Kel-Tec P-11 or PF-9 please HELP ME to make a decision!!!

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saturno_v

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Just came back from a gun show looking for a really pocketable reliable small autoloader to complement my regular carry....kinda of summer walk gun when you wear only shorts and a T-shirt
At one table they sell a P-11 and at another a PF-9, they are both 9 mm, brand new in box and the price is the same: $280 out of the door. It is a good price???
My understanding is that the P-11 is an earlier model compared to the PF-9.
I check the specs and the size is basically exactly the same (the PF-9 is an hair longer)
The P-11 is wider (1 inch vs 0.88 for the PF-9) because of the double stack magazine.
The PF-9 has an accessory rail, the P-11 dont, but I do not really care for it.
I tested them both in my pocket and you can feel a little bit that the P-11 is wider.
So is a trade-off...the P-11 a little bit thicker but it carries 3 more rounds in the magazine (10 vs 7).
So which one is better, you think, for my needs, the P-11 or the PF-9???

How reliable are the Kel-Tec?? Can you trust your life with it?? I heard someone say to do not use them at the range but just only for emergency because they are weak stucturally...is that true???
Can you trust having one round in the pipe in your pocket?? Is the trigger pull heavy enough to avoid accidental firing???

Based on what your suggestions are and a bit more of research on the internet I will make my decision and buy the gun tomorrow.

Thank you!!!
 
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If you want a truely pocketable gun look at a P3AT, but of the two you're looking at I'd go for the PF-9. That price might be a little high, last I checked about $240-250 was the going rate.

The trigger on the PF9 is nicer, it uses the P3AT style "half-cocked" mechanism where the P11 is tru DAO. I don't think the extra capacity of a P11 is much of an issue, if you can't get the job done in 8 rounds you've got bigger problems :)

The P11 is very reliable. The PF9 (and P3AT) seem to vary, there are good ones and there are finnicky ones. Either one you get, shoot enough out of it to be comfortable with it's reliability and take advantage of the Kel-Tec lifetime warranty if you have any problems.

For pocket use, I would trust it if I had the gun in a holster which covered the trigger. Just the cheap Uncle Mikes pocket holsters work. I carry my P3AT that way. You're going to need big pockets (like cargo pants or a jacket pocket maybe) to comfortably and invisibly pocket a PF9 or P11.
 
Thank you Dart...

Where is the going rate of 240-250?? I check the Kel-Tec web site and the official MSRP on both is $330

Here in WA we have 8.8% sales tax...the two guns are priced both 255 but you have to add taxes on it.

I do not plan to carry anything else in the pocket where I put the gun....is still not safe to carry the pistol without pocket holster??

The only P3AT i saw at the gun show was sold at another table for over $320..I don;t know...seems really too small power wise....
 
The trigger on both is long, not necessarily heavy. The P-11 trigger is a different design, it has a 2nd strike capability. Most folks prefer the PF-9 trigger, it is lighter, about 5-6 lbs. The P-11 is about 8-9 lbs. I own P-11 and 4 other KTs but not a PF-9.

The P-11 is indeed a bit wider. It came out in 1996 and whatever bugs some had initially have been worked out. Some of the early PF-9 had a few issues but reports on new ones over the past year seem to indicate most folks are very pleased with them.

I like my P-11 but if I were buying today, I would get the PF-9. I may pick one up later this year.

I believe any pistol that you carry in your pocket should be in a holster that covers the trigger.

The PF-9 is drop safer than the P-11 as it has a hammer block.
 
For me realiability is a big issue...I may eventually get a 2 inches barrel revolver in 38 special or 357 mag, but they are a bit bulkier and you get only 5 rounds...
 
P11 proven

Its beenout a long time. It is well proven. I would pass on the Pf9 and buy the P11, more bang for your buck and certainly more reliable--so far..nice gun.
 
Here in VA, at my local Gun Shop, I paid $205 for my P-11, brand new. BTW: I LOVE IT! It is Surprisingly accurate to boot!
 
The P11 has a 12-round factory magazines available.
You can also get a S&W 59-ser0es 15-round mag. Keltec makes a sleeve to match the grip lines. So you can run around with 28 rounds of 9mm in your pocket. Works for me.
 
I went with the P11 for four reasons:
- higher capacity
- has been in production longer, bugs worked out
- slightly larger grip
- second strike capability
The P11's trigger is different, but once you get used to it, quite usable. Just practice with a snap cap and you'll get good with it.
 
Yes, I love the trigger on mine for the purpose of pocket carry and defense and can do some pretty impressive plinking with it, but some don't like it, usually those that can't shoot DA or are unwilling to learn or don't like the LENGTH of the pull on the P11. For those, the PF9 is probably better. But, I'm so used to mine, fired it so much, it's no problem for me and the gun is the same dimensions, essentially, a little over a tenth inch fatter and 2 ounces heavier, but you get more capacity for that. So, I saw no need to go with the PF9 when it came out. My P11 is proven and I carry it the most of all my carries.
 
I have not shot the PF-9 but I do have the P-11. It didn't like the new Winchester SXZ ammo at all. It has been reliable with WWB and the Wally world Remington JHP. Here is my problem with the gun...I cannot, for the life of me, find a comfortable way to hold the thing so it doesn't dig into my thumb joint when I shoot it. Nothing else that I have is like this.
 
PF9 is 229.99 + shipping in the newest CDNN catalog. If you're outside of TX, no sales tax, just transfer through your local FFL.
 
KEl-TEC

Go with the P-11. the PF9 is .88" and the P11 is 1.0" wide. Not much difference, but 3 more rounds "could be" all the difference. I have a P11, and the only thing about the PF9 I like better is the grip, which can be a cheap fix with a slip on grip. Just my opinion though.
 
I would go with the P-11 between those two choices. The P-11 has the bugs worded out of it, the PF-9 is still a work in progress.
 
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