Jim NE
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2011
- Messages
- 1,888
I just bought a new KelTec p11 last week as a second 9mm pistol (other is a ruger.) I bought it with some misgivings, but the price was what I could justify. I'm now much more positive about it, but I had to do a few things. I'll shoot it for the first time tonight and get a better idea.
I actually had to take a razor blade and trim away the excess molded flashing on the trigger, as the trigger pull was so stiff that the flashing was digging into my trigger finger and causing discomfort.
Also, I chambered some rounds to see how well the ammo was feeding. Some of the rounds were jamming, so I took the thing apart. I used WET 1500 grit sand paper and polished the feed ramp and edges of the chamber to a shine. I cleaned the gun of all sandpaper residue. I then took my dremel with a felt tip, and using a very small amount of polishing compound, shined up those areas even more. It's amazing how smooth those areas felt when I was done. I did the same with the barrell lug, as it has contact with the slide when you fire. It now chambers rounds just fine.
I really don't mind the long, stiff trigger pull now that the flashing is gone. The manual says not to dry fire the gun, so I don't. I pull the trigger about half way. I see the long DAO trigger pull as a safety feature, and I like that (since the gun doesn't have a safety.)
It took me about 45-60 minutes to make these modifications, but it would've taken someone at the factory maybe 45 - 60 seconds, if they were set up for it. I know the gun is relatively inexpensive, but I think there would be a greater chance of it jamming had I not done these things, and that would've bummed me out. The cost to their reputation would be greater, in my opinion.
But anyway, I'm feeling very good about the gun now. And hopeful about tonight's shooting at the range. I really like the concept of 10 rounds of 9mm in such a small package. It seems to me the gun was well thought out...just not as finished as it maybe could've been.
After I see how reliably it shoots, I'll maybe start thinking of things like a grip extension or Hand All grips.
I actually had to take a razor blade and trim away the excess molded flashing on the trigger, as the trigger pull was so stiff that the flashing was digging into my trigger finger and causing discomfort.
Also, I chambered some rounds to see how well the ammo was feeding. Some of the rounds were jamming, so I took the thing apart. I used WET 1500 grit sand paper and polished the feed ramp and edges of the chamber to a shine. I cleaned the gun of all sandpaper residue. I then took my dremel with a felt tip, and using a very small amount of polishing compound, shined up those areas even more. It's amazing how smooth those areas felt when I was done. I did the same with the barrell lug, as it has contact with the slide when you fire. It now chambers rounds just fine.
I really don't mind the long, stiff trigger pull now that the flashing is gone. The manual says not to dry fire the gun, so I don't. I pull the trigger about half way. I see the long DAO trigger pull as a safety feature, and I like that (since the gun doesn't have a safety.)
It took me about 45-60 minutes to make these modifications, but it would've taken someone at the factory maybe 45 - 60 seconds, if they were set up for it. I know the gun is relatively inexpensive, but I think there would be a greater chance of it jamming had I not done these things, and that would've bummed me out. The cost to their reputation would be greater, in my opinion.
But anyway, I'm feeling very good about the gun now. And hopeful about tonight's shooting at the range. I really like the concept of 10 rounds of 9mm in such a small package. It seems to me the gun was well thought out...just not as finished as it maybe could've been.
After I see how reliably it shoots, I'll maybe start thinking of things like a grip extension or Hand All grips.