I'm going to get a little .380 for my pocket rocket. Need help deciding between two models... and would really like to hear from guys who own these models.

Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P-3AT

What do you think??

I have carried a Kel-tec P3AT for about 5 years, 3-5 times per week. Using an Uncle Mike's size 3 pocket holster. Very comfortable no matter what attire - formal or casual. I own many other carry guns but this one gets the most time on me due to its convenience factor.

I added a Crimson Trace to it 3 years ago -- best thing I ever did.

I shoot it every couple of months and never had a problem. I carry FMJ in mine, being it's a .380. I realize conventional wisdom says HP for defense, but I make an exception on the smaller calibers.

As for reliability, I have had a few FTF but only with JHP/HP ammo. With the FMJ, never one issue in 1000+ rounds through it.

Thanks for the info! I am leaning towards that gun.

Also try out the Taurus TCP!! Trigger is half the weight of the kel-tec and the ruger, it also locks back on last shot!! My fiancee wanted something small to pack around, tried out the ones you stated above, but chose the Taurus!! The trigger on the two we tried was about 3.75#, compared to 7.?? on the ruger, and much lighter/smoother then the kel-tec. We've ran about couple hundred rounds through hers and my fathers, not a hickup!! She packs the hornady critical defense in hers!! Suppose to be the best performing self defense ammo ever made for the .380, in terms of penetration with expansion compared to the other .380 ammo!! Could'nt elieve how accurate that little thing was, I was getting 3" groups at fifteen yards with it!!

Y'all are killing me with these ammo comments. If i carried a .380 I for dang sure would not be carrying FMJ...just seems retarded.

Did Hornady tell you that its the best defense ammo on the market? Ever heard of advertising? Federal just released a new Gaurd Dog defense ammo...I heard it barks from barrel to impact...

Go check out Gold Dot and the specs compared to every other JHP/defense bullet on the market. I don't mean this in any attacking manner, just thought i'd pass on some information when it comes to defending yourself and/or family.

In regards to the gun, I don't think you can go wrong. Just a personal preference, go check them both out. I've heard great things about both..easy to conceal and shoot when you pull the trigger. If you have a FTF in a double action, just keep pulling the trigger.

All the expansion in the world means nothing if it doesn't penetrate deep enough to reach the important parts. Using FMJ ammo to increase penetration potential isn't retarded, it makes perfect sense. Using hollowpoint ammunition in an already marginal caliber and thereby limiting penetration even further actually sounds kinda silly when you think about it.

My advice would be to skip the .380's and check out a Kahr CM9. Roughly the same size, right at $430, and a much more potent caliber. They just released a CM40 as well, but the .40 is a bit snappy in that platform.

I guess we will agree to disagree. After many talks with homicide detectives and them being able to see first hand what works, ive heard nothing but good things about Gold Dot's pentration compared to everything else. It is the #1 choice for law enforcement ammo due to its performance, not because of a contract. There are specs on Gold Dot that show it being used on objects other than the gelatin bullcrap testing and thats where its effectiveness shows the best. If the penetration is reaching the vital organs neccessary to stop the threat, then it is doing its job. I'll retrack my "retarded" comment because I can see a round about point with FMJ...but i guess thats why I carry a 9 myself.

x2 on the CM9. Check out the KELTEC PF9, and Ruger LC9. I'm pretty sure Sig is about to or already has released their new p238 in a 9mm...although Sig will cost more.

Didnt realize he asked about ammo?........

As for the question, I carry the LCP in my pocket EVERYDAY. I personally dont see much differance between the two, but the LCP just happened to be what I bought. Either gun would work for your purpose. Like Mewshaw stated above, get a good holster.

when i was buying ammo for my fiancee did a few hours of reading online about the .380 and ammo! Just because a gold dot does good in large calibeRs does not make it good in A .380! Thats when i read about the hundreds of test on .380 bullets by people who pack them! figured if your going to pack a small caliber, one needs every advantage he or she can get!

Y'all are suggesting a 9? Really? There's a reason cops don't carry them anymore. 15 rounds into BG & he's still coming! Better hit him in the head because it's going to take a while to bleed out from the pencil holes poked thru him. I'd rather have a .380 w/Hornady CD or Speer GD than a 9 w/any load. I think a 9 is just going way too fast for it's size. My .02.

