Considering buying a Kel-Tec P9 or P11 in 9 mm

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dondavis3

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I'm considering getting a Kel-Tec in 9mm.

Do you like your Kel-Tec?

I've heard several people say that they wished they had gotten a P9 because it is smaller than the P11.

I copied this from the Kel-Tec website:

Kel-Tec P11 Chrome $390
Calibers: 9 x 19 mm Luger
Weight unloaded: 14 oz.
Loaded magazine: 6 oz.
Length: 5.6"
Height: 4.3"
Width: 1"
Barrel Length: 3.1"
Sight radius: 4.6"
Capacity: 10 + 1 *****
Trigger Pull: 9 lbs

Kel-Tec PF9 - Chrome $390
Calibers: 9mm Luger 9x19mm
Weight unloaded: 12.7 oz.
Loaded magazine: 2.8 oz.
Length: 5.85"
Height: 4.3"
Width: .88"
Barrel Length: 3.1"
Capacity: 7 + 1 ***

What am I missing they look very similar in size.

The weight difference is only because of the additional bullets ??

I'm thinking about getting one or the other of these guns.

Any help / advice would be appreciated if you got any

:cool:
 
I'm posting here not to contribute but to follow the responses as I too am interested in the PF9 model.
 
When I was shopping for a subcompact 9mm I looked long and hard at the Kel-Tecs. I ultimately decided on the Kahr PM9. While more expensive it is a better built pistol IMHO. I own a P3AT so it's not that I have an aversion to Kel-Tec, I just feel the Kahr is a better pistol for the money.
 
I have had my P11 for over 6 years and despite putting 100s of various rounds thru it I have never had a FTF or FTE. I did polish the feed ramp when I first receive it and keep it well lub'd. Its not a range friendly gun given the recoil but I trust it enough to carry it (depending on clothing). The PF9 is a single stack version of the P11, thinner and holds fewer rounds.
 
A person on another forum said:

Kel-Tec P11 is true double action with a hammer.

And has double-strike capability.

Does that mean that the P9 is striker fired gun?

I have seen a P11 and it does have a hammer.

:cool:
 
dondavis: I have shot a few PF9, but I don't own one. My understanding however is that the PF9 is ALSO a hammer pistol. However, it doesn't have double strike capability because the hammer is actuated partially by the slide. Thus, the reason the trigger pull is supposedly a little easier than on the P11. "Because the hammer is partially pulled back by the slide". Similar to a glock; which IS a striker fire; the slide brings the striker on the glock partially back. Pulling the trigger pulls the striker back the rest of the way. The PF9 has the hammer partially back, and the trigger brings it back the rest of the way.

I personally prefer a "True" double action for the ultimate in safety. Although, both have a hammer block for safety, I find a true double action or a Single action / Double Action where you can decock the hammer, to be the safest pistol available. Just my preference.
 
If you plan on pocket carrying it, go with the PF9. Its just on the edge of what I consider a comfortable pocket pistol for normal jeans.

Either way, a Hogue Handall Jr. is a must for any of these small guns.
 
I bought a Handall the same day I bought my P11. By the time the first box of ammo was shot, I took it off. I prefer the natural feeling of the P11. Again; some people say it kicks a lot, for a 9mm. I don't know where they get this from.
 
The trigger sucks,
The finish isn't great
you really do need to do a F&B

But if you are willing to do some work, you get a $500 pistol for half the price
Do, go to KTOG.org and read the articles, especially the Fluff and buff
many simple problems can be fixed if you are willing to spend the time

OH, and Kel Tec Customer Service is one of the best, you aren't just buying a pistol, you get great service with it.

Of the two, it really depends on what you want to do with it. The P11 is fatter, a tad bit heavier, and for me just seems frustratingly like it should fit in a pocket but it doesn't.

The PF9 Fits, but is big, holds less and has a worse trigger.

Try them both, and see which one comes home with you.

PS. I own a number of KT's, and the trigger does kinda grow on you
 
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depends what version you have, compared to a worked over 1st gen P11, well I guess that most KT's have worse triggers, felt more springy/tensioned to me than the P11, maybe not as heavy, but more squishy, mind you I've only tried 2 PF9's, and never actually got to fire one.
 
PF-9 as an EDC for me, here. No experience with the P-11, but I am happy with the 9. I've not been able to get it to malfunction in the 250-ish rounds I've had the chance to get through it in the four months I've had it. Half of those rounds are my "duty" ammo, which is Remington 115-grain JHP.
I carry ITB almost exclusively, though it does occasionally get dropped in a pocket, where it does a better job staying out of sight than does my .38 snub.
 
NWCP said:
When I was shopping for a subcompact 9mm I looked long and hard at the Kel-Tecs. I ultimately decided on the Kahr PM9. While more expensive it is a better built pistol IMHO. I own a P3AT so it's not that I have an aversion to Kel-Tec, I just feel the Kahr is a better pistol for the money.
Click to expand...
No doubt the Kahr is a better pistol. But more pistol for the money?, not a chance. I have a PF-9 and have been toying with the idea of getting a new carry gun. But I can't justify a new purchase b/c I feel like the PF-9 is the most powerful pistol on the planet that I could pocket. The trigger isn't bad as some say, atleast not mine. And recoil isn't that bad either, my girlfriend shoots it and she says she wants something that size with more power. I guess she'll be getting an airweight .357 snubby.
 
