Anybody use S&W mags in Kel-Tec P-11?

[Travis McGee]

Having just moved to FL from Cali, I bought a Kel-Tec p-11. However, I can't pick up this little gem until Wednesday....

So I'm cruising the Kel-Tec website, looking for nothing in particular, and I read this about the P-11:

"Normally supplied with a 10-round double column all steel magazine, the P-11 will also accept standard S&W large capacity clips. To improve the handling with S&W magazines we recommend using our slip on magazine extension."

This seems like a terrific idea, to build guns around common, existing mags. I think their .223 rifle uses AR-15 mags, for example. So, has anybody used S&W mags in a P-11? Are these S&W Model 59 mags, or what? Are these cheaper than Kel-Tec mags? Any info/tips/suggestions would be welcome.

Matt

 

[MCgunner]

I tried after-market S&W mags in mine, I think pro mag, and they didn't work. Messed up my mag catch and I had to re-shape it cause it wouldn't grab the standard mag after that. I gave up on 'em and have been shooting the gun with the standard mags for nearly 10 years now, many thousands of rounds. I have heard that S&W production mags will work and I might buy one to find out now that you can get 'em thanks to the Clinton gun ban expiring. But, I advise you don't mess with after-market ones.

For further info and opinions, try signing up at http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi#10

 

[Travis McGee]

Thanks McGunner. I'll probably just buy a pair of extra KelTec mags and let it go at that. But I like the idea of extra long higher cap mags for reloads.

 

[sm]

I have, did not like them sticking out as they did, especially for CCW.

I am a huge reliability person. While it would be great to have compatiblity with other firearms, and increased round count, if the firearm is not reliable doing so, then that firearm is of no use to me.

My P-11 is the one I T&E'd. NO fluff or buff or any other hogwash.

I only recommend the factory Keltec mags from Keltec, and the magazine extension.

Now while I prefer to use the mag extension, because of my hands and fingers, I do not have mag extensions on all magazines. P-11 is real friggin' small and concealable as is, even more small with out the mag extension.

Oh yeah, I mean real easy to conceal without that mag extension, and a spare mag too.

Practice shooting without the extension, knowing you, you would do this anyway.

While on the Phone with the good folks in FL , again being as you are, go ahead and get spares of mags of course, also take down pin, firing pin allen screw, firing pin, recoil spring, recoil guide rod. Allen wrench, get some loose ones just to toss here and there.

Never hurts to have extra parts for anything. Best guess, I have well over 15k rds thru mine, but have been citing that figure for a bit now.

Never used any spare parts on my gun. Just have them because : how raised- what you do.

About that allen screw, you know this - just a reminder though. Take note of turns, write down in 2 places, 3 is better. There is a notch you will see in the FP. One need for the allen screw to be "just right" , not too many turns, still enough.

Now what I did was take a small, spring powered center-punch and "ker-chunk" the allen screw ever so slight. I have never seen mine or any other P-11 have this screw want to back out, still...How raised - what you do ...in regard to Murphy showing up.

Now when I undo, put back and count turns, my allen screw matches the little mark on slide,and ever ever so slight bump with a punch again.

HTH

Steve

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Travis McGee,

First of all, congratulations on escaping Hellifornia!

At one time or another, I have had a Kel-Tec in 9mm, one in ,40 S&W, a .357 Sig barrel, and 2 p-32's. Yeah, I like Kel-Tecs.

I don't believe that I've ever heard of anyone using a non-factory S&W magazine in a Kel-Tec with any success. Not saying no one has, I'm just saying I've never heard it.

If they still have any of their .40 S&W mags at Kel-Tec, you should be able to fit (memory's a little hazy, here) 12 or 13 rounds of 9mm into them with no problem.

When Kel-Tec first came out with the P-40, they used the very same 9mm mags as the P-11. Actually, at first, they used a different slide/barrel combo on the P-11 frame and the same mags.

