Kel Tec P11

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GoodKat

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I really like the concept of the P11, 10+1 rounds in a frame roughly the same size as a kahr pm9 is nothing to scoff at. I have a problem, however. KelTec's guns look and feel very cheap to me, and I honestly could not enjoy owning a gun that feels cheap. Any higher quality alternatives, or should I buy one and send it to a smith?
 
I don't have P11, but I do have a PF-9 and P40. I agree that they look and feel cheap, but I also have to say that the PF-9 is one of my favorite carry guns. In this case, function trumps looks and feel for me. It is dead-nuts reliable and amazingly accurate for such a small (cheap) pistol. It is so small and light, I will carry it when I don't want to pack a 1911. I have total confidence in it too, so I don't feel too undergunned. There are definitely nicer looking/feeling (and pricier) alternatives out there, but IMHO none that are more functional for what they are intended.
 
I want one too.

But it is not drop safe. There are tests out there that say it is, but it physically is not constructed to be drop safe.

Guy in Utah last year dropped his p11 in a chillis or applebees and it went off (while sitting down).

When they make them drop safe (at the cost of the double strike DAO) I would say yes.

Until then, no.
 
If you want a compact high-cap that doesn't feel cheap get a glock 26, S&W M&Pc or a XD9c, etc. There are several high-cap polymer framed compacts out there that don't feel cheap.

I thought about getting a kel-tec pf9 over the taurus 709, but the kel-tec just felt too cheap for me. That may just be petty, but I didn't want any buyer's remorse. It doesn't make sense to buy a gun you don't really like in the hopes that some expert craftsman will make it all better.
 
If you want a compact high-cap that doesn't feel cheap get a glock 26, S&W M&Pc or a XD9c, etc. There are several high-cap polymer framed compacts out there that don't feel cheap.
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All of those are much larger than the p11, i was hoping for something about the same size.
 
I have a P11 and it is a very solid, sturdy pistol. NOTHING cheap about it. Have you guys ever shot one? That may change your mind. Also, you can get factory 12 round mags or modify your 10 rounders to fit 12. That's what I did. And SW 5900 series mags work in it as well.
 
I don't have a PF-11, but I have a PF-9 in my pocket right now and it has been 100% reliable in the 18 months I've owned it. It may not be finished like a S&W or Kimber, but that finish level costs a great deal. For a carry gun which sits in the pocket, it seems (IMHO) you want reliability and accuracy. My Keltec certainly has both. BTW; except to check functioning with my SD rounds every 6 months or so (Hornady Critical Defense), I practice with lead bullet handloads. The PF-9 functions flawlessly.
 
Just out of curiosity, if you were to "buy one and send it to a smith", what exactly would you have the smith do to make it not "look and feel very cheap"?
 
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In my family, there are two P11s, two P32s, a P40 and a P3AT. Yup, they look and feel cheap, but they go bang every time. If bling is important to you, look elsewhere than KelTec.
 
+1 trekgod3...have had mine for some time now,....couple thousand round thru it. Not a range gun and was never intended to be one. I carry mine probably more than most of them I own,...as it's my usual cold weather carry. I also carry the P3AT in .380 a lot when I want something smaller. No regrets on either. I too bought the 12 rounders for it,...and it works fine. Taking S&W 59 mags opens a lot of other possibilities as well. Those that belittle the keltec,...take their negative comments with a grain of salt. Half of them never handled or fired one. Is it the finest finished gun ever made? Nope. Does it go bang when it needs to?? Mine does. YMMV Your carry,..your choice.
 
Just out of curiosity, if you were to "buy one and send it to a smith", what exactly would you have the smith do to make it not "look and feel very cheap"?
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Get rid of the mold lines, change the grip texture, NP3 and polish the slide, tighten the fit, smooth the trigger, round out frame corners, possibly machine a new trigger and mag release from steel.
If bling is important to you, look elsewhere than KelTec.
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It's not about "bling", it's about a quality feel.
 
I've had mine for 10 years. Gave $200 NIB. It has been completely reliable with every kind of factory ammo. It has "coughed" a time or two on my own weak reloads, but I don't carry with those in it.

