kel-tec PF-9 problems

[harmon rabb]

Picked up a PF-9 at a gun show last weekend for pocket carry. Field stripped it and cleaned it immediately. Noticed it was dirty inside and looked cheaply made. No big deal, long as the thing works right? I don't expect a kel-tec to be a les baer.

Took it to the range the first time earlier this week. Went about 30 rounds without issues, then had about 5 jams after. Some were failures to eject, some were failures to extract. I figured, well, hey, it just needs to break in.

Without cleaning it from the last trip (i figured 50 rounds, what the heck), I took it again today. It functioned flawlessly for 100 rounds. I was feeling better about it. Then around round 120 or so, it started having failures to extract with every round. After about 5 in a row, I just gave up.

I figure I'll clean it good tonight, then try it out again tomorrow. Maybe it was too gunked up inside, as I know little gun tend to get dirty as hell quickly. If it has any more issues, I'm thinking it should go back to kel-tec.

Anyone have a similar experience? Never had a failure to extract before.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

If it's an older gun (who knows) call k/t and tell them of your issues. They should offer to fix it and make any upgrades since you one was made. I would think they would pay for shipping both ways too.

 

[harmon rabb]

it's a newer one. checked the serial number. you can also tell by the mag release.

 

[rcmodel]

Check the 2mm extractor spring button-head screw.

If it is loose, you will have exactly the problems you are having.

Also, Kel-Tecs are tiny for the power levels they put out.

They require cleaning, and a good high film-strength lube, especially during the break-in period. Lots of owners use grease instead of light oil on the frame rails and locking pin cam to good effect.

After 200 - 300 rounds they get less picky.

rc

 

[harmon rabb]

rcmodel,

i will check the extractor spring, and will grease it up tonight. thanks. i had been using light oil.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Tear it completely down as well. Including removing the firing pin. Clean it thoroughly. They need that immediately after purchase to get the anti-corrosion chemicals off, and who knows if the previous owner did.

I do this with all guns I purchase, as it also allows a rudimentary safety inspection at the same time.

 

[harmon rabb]

i bought it NIB, not used.

 

[MachIVshooter]

i bought it NIB, not used.

Sorry. I was under the impression it was used after reading:

it's a newer one. checked the serial number. you can also tell by the mag release.

However, I stand by my previous recommendation to completely tear it down and clean every part. My very early PF9 had light strikes my first time out. It was a -2* day, and there was enough goo in the firing pin hole that it was retarding the pin as the inhibitor congealed from the cold. Ever since I cleaned that out, flawless.

 

[wnycollector]

I have had a problem similar to yours with my PF-9. I took it to range one week and shoot 100 rounds of dirty 125gr RNL reloads flawlessly and in a lapse of judgment I put my PF-9 away w/o cleaning it! The next weekend I took it to the range and had 3 FTE's on the first 3 mags. I decided to field strip it and clean off as much crud (it was FILTHY!) as I could with a few paper towels I had in my range bag. After reassembly, it was flawless for the next 79 rounds! The moral of the story for my PF-9 is that it REALLY likes to be cleaned and lubed after trips to the range.

Lots of owners use grease instead of light oil on the frame rails and locking pin cam to good effect.

+1 on this suggestion. My PF-9 is 100% when it is cleaned and has a nice light coat of grease on the rails! I have been using grease on the rails of ALL five (three SIGs, a CZ and a S&W) of my aluminum framed pistols for years.

 

[huduguru]

Just get a G26, you don't want to loose your life to a jam(it will happen, after all, it's a Keltec)) when a punk with a Hi Point(a much more reliable weapon) empties his mag into you.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Um, that is very open to interpretation, as many people question the hi-point, and kel tecs have a rep of working for some, and not for others, at least you don't pay 2 grand for it like a kimber.

If you still have trouble after cleaning it, check out KTOG, the kel tec forum, do a fluff and buff, if you haven't already, and if all that don't work, call keltec and they will help you fix it.

 

[harmon rabb]

Just get a G26, you don't want to loose your life to a jam(it will happen, after all, it's a Keltec)) when a punk with a Hi Point(a much more reliable weapon) empties his mag into you.

I have a G27 I have not been carrying the pf-9, and will not carry it, until it has become reliable. Whether it has to go back to kel-tec, be worked over by a gunsmith, whatever. Will not carry it until then.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Just get a G26, you don't want to loose your life to a jam

But you might lose your hand

KT makes a good gun, I wouldn't own 5 if they didn't. The OP just needs to work out (or let KT fix) whatever is wrong with it. The PF9 is not desireable because it has superior durability/reliability as compared to the Glock. It is desireable because it is half the weight and much thinner.

And Glock pistols can and do jam as well.

