As much as I love revolvers....

[MCgunner]

...I just cannot keep from carrying my Kel Tec P11 daily. My little M85SSUL Taurus has become an ankle holster back up lately. I do think of this little P11 as a square revolver, DA trigger and all. But, I just shoot this thing so well, practically points itself in my hand, it's so friggin' reliable and nearly as accurate as any 2" revolver I've ever fired. It shoots to POA with +P 115 grain JHPs and I can group 3.5" at 25 yards off a rest. I've done well with it in IDPA shoots, too, believe it or not, though I did score higher with service style DAs. The short sight radius and slower sight acquisition is something you just have to accept in a gun that fits in a pocket. The little fart is 14 ounces unloaded and, while I am happy with my 10 round mags, is capable of holding 13 rounds with available 12 round magazines. Reloads are easier and faster and even easier to carry concealed!

If your J frame works for you, great, but I just can't keep from carrying the gun I shoot best and conceal the easiest to boot! I LOVE this thing! It has roughly 11K through it in a dozen years that I've been shooting it and just keeps on. Looks a bit rough with all the carry in sweaty summertime pockets, but it still works. I really should get a second, much as I love the thing. I have thought a lot of getting a P3AT and now that Ruger .380 has been introduced, but I can carry this gun so easily and it's a lot more gun than a 6 shot .380. I doubt I'd have much use for the .380. I have an old Grendel P12 that's only 2 ounces lighter, a little shorter, and not as accurate nor as easy to shoot well. My P11 fits in the same wallet holster I made/molded for the Grendel, that close in dimension! I wouldn't mind getting a Makarov, but really, where's the advantages in that? They're just cheap and very good shooting guns, but not nearly as concealable and don't have the power of 9x19 nor the bullet variety. Maybe I should buy a PF9, but again, where's any advantage? Lighter tigger? I'd rather have the longer pull for a pocket gun and the second strike capability of the P11's trigger. I think when ol' George Kelgren designed the P11, he had me in mind. Many seem to hate it, but I just shoot it so well and it fits my needs so well. If the P11 weren't around, I'd probably have a S&W 642 or some concealed hammer DA revolver, but the P11 fills the niche better for me.

Now, I ain't selling my revolvers, nope, still love my revolvers. I only own 4 centerfire autoloading handguns out of 20 handguns. I have quite a few more revolvers. I have the P11, the Grendel, a Ruger P90, and a Ruger P85. They are all keepers, though I could sell the Grendel to buy a new Ruger .380 without a guilty conscience. But, nobody wants a P12 Grendel, LOL! It's reliable, but the trigger is a little weird. I might get that little Ruger yet, just don't think I'll ever carry it much.

 

[DawgFvr]

Kel Tec just jams up too much for me. My P3AT, if carried more than a few days in my Mika pocket holster, must collect up dust/dirt/crud and always has problems. Had to use a ball peen hammer once to knock the slide off. Oh, I carry it on occassion...but always clean and lube it just prior to pocketing it. What a pain! I've never had problems with my 642. I just might trade in the P3AT for the new Ruger .380...and pray that it works better. Why would I think that the P11 would not fare much better? Cheap pistols if you ask me.

 

[MCgunner]

In 11 years, the only jam I've had was when I got a box of .380 in front of me at the range in an absent minded stupor. BUT, it capped the first one! Great extractor fit!

I'd rather deal with Kel Tec if I need customer service, too, than Ruger. My KT is proof enough to me it don't have to break the bank to be reliable. I'd trust this little gun hand over fist quicker than any 1911 I've ever owned. Talk about JAM! I've owned a Beretta jamamatic, too.

 

[TT]

The P11 is a very nice gun, but I find I can shoot my 442 better than my P11. I can’t seem to get used to the Kel Tec’s long stacky trigger.

 

[jgorniak]

My P-11, P-3AT, and converted P-40 have been absolutely reliable. Depending on the weather and attire, I switch between the P-11 and the P-3AT. Recently got an M&P340 that I haven't been able to shoot yet; I'm looking forward to working that into the rotation.

None has emerged as a favorite yet, though I do like them all. Maybe that's a good thing?...

 

[Jkwas]

My primary carry was a taurus 605, until the practicality of the KT P3at won out. It can go anywhere.

