NRA Gun of the Week: Kel-Tec P3AT Pistol

by
posted on September 29, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

A few years following the launch of Kel-Tec’s P-32 polymer pistol, a more potent variant built around the .380 ACP cartridge was introduced—the P3AT. This recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol tips the scales at 8.3 ozs., empty, and features a 2.7” barrel with a capacity of six rounds in the magazine. To learn more, watch this NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by Christopher Olsen.

Specifications:
Model: P3AT
Manufacturer: Kel Tec CNC Industries Inc.
Chambering: .380 ACP
Action Type: locked breech, recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Barrel: 2.7”
Frame: black polymer
Sights: integral, non-adjustable; square notch rear, post front
Trigger: double-action-only; 7-lb., 14-oz. pull
Magazine: six-round detachable box
Weight: 8.3 ozs.
MSRP: $338

Additional Reading:
The Last Great Mouse Gun Race
Is the Mouse Gun a Dying Breed?
Tested: Kel-Tec KSG-25 Shotgun
Tested: Kel-Tec's Flexible Folding SU Series Rifles
















Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.