 

[harmon rabb]

at least you don't pay 2 grand for it like a kimber.

quite true, and why i was willing to purchase a gun that i know might be hit or miss. if i can never get it to work right, hey, i'm only out the 280 or so i paid, no big deal. (and no, if i have a gun that's proven to be a pos, i'm not selling it... at least not without disclosing its problems)

 

[jahwarrior]

Just get a G26, you don't want to loose your life to a jam(it will happen, after all, it's a Keltec)) when a punk with a Hi Point(a much more reliable weapon) empties his mag into you.

another clown who's never owned a Keltec, or a Hi Point.

i've had two Keltecs in my stable, a PF9 and a P3AT. both were reliable, and more accurate than i thought possible. i wouldn't hesitate to trust my life to their guns. i trust them more than i trust Kimbers; i've heard too many horror stories from people i know personally who own them, and have had to put money into them to get them to run.

 

[Mike J]

I have a P-11 that I had some minor problems with early on. They are resolved & it is a neat little gun. ktog.org is a great resouce for the kel-tec products. Kel Tec will take care of you if you can't get it figured out.

 

[hardluk1]

I have 2 handguns that i rotate between as carry guns. The last couple weeks i have tried to shoot the pf-9 more and with out cleaning as i am carry'n the other gun . So far 250+ rounds of several different brands of fmj ammo over 3 weeks and NO problems. Now i have not shot a single round for winchest and wieght of bullets stay between 115gr and 124 gr . Mine is a rg serial number gun. All i ever use for lub is break free as a general cleaner lub and a bench rest grease( fro got the name ,GOLD something) on part of the rails, barrel and hammer wear surface.

 

[MCgunner]

Just get a G26, you don't want to loose your life to a jam(it will happen, after all, it's a Keltec)) when a punk with a Hi Point(a much more reliable weapon) empties his mag into you

I reckon MY KT will out shoot your G26 and I won't get Glock Leg like Plaxico trying to carry it.

 

[Girodin]

I reckon MY KT will out shoot your G26 and I won't get Glock Leg like Plaxico trying to carry it.

If you handled your KT the way Plaxico handled his glock you would. That was operator error and nothing more.

 

[huduguru]

jahwarrior, you say my opinion doesn't matter because I haven't owned
a Keltec(owned two p-11's actually, both rubbish) or a Hi Point(I haven't) but go on to spout how horrible Kimbers are even though you haven't owned one?

I didn't call you anything, but you called me a clown. I say you are a fool
because you contradicted yourself. You also make assumptions that aren't true(I haven't owned one). A clown is better than a fool anyday.

I'm sure there is such a thing as a reliable Keltec(at least for a few rounds
anyway) but I would bet $10000 that my Glock 26 would fire many more rounds than any Keltec before it had a stoppage.

 

[saturno_v]

but I would bet $10000 that my Glock 26 would fire many more rounds than any Keltec before it had a stoppage.

If the Glock does not kaboom before that....

Happy P-11 owner here, never had a problem.

Never owned a Kimber and I will never buy one...I just saw my fair share of pimped up Kimber 1911 malfunctioning at the range and heard of people pissed off at their CS to try my luck at a $1000 lottery ticket...thanks but no thanks.

For some when a Kel-Tec jam it's "rubbish" when a Kimber does it's just "breaking in" (like the ridiculous claim some people make that you need to have a 500 round breakin in period) or just a bit finicky with ammo selection....funny how powerful marketing psychology is.....

 

[huduguru]

Their is no tactical equivalency of a Kimber and a Keltec. Why does
Kimber keep being brought up? A g26 and a Keltec might be fairly
close in design philosophy(that's about it, though). The breaking in period
of Kimbers is no more ridiculous than "fluff and buff" and break in for Kel Tecs
that's recommended on "fanboy" (to use someone's term here) website KTOG.


By the way saturno, it's the .40 cal. Glocks that Kaboom, not
the 9's.

 

[Enachos]

...My glock 27 hasn't "kaboomed" yet if that means anything

 

[saturno_v]

Their is no tactical equivalency of a Kimber and a Keltec. Why does
Kimber keep being brought up? A g26 and a Keltec might be fairly
close in design philosophy(that's about it, though). The breaking in period
of Kimbers is no more ridiculous than "fluff and buff" and break in for Kel Tecs
that's recommended on "fanboy" (to use someone's term here) website KTOG.

I agree, obviously, that they are totally different handguns and philosophies...I was just commenting on different attitude towards a gun that malfunction that some people have depending on the brand.

I hever had to have a fluff and buff procedure in my P-11 and it always performed flawlessy for me and many other KT owners....and many that come to the range are LE officers that use them as backup guns so they trust them a lot.

I would never ever buy a Glock, I cannot stomach their aestethics and their ridiculous (IMHO) trigger an safety system and in that price range I can buy a very good full metal construction pistol...however I respect them a lot, they are generally reliable and accurate.

The occasional lemon can happen to any manufacturer so I would be careful before using the label "rubbish" too quickly.

 

[huduguru]

Rubbish is appropriate in my case, I'm 0-2 with Keltecs. I see so
many complaints with the brand also on many forums, besides
Mimber, of course.