Kel-Tec P-11 opinions?

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MR.G

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I own a P-11 that I have fired about five hundred rounds and am fairly satisfied with. I use it for occasional concealed carry. The only problems that I have had is one failure to feed, and the rear sight getting loose when the slide gets hot. Accuracy is not great, but acceptable at short range. The sight problem only happens after about one hundred rounds of continous shooting. Several local dealers say that they won't carry the P-11 because they are junk, and don't hold up. One told me that they got tired of sending them back to the factory for repair. Makes me wonder if mine is an exception, or is just waiting to break.
 
Mr.G

There are lots of highly satisfied Kel-Tec owners out there, and lots that believe (through experience) that they're junk. Quality of the little beasts seems spotty, at best. Check some of the other threads here on the P-11, and you'll see some who claim to have fired 5,000, 7,000, or even 10,000 rds through their P-11s with no problems whatsoever. Then, you'll find others, like me, who tell stories of weapons breaking, jamming, parts coming off, etc.

I can only speak from my experience -- I had one with an early SN that physically broke 3 times within about 1,200 rds. Kel-Tec finally replaced it completely with a new gun with my old SN on it, which I recently sold at a gunshow for a fairly decent price. I just couldn't bring myself to trust it.

Having said that, let me say that a P-32 resides in my pants pocket even as I type this. It had to go back once, and the lower assembly was replaced. I now shoot it only the minimum I feel necessary to keep familiarized on it.

Bottom Line: Kel-Tecs are guns that should be carried a lot and shot a little, and then only if you can't afford a better quality weapon, or have to have the concealability and firepower they offer.
 
Mr. G: I started with a Taurus PT-111 and traded my best pal straight across for his Kel-Tec and NEVER regretted it. It was accurate enough, reliable and as it was an early serial #, it did go back for the lighter trigger/mainspring assembly, at no charge, which enhanced the pistol even more.

I went from there to the P-40 and it was FANTASTIC! Shot rings around the 9mm and I carried it daily (both, actually) for about 3 years. I got the .357 SIG barrel for the P-40, and quickly sold it-it was too much and not very accurate, at least in my hands. The P-40, by the way, was discontinued because it was too much for too many people-tons of them went back to the factory with "problems" that were determined to be nothing more than girly-man limp wristing (a little tip of the hat to Ahnold there.)

I still have 2 p-32's that have NEVER given me a bit of trouble, so I have to say, no, you probably don't have a fluke, although the sight loosening up is something new to me. Kel-Tec's customer service has been first rate, so they should be happy to address this issue with you.

Regards,
Sam
 
At some point you'll have to make up your own mind. I think you should sell it and move on. You obviously are not comfortable with it otherwise you wouldn't keep expressing concerns and asking for the same opinions over & over again:


Threads From THR:

Kel-Tec P-11 opinions?
MR.G Handguns: Autoloaders 3 47 July 25th, 2004 02:47 PM

7,000 rounds through a Kel-Tec P-11?
MR.G Handguns: Autoloaders July 9th, 2004 09:24 PM

Is your Kel-Tec P-11 reliable ?
MR.G Handguns: Autoloaders 36 605 May 18th, 2004 03:46 PM

KEL-TEC P-11 reliable enough for use as ccw?
MR.G Handguns: Autoloaders April 8th, 2004 01:20 AM



Threads From the KTOG Forum:

Will +P ammo hurt a P-11? MR.G P-11 14 07-16-2004 09:33 PM


Will a P-11 last 5,000 rounds ? MR.G P-11 5 07-12-2004 05:32 PM


How durable is a P-11? MR.G P-11 8 03-10-2004 09:32 PM


From THR - 5/6/04:

"Have two Kel-Tec P-11, and two P-3AT pistols. Mine are very reliable little guns. I carry a P-11 when I can, and a P-3AT when ultimate concealment is necessary. Own other guns, but these seem to be the perfect concealed carry guns. Kinda fun to shoot also."



From KTOG - 5/24/04:

"I have two of the P-11. One has never been fired. The other one has been fired about 500 rounds without a problem, except for a couple of failures to feed when using the S&W 15 round magazines.

Even though I have not had any problems with my P-11 pistol, I have read too many posts by people that have had serious problems with theirs. Now I just can't trust the guns for self defense. I plan on selling both of my P-11 pistols, for whatever they are worth, and get a pair of Kahr pistols."
 
I've had my P-11 for a month now. Two trips to the range and 300 rounds later I must say I'm mostly happy so far. Other than a sore hand at the end of each 150 rounds I've had no problems. I've ordered the trigger shoe for it since that skinny trigger isn't exactly comfortable. I think thats all I'll do to it. So far I'm just shooting Winchester white box. After another couple hundred round to break it in I'll start trying hollow points. With good reliability with defensive loads I'll probably carry it most.
 
Alamo is right. I just don't trust the gun, and never will, even though I havn't had any real problems with it. When I bought it I liked it so much that I bought a second one, which is still unfired in the box. Am going to trade them both for something else that will fit in my front pocket and that I trust more.
 
Jody,
I saw a Rohrbaugh for sale on Gunsamerica for $899.00. I have never seen one in any of the shops around here. Probably should get one if I can find one locally.
 
have you polished your feedramp?

love my kel-tec p11. got 2 S&W 69 12 round mags and 2 59 15 round mags. work flawlessly.
cant wait to get second or third. for price and the service from kel-tec hard to turn down. live the design as well.
 
I currently have four (plus the P-40 and a brace each of the P-32 and P-3AT), but I agree with alamo, if you have confidence issues, its likely best to move on to something else.

