My gun broke during target practice... what now?

[PhL0aTeR]

ok, so a couple years ago i picked up a cute (lol) little Kel Tec P32 used at a gun show. Up until a week or so ago, it was my main carry pistol, mainly due to its size and ease of carry.

I put about 10 rounds through it when i bought it, and havent put another through it till a week ago. I loaded up a magazine of FMJ ammo and made it about halfway through when my trigger pull failed. i removed the magazine, cleared the chamber and began inspecting the weapon. seems whatever links the trigger to the hammer had come loose or broke, or something, either way, the trigger failed to activate the hammer.

After closer inspection I found that the "Trigger Axis" had broken, its part #254 in the diagram. It broke on the flat part between the pin that connects to part #260 and the round part.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y210/PhL0aTeR/Gunz/KelTecExpl.jpg

I called Kel Tec to order the part and they are sending it out to me for free. After the guy got my information, i asked him if there was a trick to getting the trigger out of the frame and he said it had to be cut off and that he will send me one of those out too.

Engineering aside, how do you treat a firearm you rely on for protection that has failed? My first thought was to replace the part and selling it with full disclosure that it broke and was fixed, but wouldnt recommend it as a carry weapon for protection. I'm now thinking that ill just fix it and discontinue carrying it. So what would you do?

[Mtn.man]

Think this falls under I Hate when that happens.

[Irving]

Well personally, I'm not sure what exactly I'd do. I'd start with shooting at least 200 rounds through the gun before carrying again. 200 perfect rounds that is. Aren't you glad that you found out while practicing? I tend to just assume stuff should work, but in this case, I'd strongly suggest making SURE it works, before relying on it as your main carry piece. Let us know how everything goes.

[Zundfolge]

When you can, buy a second CCW gun.

To quote Clint Smith; "Two guns are one, one gun is none."

[Graves]

I hope you weren't a nay sayer in one of safriday's latest threads.

Edit: After having a cracked slide after only 25rds through a KT I had it replaced then sold it right after. I won't ever own another. I know others have had great results with them but it only helped validate "You Get What You Pay For" in my mind.

[Bailey Guns]

I know it sucks when your gun breaks. But don't make more of it than it really is. Sometimes, with mechanical objects, things break.

Frankly, I'd send the gun back to Kel-Tec and let the trained guys at the factory repair it. They'll probably pay shipping both ways if you bitch loudly enough. You can legally ship it right to them and have the return it right to you.

Sure...buy another gun if you want. But Kel-Tec is a reputable company that makes a good product and stands behind their product. Give them the chance to make a bad situation right. Then shoot the hell outta the gun once it's fixed. My guess is you won't have any more problems.

[Zundfolge]

Sure...buy another gun if you want. But Kel-Tec is a reputable company that makes a good product and stands behind their product. Give them the chance to make a bad situation right. Then shoot the hell outta the gun once it's fixed. My guess is you won't have any more problems.
Actually I was suggesting you buy another Kel-Tec P32. That way you always have a functioning one (of course with a P32 you could probably carry 15 of them and nobody would notice [LOL]).

[Great-Kazoo]

I know it sucks when your gun breaks. But don't make more of it than it really is. Sometimes, with mechanical objects, things break.

Frankly, I'd send the gun back to Kel-Tec and let the trained guys at the factory repair it. They'll probably pay shipping both ways if you bitch loudly enough. You can legally ship it right to them and have the return it right to you.

Sure...buy another gun if you want. But Kel-Tec is a reputable company that makes a good product and stands behind their product. Give them the chance to make a bad situation right. Then shoot the hell outta the gun once it's fixed. My guess is you won't have any more problems.

+1 on kel-tec. they have good-great customer svc, and want to make you a happy camper.

[SA Friday]

Dude, guns break. You name it, I've probably seen it (or similar gun)break. If it breaks consistantly at a low round count, then you have a problem.

Considering you bought it used, you have no idea what type of ammo was shot through it or the amount of ammo prior to your purchase. This might have played in the part failing. It also might have been defective from the factory.

Here are some of the questions that came to mind when I read your post that might lead to a more accurate analysis of the situation.

How many rounds have you shot through the gun?
What type of ammo (really hot ammo can really pound on the mouse guns)?
The part that failed, what is it's composition and manufacturer; MIM, cast, machined, steel, polymer, etc?
Can you add pics of the actual break?