@huntandfish...have any links to send my way? I'd really like to look at that for my own knowledge. Can never learn too much.

That is just what i personally carry, to each his own. If I had it my way I'd carry an AR every day, still trying to figure out the concealment part with that...

Huh? The .357 Mag and Sig use the same nominal bullet diameter as a 9mm and are both much faster. Plenty of cops still carry 9mm's. Alot more carry .40's, but tens of thousands of LEO's still carry 9's on duty and off. If you would rather have a .380 than a 9 then you really don't understand much about physics or terminal ballistics.

I just recently received my CHL right before the New year and started to IWB carry a SR9c at about 7oclock. Gotta say after purchasing the LCP it's a big relief on my end, not having to constantly fix the back of my shirt and all.

Plus my LCP has a stainless steel/silver slide, and the smallness of the gun, reminds me of the "Cricket" Will Smith used in MIB. Also I was leaning towards picking up a Keltec 32 but ended up with the LCP (partially because I got a good deal for it). After going to the range, honestly it's a great choice IMO. Best wishes to ya and good luck with whatever you end up with!

I have the P11 which is a 9mm but about the same size as the 380. I can stick it in any pocket and just about forget that ts there. I am not fond of the long pull trigger but I get more use to it the more I shoot it.

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-ammunition-ballistics/126664-380-ammo-tested.html
http://www.firearmstactical.com/tactical.htm
http://www.firearmstactical.com/test_data/380acp/hor380-90xtp-b85.htm
http://www.zimbio.com/Firearms/articles/WW9UCSp-mTX/Informal+Tests+Hornady+Critical+Defense+380
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/954/380-acp-hornady-critical-defense-90-grain-ftx/
http://zomobo.net/Hornady-Critical-Defense-.380-ACP-90-gr-Ammo-Test
http://zomobo.net/Hornady-Critical-Defense-.380-ACP-90-gr-Ammo-Test
With the little .380, many times normal ammo, which does good inteh .380, when shot into clothed ballistics gel, does not expand!! turning them into fmj. Somtimes it works, sometimes it does'nt!! Just do a google search on .380 critical defense test or any other round, youtube also has quite a few test on it!! As is, take things you read on the net with a grain of salt. Thats why I did so much searching and look at the big picture!! There are also people who pack nothing but fmj in them also. They want center mass hits and the bullet to reach the spine on a frontal shot, which incapicatates instantly!!

Thanks for the couple of people that actually stayed on topic. HAHA Big help! I think im gonna go with the LCP... will let you know what i think when i shoot it!

I don't think you will go wrong with either the LCP or the P3AT, essentially the same gun. My P3AT has been good to me. There are lemons of either variety so make sure you put a lot of ammo down the pipe before you depend on it for your life. I normally don't consider them mildly broken-in until I've at least fired 200 rounds of the ammo I intend to carry. Normally I will put 500 rounds before I even consider it as a safe carry option.

Practice drawing it (unloaded) from your holster, no matter what type or style you go with.

Since rule #1 for a gunfight is "have a gun," I think the pocket rockets are a good thing. Sure, you can do better, but would you carry a hand cannon? Probably not.

I'll stick to my P3AT + FMJ's all day long....

I liked my LCP but I had to qualify with it at work.....not so much. I mean I passed but not by much. Its a gut shooter with no sights. Bought a Sig P238 380 and its a shooter.

This is true. While the LCP is a convenient and lightweight option for everyday carry, it is not a pistol for engaging anything past about 5 yards. I am not saying it's an inaccurate shooter, I'm saying it's hard to shoot accurately. To me it is strictly a point and shoot pistol. That being said, I can slip an LCP into the back pocket with virtually no concealment issues. At least I am armed with something. Some of us (not me) will eschew carrying if the hassle is too much. Would I rather carry a larger, higher capacity pistol? You bet, but the LCP and its ilk are great options.

I carry this as a back up on duty and ISW for off duty. I will gladly stand behind 11 rounds of 115 gr. 9mm than 6 rounds of 85 gr. of .380 any day. The only negative is the trigger pull. It is a big stiff.

I wouldnt carry a 380. Go big or go home, carry a .44 mag!