Kel-Tec PF9 recoil?

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skarpenz

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I am considering getting this gun for my wife for christmas, she just wants a small 9mm to keep in her purse when she is out and about. She loves my P228 and my BHP, since neither have much recoil at all. I was wondering how the PF9 feels in comparison to a larger 9mm pistol. I will probably be shooting this mainly for fun and she will be carrying it sometimes. Recoil is a non-issue to me in a 9mm, but I don't want it to be uncontrollable for her in a bad situation. Just wanted to see how the gun would rate from folks who have shot them.

Rate it like this: Scale of 1-5 (1=BHP/P228) (5=Snubby .357 with +P loads)
 
Depends how the grip fits you. Its a bit long and narrow for me and trigger guard really makes my middle finger sore after a couple of mags. I find the Kahr CW9 much more pleasant ot shoot with the same ammo.

--wally.
 
Hmm, the CW9 looks pretty good too. My wife has smaller hands, but is not weak in her upper body. Any suggestions besides the PF9 and CW9?
 
I have a pf9 and agree that recoil is stout... it does make for nice pocket carry though. That said, I have a Firestar M43 that is about the same size as the KT (though much heavier and all steel), that I carry IWB way more often than I carry the KT. The extra weight isn't that noticeable and the thing shoots like a dream.. They show up from time to time on gunbroker.com
 
The Kel Tec I shoot would rate about a 3 on your scale. It kicks harder than my 92FS, but is easily manageable (provided there is no intent to have a 25 yard rapid fire pattern in a 3 inch window....)

For close-quarters, self defense, it is a very appropriate tool. In the hot summer, I carry my Kel Tec more often than my .45 glock or 1911's.

The only point I'd suggest could be an issue is that limp-wristing the little fella results in FTF or stove-pipes. The good news is, each time I let a new person try it out, after one magazine, they get it and they stop having grip-related malfunctions. This would be the only reason it may not be a good idea for the little lady if she isn't too experienced with firearms. ( BUT if she's a seasoned shooter, it should be no big deal.)
 
I have heard good things about the Bersa UC9, I'm thinking about trying one after I dump my PF9. Mike
 
I have one, a houge on it helps considerably with the recoil and proper grip (Would say almost a 30-50% reduction! at least for me). Overall, love the compactness, I can wear it in a IWB holster with a T-shirt on, and it disappears, and I am not a very big guy either!
 
I have heard good things about the Bersa UC9
Yes, they are good pistols at a good price. I have three 9mm Bersas now, 2 Ultracompacts and one Fullsize. All three have been 100% reliable.
It is nowhere near the size of a PF-9, however. The Bersa Thunder 9 is not a pocket pistol, nor is it slim. It has ambi slide lock levers as well as ambi decocker/safety levers. Also, it has a doublestack mag (13+1)
I CCW one every day.
 
For the money You will not find a lighter, slimmer, 9mm pistol than the PF9. Other sub-compact 9s in this price category are usually bulkier and heavier. I would consider the recoil to be a 3 on your scale. It would make a great purse gun for your wife if she is not too recoil shy. You could spend more money and get a 9 equally or better suited for purse carry but the recoil would probably remain 3 or greater.
 
Since the PF9 is such a great pocket (conceal) pistol recoil is my least worry if that time comes to defend myself, with that said I have fired it with 9mm+P, it is snappy to say the least. I keep it loaded w/+P but pratice every so often with mild ball ammo.
 
The recoil isnt bad enough not to carry for self defense...but bad enough that I only shot about 300 rds through mine and never shot it again... :)
 
The PF9 is definitely not a plinking gun. If you want to poke 200 holes in a target, shoot something else.
That being said a good friend of mine (female) has the PF and she handles it just fine. It is snappy, it is light, it is small and it is very concealable. It's a great choice, IMHO.
 
The 13 oz PF-9 has about the same recoil as a 8oz P-3AT in my opinion. If your wife wants the benefits of carry a featherweight pistol, increased recoil will be the downside. Most folks that carry daily think it’s a fair trade, as they carry more than they shoot. Prices of blued PF-9s have dropped below $250 in the DFW TX area with hard chrome about $40 more when available.
HC%20PF-9s.gif
 
Not to jack the thread, but Wilson 17&26 without the grip extension on your PF9 what is the overall height? Also to everyone what is your verdict on reliability of the PF9? I have heard of troubles on KTOG and see a few negatives here. I ask about reliability because Sharpenz you probably don't want something unreliable for your wife. The other similar size options would be Kahr CW9, P9, G26, M&P9c, PT111, the Bersa and probably a few others. I have not shot the PF9 yet but at such a light weight I am sure recoil is sharp, so make sure your wife is ok with that and make sure you check all your options. Let us know what you/she chooses.
Good Luck and Be Safe!
 
Really, a teeny polymer 9mm is more appropriate for a very experienced shooter with excellent hand strength.

You might need to go with either a reduced caliber, or a heavier gun. Of course, I am making big assumptions about your wife, her skills and strength, and I apologize if I have overstepped.
 
No over-steppage, she likes to shoot, but is not as experienced as I or other avid shooters. She is used to the BHP and 228, not smaller handguns. I would get her something larger but I'm not sure she could conceal it.
 
Well, you could try the P32. It is a bit snappy, but less than the P3AT, since they really are the same gun. The S&W Airweights are good, and pretty light - I recommend a shrouded hammer version. There is a low-recoil .38 load from Buffalo Bore that is a real penetrator.

If you are still thinking semi-auto, you could try a Bersa. They are pretty small. Smith and Wesson makes a 9mm Ladysmith automatic that is highly regarded. It is all-steel, but it is compact, and will be MUCH more shootable than any of the Keltec pistols. Come to think of it, the S&W would be my recommendation. You can get it in a non-"Ladysmith" version as well.
 
okienate said:
The only point I'd suggest could be an issue is that limp-wristing the little fella results in FTF or stove-pipes. The good news is, each time I let a new person try it out, after one magazine, they get it and they stop having grip-related malfunctions. This would be the only reason it may not be a good idea for the little lady if she isn't too experienced with firearms. ( BUT if she's a seasoned shooter, it should be no big deal.)
Agreed. I rented one and was able to get it to fail to feed if I didn't have a good grip. The odds are high enough that under stress my wife (not super experienced) might not grip it well enough, so we ruled it out as an option for her (for now).
 
I shot a a buddy's Kel-Tec PF9 and his Kahr CW9 just to see how much recoil they had last Monday. I found both guns easier on the hand than I expected. Granted I only fired 1 mag. from each. I prefered the Kahr CW9 between the two. I was expecting the Kel-Tec to flat hurt! Recoil from both auto's was less than I get from my S&W 642 with +P 38 Specials.
 
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