Short of the above info, I would suggest replacing the parts and then shooting a couple of hundred rounds through it. Then disassemble and check the replacement part to determine if there is excessive wear or stress (cracking) on the part. If there is, you may want to think about a different carry gun. If not, then chalk it up to "shit happens" and not worry about it.

[PhL0aTeR]

Frankly, I'd send the gun back to Kel-Tec and let the trained guys at the factory repair it. They'll probably pay shipping both ways if you bitch loudly enough. You can legally ship it right to them and have the return it right to you.

I bought it used, meaning warranty is null and void.... which is stupid IMHO, but thats how it is.


Aren't you glad that you found out while practicing?

This was my first and foremost thought.


When you can, buy a second CCW gun.

I already have a small handful of suitable carry weapons but a carry weapon is only as good as how easy it is to carry, which is why i religiously carried my Keltec no matter what.

I have since reverted back to carrying my HK USPc but it doesnt fit in my back pocket so i carry it in a IWB holster in the small of my back, which is fine if im just walking around or running random errands, but like yesterday i leathered up and took the bike out. Didnt work in that configuration so i dug out my shoulder holster, that wasnt quite comfy either, so i finally just said screw it and left it at home.

[ronaldrwl]

I don't know anything about them but was curious. So, I did a google search "reliable Kel Tec P32". There was some interesting reading.

[PhL0aTeR]

Here are some of the questions that came to mind when I read your post that might lead to a more accurate analysis of the situation.

How many rounds have you shot through the gun?
What type of ammo (really hot ammo can really pound on the mouse guns)?
The part that failed, what is it's composition and manufacturer; MIM, cast, machined, steel, polymer, etc?
Can you add pics of the actual break?


round count was in first post, less than 20
was not +p ammo, normal FMJ, cant speak for its PO
Machined, not sure of actual composition, but some type of steel
the part is so tiny, my macro skills fail me. It was a clean break exactly as described in first post. Basically just broke the ear off the part.

[SA Friday]

I hope you weren't a nay sayer in one of safriday's latest threads.

Edit: After having a cracked slide after only 25rds through a KT I had it replaced then sold it right after. I won't ever own another. I know others have had great results with them but it only helped validate "You Get What You Pay For" in my mind.
Ya, this did come to mind while I was typing my earlier post, but I knew it wouldn't help the situation, so I left it alone.

It is always an option though. Sell it and upgrade. If you want something the same size and more reliable, look at a Kahr.

[PhL0aTeR]

I don't know anything about them but was curious. So, I did a google search "reliable Kel Tec P32". There was some interesting reading.

haha!!!!

http://forums.1911forum.com/printthread.php?t=75703


When I first saw the KelTec P32, I thought it was a cheapo .22 pistol.

Funny thing is, thats what i thought when i picked it up, and am quite embarrassed to say, i didnt realize it was not a 22 till i was in the car..... LMAO

[SA Friday]

round count was in first post, less than 20
was not +p ammo, normal FMJ, cant speak for its PO
Machined, not sure of actual composition, but some type of steel
the part is so tiny, my macro skills fail me. It was a clean break exactly as described in first post. Basically just broke the ear off the part.

OK. I see two reasons it may have failed; it's not designed strong enough and is failing from fatigue, or you had a defective part. Fix it, test it, and the results of the test will show you if it's one or the other. If the part isn't designed strong enough, get rid of the gun and go to something else.

[PhL0aTeR]

OK. I see two reasons it may have failed; it's not designed strong enough and is failing from fatigue, or you had a defective part. Fix it, test it, and the results of the test will show you if it's one or the other. If the part isn't designed strong enough, get rid of the gun and go to something else.

sounds reasonable... [Beer]

[sniper7]

id be afraid it will happen again when you need it most. i suggest giving it to me!!! just kidding. i have had kel tecs are they are a good company they are proving they have good customer service so just get it fixed run it through the paces then decide what you want to do with it

[PhL0aTeR]

well, so much for their stellar customer service.... I got a bubble mailer today and the only thing in it was the trigger(252) and spring(256). they neglected the broken part(254) i called about... [Rant1]

[Bailey Guns]

well, so much for their stellar customer service.... I got a bubble mailer today and the only thing in it was the trigger(252) and spring(256). they neglected the broken part(254) i called about... [Rant1]

Another reason to send it back. Warranty periods aren't set in stone when it comes to good customer service. As a matter of fact, this could give you some good ammo to argue that they should send you a UPS call tag so you can return the gun and have it fixed properly...with all the parts that need to be fixed.

