Keltec 9mm

[3212]

I would like to hear opinions on a Keltec 9mm,3 inch barrel.Thank You.

 

[crazysccrmd]

I had a PF9. It was reliable, easy to carry and fed all types of ammo. It wasn't much fun to shoot with +P carry rounds but it would get the job done if needed.

 

[DMZ]

I had a PF-9 several years ago. I liked the DOA trigger, the compact design and the pistol's accuracy. Recoil was snappy.

I had quite a bit of trouble with it though.

First the plastic magazine catch and release quickly wore and the magazine would fall out when the gun was fired. I replaced it with a metal one ($40) from a online source.

Next the drift pin that held the ejector came out and the ejector fell off. I put it back together with some locktite.

Then the screw that held the extractor came out and the firing pin shot out the back of the slide. This happened at a gravel pit I was shooting at. It took me a good deal of time to find the parts.

That was enough for me. I gave it to my brother.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had a number of Kel-Tecs, including a P-11 (which I didn't like, because of the trigger) and still have a PF-9.

Some folks have problems with Kel-Tec weapons, and some folks just can't shoot'em. Don't know what it is, but I've seen it time and again.

I've never had problems, and continue to carry my PF9, when I carry. (I also have a Kahr CM9, that I'm using at the range -- and may eventually use for carry.)

All of these little guns are relatively brutal to shoot, compared to a full-size 9mm, but they tend to do what they're supposed to do.

 

[Mooseman]

I use a P11 as a daily carry. I did a fluff and buff when I first got it and it has always functioned very well for me. I use the optional 12 round mag, pinkey extension, and frame clip on mine. The trigger is manageable but very long, you've got to squeeze it like you mean it. I see this as an advantage because it has no safety per se and I don't carry it with a holster.

The accuracy on mine is adequate, It's pretty much an up close and personal gun so I don't think it really matters.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another, although I might try the PF9 first to see if I like it better.

 

[orionengnr]

I had a P11 once upon a time. It, like the other three Kel-Tecs I owned, were very hit-and-miss reliability wise (mostly miss).

I gave them four different opportunities (one P32, two P3ATs, one P11), they let me down four times. Fluff and Buff, new springs, new mags, various types of ammo...sooner or later I arrived at the truth of the matter.

I had spent way too much time and money on K-T. I sold each at a significant loss with full disclosure. In one instance, I gave it away to friend who thought he could make it work. Several years later, I'm still waiting for a happy ending to that story.

They will never again see a dime of my money. :banghead:

There.
Was I ambiguous?

 

[W.E.G.]

I get the "buff" part of the Kel-Tec thing.

Can somebody please explain to me the "fluff?"

 

[MICHAEL T]

Fluff and buff was a polishing and general clean up of rough areas . It was needed on some of the 1stGen KelTec I have 5 of the 2nd Gen 1 is the PF-9 and none have needed any thing excepted cleaned and oiled

KelTec has improved a lot over last few years.

 

[X-Rap]

I had a P11 but no more, I will buy a P9 when I find one. The reason is the trigger.

 

[J_McLeod]

I have one. It's about the only gun I carry. The XD40 and Sp101 split the leftover 5% of the time. Not fun to shoot, but fun to carry. You won't find a lighter or smaller 9mm out there. I'm thinking about replacing it with and XDs9, but the PF9s size is making a strong case for keeping it.

 

[Elkins45]

I have a P11. Hard DA trigger but quite reliable. It's good for what it is, especially if you mount the belt clip on it.

 

[ricebasher302]

I have a P11. Hard DA trigger but quite reliable. It's good for what it is, especially if you mount the belt clip on it.

Same thoughts here.

Trigger is lousy, but if you practice (seriously practice, and understand the logistics of operating a stiff DAO), you can become plenty proficient. Master it, and you'll be a much better shooter for it.

I just shot mine yesterday. I'm plenty confident it will fulfill its intended purpose. Recoil is snappy.

Customer service is second to none. Mine broke a trigger bar once. It was replaced no questions asked for free, and they shipped it that day. Reliability besides that one incident has been 100 percent.

Plus, they're ugly and cheap, so you won't worry about beating it up.

 

[kokapelli]

I had a PF9 and it always worked, but that is the only good thing I have to say about it.

It had the sloppiest slide to frame fit of any new gun I have ever owned and was punishing to shoot a lot.

Got a PM9 and it was so superior in every respect I couldn't get rid of the PF fast enough.

 

[C0untZer0]

You won't find a lighter or smaller 9mm out there

Rohrbaugh R9 Smaller & lighter than the PF-11, smaller than the PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 13.5 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr PM9 / CM9 Smaller than the PF-11 & the PF-9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9 Smaller & lighter than the PF-11 & the PF-9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:3.0 in
Length:5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width:0.80 in
Weight:11 oz
Capacity:6+1 Rounds

 

[vont01]

Problem with PF9

Stove pipe 3 out of 5 ahots. Sent it back to the factory twice and it was retrurned with the same problems. Factory service sucks. Blamed it on a limp wrist. I shoot a vcariety of 30 different handguns and no problems occur with either automatics or revolvers. I finally traded it for a glock. Just my two cents. I also had the PA3. Good gun but got rid of it since the bad experience with the factory.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

It had the sloppiest slide to frame fit of any new gun I have ever owned and was punishing to shoot a lot.