 

[Whirlwind06]

I like my P11 also. So easy to carry it gets carried the most.

I hear that KT is coming out with a new P11. I guess it will have a 5 pound trigger like the other KT guns.

 

[MCgunner]

They've got the PF9, but maybe they think they can sell more P11s to DA phobic types if they lighten it. I guess as long as the length of the trigger pull stays the same, it'll be safe enough for pocket carry. I do prefer mine, though, old 10 lb trigger, but smooth as silk pull with only a slight stack at the end so I can place my shot off a rest if I want. Once you get used to that trigger and after a few thousand rounds, it's really sweet. Folks don't seem to be able to shoot it, though, either too lazy to learn to shoot DA or just incapable. I ain't no superman, so I really don't understand it. I love the trigger on mine for its intended purpose. It's safe, yet ready, just like a good concealed hammer revolver.

 

[ravencon]

I have far more confidence in my J frames than in any subcompact semi that I've ever owned. I no longer own any subcompact semi for that very reason.

But, if you have confidence in your favorite mini pistol I wouldn't wish to try to convince you not to carry what you prefer.

 

[Ala Dan]

I know what you are saying 'bout those KEL-TEC's~! At first, I
did not know if I could warm-up to such a tiny, plastic automatic in
.380 caliber. But in days that came, I tried one out and quickly found
a fondness for the little gem. Now, its my "always" gun; replacing my
North American Arms 1-1/8" barrel .22 magnum as my BUG. Since late
'79 or early '80 my primary has always been a .45 caliber semi-auto of
some sort; mainly a West German SIG-SAUER P220A.

But, I still love the look and feel of my S&W 1975 [factory nickel] 4"
model 19-3 revolver. Its in pristine condition, with the box and docs-
and I don't shoot this it; but I love too admire the workmanship that
went into manufacturing this fine weapon. For shooting .357 magnums,
I have many other choices, such as the 6" six-shot 686-5, 2.5" model
66-4, or 4-5/8" Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk. So to sum up, YES
I too love revolvers; but when it came having to "fight fire with fire",
the self-chunckers prevailed~!

 

[orionengnr]

Had one for a while, but the only advantage I found over my Kahr PM9 was magazine capacity. Oh yeah, and the price....I found out the reasons for that right away.

--the trigger was horrible in comparison to the Kahr, which contributed nothing to it's accuracy.
--it had more jams in the first three magazines than I've had in three years and at least a thousand rounds with the Kahr, although that was working itself out when I sold it.
--the look, feel, fit & finish was Primitive Pete.

Friend of mine tried it, liked it, and bought it to replace his S&W j-frame. So we're both happy now.

Aside from that, I agree with everything you said...
At least the part about pocket revolver vs. pocket semi-auto goes.

 

[TT]

orionengr

--the trigger was horrible

That’s what I thought about my P11 too, until MCgunner explained I was just too lazy to learn how to shoot DA. Now it seems a lot better.

 

[orionengnr]

triple-tap???

 

[orionengnr]

wow, quadruple-tap...

 

[orionengnr]

Quote:
--the trigger was horrible

That’s what I thought about my P11 too, until MCgunner explained I was just too lazy to learn how to shoot DA. Now it seems a lot better.

Now, go back and read the rest of it. never mind, I'll restate it here. What I said was:

--the trigger was horrible in comparison to the Kahr

...and I stand by that statement. When you have shot both, get back to me.

There is a world of difference between a good DAO trigger and a bad one.

 

[orionengnr]

double tap..first response failed to post...several tries later, it mega-posts.

Lousy QAO trigger..

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

I own a Kahr 40 matte stainless DAO. I only carry DAO's. I really like the Kahr and when I lived in high crime areas I carried either the Kahr or a Taurus 605 SS, with DAO.

I got caught short last week and realized I was heading to the Valley with nothing on (no gun on my person or in my truck) which made me very uncomfortable. When I hit the Valley I went to one of the shops I used to frequent and found a used KelTec P11 for $238 out the door. It's not my Kahr, but it sure is light and easy to handle. My KelTec in .40 was a good carry gun, but was one of the early ones and just wouldn't hold up. I believe it will work out well for my road trips.