[PhL0aTeR]

Another reason to send it back. Warranty periods aren't set in stone when it comes to good customer service. As a matter of fact, this could give you some good ammo to argue that they should send you a UPS call tag so you can return the gun and have it fixed properly...with all the parts that need to be fixed.

Its too late to call today, so i fired off an email:


Hello, i called last week about a broken Trigger Axis. I was referred to someone else who said he would send me one right out. I asked him if he had any tips for taking the trigger off and he said it has to be cut off and he would send one out with it. Today I received the bubble mailer with a trigger and a spring. No trigger axis at all, package was in perfect condition, so i can only assume it was forgotten.

I posted the issue on a couple shooting forums and a lot of people are saying i should try and send it in under warranty, despite me not being the original owner as i picked it up at a gun show in Texas a couple years ago. Is this an option?

At any rate, i need the original part i called about, as it is the part that failed.

[CareyH]

I have had 2 P32's and they both have worked extremely well. I carry it in my pocket year round. I have put lots of ammo through my newest one without any problems.

phloater, just want to know is yours the older P32 (the sides of the slide are angled)

[sniper7]

I would send the whole gun in and let them take care of it...you aren't a qualified gunsmith, so they should cover it.
even if you have to pay for shipping it is worth the piece of mind to know they fixed it, and eyed it over to make sure everything else is okay.

[PhL0aTeR]

I have had 2 P32's and they both have worked extremely well. I carry it in my pocket year round. I have put lots of ammo through my newest one without any problems.

phloater, just want to know is yours the older P32 (the sides of the slide are angled)

Yeah Carey, it looks like i do have the older one...

[PhL0aTeR]

I would send the whole gun in and let them take care of it...you aren't a qualified gunsmith, so they should cover it.
even if you have to pay for shipping it is worth the piece of mind to know they fixed it, and eyed it over to make sure everything else is okay.

if i havent mentioned this before, im not the original owner, so the warranty does not apply to me.

however as stated earlier, i emailed them and asked if sending it in was an option.

[Irving]

We know you aren't the original owner, but I don't think I've ever heard of a gun manufacturer that won't let you send a gun in and cut you a break. Okay, I'm sure they exist, but how do they know if you are the original owner or not?

[sniper7]

if i havent mentioned this before, im not the original owner, so the warranty does not apply to me.

however as stated earlier, i emailed them and asked if sending it in was an option.


I don't see why it would be an issue. you can legally possess firearms I am assuming, so I don't see the problem...just because there isn't a 4473 with that serial number and your name on it doesn't mean you are not the owner.
If they do accept it just make sure you take pictures with the date and serial number, and maybe something showing you have possession...like next to your drivers license or something.

[Not_A_Llama]

Kel-Tec will take care of you. It's annoying, but common, to have to send KT guns for their "Florida Vacation" to get them working 100%.

You should never have "trust" or "confidence" in a gun - just experience shooting it. If it works reliably, use it.

[jason303]

You should never have "trust" or "confidence" in a gun - just experience shooting it. If it works reliably, use it.

Excellent point.
Frequent, continuous practice not only keeps up your skills but also greatly increases your likelihood of exposing a failure. Hand in hand.

[PhL0aTeR]

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/images/downloads/P32manual.pdf

last page of that pdf is their warranty. just going by what i read there and what i was told on the phone. it is expressly written "original owner". like i said, im awaiting an email response to my question of sending it in under warranty. If they say ok, then ill send it, but if ive got to pay them for their gunsmithing, I can do myself, im not going to do that..... throwing money out the window is not my strong point.

[theGinsue]

What type of ammo (really hot ammo can really pound on the mouse guns)?

You weren't using MagTech ammo by chance were you?

I seem to recall about a year and a half ago, someone else on this site having a problem with shooting MagTech ammo through a KelTec (blew the gun apart).

Now, maybe my memory is failing me more than I think it is and it wasn't a KelTec, but I think I'm right on this one.

The gun manufacturer replaced the gun with a replacement of the same serial number.

MagTech came back with an "yeah, even though the label doesn't say so, we load those as +P". I'll never use MagTech ammo.

[PhL0aTeR]

nope, just winchester whitebox

[PhL0aTeR]

well, they answered, but they conveniently did not answer my question on sending it back.


Your parts/manual will be mailed out the next business day by US mail. Please allow 7-10 days delivery Thanks.

Free parts or not, answering one question in an email with more than one annoys the crap out of me.