How reliable, well made, are Kel-Tec guns really?

[TYFOOON]

My only experience with them was a P3AT I had for a while. We had a defensive shooting here in town and the assailant took 5 or 6 .380 rounds to the chest and was still walking down the street when the cops picked him up.

Anyway I sold it to move up to a .38 Special revolver for summer carry instead.

But I got to admit, the new Kel-Tec shotgun has me really interested. The only issue is that I was never that impressed with any of the Kel-Tec guns I have handled. What do you all make of them? The finish is a bit rough, but are the guns made to last?

 

[gatorjames85]

My pf 9 has been plenty reliable and seems sturdy enough. I am sure that the new shotgun will be fine. Now as to getting your hands on one...

 

[ball3006]

I carry a 3AT as a second gun. It has been 100 percent reliable so far. I wonder what ammo the shooter was using. Rem Golden Sabres were recommended to me.

I would like to have one of those shotguns but I can't afford it....chris3

 

[MrWesson]

I would say somewhere between Taurus and Glock/M&P/XD.

They sometimes require a good break in but it depends on the model.

For example the P11's rep is worse than the PF9.

It may be me but they seem to release a gun then update/fix it(ex PF9 and Pmr30). That being said I love the company and plan on replacing my daily carry(M&P9c) with a Pf9 and I have a sub2000 that rocks.

 

[isc]

My P11s have been great, but definitely needed about 100 rds to be completely reliable.

My sub 2000-9 has never malfunctioned, but I bought it used.

 

[MedWheeler]

If he took five or six hits from a Kel-Tec, why would you question the gun? Sounds to me like it performed as it should. If you have an issue with the fact that he didn't drop stone-cold dead right there, you should be evaluating the ammunition and shot placement, among other things.
Now, KT guns have a specific market niche, and are built and priced to fit into that. To maintain that position in the market, they are not built to the same levels of fit and finish as, say, Kimbers and Kahrs. I trust any gun that passes my initial reliability test, and I would apply that test to any gun, regardless of make or price, before pressing it into defensive carry service. (I do carry a Kel-Tec PF9.)

 

[Ala Dan]

My P3AT .380 has been 100% with most types of ammo; however the factory
recommends that Federal Hydra-Shoks not be used, as the bullet has a nose
that is a bit too long~!

 

[Unistat]

My SU-16B is sturdy enough for what I use it for. I wouldn't be using it as an impact weapon, but I expaect it to last a plenty long time and through many camping trips.

 

[PGroenewold]

My P3AT is a total Jam-O-Matic. I've fed it everything from premium hollowpoints to FMJ to surplus - and it chokes on anything and everything. I've done the fluff 'n buff, polished the feedramp, and checked the extractor. Maybe some day I'll send it back to the factory, but I haven't yet made the time to do so. It's an inexpensive pistol, and I guess I got what I paid for. YMMV.

 

[jfh]

PGroenewold: Have you checked the mag release on your P3AT? If it has been damaged--e.g., if the magazine drops a hair, it can turn a 'cleaned-up' P3AT into a jam-o-matic.

I found the solution was to drop a magazine carefully, insert new carefully, holding the release in, etc.--no speed changes for me anymore. Once I put in a new release, mine went to 100% reliability with several types of ammo.

I'm OK with that--if I'm down to the P3AT and need to do a change, I have much bigger problems that the gun, i suspect.

I also have an SU-16C that was a "project gun" for accessorizing--it makes a good car rifle for me. Totally satisfied with it. However, I think that, historically, the Kel-Tec firearms have needed a bit more 'development' than a buyer expects when they have been released. So, I'm gonna wait before I get excited about the shotgun. (Easy for me to say; my primary shotgun is a Benelli Super 90. I paid less for it with both barrels and the full mag extension that the Kel-Tec is going for right now....)

Jim H.

 

[PGroenewold]

Thanks, JFH. I'll check the mag release. It doesn't seem like the most durable design in the world, and I certainly haven't babied it.

I appreciate the advice.

 

[Shadow 7D]

The replaced the plastic bite with a metal one, I think if you call, they will send one out to you.
The service alone is worth the asking price, that you get a decent gun out of it, well

Consider that Keltec brought in really cool designs from outside the US and builds them here, I won't give them credit for originality, but... at least they aren't ruger

 

[hardluk1]

Today you could buy a high dollar s&w or kimber or kahr or kt and like most anything else thats built on a production based line and have a problem. I treat all guns the same before I trust tham. If a problem creeps up deal with it. KT has the best CS out there and for a smaller company with a more limited selection of firearms there 4th on the sold in america list. I have had brand new rugers not work others have taurus, kimbers sw. Name it and today there does seem to be more problems.
I carry a KT pf-9. Had it for 2 1/2 years and shot 400 rounds of mixed wieght and brand ammo for break in and 200 rounds of one brand for carry before i trust it. I would do that with any carry weapon. It's round count is well over 1500 with NO problems. Others have p-11 and pf-9's with many thousand of rounds fired and no problems. Some had problems and they sent them back and run fine now. Just buy what you want and start shooting.

