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Work order — Kel-Tec P-3AT

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

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. 36 parts (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.). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~20 min, rebuild ~30 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• narrow pointed L-shaped scribe — Hooking and letting down the hammer spring

Watch for:

• 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. (both; Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec))
• 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. (reassembly; Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec))
• The ejector is loose once the slide is off and falls out. (disassembly; Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.)
• 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. (both; Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.)

Tools

• Small punch or a cartridge rim — Pushing out the takedown pin.

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Remove the magazine.
3. 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.
4. Visually inspect the chamber to make sure it is empty.
5. Push the remaining cartridges in the magazine forward and out, and remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure.
2. 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.
3. Push the barrel back.
4. 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.
5. Remove the recoil springs, barrel and ejector.
6. Stop here.
   Warning: Kel-Tec recommends no further disassembly, and specifically says not to rotate the firing pin screw — it is factory adjusted.

3. Refinish

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.

The manufacturer's full parts list (36 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. 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.
2. Insert the ejector.
3. Push the slide onto the frame.
4. While holding the slide back, allow the barrel to slide forward.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Work the slide a few times to check the action.
   Warning: Do not dry fire the P-3AT.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

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)

Fit or check on rebuild

• Hammer block position as the frame seats — The hammer block must be ahead of the hammer or the frame will not seat/the gun will not fire
• Firing pin screw untouched — Kel-Tec says it is factory adjusted
• Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties — Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench

6. Function check

• 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.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

If it won't go back together

Sources

1. Kel-Tec P-3AT Owner's Manual — Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. primary
   https://5159794.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5159794/Firearm_Manuals/P-3AT_Manual_Complete.pdf
2. Hammer Spring Replacement for P3AT/P32 (Kel-Tec's instructions, reposted) — Kel-Tec P-3AT blog (instructions credited to Kel-Tec) secondary
   https://keltec-p3at.blogspot.com/2012/02/hammer-spring-replacement-for-p3atp32.html

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

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.