You may want to give it a shot. Enjoy your Kel-Tec; I do mine.

Sam

 

[Srigs]

I use real S&W 69xx series mags in my P11 and they work great. Knock off smith mags don't work well.

Here is a pic of my P11 and 6946 using the same mags. You can also use the 15 round mags from 59xx series.

 

[Travis McGee]

Thanks for all of the excellent advice guys! I can pick it up Wednesday...

 

[sm]

Travis McGee,

It is I that thanks you for your contributions from which I have learned.

...but hey, if'n ya got too much shrimp and don't know what to do with it...

The P-11 is nothing more, as designed, than a plastic double action "revolver".
It does what it was designed to be.

It can also ring steels at 50 yds and makes groundhog hunting interesting.


PM me if you need tips on how to win "crab races" , yes I am serious. Great family fun especially if kids are allowed to participate.

 

[MCgunner]

Kel Tec sells their LEO only 12 round flush fit mags for the P11 now that the gun ban is expired. I haven't bought any, but probably will. I mean, 12 rounds that fit flush, 3 extra rounds is really no biggy to me.

Put another hundred rounds through mine this afternoon. Had the first jam ever, but not the gun's fault. I had a squib load. Reason for it, I know, is I was having problems with my Dillon Progressive, sat up a long time and was rusty, when I was loading the other day. The primer feed was sticking and was popping up causing powder to jump out of the case under the bullet seating die. Apparently this one lost a bit too much powder. I gotta fix that. :banghead:

 

[pocketgun]

The overwhelming consensus I have read is that the actual stainless steel S&W 59 and 69 series mags work fine, but aftermarket mags, even Mec-Gars, do not. The grip adapters just extend the grip to cover the tube. With the availability of 12 round flush-fit mags to non-LEOs, the 69 series mags don't make a lot of sense anymore, unless you have a 69 series Smith to go with them (like Srigs), or live in a restricted state.

Kel-Tec offers a +1 extension for the P-40 that will work on the P-11 as well and add one round. So 13 rounds with a small protrusion would be easier for me to carry than adding the much larger adapter and 15 round mag.

The original concept here was that if you carried a 59 series for duty with a couple spare mags, the P-11 would make the ideal backup weapon with its ability to use the spare mags. Throw a Sub2000 set up for Smith 59 series mags in the patrol car to complete the trifecta.

I have found the 12 round flush-fit mags far less prone to rattle than the 10 rounders, BTW.

 

[Dirty Bob]

Pocketgun:
Thank you! I saved your post to my journal, as it's the best summary of the P-11 mag situation I've read. You just saved me some $$!

My understanding is that Kel-Tec based their grip dimensions on the factory S&W mags, and that's the reason for the problems. Jack Fusilier, on the KTOG email list, states that he's successfully modified a P-11 to use the other mags, but I'd rather stick to mags that work fine in the first place.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

PS: Matt: Congratulations on your escape from the PRK! I'm sure you'll love the P-11. I carry mine in an appendix IWB (Galco "U.S.A." model). It rode under an untucked polo for a casual dinner on Friday, tucked under a dress shirt for the opera on Saturday, and under an untucked t-shirt for yardwork on Sunday. Spare mag goes in a knife pouch or cell phone pouch. Great pistol in a very good holster.

DB

 

[nelson133]

I've got a stainless 59 15 rnd S&W mag that works vey well since I put a stronger spring in it. Wouldn't feed until I did, thank you Wolff.

 

[pocketgun]

Pocketgun:
Thank you! I saved your post to my journal, as it's the best summary of the P-11 mag situation I've read. You just saved me some $$!

My understanding is that Kel-Tec based their grip dimensions on the factory S&W mags, and that's the reason for the problems. Jack Fusilier, on the KTOG email list, states that he's successfully modified a P-11 to use the other mags, but I'd rather stick to mags that work fine in the first place.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

Glad I could help out!