 

[sonick808]

well, my p32 has about 1000 rounds through it, and my sub2000 about 2000 rounds through it, and neither one of them has EVER malfunctioned. That's more than I can say about any sig or HK I own. The only other gun I hvae to match is Glock. Not too shabby if you ask me.

 

[PcolaDawg]

I've bought a few of the smaller Kel Tec pistols (P32 and P3AT) and they've all functioned perfectly. I have no idea how that will transfer to the quality of the shotgun, though. Looks cool as heck, though.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Well my P-3AT is over a 1000 rounds several 100 of those Corbon JHP or DPX I have 3 of the P-32 2 of those are around 500 and the last pretty new maybe 150 . All have been 100% reliable.

I agree the KelTec did its job the shooter wasn't killed or harmed and the BG left, With out knowing the placement of those 5 rounds or type of Ammo can't say more. I carry DPX in my 380 and just changed to a 16lb recoil spring . That has settled the 380 down with the Corbon ammo. Be advised 16 lb spring makes chambering a round a new experience in that small of pistol. I need my Wheaties .

 

[rugerman]

I got a p3at first and never had a problem so when I found a pf9 I got it (fit my hand better, better sights and more power) and after a little break in it is 100%. My wife carries a ruger lcr but when she needs something small she grabs my p3at (my second, my first one got adopted by my son after a breakin relieved him of his ppk) So in short I have had real good luck with keltec's and would feel ok wo recommend them to anyone.

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't like all the open screw holes in the stock, grip and forearm of that shotgun. Aside from that, I can only wonder how well the feeding mechanism will hold up to any kind of sustained fire. I can picture it coming loose or out of timing just when you need that next shell the most. Of course, this opinion is just due to it being a new technology (somewhat) and a new product from a company well known for their plastic pocket guns and folding carbines.

 

[leadchucker]

If you only consider appearance, fit, and finish, Kel Tec guns are probably below average. But when you consider price, performance, reliability, and warranty/customer service, they are above average.

Kel Tec has introduced guns for sale before they had all the bugs worked out of them, and their reputation has suffered some from that. Kel Tec is not the only gun maker to do that though.

My pf9 may not be so pretty to look at, and it has some rough edges, but it is well designed, efficient, functional, it was priced very reasonably, it is backed by a superb warranty, and most important of all, it has fired 500 + rounds, and has never once malfunctioned.

I say buy a Kel Tec with confidence.

 

[hso]

Love all of mine and they've been 100% reliable. I've had the P-32 and the P-11 and both were reliable. I traded out the P-32 when the P3AT came out and that's been reliable as well. I wish I had never traded my P-11, but temptation came along and I was weak. My Sub2k has been a champ. I want the PF9 and hope it replaces my P-11 in my heart (and pocket). I want all the KTs, bbut I try to not be an early adopter since that puts you on the bleeding edge instead of just the leading edge at times.

Still, I shall have one of the KT shotguns. It is only a matter of when I'll have it.

 

[JerryM]

I h ave a P32 and a P3AT. Both are reliable, and I carry the .380 more than any other gun because it is so convenient to snap on with my Fobus Paddle.

All I want them to do is to shoot when I pull the trigger. Both guns do that.They are not guns that make you swell with pride when you look or handle them, but that is not what they are for.

Regards,
Jerry

 

[gym]

If he took 6 rounds to the chest and was still walking around, maybe he had a vest on? is that possible, bad guys are pretty hip nowadays. I can't fathom that many shots "to the chest" if they said hit's, i could see it, but chest shots? Got to be either bad ammo, or the story got changed around. Maybe an article, sometimes people just say stuff and it's just not right, could be whoever told the story changed it a bit befor they told you.
I just got rid of a 38 for an lcp, and carried both for 20 yrs, PPK's and model 60, and the ammo back then in the 70's was not as good as the stuff we have today. My lcp has golden sabers in it and I fully trust it to do the job.That's my backup, my main gun is always a 9,40 or 45.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

If you are lucky enough to get one that works I suppose you are good to go. Why anyone would ship a gun that doesn't work is beyond me. My p32's work just fine as does my p11. I made a road trip to k/t to have my first p32 and my p11 work. I was very impressed with their customer service, but they could save a lot of aggrivation if they only test fired all of their guns.

 

[Unistat]

...Kel Tec has introduced guns for sale before they had all the bugs worked out of them, and their reputation has suffered some from that. Kel Tec is not the only gun maker to do that though...

I think they are trying to change this by making sure their newest guns are as bug free as they can make them. Consider, they delayed the release of the RFB till it was how they wanted it. They also went back and changed the design of this shotgun after feedback from the SHOT show.

Of course now they are getting flack for not releasing their projects fast enough.

I say buy a Kel Tec with confidence.

I agree.

 

[Joe Demko]

Two of the three Kel Tec guns I have owned required a trip back to the factory before they would work right. They kept the PF9 for nearly three months. I wouldn't trust one to work out of the box.