point and click in a very basic package.
teh grip is large enough to get the trigger finger and the middle finger on it with just a fraction of your ring finger kinda wrapped around under the magazine.
i'll only agree that .380 just makes a good BUG, when somebody stands up to take 5 or 6 hits from one. i'm pretty sure nobody will volunter for that. mine is a primary piece.

I doubt you will find many people willing to take a few hits with a .22 short or a few strikes with a sharp stick, but that dosent make either a suitable weapon for self defense.

When someone hopped up on drugs pulls out a gun, I can think of more than a few guns I would rather have other than the tiny P3AT chambered in .380 acp....a cartridge that fails law enforcement testing for expansion AND penetration.

It's your life.