Just bought a Kel-Tec PF9 today.

[ReadyFreddy23]

I've been very interested in the Kel-Tec PF9 and I've been doing a bit of research. Also, I don't tend to be one of the first people to buy things when they hit the market. I like to let other test things out and let the companies work out any kinks. I received a catalog from CDNN and they had the Kel-Tec PF9's on sale for $229.99. I brought the catalog to a gun store and they said they couldn't match the price but they could sell it to me for $259. I was completely happy with that price. With shipping and FFL fees it would have been at least that much.

I bought a Hogue Hand-all grip to slip on. Initially, it was too big but I cut it to fit and it helps reduce recoil and makes the PF9 fit in my big mitts much better. Also, the PF9 comes with a mag extension and I installed that too.

I was pressed for time so I took it to the range for a quick test run. I shot 3 mags (21 rounds) of 9mm FMJ with no malfunctions. I'll do a more thorough break-in this weekend and report back.

So far so good. I really like it. The recoil was less than my Seecamp .32 and it was much easier for me to shoot since I can hold it with 3 fingers instead of 2. If it proves to be reliable, I might consider selling my Seecamp.

 

[gbelleh]

The PF-9 is a great little carry gun. Mine has proven 100% reliable with over 800 rounds through it so far.

 

[gpr]

kt

KTOG.org has a lot of good info....gpr

 

[ReadyFreddy23]

ktog was one of the places I went to do my research. I was deciding between the P11 and the PF9. I went to my local gun store and fortunately they had both guns in. I tested the triggers of both with snap caps and the P11 trigger just seemed soooooooo looooooonnnnnggggg. The PF9 trigger felt like a single action trigger compared to it.

 

[Roccobro]

The two triggers are definitely different from one another. I have one of each gun and when practicing, I can't go through more than a few mags of WWB in the PF-9 before I want to go back to the slightly heavier P-11.

Justin

 

[ReadyFreddy23]

When you say heavier, are you talking weight of the gun to reduce recoil or heavier trigger? If it's the heavier trigger, I'm not sure why you would want to do that. It seems to me that the heavier trigger would make it much hard to be accurate.

 

[Roccobro]

Weight for recoil mgmt. And the grip is slightly wider at the rear...

Justin

 

[ReadyFreddy23]

Have you tried putting a Hogue Handall on your PF9.

I think the one I bought is called the Handall Jr.

It feels really comfortable in my hand and recoil felt minimal.

 

[trekgod3]

Funny story...A friend and I went shooting on Thursday. We were in the gunshop "checking in" to use the range. There was a man ahead of us, dropping off a gun to have it worked on. After he left, I looked at his gun on the gunsmith's counter. It was a PF9. I asked the gunsmith what the problem was and he told me the disasembly pin broke off and the owner couldn't get it out. He also said the PF9 assembly pins were brittle and weak. I asked him "are you sending it back to Kel-tec?" He said no, he would fix it. It was easy, and besides it is a 6 week wait to get it back from Kel-tec. I just shook my head and smiled.

 

[Rustynuts]

Yep, 2 failures on my PF-9 in less than 200-rds. Hammer spring, and yes, assembly pin! Haven't tried to get it out yet, but KT is mailing the part. Fixed the hammer spring myself too.

 

[Roccobro]

I asked him "are you sending it back to Kel-tec?" He said no, he would fix it.

Another awesome about KT is that they will send you the parts they think will fix the problem for the owner to install if shipping the gun is not desired. I've read of KT mailing $50 in parts to fix a P-32 that they hadn't even narrowed down the problem past two possible solutions. KT wasn't worried about "wasting" their parts, just that their customer would have any part necessary for when they took it apart themselves.

That is 180deg from how Ruger fixes their guns. With some parts not available to the public OR even gunsmiths as it "requires factory fitting."

Justin

 

[t3rmin]

I actually like the long trigger on the P-11. I'm new to carry (especially DA-only) and it gives me a bit more piece of mind. Especially carrying with just a metal belt clip.

 

[ReadyFreddy23]

How's your accuracy with the P11?

I shot a friend's P11 and I couldn't shoot good groups for accuracy at 7 yds.

