The Kel-Tec Range

[Bob O.]

UPDATE - August 16, 2006
ArmaLaser has been listening to its customers. It is now in its Third Generation of improvements.
The most significant improvements are:
1. An elevation adjustment screw has been added.
2. The ArmaLaser logo is now recessed to eliminate snagging.
3. Two S-braces are supplied instead of one (Kel-Tec only).
4. A new and improved touch sensor material is employed.
5. Assembly screws are longer and stay tight better.

ArmaLaser also has a comprehensive upgrade offer:
It costs $29 plus $6 shipping to upgrade from an older generation to a newer one or to swap models, for example if you have a Glock ArmaLaser and then buy a PM9, you can send it in and they will re-house it into a Kahr version for you.

Part One - Review of ArmaLaser on Kel-Tec P-3AT
INTRODUCTION:

The purpose for my gun is for defense in close-quarters and low-light while wearing either no glasses (everything is blurry) or my trifocals. If you've never tried to shoot using traditional sights with trifocals you're not missing anything! Actually you would be missing EVERYTHING! A laser sight could be really helpful.

The ideal gun for my purposes would be a 9 mm that is about the overall size of a Kel-Tec P-3AT or a bit larger and had a laser. Second best would be the P-3AT with a laser. I don't believe anyone makes the former, so I decided to try to accomplish the latter.

I bought a P-3AT in October. Shot it in November to make sure it worked well. It was great! Then I started to figure out how to get a laser on it.

I purchased a laser and a Picatinny rail, which I was going to attach to the P-3AT's dust cover. I won't bore you with the planned details of the installation.

Then I heard of the Arma Laser sight (it had just come on the market): www.armalaser.com

The Arma Laser, if it worked as it seemed it should would be a much better solution. It is considerably more compact and lighter weight than my planned installation. It would save me a lot of work. And it would not permanently alter my frame.

I ordered one by mail and money order ($145 including shipping) just before the Christmas holidays and received it Dec. 31.


DESCRIPTION:

It comes in a very nice black plastic case that gives it touch of class. Even so, if I were Arma Laser I wouldn't spend the money on the box, it has no use once the laser is installed. Although it could be used for ammo or a parts box or something, and having it in sight at a range might have some advertising value.


Enclosed in the foam insert was the unit itself, a screw post and screw; four #357 batteries; an "s" shaped, flat metal bracket; two allen wrenches; two laser warning labels; and an owner's manual.


The quality of all items seemed very good.


INSTALLATION:

I took step-by-step photos as I installed it, so it took a lot longer than it normally would. I think I could have done it in about 10 minutes without the time spent taking pics. The installation was so simple and straight-forward I really didn't need the photos for this review. If you follow the manual step-by-step you won't go wrong.

Installation according to the instructions went without a hitch.

The only thing that I did differently than the instructions was:
The unit comes with both sides of the housing held together by two screws and screw posts - the screws were on the right side, screw posts on the left. I reversed these when I installed the unit so that all the screw heads are on the left - the same side as the windage adjustment.

[Bob O.]

Part Two - Review of ArmaLaser on Kel-Tec P-3AT
OPERATION:

The unit gives the gun a slightly heavier feel up front. The feel is different but not uncomfortable or awkward.

The unit can be handled and touched anywhere on the outside surfaces without activating the laser. The laser activates immediately, as soon as the finger enters the trigger guard to engage the trigger. If you take up the trigger slack and your finger moves away from the sensor at the front of the trigger guard the laser shuts off after about 12 seconds. Releasing the slack and moving your finger close to the sensor reactivates the laser. If the finger is kept in constant contact with the unit's sensor the laser will stay on indefinitely or until the batteries get too weak.
The sensor is in the shiny area in this photo:


There is a tiny, recessed slide switch on the bottom that when moved to the backward position deactivates the unit completely.


I took a flat file to the raised words "ARMA LASER" on both sides of the device and removed them, because they snagged in my pocket and in my holster quite badly. It did the trick, and cosmetically, you'd never know anything was there.



INDOORS:

The laser is very bright indoors during the day in a well-lit room. - great at night. It should be plenty visible for home defense and indoor range use.

I used it for about an hour during a dry firing practice session. It has really helped me to see and control shake. It is also helping me to bring the gun on point quickly and accurately. It also helps with seeing how different arm, body, and gripping positions affect accuracy and steadiness, as well as which trigger pulls are smoothest.


AT THE RANGE:

It was overcast but bright at the outdoor range, the laser was very easy to see at the 7-yd. distance at which I did all the shooting. I would have liked to try it at closer "defensive" ranges but this range doesn't allow shooting closer than 7 yd.

