pwillie
Member
I just purchased a Keltec PF9,and would like some input on how to "break"it in...also some pro and cons... thanks, Willie
Keltec PF9
- Thread starter pwillie
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possum
Member
I have one and love it. With about 800rds through it, it is running strong. it has good sights, a long but very smooth trigger, it shoot very accurately for such a small gun It fits in a pocket if you wish.
The only complaints that I have is that there are few people that offer holsters for the pf-9 and this is the exact reason that I started making holsters, and now do so professionally. that is not a complaint of the gun of course.
The one thing that I would say that I don't like if anything is that it (mine) doesn't run steel cased ammo. I have been shooting all steel in my g-19 because it is cheaper, and runs well. I know 2 guys at least that have the pf-9 and theirs runs steel but mine doesn't. However it isn't something that I shoot as much as the glock so it is not a big deal to get some brass for it, and use only that.
The only complaints that I have is that there are few people that offer holsters for the pf-9 and this is the exact reason that I started making holsters, and now do so professionally. that is not a complaint of the gun of course.
The one thing that I would say that I don't like if anything is that it (mine) doesn't run steel cased ammo. I have been shooting all steel in my g-19 because it is cheaper, and runs well. I know 2 guys at least that have the pf-9 and theirs runs steel but mine doesn't. However it isn't something that I shoot as much as the glock so it is not a big deal to get some brass for it, and use only that.
Shoot it.
Before I shoot a new gun I take it apart, wipe it down, and lightly oil it.
I break in all my pistols by putting several hundred rounds of brass cased FMJ (Usually Federal or WWB) through them.
IF it's been reliable with the FMJ, I then run a minimum of 100 rounds of my chosen carry ammo through the gun.
IF it's reliable with my carry ammo, I clean and oil it, and put it in my holster and carry it.
Before I shoot a new gun I take it apart, wipe it down, and lightly oil it.
I break in all my pistols by putting several hundred rounds of brass cased FMJ (Usually Federal or WWB) through them.
IF it's been reliable with the FMJ, I then run a minimum of 100 rounds of my chosen carry ammo through the gun.
IF it's reliable with my carry ammo, I clean and oil it, and put it in my holster and carry it.
I haven't ever had a gun that wouldn't run reliably on underpowered Wallyworld ammo. I HAVE had guns that wouldn't run reliably on steel cased junk. I don't see how running S&B or Fiocchi vs. Federal or WWB is a "true" test, I figure if it runs on the cheap stuff it should have no problem running with anything.
pockets
Member
Clean it, lube it, and shoot it.
I've not done a fluff'n'buff on any of my Kel-Tecs.
My PF-9 runs well on every brand of ammo I've loaded into the magazine.
.
I've not done a fluff'n'buff on any of my Kel-Tecs.
My PF-9 runs well on every brand of ammo I've loaded into the magazine.
.
possum
Member
if you want leather. I do not. kydex has many advantages. that is for another thread however unless someone is really interested in the reasons why. I do not say that because I make kydex holsters. I have one leather holster and I do not use it. I have sold all the "nice" ones that I have tried.
there are several reasons that LEO's don't carry fmj ammo anymore. You should really read the reasons why and the case studies (Ayoob has done a few on this topic) from the NYPD and the LAPD specifically. you shoudl really do some research.
I was in the military for 8 years us army infantry, and did a total of 38 months over seas. I would not use anything ammo wise that we were issued. If i were you I would have asked some ground pounders about carrying the ammo that you are talking about, and see if they even trust it first before you assume that they do and put yourself at a disadvantage.
Then why carry a gun at all then? If the chances are so low that you will need to defend yourself with JHP's then you might as well say that there is a 1 in a billion chance that you will have to defend yourself at all, and not carry.
though it might be a greater chance than a civilian it is not as big of a chance as you might think. The m9 is a sidearm, the m4/m6 etc is used much more. I would say that a saw and an M240 is even used more in fighting than the m9. especially when you consider that every dude in an infantry company has some form of m16/ m04 etc, and only a handfull if that many have m9's. Genrally the ones with the m9's are not the ones doing the fighting, they are normally command and control. IE Co's Lt's, maybe PSG, and maybe RTO's. (Infantry company in the big army)
For the other mos personnel in wheich almost all of them have m9's they are not very commonly in contact, and if they are they are not generally doing day to day raids, patrols, ambushes etc.
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possum
Member
this isn't very smart in my opinion, but I see where he is coming from. However I would have loved to have been issued an m9.
rbernie
Contributing Member
My PF9s shoot very well with WWB and my cast reloads, as well as factory Gold Dot 147gr HP and Win 115gr HPs. It is a lot easier to shoot than the smaller mouseguns, and I carry them regularly as backup guns.
What LE agency currently approves the use of FMJ in duty guns?