 

[t3rmin]

I've only shot the thing once, and only 3-4 mags. I was hitting center mass rapid-fire at like 15ft and got a few on the paper at full distance at the range (new range to me... 30-40ft?). I was pretty happy with that, especially with a new gun, and I'm new to handguns period.

What really impressed me was the (lack of) recoil. My larger, brick-weight Hi-Point 9mm was kicking harder. Everybody says the P-11 is a terrible range gun, but I was having a blast. Felt like I could shoot it all day. Big grin the whole time.

With or without the mag finger extension it didn't really matter. It did come with a rubbery finger-contoured grip sleeve thingy, so that probably helped. I need to shoot it without the grip and see the difference.

No FTF/FTE at all with WalMart Remington JHP and WWB.

 

[jakeswensonmt]

I shot a friend's P11 and I couldn't shoot good groups for accuracy at 7 yds.

I can't speak for your friend's P11, but mine is decently accurate considering the barrel length and sight radius. When I first got it I shot it off a sandbag and it did pretty well, but accuracy was poor shooting offhand. It's because my trigger work wasn't good on the P11, I wasn't keeping the very small pistol straight during that loooong pull.

I put a snap cap in one night, and practiced maintaining aim while working the trigger until I got the feel for it (the P11 makes a funny metallic twang with a snap cap in it.) Accuracy was improved next time at the range.

I actually like the long trigger on the P-11.

Me too, chances of an ND with that trigger are pretty small. Considering that the P11 is intended for in close personal defense, and not target shooting, the trigger is an asset not a liability IMO.

 

[t3rmin]

Me too, chances of an ND with that trigger are pretty small. Considering that the P11 is intended for in close personal defense, and not target shooting, the trigger is an asset not a liability IMO.

That's what I figure. If I can learn to keep the thing from wiggling, as you said, then the trigger is just perfect for the purpose of the gun.

They've got some trigger work suggestions on the KTOG forum and I've purposefully NOT done 'em, cause I want it stiff and long.

 

[krs]

I cut about 1/4" off the end of my P11 trigger and smoothed the end of it with rounded corners. Shortening the trigger stopped the finger pinching that I had been getting and so made the pistol nice to shoot.

I haven't shot for groups yet but have put over 100 rounds on an 8"x11" sheet of paper shooting my 15 yd backyard 'range'.

It'll do.

 

[jahwarrior]

my brother has it; he's got about 500 rouds through it now. the only thing it didn't like were Gold Dots; it ate up everything else. the recoil is murder, but it's plenty accurate out to 20 yards.

 

[MCgunner]

Never had a problem with finger pinching on my P11. I guess it depends on your fingers or something. I have long, skinny fingers. It's swallowed a spit out many thousands of rounds in the last dozen years, my constant companion. I'd get a PF9, but don't really need it. . I'd keep that Seecamp, smaller, would fit into my battery for a more concealable gun, though I don't really like .32ACP. I've been considering getting a P3AT for a smaller option, though tell ya the truth, I NEVER need anything smaller than my P11. Just that I'd like to have something between my NAA mini and the P11 in size just to have it as an option. Maybe by the time I decided I can't hold off anymore, the Ruger LCP will be more available, but I like the Kel Tecs and REALLY like the customer service and warranty policy of the company. Like you, I don't like buying a new model until the bugs are out of it and the LCP is brand new.

BTW, if you can't hit with the P11, you can't shoot DA, it ain't the gun. Mine puts 'em into 3.5" at 25 yards off a rest and I can mow down 6" plates off hand at that range all day long. Lotsa fun, very accurate little pistol. That's why I've fired it so much, is a hoot.

 

[ReadyFreddy23]

I didn't say I couldn't hit with it. I was just hoping for tighter groups. At 7 yds, I was shooting 5 inch groups. In my opinion, that's too big. I shoot better groups with every other mouse gun I've shot (Seecamp 32, Kel-Tec 3AT, Kel-Tec PF9). They're all DA. Their triggers are just better. The anticipation of waiting for the break kills me.

BTW, I never shoot off of a rest. I don't think I'll have a chance to use a rest in a SHTF scenario. I practice shooting as if it were a real world scenario.