From the bench I put the dot on the target's zero. I slowly fired a 3-round group. The group was about 1/4" high and 2" to the right. The unit's elevation is fixed and can't be adjusted but 1/4" inch is plenty good for a defense gun with a 2.5" barrel at 7 yd. I made sure the gun was unloaded, then laid it on its right side with the laser dot falling randomly on the target. Held it down on the bench firmly, then using one of the supplied allen wrenches moved the dot down about 2". This time the 3-shot group was right where it was supposed to be.

Shot up 85 rounds of ammo using my Arma Laser enhanced P-3AT.

No malfunctions in the P-3AT and none in the Arma Laser!

The Arma Laser held it's zero and nothing loosened.

The original batteries were still going strong.

[Bob O.]

Part Three
POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS:

Maybe the words on the sides should be recessed rather than raised.
A battery-low indicator of some sort would be helpful.
An elevation adjustment would be nice, but not necessary.


CONCLUSIONS:

I really like this little device. I was able to shoot from any position and presentation. I really liked not having to hold the gun high. I was able to see the target and the periphery much better holding the gun low without having to focus on the sights. I found I could present and shoot the gun two-handed just above waist level, faster, steadier, and more accurately than any other presentation I tried.

This device probably would not be for everyone. If you've been shooting for years using other methods I believe you may have to do a lot of practice before you could overcome the tendency to use your old presentations and your ingrained auto-muscle responses.

For my situation and my purposes it seems ideal. As I mentioned in the beginning my eyesight is iffy at best and I just started shooting again in November after a 45-year hiatus. I still know the basics of shooting in a conscious way but I've pretty much lost all the things that at one time were automatic. At this point in time I pretty much have to consciously think about almost every detail. I'm finding that I can adapt the "basics" to the new tool very easily, and some things are already becoming automatic, but different than with traditional sights.

For these reasons I think that this device and lasers in general would be very useful for shooters like me, and for new shooters. Also useful for those more interested in combat and defensive shooting rather than bullseye target shooting.

For shooters who are very good with their present techniques it would probably be more difficult to get used to. These shooters may even find their shooting degrades a bit during the transition.

The iron sights are still there to fall back on if they would be better than the laser in certain situations or if the laser fails. I would never rely on the laser alone. I will continue to practice using the traditional sights.

As for me, the Arma Laser will now become my primary sight and the traditional sights secondary.

So far, I give the Arma Laser 5 smiles.

[Flyer]

I knew someone could solve the battery life problem.
Flyer

[agrizzlyman]

I received and installed the armalaser on my P3-AT yesterday and took it to the range today. I had previously purchased and returned a pocket slipper laser which turned out to be so inaccurate as to be dangerous so I had my fingers crossed.
The armalaser as noted above is of a far superior design. It is well made and did not loosen or loose it's accuracy with use.
I eyeballed the windage adjustment on the wall at home before I went to the range and it turned out to be completely centered with no further adjustment necessary. There is no elevation adjustment but it wasn't necessary. At about 10 ft it shot about 2" high and at 15 ft. it was right on the bullseye.
I am a very happy camper. After all of the troubles with FTE's and the lously pocket slipper, I know have a solidly functioning gun (thanks to a trip back to Kel-Tec) with over 300 rounds through it without a failure and a solid, accurate, and comfortable laser. I sent a tracing of the gun/laser and measurements to Grandfather Oak and he has agreed to make a custom pocket holster for me. Then I'll be all set with everything I need. I bought the laser on e-bay for $135.00 inc. shipping. The Armalaser website says the price (including shipping) will go up to $165.00 on Feb. 15 .

[pocketgun]

Nice review Bob O.

IMO, they should make a cutout in the box to accomodate the pistol with the laser installed, then it would be worth the few extra bucks for some purchasers - store your P32/P3AT in the box.

[mr surveyor]

when...if...I get back a fully reliable P3AT, I do plan to look into this laser. It looks like a nice addition to what I'm sure will be (fingers crossed again) the perfect pocket pistol.

[TxCajun]

Nice, comprehensive review Bob O.

I don't even want one... and I want one.
You should be in advertising.

[mguffey]

Bob O, this msg is for you.

[Sorry I don't use private messaging. Too many boards to check.]

Rick Hovsepian and I are talking about my adding an ArmaLaser page to my 4 year old non-commercial domain, Online Data for the Informed Armed Citizen (URL below).

I'd like to quote your material here and also use some of the pix.

But I will not do so without permission.

Please contact me via e-mail at armedcitizen@earthlink.net
so we can discuss this further.

Or, post here. I would like to give your well written review more exposure than here on the Ktrange.

[Bob O.]

[TucsonMTB]

[TucsonMTB]

[Baldy]

Very good report. I had a c/t lazer on a Ruger SP101, and it sure helped my old tired eyes. I had never thought of one on my P3AT but I am now.

[Maximum1]

Bob O. what is the name of the grip cover you installed and from whom did you purchase it?

[Bob O.]

[Maximum1]

Thank you for the Pachmayr grip info