I've owned one for 3-4 years now and have shot the snot out of it...you would be wise to get some medium grit sandpaper and a small flat rectangular piece of wood to wrap it around and knock down the molding flash lines on the frame. It tore my hand up pretty good the first time I shot it. My PF-9 likes to be well oiled and if it is it will run as long as you care to shoot it.
As far as holsters go I bought a pocket and clip on IWB holster from Grandfather Oaks,both of them are Kydex and fit like a glove. My pistol has shot everything I stuck in the magazine. Take your time getting used to shooting it and don't let people scare you about the recoil. Hold on with a firm grip and you will find it comes back on target very quickly.
Good luck and enjoy your new Kel-Tec pistol,for the price they are hard to beat and dead nuts reliable in my book.
As far as holsters go I bought a pocket and clip on IWB holster from Grandfather Oaks,both of them are Kydex and fit like a glove. My pistol has shot everything I stuck in the magazine. Take your time getting used to shooting it and don't let people scare you about the recoil. Hold on with a firm grip and you will find it comes back on target very quickly.
Good luck and enjoy your new Kel-Tec pistol,for the price they are hard to beat and dead nuts reliable in my book.
My wife has one, she found it at a gun show, and before I knew what she was doing, had it wrapped up, ready to go.
So far it has run everything from brown bear 115 fmj, remington 115 fmj & hp, to the Win. ranger 115 +P+ HP. The +p+ was a bit much to hold onto, but the pistol took it like a champ, and has yet to miss a beat.
Her current carry ammo is Federal 147gr hydrashock LE ammo, as it was available, shoots to point of aim at 10 yds, and is accurate in her pistol.
So far it has run everything from brown bear 115 fmj, remington 115 fmj & hp, to the Win. ranger 115 +P+ HP. The +p+ was a bit much to hold onto, but the pistol took it like a champ, and has yet to miss a beat.
Her current carry ammo is Federal 147gr hydrashock LE ammo, as it was available, shoots to point of aim at 10 yds, and is accurate in her pistol.
You mean a girl can shoot that there pistol and not cry!!! LOL....Good for her.
Does she have a sister?
Growing up I had a 14 year old sister that shot my Dad's .44 Smith all the time and used to laugh about how hard it kicked...And it didn't take her long to learn to hit old oil cans at 50 ft. Point is nobody told her to be scared of recoil.
Does she have a sister?
Growing up I had a 14 year old sister that shot my Dad's .44 Smith all the time and used to laugh about how hard it kicked...And it didn't take her long to learn to hit old oil cans at 50 ft. Point is nobody told her to be scared of recoil.
Shadow 7D
Member
KTOG.org
go read the tech stuff, a fluff and buff is basically an accelerated 'breakin"
go read the tech stuff, a fluff and buff is basically an accelerated 'breakin"
evan price
Member
I took a razor blade and trimmed off all the mold lines on the grip frame. I tok a 2.2mm drill bit and set it into the opening for the firing pin in the breech face and spun it back and forth a few times by hand to leave a slight concavity there for dirt buildup. I lubed it well with silicon grease. Polished the feed ramp slightly with a felt wheel and some Flitz. That's it.
Then I went crzy with the razor blade, recontouring the frame to fit my hand better. The rear of the frame just below the slide is squarish and chunky, I reshaped it rounder and smoother. Put a radius on the trigger guard and trimmed the trigger slightly. Removed the vertical serrations on the front and backstrap. Sanded down the sides so the squares in the grip weren't so sharp and bitey. Fits my hand better and no problems with recoil. My next project will be to stipple the grips.
Then I went crzy with the razor blade, recontouring the frame to fit my hand better. The rear of the frame just below the slide is squarish and chunky, I reshaped it rounder and smoother. Put a radius on the trigger guard and trimmed the trigger slightly. Removed the vertical serrations on the front and backstrap. Sanded down the sides so the squares in the grip weren't so sharp and bitey. Fits my hand better and no problems with recoil. My next project will be to stipple the grips.
OP
OP
pwillie
Member
Thanks guys, I will report my findings, Willie!
hardluk1
member
Seems your tread got highjacked a bit. I have carried a pf-9 for a couple years+ and My break in is the same for any pistol. Break your pistol down and clean and lube look for anything to smooth or debur. On plastic frames the casteing lines need some smoothing many times. Also the mags. + debure the follower and clean and lightly wiped down . I start shooting with any ole box of cheap ammo to start with and then mix weights and brands just to be sure everthing fires 100% for 400 rounds. I pick the carry ammo of my choice and will fire 200 ronuds of that . Now if still 100% it is carry ready. Mine now has a couple thousand rounds fired and has been a very good carry pistol. It can be a hand full to hang on to for extened shooting but some sort of grip improver can help from hogue slip ons to skate board tape. Go over to KTOG and read all the tech tips and meet and greet there. I also have a kahr and glock 27 and allways return to the pf-9 for every
day carry.
day carry.
millertyme
Member
I have the P11 which has an additional 3# or trigger and several more rounds. I don't care to shoot anything but 115gr standard pressure rounds. I shot a few 124gr +P JHP and that was a pretty wild ride. After shooting it I can't even feel the break on my CZ. A little sand paper goes a long way on KT frames from removing a little of the slickness to smoothing out the casting lines along the back.
