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Judge Colt, Kel-Tec

dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
Judge,You've been such a supporter of the Kel-Tec's, you've about convinced me to try one. I know your big issue seems to be the light weight. That is of no concern to me. I'm very happy with my 3032, and I don't really want or need another .32. Of the Kel-Tec's, which do you consider the best and why? I'm not against getting the P32, but is that the one you would most recommend? Give me your input.
Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE![This message has been edited by dheffley (edited 01-07-2002).]
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Comments

  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, to keep those commission checks coming from Kel-Tec, I have to pitch them whenever possible! Glad to see you are considering one.I see no way to really answer your question, so I will just ramble on a bit about what I like about them. Each Kel-Tec is tailored for a particular need. As you have noted, the light weight is VERY important to me because of the type of carry I sometimes must use. The P32 is the lightest and smallest Kel-Tec, and when the absolute minimum size and weight are required (but not all the way down to mini-revolver size), it is the choice. If you are happy with the weight of your M3032, you have a pistol almost as big and heavy as the P11. (The M3032 weights 16.9 ounces. The P11 weighs 14 ounces without magazine, so it probably weighs 17 or 18 ounces with an empty magazine.) With the P11, you get 11 rounds of 9x19 power, compared to 8 rounds of .32ACP.Now, I realize the M3032 is smaller and lighter loaded than the P11 loaded, but it is much bigger and heavier than a loaded P32. If I were carrying a .32, I would choose the P32 over the M3032.We carry guns never knowing if they will be needed. Therefore, many of us find the most comfortable gun we can carry just so we will be more likely to have something with us if the unexpected arises. The bigger and heavier the carry piece, the more likely we are to have to leave it at home sometime. Obviuously, a lower power pistol at hand is much preferable to having left that big old hog leg home because we could not carry it for some reason. The reason I like Kel-Tecs so well is that they offer the smallest and lightest package for a given power level of any pistols available. They are reliable, accurate enough, and their inexpensive cost is just a bonus because I would carry them if they cost many times over their cost. Every pistol with which I compare them comes up short for me.
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    Good enough. I would like something stronger than a .32 ACP, but still small enough to carry. At 6'8" and just under 300 lbs., I have found some guns too small. It's hard to get a 5" long size 18 finger in some of the mini's trigger guards. I'm going to look at the P11 first. I think the P32 will be just too tiny for me.Anyway, I'll let you know what I think. Thanks for the info!
    Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
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  • hyperspacehyperspace Member Posts: 91 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    dheffley, I just got done shooting a P11 for the first time. The trigger takes some getting used to, but I was really impressed with it. Be sure to check out http://www.ktog.org -- its the Kel-Tec Owners Group.
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is something to be said about a company that sends a "right off the assembly line" gun to a magazine that wishes to do a review of that gun. Kel Tec did this when SWAT magazine made that request. According to SWAT, many companies "touch up" a gun before sending it in for a magazine review. Kel Tec didn't do this but the P-11 performed and passed with flying colors. This is one of the reasons why I suggested it to my parents as an economical home defense gun. Dad does great with it at the range but mom is having trouble with the trigger pull. Her finger cramps out on her after a few magazines of ammo. Now they are looking at a revolver and I am hoping to be the recipient of their Kel Tec. It's not pretty but it performs. I like the fact that they actually have a belt clip that attaches directly to the frame of the gun. There is no need for a holster IMHO although I know that some would dispute this. Their website also has several wonderful accessories to this well-priced underrated gun. I heard that some of their late 80's/early 90's models had reliability issues but were remedied by the mid 90's. I haven't seen my parents' Kel Tec malfunction except when I fed it bad ammo. That same ammo was causing another gun I was firing to malfunction as well. Go for the Kel Tec. You won't be disappointed. I've bought 2 of them through Gunbroker already for other people.
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Idsman75 is a loyal Kel-Tec supporter, but mistates the age of the product. The P11 came out in 1995. There have been many changes in the pistols over the years, and those changes are outlined somewhere on the KTOG web site. I have a very low number P11 that has never malfunctioned. A friend got two about 50 guns later, and one malfunctioned by failing to fire reliably. Kel-Tec fixed it quickly and it is fine now. From what I have seen on the KTOG web site, there is still the occassional Kel-Tec that needs work, but considering the fairly high production numbers, that is not unheard of with other designs of similar production numbers. Are there things I would change? Yes. I have customized one P11 by rounding everything off, and lightening the slide a bit. That is a needed improvement. I would like the stainless slides again, and would prefer stainless magazines. I would like all metal parts to be stainless (except the aluminum frame of course).If there were pistols of any reasonable price ($1000 or under) that better fit my needs, I would use them instead, but, until those designs appear, I will stay with the Kel-Tecs.
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  • silentmarksmansilentmarksman Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I know you asked the judge, but I wanted to add something. A lot of us who carry the P32 also chose it for its width. (Or lack of) The thin-ness of the P32 allows you to carry it under your arm with no jeopardy to concealment or mobility. Thus, it is the back-up weapon of choice for a lot of coppers.
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  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree. As mentioned, the very narrow width of the P32 is one of its greatest assets for concealed carry. The narrow width also lets it fit in a pants pocket and not show.
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