GoodKat; I've done a bit of polishing to the internals on mine. There were a few rough spots and tool marks on the inside. From what I've been told, the newer ones are much better in the fit and finish department, but for a $200 gun that holds 12 + 1 rounds of 9MM, I didn't mind doing the "Fluff and Buff".
 
I've got a p-11. Took it out and carried it in Dec when I flew home. Wonder why I don't carry it more? Oh yeah I like my sp 101 better. I also have the p-32. Both keltecs fire on command and carry great!
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I bought a new P-11 a few months ago and have been extremely pleased with it. One of the most awesome attributes the P-11 has going for it are the cheap parts and accessories available from http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/.

P-042 S&W59 12 rd mag extension $7.70
P-043 S&W59 15 rd mag extension $6.65
P-045 grip extension $6.65
P-11-380 belt clip-blued (fits P-11) $13.50
P-11-380S belt clip-stainless (fits P-11) $14.00
P-11-392 trigger shoe-black/smooth $10.10
P-155 sight kit $6.65
P-156TR night sights *** $85.00
P11-195M Metal Recoil Spring Guide $6.95
P11-36 10 rd magazine(standard) $21.85
P11-36LE 12 rd magazine $26.00
P40-36 9rnd Magazine $22.90

Assembly Pin $11.00
Ejector $1.00
Ejector Pin $0.50
Guide Rod $0.50
Hammer Spring Assembly $13.00
Mag Catch $1.00
Mag Catch Spring $0.50
P-11 Recoil Spring - Inside $0.50
P-11 Recoil Spring - Outside $0.50
Recoil Guide Rod/M $6.95
 
Drop Safety like every other gun on the market, including all of their other guns...priceless

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Get a Rohrbaugh, it is made like a Swiss watch...you will have to pay for that fit and finish though. You could get a less expensive alternative like the PM9. I had a P11 and liked it; my only complaints about the Keltec were the overall width of the pistol and the heavy trigger. I like a narrow pistol for IWB carry. If I'm going to carry a wider gun than my PM40, I'll go ahead and jump to a larger gun like a 1911 in .45.
 
the pf9 trigger is so much better than the p11. i carry my pf9 as much as any of my other guns. as mentioned above i removed all the mold parting lines and also relieved the underside of the trigger guard so i can get three fingers on the grip. also touched up the crown and blued the barrel and slicked up the ramp. gun performs great. only ammo it dosent like is the more open ended hp ammo like the 135gr federal hydra shock. 115gr critical defense rounds work great.
 
Goodkat-there is a guy at www.ktog.org that sells metal mag catches. I bought one for mine. The plastic trigger doesn't bother me. It being plastic allowed me to heat it & reshape it to fit my hand better.
 
mag catches are steel on the new pf9. dont know about the p11 though. but the earlier pf9 came with plastic mag catches.
 
Unless something has changed recently they still use plastic on the P-11. I know because I tore mine up. Kel Tec sent me a replacement but I went ahead & got a metal one from a forum member at KTOG.
 
Only way I care to impress a BG is with accurate fire of a decently powerful round and the P11 is very accurate for a little pocket pistol and has the firepower in case the first one or two don't impress him. As for feeling "cheap", go buy a Bryco and shoot and handle it for a while, then go back and play with the P11. :rolleyes:

Mine's 14 years old, 11,000 plus rounds through it and it's going just fine, still 3.5" at 25 yards accurate.
 
I have a P11 and it is a very solid, sturdy pistol. NOTHING cheap about it. Have you guys ever shot one?
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Oh please, I own kel tecs and have shot even more. They may or may not meet one's needs but it becomes pretty clear upon handling them and disassembling them why they sell at the price point the do.
 
Lets not forget the company, I have 3 of their guns, and anytime I read about some new modification or this or that, I call and 4 days later I have the new part, they stand behind their product, as for the feel, I I did the cheap handall jr. (bicycle inner-tube) and yes they can use a fluff and buff, but that's well covered, and I've had great reliability out of my p11 and p32, but damn if the P40 don't kick the living bejesuts out of me, and I know that it's me and not the pistol, I can slow fire but get FTE by the 2nd or 3rd quick fire shot.
 
mouseguns.com has a chart that compares the size of "rat guns" would help with the size, the little glocks aren't that much larger, but it makes you realize how much width matters.
 
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