Looked at a PF9 on saturday and was laughing at the finish. It was actually pitted as hell, NIB. Still, if I find one FTF here for a decent deal I will likely scoop it up as a "beater" carry gun. The one I handled was $259 + tax.

If I get to the $500 range I look at others but don't much care for the feel of the Kahr's I have handled.
 
I've owned both and can't really recommend either unless your budget is the final arbiter. My P11 was reliable enough out of the box, but it had the trademark Godzilla trigger pull in spades. Accuracy was just so-so. Too big for pocket carry. My PF-9, a chromed specimen, doesn't like certain 147 grain bullet profiles, despite having been manufactured after K-T supposedly corrected the "short throat" problems in that model. It is a thin and flat gun, to be sure, but it is still too long and too tall to be a real pocket pistol in anything but cargo pants.
There are better choices out there.
 
No doubt the Kahr is a better pistol. But more pistol for the money?, not a chance
Click to expand...
I have doubts.
Here is my thoughts, the P-11 is a hair bigger than the PF9, which like I said, is my limit for pocket carry. If I were to get a subcompact that was any larger than the PF9 it would be a Glock 26, an incredibly reliable gun that is a dream to shoot (in relative terms).
 
Although, both have a hammer block for safety, I find a true double action or a Single action / Double Action where you can decock the hammer, to be the safest pistol available.
Click to expand...
If this statement is in reference to the P-11 and PF9, then it's not quite accurate; the P-11 does not have a hammer block.
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/images/downloads/P11manual.pdf
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/images/downloads/PF-9_Manual.pdf

FWIW, there are some good comparison photos of a P-11 and PF9 here: http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1235412856/15
Regards,
Greg
 
People continue to say that the P11 is bigger than the PF9. NOT REALLY!!!! The PF9 is lighter; (Less bullets). But the PF9 is actually LONGER than the P11. Here's the deal; if you just look at their specs:

The PF-9 is .25" LONGER than the P11
The P-11 is .12" Thicker than the PF-9
BOTH are the same Height
The PF-9 weighs 4.5 ounces less than the P-11 when both have full magazines.
The P-11 however has 3 more rounds in the chamber.

I consider them to be almost identical. Sort of like the difference between being 4 months pregnant and 5 months pregnant. Not really a big enough difference to argue, and both have their advantages.

And For What It's worth, I carry my P-11 in my front jeans or cargo pants pocket without any problem. If I'm wearing an un-tucked shirt, you can't tell that I'm carrying unless you specifically know what you're looking for.
 
If I had as much confidence in a PF-9 as I do a (my) P-11 it would be no contest. the PF-9 has a much better trigger, the grip feels a lot better and it's thinner. But, the P-11 has a much better track record. And no, it's not just internet talk......I have first hand experience.
Maybe someday Kel-Tec will listen to folks and come out with a P-11 that has a grip and trigger like the PF-9.
 
I like my PF-9. 400rds through it without issue.

Pros:
Small
Lightweight
9mm firepower in a small package
Adjustable sights
Kel-Tec customer service is supposedly top notch if you were to have an issue.
Cons:
Its ugly.
The finish sucks.
Using the pinky extension makes me drop the mag while firing the gun.
Recoil is a bit harsh, but seemed a LOT better the second time I shot it.
Long, but very smooth trigger. Very much like a DAO revolver.

To whoever said that you NEED to do a fluff and buff, I disagree. In the past this was the case, but I think very few of the KT's need this anymore. My PF-9 has been 100% from day one. I took it out of the box, stripped and lubed it, and thats all. For a $250 pistol, its been great. (more reliable than my XD-9 that I paid 2x more for....)
 
Thanks for all your input.

I bought a Kel-Tec P11 Last night.

Brought it home and cleaned it.

I went to the range today and put about 125 rounds through my P11.

I found the following:

It does not kick anywhere near as hard as I expected.

It was more accurate than I expected.

I found that the trigger needs a little de-horning on the tip to keep it from digging into your finger - like the trigger tip needs to have the bump on the tip removed.

I had 4 jams (mainly stove pipes - failure to completely remove the spent shell) out of my 1st 120 rounds - more than I expected .

It fit well in my front pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster.

It fit well in my hand.

I need to add the finger extension on each of my magazines.

I think I'm going to replace the plastic guide rod with a stainless steel rod (no reason other than looks)

Trigger pull is longer than I expected, but fairly consistent in where it breaks.

Sights are much better than my Ruger LCP.

I'm eager to clean it and finish "breaking it in".

If the ejection (stove pipes) go away.

Overall - I very satisfied with my Kel-Tec 11.

.:cool:
 
Don, before getting the metal guide rod, do some searches online. They aren't automatically better than the original. Some even say that the metal ones tend to wear the guide hole a little. You did a lot of research on the P11 to begin with, do a little research on the guide rod. Later. Mike....
 
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