If the slide/barrel fit is right and you use the sights, a sloppy frame/slide doesn't matter all that much. (There are some tack-driving guns with sloppy slide/frame fit.)

But, as you say, the PF9 (or P11, for that matter) can be punishing -- but that's what you get with a small, very light gun firing a 9mm (or larger) caliber, and the PF9 is one of the smallest, lightest 9mm semi-autos you can find. (The Rohrbaugh R9 is smaller but a bit heavier; while I haven't shot one, I'm told that it's a handful, too.)

(The Kel-Tecs have an aluminum frame rather than a polymer frame -- and while the polymer covering makes it look like a Glock or Kahr, there is none of the "flex" in the frame you experience with some of the polymer-framed guns.)

I prefer shooting the small Kahr to the Kel-Tec (I have both), but have gotten comfortable with the PF9 and don't know whether I'll eventually switch to the CM9 (or maybe a PM9) or not.

A while back I found some grip materials from KTADDONS that made a big difference in the shooting experience. Most of their stuff can be used with other small guns, too. http://www.ktaddons.com/index.html

A surprising number of folks try this type of gun as their first semi-auto, and that's arguably not the way to start. <grin>

 

[YZ]

With the PF9 is probably hit or miss. When it works, it works. Mine was a miss, too many malfunctions.
Say, was that the gun used in a certain criminal case that is not to be discussed here?

 

[hso]

I have had the P11 and now have the PF9.
I wish I hadn't traded the P11 off and I'm very happy with the PF9. I also own several other handguns and still carry the PF9 frequently.

 

[J_McLeod]

Rohrbaugh R9 Smaller & lighter than the PF-11, smaller than the PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 13.5 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr PM9 / CM9 Smaller than the PF-11 & the PF-9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9 Smaller & lighter than the PF-11 & the PF-9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:3.0 in
Length:5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width:0.80 in
Weight:11 oz
Capacity:6+1 Rounds

I stand corrected. You won't find many lighter or smaller 9mm and when you do, they won't be by much and to get both you'll ahve to give up a round in the mag.

 

[TexAg]

And the P-11 holds 10+1.

 

[demerp]

Have seen a fairly high number of problems, w/ the Kel-tecs owned by my dad.

Don't own any myself, but my dad owns 3. A PF9, a P11, & a P32. I know he had reliability problems w/ two of the above 3, & had to have them sent back at least once for each the two that gave him trouble, & then they seemed to work fine after that.

After having them work ok for a while, either the PF9 or P11 (can't remember which) had the slide stop shear in half during a session at the range. He showed it to me in two pieces. Seemed a pretty crappy thing to have happen to a part that doesn't see all that much stress.

So, to my mind, too many problems, across too many models over a period of ownership of about 4-5 years. And, mind you, these were just casual shooting sessions at the local range.

I want to root for Kel-tec, as they have some interesting designs, & are made here in FL, but will stick with other makers given what I've seen.

 

[C0untZer0]

Some of the smaller nines are also designed around specific bullet weights or pressures. The Diamondback DB9 was designed to shoot less than 125gr bullets at standard SAMMI pressures, Kimber Solo was designed to shoot 124gr to 147gr bullets at standard SAMMI pressures. Rohrbaugh R9 was not designed to shoot +P or +P+ rounds.

Kel Tec says the PF-9 and PF-11 will shoot +P but "not continuous use"

Although maybe some of the problems Kel Tec owners are reporting is due to their Kel Tecs not liking the ammunition they're feeding it (I don't know).

 

[wgaynor]

I've had one for a couple of years. Shoot alot of fmj, hp, and cast bullets out of it. Works fine. I carry mine in a fobus paddle holster and you don't even remember you have it on. It's light and slim.

Only thing I'd recommend is practice practice practice. It's snappy.

 

[MedWheeler]

I've carried a PF9 since April of 2010. I upgraded the blued slide to hard chrome to fight rust, but have had no other issues with it since. Unlike the P11, it is not "re-strike capable", but what you get for that is a far-better trigger. It's light weight (under 13 ounces with an empty magazine in place) makes it harsh to fire, but it is far from uncontrollable and easy to learn to manage.

The Rohrbaugh R9 is indeed a tick smaller, but gives up a round in capacity and goes for a price that could get you two Kel-Tec 9mm firearms (or one, and another in .32 or .380), holsters, a case of ammunition, and hours of paid range time. It also supposedly requires a spring change after every four boxes of ammo (200 rounds.)

 

[snooperman]

My brother had a pf9 but had much trouble with it. I got him to shoot my Kahr PM9 and he bought one. He is much happier with the new Kahr even though it cost twice as much.