A .380 Three-Way Day Report.

[twyacht]

Took the "leetle" guys to the indoor range, to see how they stack up.
Walther S&W PPK/S
Colt Mustang Pocketlite
Kel-Tec P3AT.
50 rds. of each, just wanted "cheap(er)"  target ammo
PMC 90gr. FMJ
S&B 90gr. FMJ


All shots were offhand at 5yds. Not rapid fire, but not really slow either.

Kel-Tec, which has like the most rudimentary almost non-existent sights had the largest spread. Much longer DAO trigger pull.


The Colt is a natural shooter, despite it's size, and feels more solid than the KT. (no plastic).. Still getting used to the sights a bit.
Hat Tip to m25, to replace the two factory recoil springs, with a Wolff single HD Spring.


The Walther IMHO, which I'm really used to, is the most accurate, and heaviest, maybe that extra "leetle" bit of barrel and weight makes a difference.

Recoil is not a big deal in all 3, all went "bang" every time, and no feeding or ejection/extraction issues.



Thought I would photo them all "dirty", as there are too many pics of them clean and shiny...

Just a Rainy,Windy, Sunday quick trip to the range. Like Martha Stewart says: "That's a good thing".
I think with better ammo, I can get the groups tighter, but that's for another trip.

tw

[Smokey45]

Good comparison!  I'm not surprised at the results. The "PP" series pistols are shooters. I have a pair of the 3-ATs, they work ok for their intended purpose. Good shooting, by the way.
s45

[alfsauve]

Not surprising the PPK/s would be accurate.  Besides sights and it has a fixed barrel.

Of course these are three different animals.  The PPK/s being a true DA/SA, the Colt an SA only  and the KelTec a striker fired.

Did you try short stroking the trigger on the KelTec to see what the gun did?   

[twyacht]

Did you try short stroking the trigger on the KelTec to see what the gun did?   

Forgive me if I  don't understand "short stroking" in your context....The term "short stroking" to me, means something else with regards to firearms.

My guess, is the KT's trigger,...long, not match grade by any means, and technically, the only safety on the darn thing.

It is the only firearm I own that I literally have to adjust my trigger finger. Not the grip, but due to the long pull and reset, it requires, for me, just the tip of my trigger finger to fire quickly and reliably.

If one limp wrists, or "short strokes" the trigger, it will lead to an interruption in the semi-auto cycle. aka....FTF, FTE. = BAD THING!



But, they are all just a CQ SD firearm, even a BUG. Fortunately, they all went BANG when fired. My 16 year old son, has already chosen the PPK/S, doesn't too much care for the KT, and hasn't fired the Colt enough to appreciate it...

Sad thing is, I have apprehension in carrying the Colt, if (God Forbid), I need to pull a firearm and defend myself, I'd rather have a $259 KT impounded until my acquittal, than a $600 Walther, or an $800 Colt that ends up "lost"....

 

[alfsauve]

Forgive me if I  don't understand "short stroking" in your context....The term "short stroking" to me, means something else with regards to firearms.

There is a bubble missing in the chart.  At some point you have to release the trigger before you can pull it again.  That step would typically occur after the round is chambered.  (Few of us besides JM and BM are fast enough to release the trigger before the gun cycles.)   My use of the words "short stroke" means you don't fully release the trigger but only let it return about half way, then try to pull it.   This can occur under stress or when you're in an extreme hurry.  I've done it in competition and I've talked to others who have as well.   With most guns, nothing happens.  Just let go of the trigger and pull it again.   BUT with some guns (Taraus TCP) it will uncock the mechanism leaving you with a gun that must be manually recycled.   

Did I make that clear?  Or was I just babbling?

Here's a short video demonstrating the problem.   I'm curious how other guns react?

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

Now I comprende'  The reset on the KT, after the long a** two state covering trigger pull, leaves the hammer down, it does not have the ability to half-cock. The reset in the mechanism resets under the hammer in one spot. It's either going through it's firing cycle, or not.

The leetle plastic fantastic, does have some metal in the right spots, and in previous rapid fire drills, it was minute of dixie plate at 5 yds.

It is prone to limp wristing, "or" if too much finger is used in the trigger guard. Especially if one has large fingers. Using the pad of your trigger finger, instead of the tip, can not allow the trigger to reset.

This is from somewhat reliable testimony from the KTOG forum. It has happened to me once after I first purchased it. The KT is what it is, I polished the feed ramp, did the GoldenLoki, fluff & buff, (from KTOG), and haven't had an issue with it. It likes to be lubed in a few places.

In the summer swamps of S. Florida, it is the easiest to slip in my pocket in a Nemesis holster, with a spare mag, of either Speer GD's, or Cor-Bon, or Hornady loads.

See,,....now I'm babbling, not you....