Kel-Tec 9mm - Ammo problems

[Sharpie1]

I recently purchased a used Kel-Tec 9mm.

I took it to the range, and first shot about 30 rounds of Winchester white box FMJ through it. No problem.

Then, I loaded up a mag of Winchester white box 147gr hollowpoints. It failed to feed on about every other round. The feed ramp on this thing is VERY steep!

When I got the gun home, I took out the barrel and polished the feed ramp very thoroughly with a dremel tool.

Took it out again today, but first went to pick up some Winchester white box 115gr hollowpoints. Fed about 70 rounds with no problem. I then tried another mag of 147gr hollow points - fed fine. Tried another mag of 147gr hollow points - had a failure to feed about halfway through.

When I was at Wally World buying the hollow point ammo today, I compared the 115 and 147gr bullets at the counter. The 115gr one was, of course, not protruding from the opening of the brass nearly as far - so I thought it would feed better, which it did. I had no jams with the 115gr hollowpoint cartridges.

First question - What is the practical difference between Winchester's 115gr and 147gr hollowpoints? Is heavier better? If so, why is 115gr HP even available? I don't understand why Wal-Mart would carry Winchester white box hollowpoints with BOTH bullets weights - although I'm glad they do. Obviously, there is a reason. This is my first 9mm, so I am not familiar with the round - but, I noticed that there is not much of an angle on the outer edge of the bullet - compared to say, .45 ACP.

As it feeds this 115gr HP ammo ok, I have approved it for personal carry now - although I probably won't carry it as my CCW very often.

I'm sure someone knows the answers to my ammo questions - please help!

Thanks,

TD

 

[Marcus]

147gr. 9mm was originally developed to be a sub sonic load for supressed submachineguns. The P-11 is a LONG way from being a sub gun. The chances of an already slow 147gr. bullet fired from a very short barrel which makes it even slower actually expanding it pretty slim IMO. 115gr. and 124gr. JHP loads are plentiful and much better suited to the P-11 as far as I`m concerned. Marcus

 

[vertigo7]

My P11 feeds the WWB 115gr practice stuff and my favored defense load of 124gr Gold Dots flawlessly. I've not tried it with 147gr loads. Thanks for the warning, I'll give it a try the next time I get to the range.

vertigo7

 

[Drakejake]

My P-11 has been very picky about ammo. All it would take was UMC. No S&B, no Blazer, no Remington white box no Fiocchi. But recently it has begun spitting out Blazer without a problem. I thought that it liked shorter rounds. Others have had very different experiences.

Drakejake

 

[Rick Blaine]

Consensus at Kel-Tec owners group is that 147 grain bullets don't feed well in the P-11. Something about the 147 grain messes up the cycling process. You could try 124 grain HP's like the Speer Gold Dot from Ammoman. I've had no problems with that round, but had nothing but headaches with the Win 147 grain. The Win 115 grain personal protection HP also shoots flawlessly in my P-11. A Wolff upgrade recoil spring helps with feeding, and so will the +10% mag springs. I believe in the KTOG fluff and buff (controversial topic sometimes - please, no flames) as described at KTOG.org so look over the tech pages there to decide if you want to do a little tweaking.

 

[coldshot03/04]

I have found that KT handguns do not like HP ammo.

 

[Sharpie1]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful responses.

I will steer clear of the 147gr ammo.

Thanks again!

TD

 

[yzguy]

the 127-115 gr hps tend to work the best out of shorter barrels, and feed better in the P-11's also.

also check out:
http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/9mm/gel9.htm

I carry mine with 124 gr +P Golden Sabers.