{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "kel-tec-p3at", "name": "Kel-Tec P-3AT", "manufacturer": { "id": "kel-tec", "name": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries" }, "category": "pistol", "action": "blowback", "calibers": [ ".380 ACP", ".32 ACP" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "P3AT", "Kel-Tec P-32 (same system)" ], "coversAlso": [ "Kel-Tec P-32" ], "page": "firearms/kel-tec-p3at.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/kel-tec-p3at.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "This work order is written for the Kel-Tec P-3AT. It is reported to cover Kel-Tec P-32 — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "high", "verification": "manufacturer-manual-verified" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "published", "limit": null, "statement": null, "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": "12", "pdfPage": 12, "pageUrl": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf#page=12", "quote": null } }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 2, "group": "pistol", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "About 34 real parts (36 rows include the hard case and manual), but the hammer spring has to be hooked and let down with a scribe before the polymer frame pins come out, and the hammer block must be pushed forward at the moment the aluminium frame seats in the grip. The ejector and assembly-pin spring fall out at the field strip.", "confidence": "medium", "partCount": { "value": 36, "kind": "line-items", "covers": "P-3AT 'Pistol Parts List', complete pistol and magazine; includes 400 HARD CASE and 410 MANUAL(FREE), so 34 gun parts. FRAME PINS is one row for several pins.", "basis": "manufacturer-parts-list", "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": "16", "pdfPage": 16, "pageUrl": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf#page=16", "quote": "410 MANUAL(FREE)" } }, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "The hammer spring has to be caught with a pointed L-shaped tool, turned 90 degrees and let down into the magazine well before the frame comes out of the grip.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Hammer Spring Replacement for P3AT/P32 (Kel-Tec's instructions, reposted)", "publisher": "Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://keltec-p3at.blogspot.com/2012/02/hammer-spring-replacement-for-p3atp32.html", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Carefully grab the hammer spring by inserting a narrow, pointed L-shaped tool, like a scribe, between the hammer spring and hammer spring catch pin." } }, { "issue": "When the aluminium frame goes back into the polymer grip, the hammer block must be pushed forward of the hammer just before the frame is flush.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Hammer Spring Replacement for P3AT/P32 (Kel-Tec's instructions, reposted)", "publisher": "Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://keltec-p3at.blogspot.com/2012/02/hammer-spring-replacement-for-p3atp32.html", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Note: When reinstalling the aluminum frame into the grip, make certain the hammer block is pushed forward of the hammer just before the frame is flush in the grip." } }, { "issue": "The ejector is loose once the slide is off and falls out.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "CAUTION: Once the slide is removed, the Ejector (part #115) will easily fall out." } }, { "issue": "The assembly pin spring dislodges if the grip is not held while the pin comes out, and the pin has to go back in at an angle to push it down.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Insert the assembly pin at a slight angle in order to push the assembly pin spring down,and then push the pin completely in." } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 20, "rebuild": 30, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Slide (firing pin screw left alone per Kel-Tec, extractor) and frame out of the grip (hammer spring let down, polymer frame pins, hammer, trigger, hammer block); rebuild longer for the hammer-block timing and hammer spring hook-up.", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Slide", "removes": [ "extractor, pin and spring", "firing pin and spring (firing pin screw is factory-set)" ], "tools": [ "pin punch" ] }, { "assembly": "Frame/grip", "removes": [ "assembly pin and spring", "ejector", "hammer spring (let down)", "polymer frame pins", "aluminium frame insert", "hammer and hammer axis", "hammer block and spring", "trigger, trigger bar and spring", "magazine catch" ], "tools": [ "pointed L-shaped scribe" ] } ], "hardware": { "pins": 9, "springs": 10, "detents": 0, "basis": "counted from the manufacturer's parts list (one per key number unless a quantity is given)" }, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "narrow pointed L-shaped scribe", "usedFor": "Hooking and letting down the hammer spring" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Hammer block position as the frame seats", "why": "The hammer block must be ahead of the hammer or the frame will not seat/the gun will not fire", "source": { "title": "Hammer Spring Replacement for P3AT/P32 (Kel-Tec's instructions, reposted)", "publisher": "Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://keltec-p3at.blogspot.com/2012/02/hammer-spring-replacement-for-p3atp32.html", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "make certain the hammer block is pushed forward of the hammer just before the frame is flush in the grip." } }, { "check": "Firing pin screw untouched", "why": "Kel-Tec says it is factory adjusted", "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Do not rotate the firing pin screw, it is factory adjusted." } }, { "check": "Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties", "why": "Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [], "configurations": [], "tools": [ { "name": "Small punch or a cartridge rim", "required": true, "usedFor": "Pushing out the takedown pin." } ], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Remove the magazine." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Briskly pull the slide back to extract the round in the chamber.", "warning": "Do not obstruct the ejection port, and keep fingers away from the trigger and muzzle. This pistol has no hold-open, so the slide will close again." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Visually inspect the chamber to make sure it is empty." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Push the remaining cartridges in the magazine forward and out, and remove all live ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Pull the assembly pin from the pistol while keeping pressure on the grip surrounding the pin.", "warning": "The pressure is what stops the assembly pin spring dislodging. Without it the spring can escape the frame.", "partsFreed": [ "Assembly pin" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Push the barrel back." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "While holding the slide, slowly pull it forward off the frame.", "warning": "The ejector will fall out as soon as the slide clears. Expect it.", "partsFreed": [ "Slide" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Remove the recoil springs, barrel and ejector.", "partsFreed": [ "Recoil springs", "Barrel", "Ejector (part #115)" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Stop here.", "warning": "Kel-Tec recommends no further disassembly, and specifically says not to rotate the firing pin screw — it is factory adjusted." } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "Assembly pin", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Slide", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Recoil springs", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Barrel", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Ejector (part #115)", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": { "parts": 36, "scope": "P-3AT 'Pistol Parts List (See illustration on centerfold)', p.16. The centerfold drawing (PDF p.9, dated 03-31-05) prints its own slightly different key list; not transcribed, differences in problems." }, "partsDiagrams": [], "materials": [ { "component": "Barrel", "material": "SAE 4140 ordnance steel", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "P-3AT", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The barrel is made of SAE 4140 ordnance steel, heat treated to 48 HRC." } }, { "component": "Slide", "material": "4140 steel", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "P-3AT", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The slide is also 4140 steel, and contains the firing pin and the extractor." } }, { "component": "Frame", "material": "7075-T6 aluminum", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "P-3AT", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The rectangular frame is machined from a solid 7075-T6 aluminum extrusion and houses the firing mechanism." } }, { "component": "Grips", "material": "polymer Dupont ST-8018", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "P-3AT", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The grip is made of the ultra high impact polymer Dupont ST-8018. The grip also forms the magazine well and the trigger guard." } }, { "component": "Magazine", "material": "steel", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "P-3AT", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The P-3AT is normally supplied with a 6 round single column steel magazine." } } ], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Make certain the barrel and recoil springs are well centred when putting them back in the slide.", "warning": "Off-centre springs are the usual reason the slide will not go back on." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Insert the ejector." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Push the slide onto the frame." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "While holding the slide back, allow the barrel to slide forward." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Look into the assembly pin hole and align that hole with the cut in the barrel.", "tip": "Kel-Tec's instruction is to look through the hole. If you cannot see the barrel cut, the pin will not pass." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Insert the assembly pin at a slight angle in order to push the assembly pin spring down, then push the pin completely in.", "warning": "The angle is what depresses the spring. Pushed in straight the pin will not seat." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Work the slide a few times to check the action.", "warning": "Do not dry fire the P-3AT." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "none-recorded", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [], "notes": "The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: \"No further disassembly is recommended. Do not rotate the firing pin screw, it is factory adjusted.\" (Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual, p. 13)" }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.", "Rack the slide and confirm it returns fully into battery.", "Press the trigger through its full double-action stroke and confirm the hammer falls.", "Confirm the takedown pin is fully seated.", "Cycle dummy rounds by hand to confirm feeding before carrying." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [ { "symptom": "The assembly pin will not go back in.", "cause": "The pin is being pushed in straight, or the assembly pin hole is not aligned with the cut in the barrel.", "fix": "Hold the slide back, let the barrel run forward, and look into the pin hole until you can see the barrel cut lined up. Then start the pin at a slight angle so it pushes the assembly pin spring down, and push it fully in.", "damageRisk": "Driving the pin in straight bends the assembly pin spring." }, { "symptom": "The slide will not go back onto the frame.", "cause": "The barrel or the recoil springs are not centred in the slide.", "fix": "Take the slide off, re-centre the barrel and both recoil springs, and refit. Kel-Tec names this as the thing to get right on reassembly." }, { "symptom": "A small part fell out when the slide came off and the pistol will not now eject.", "cause": "That part is the ejector, #115. Kel-Tec warns it falls out freely once the slide is removed.", "fix": "Refit the ejector into its seat in the frame before pushing the slide back on. The pistol will chamber and fire without it and fail to eject, so do not skip it.", "damageRisk": "Running the pistol without the ejector produces a stoppage on every shot." }, { "symptom": "The assembly pin spring is missing after disassembly.", "cause": "Pressure was not kept on the grip around the assembly pin while it was pulled.", "fix": "The spring is a service part. Contact Kel-Tec rather than substituting a spring of approximate size.", "seeGunsmith": true } ], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": "keltec-p3at-manual", "title": "Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf", "accessed": "2026-09-15" }, { "n": 2, "id": "tier-1aa94239", "title": "Hammer Spring Replacement for P3AT/P32 (Kel-Tec's instructions, reposted)", "publisher": "Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://keltec-p3at.blogspot.com/2012/02/hammer-spring-replacement-for-p3atp32.html", "accessed": "2026-10-29" } ] }