Karh CW9 vs Kel Tec P11 vs Kel Tec PF9 for CCW

[TennJed]

Guys I am looking at getting a sub compact 9mm for Concealed Carry. I want to keep it around $400.00 or less. These 3 models (Karh CW9, Kel Tec P11,& Kel Tec PF9) keep popping up b/c of size and $.

Can anyone tell me more about them or have other suggestions.

right now I am leaning toward the P11 b/c of extra rounds and my LGS has it for $270.00

Thanks

 

[M2 Carbine]

I might suggest you add another to your list.
Last Friday I happened to be in the local gun store when some guns were delivered. I ended up buying a Ruger LC9, even though I hadn't even heard of the gun before. I've been shooting it every day and have about 400 trouble free mixed rounds through it.

I'm real impressed with it, as have been those who have shot it. I let a fellow shoot it at the gun store this morning and he immediately bought one. They may be hard to get for a while. Price was $400 OTD.
If you are interested I'll post some pictures of the gun and targets. I shot it at 52 yards today.

 

[WC145]

I've owned all three, if I were to buy one again it would be the Kahr. Nothing against Kel-tecs, I still own a couple, but the Kahr is a better quality, more refined gun. Bud's has them for $369 and they're well worth the premium over the P-11 and PF-9.

 

[NMGonzo]

The PF9 is the one I have and I can recommend.

One handed shooting is not bad if you grip low.

 

[TennJed]

M2, I am very interested in the LC9 (I consider myself a ruger man) but my local shop said it would be a Long time before he got one in.

Does anyone know of a online store I could get one from to ship to my LGS?

Thanks

 

[M2 Carbine]

M2, I am very interested in the LC9 (I consider myself a ruger man) but my local shop said it would be a Long time before he got one in.

You never know. This is a little store just up the road and he got two Friday.
What I expect on new popular guns is the sellers jacking up the price.

The gun is very accurate and totally reliable. Everyone that's shot it likes it.
A fellow shot it this morning and immediately bought the second one the store had.

Understand I'm 73 years old with 73 year old eyes and shaking hands, so consider the gun is way more accurate than these targets show. The gun will easily shoot about an inch and a half at 10 yards (I did it Sunday).

I am pocket carrying the gun and my pockets are too shallow to carry a S&W J Frame.
The LC9 compared to a Beretta 21A 22.



First day shooting. I'm using 5-6 different bullet styles and loads. So far the gun eats everything.



Yesterday shooting. I was just having fun shooting fast and blasting paper and steel targets.





I like to shoot small guns at 52 yards (standing) (my range). So I shot the Ruger today.


I did miss the steel 3-4 times out of 50 shots.



I make it a point to never recommend ANYTHING. I just pass on any info I have. Good luck with whatever you get.
I have the Kel Tec P-11 9mm/40 S&W. Not a bad gun.

 

[MrFox]

M2 Carbine: Thanks for the pictures and info! I'm going to have to chase a LC9 down now.

 

[Yo Mama]

PF9 is a fantastic gun. Lifetime warrenty. Kahr has a 5 year limited. I personally know a few guys with Keltecs, the p11, that are purposely trying to break it and they can't.

HOWEVER, all guns you have listed are not going to be target and shoot alot guns. They fill a niche, and the pf9 easily fits into my jeans pocket. I shoot it once a year to make sure it works.

NOW, after you carry any of these for some time you may look at a light weight full cap pistol, In my case I went with a Taurus pt145. It's lighter than my 1911s, and easier to carry. IWB it dissapears.

Alot of people want a pocket 9 to CCW, but only because they worry about printing. A good belt and holster work wonders.

Sorry for the rant. Just my opinion.

 

[hardluk1]

I own a pf-9 and p-11. Both get carry but the pf-9 is by far carried more. They both operate just like they should . Shoot to point of aim and have had no problems. I don't know why I need a " better gun " as some say. Both of mine cost 240 new so that just leaves me more money for ammo. Go play with the pistol you have an interest in and buy what you want not what we say to buy.

 

[JPG1911]

PF9 is a fantastic gun. Lifetime warrenty. Kahr has a 5 year limited. I personally know a few guys with Keltecs, the p11, that are purposely trying to break it and they can't.

HOWEVER, all guns you have listed are not going to be target and shoot alot guns. They fill a niche, and the pf9 easily fits into my jeans pocket. I shoot it once a year to make sure it works.

NOW, after you carry any of these for some time you may look at a light weight full cap pistol, In my case I went with a Taurus pt145. It's lighter than my 1911s, and easier to carry. IWB it dissapears.

Alot of people want a pocket 9 to CCW, but only because they worry about printing. A good belt and holster work wonders.

Sorry for the rant. Just my opinion.

couldn't agree with you more, I've been experimenting with different options to cc my 4" smith 65-3, i tried on a custom gun belt and couldn't believe the difference it made!!! this cannot be stressed enough. a clerk at my LGS is dabbling in leather work, his pieces impressed me so much i ordered a belt and IWB holster for the S&W, his prices are much better than mass produced stuff being offered online, now i have to endure the agony that comes with waiting for a custom ordered anything. It's supposed to be ready in 2-3 weeks but that's like telling a 5 year old its 2-3 days till Christmas.

I too am looking for a smaller gun to either cc as a backup piece, cc when i'm not wearing a belt, or for the impending warmer weather. I too am considering the PF9, P11, LC9, and now that I've got $$ burning a hole in my pocket, I've started looking at other guns. For some reason I keep coming back to the Kahr CW45. I realize that its substantially larger/heavier than the other 3 but hey, its a .45acp that weighs exactly half what my Sig GSR weighs and can be had for around $400 online. Its apparently a ghost gun, no gun store within 40 miles has one in stock, they all say that they sold the last one yesterday/this morning etc etc. I've read up on it and i'm familiar with the reported issues (i.e. mag dropping free with one rd left and none in the chamber) and it seems as though this is not really the case with newer models so I'm OK with that. What I'm not OK with is ordering a carry piece without getting to actually handle one, luckily there's a gun show in 10 days so i guess i get to make my decision at an 8 foot table...

 

[Ledgehammer]

I have the cw9 and can honestly say - you can shoot that gun all day. +p ammo may fatigue the hand more but regular range ammo is very soft in the cw. The ruger looks very promising though especially if you prefer all black guns. Good luck I don't think you can go wrong with any of them really.

 

[franco45]

I have both the CW9 and the CW45. Both have been excellent weapons The CW45 needed a slight break in period. The CW9 did not. I own a Kel-tec p32 and a Ruger LCP. They are both reliable but the Kahrs are a notch above in quality

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

While the Kahr is probably the best overall, the PF9 is very, very close.

 

[rbernie]

I have owned all three. All three were reliable and durable for my uses. I would be happy with any of them, if given one to use. The Kahr has the best trigger and nicest overall finish, but the PF9 is the thinnest and lightest. The P11 is the thickest and has the worst trigger but has the highest capacity. Of the three, I would probably choose the PF9 first, the CW9 second, and the P11 third.

This thread is also a dupe, and is therefore closed.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=576381