BTW, how much you asking for those not-to-be-trusted-and-sure-to-fail P-11s? :D
 
Slingshot vs. Keltec P-11

If slingshots fired 115gr DPX at over 1100fps. I might carry one. Til then, I'll stick with my P-11. :D
 
My sister recently picked one up to be her carry piece on my recommendation. So far it has been good. However, we found that it is not particularly fond of light-loaded ammo, especially American Eagle 115 gr. FMJ. We had several short-cycles with this stuff, where the gun ran flawlessly with my 124 and 147 grain handloads (both XTP's and Gold Dot's), even the +P's. On this admittedly limited experience, I would have to say it is a good little gun but should be kept away from the weaker fodder. On the same note, I never recommend really hot ammo for miniscule carry pistols, so I would say +P+ is not a good idea in a 14 ounce polymer gun.
 
Masaad Ayoob put 10,000 rounds of winchester +p+ 115 grain jhp through a P-11 when he worked for a sheriff's dept in California. The gun survived the ordeal and Masaad Ayoob likes the P-11, even recommends it in the 5th edition of gun digest combat handgunnery. Thats all the endorsement I need to hear.
 
I found it to be reliable. I don't think I ever experienced a malfunction. My only complaints are that it rusts out really easily in wet conditions, so it requires more maintenance, and I wish they made them with a firing pin block safety.
 
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I haven't even read the rest of the posts. I know you're going to have some folks say, "don't trust your life to a cheap POS". BS, my P11 has been 100 percent reliable for 10 years worth of shooting and it's accurate. You're going to have some say "the trigger sux". Well, compared to a DA revolver, the trigger is quite smooth and light, if a little long. If you haven't got the skills as a shooter to learn DA shooting, maybe you need to look elsewhere. This gun is a DAO and it's very safe to carry as such. If you're not too lazy to learn how to shoot DA, it's a very accurate gun that is ready just with the squeeze of a trigger.

I carry mine most of the time and have shot it a lot. Great little carry piece and if I ever wear it out beyond KT's great service department's ability to repair it under the lifetime warranty, I'd buy another, though if they can't fix it, I reckon KT would replace it. You just can't beat that. Also, mine is very accurate, 3.5" 25 yard five shot group accurate. That's good enough for a service size gun, let alone a pocket pistol.
 
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Both of my KelTec's have been great little pistols.. I hope to buy a PF-9 when they are available..

I suggest to the gentleman who started this thread that if he isn't confident his KelTec will work when he needs it then he should get rid of it. It doesn't take much to make me dissatisfied with a pistol/revolver and when I do I don't keep them around.

My KelTec P11 & P32 (so far) have been keepers. The P32 generally makes the cc trip with me 99% of the time.

JMOFO

J. Pomeroy
 
I have 800 rounds through mine. A lot of issues are with bad cheaply made knock-off S&W mags with weak springs. I only use Kel-tec or origional Smith mags in my P11.

It is one of my main carry guns and I trust it with my life. :)

keltecpaira.jpg
 
I have one. Good gun, but I really don't shoot it. The obnoxiously long DA trigger pull is simply unacceptable to me. Plus, since I am a SA guy, I end up putting my shots in the groin region when aiming for center-of-mass (not that that would be a BAD place to put a shot under pressure). That long tigger pull makes me dip to tip on a shot.
Great gun to throw in the back pocket, but uselss for anything other than carry. I have not had any reliability problems, but contact Kel_Tec, everyone says they are great to work with.
 
I like mine so much, when I got it I bought this $140 Mitch Rosen tuckable IWB for it. Since finding jeans with large enough front pockets to handle the gun and a pocket holster, I've sort of abandoned that IWB, but still have it if I need it. :D
 

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I'm happy with my P-11 for over 5 years

I've pocket carryed it in a Jagwear holster almost all of that time. I also had a problem with a loose rear site a few months ago and Kel-Tek replaced it no problem. I had it to the range 2 days ago and it ate up +P Gold Dots with no problem. It show some holster wear, but otherwise is fine. I got a P3AT a few months agot that I am also happy with.

Correction. I just came accross the sales slip for my P-11 and it's over 10 yrs old!
 
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Once I broke in my P-11 I learned to really like my P-11. The only criticism I can really level at it is the sights. I'm not a big fan of the sights. A trip to the gunsmith will cure that and I'm sure it will see a LOT of time on my hip. It has been 100% reliable with Remington UMC 115gr HP. I tried some 124gr +p+ Hydrashoks and the slide locked back prematurely twice. I'm not sure if it was the ammo or my grip. I just carry the UMC and I'm fine with it unitl I get a chance to fire some DPX through it to test it for reliability.
 
My dad has a P-11 and he likes it, I've shot it, and its not a bad pistol for $250. I agree the trigger pull is atrocious, but thats correctable. Me personally, I won't carry a 9mm, I just don't trust it in a life or limb situation. I much prefer my 40, the bigger caliber is just a measure of added confidence for me.
 
Well, if the 9mm isn't enough for you, you can get a .40 conversion kit for the P-11, but not from the factory anymore. I've got one and it is a real handful, but if you want the power.
 
jon_in_wv said:
Once I broke in my P-11 I learned to really like my P-11. The only criticism I can really level at it is the sights. I'm not a big fan of the sights. A trip to the gunsmith will cure that and I'm sure it will see a LOT of time on my hip.
Click to expand...

Kel-Tec offers steel night sights, $80 installed for the P-11/P-40.

LINK - (Scroll about half way down the page.)
 
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