I wish I had purchased the PF9 instead. Either way, they're both good pistols and KT is a great company.
I wish I had purchased the PF9 instead. Either way, they're both good pistols and KT is a great company.
I have to learnd to love the PF9 again. I owned one a few years back when I was still new in handgunning. I have to admit, unless you are comfortable with handguns, the PF9 is not for you. After a few years and owning and shooting many handguns of different calibers, I decided to purchase one and use it as a carry. I have no regrets!
She loves shooting her "little 9". The recoil doesnt bother her, unless we are shooting alot, and I think anyone would grow tired of it after a box of ammo. If she plans on shooting alot, she pulls out the PT92.
Honestly, I havent noticed that much of a difference in recoil between most of the loads that we have run through it. the softer ones were some light handloads that I tried when I first started loading 9mm. And of course, the +P+ ammo, which I hadnt even heard of until I picked that box up at a gun show. I wont be making that mistake again. If I need more steam than what regular or +P has, I will step up to a heavier caliber in a bigger gun.
TomKat
Member
I don't understand... I shot 200+ rounds of walmart federal 115g junk through mine in one morning and my hand didn't hurt at all! no bruising, red marks, chaffing, etc... (shot a few Win 147jhp, and Win 115g silvertip HP's as well) sure it kicks a lot, it's 12.7 ounces shooting a 9mm round. For what it's designed for, it's possibly the best 9mm carry pistol out there, IMO.
I have a PF-9 I have now put over 8k rounds down range. I have beat the dog snot out of it. I have shot way hot rounds through it. And yes,,, I did crack a slide. I called KT and wanted to purchase a new slide. And told them how I beat on the poor thing. They insisted on replacing the slide. I sent them a fully striped slide in a very poor cold blue finish. And they sent me back a new slide dressed out less barrel 6 weeks later. I still shoot the snot out of it! Train with what you carry!
I bought mine blued slide and black grip. The slide started rusting from the get go. I striped the blue and took out all the third world bad machine marks. And painted up with brake caliper paint, rattle can style. Heat cured it by the direction and then let it set 24 hours. When putting back together I chipped it on my bench. Should have let it set another 24. But I could not stand the chip in a otherwise great looking slide. So I striped it again and cold blued it while I waited for my rust blue formula to come in. Thats when I cracked the slide. KT replaced the slide with a new blued one. I ended up striping it taking the ugly machine marks out and reshooting it with the brake paint. I let it set 48 hours and its tough as nails. I have not rust blued it to date. But my AK looks fantastic. lolololol
I have polished the ramp and chamber, the exterior of the barrel. And hand lapped the bore a tad. Slicked up some trigger parts. Cleaned up and painted the second slide. Cleaned up some of the mold flash lines on the grip.
One does need to make sure at the min. that the frankin screw is set with blue loctite. Or it could very well spit the firing pin out at you. Make darn sure your pistol has a straight on axis firing pin bore. A bit off center isn't a problem. Off axis is very bad. And clean up burrs and machining/shipping goop from the firing pin bore.
I use Mobil 1 grease and oil on mine applied very light. Grease on the rails, inside top portion of the slide for the chamber hood. With fingers rubbed all over the barrel its self. I also put and bit of grease on the part of the slide that cocks the hammer. With one drop of M1 0w-20 on the pivot of the hammer. My frame rails look better than most with 500 rounds through them and the average gun snake oil lube. The Alum. frame is done right if lubed right.
The only issue I've had with mine other than the cracked slide was the frankin screw got loose a tad and the screw got boogered up on the end. KT sent me a new screw, flat spring, extractor, fining pin and spring and the newest mag release.
Mine has chambered, fired and extracted every round I've fed it. From mild to wild from retail fodder to my reloads. From 90gn bullets to 147gn. Be them ball or HP. It shoots POA with 124gn bullets from mild to wild loads. A tad high with 147's and low with the useless 115's and 90's. It flattens the primers out if I shoot the hottest loads I shoot with my lowly Sigma. back the PF-9 rounds down .2 tenths of a grain and that issue goes away.
And for those that complain about recoil and the poor PF-9 beating them up and they can't get good follow ups on it. You need to man up and get into your weapon. My hands are beat to crud. Rotator cups are hurt, bad back and a big hernia. Not to mention a bad knee, hip joint and foot. I'm beat to crap! The PF-9 is the best small quarter's light, small combat pistol I've ever worked with. Bar none. It's thunder in my fist. Thor never had a hammer like mine!
Here are a few picks of mine.
New out of the box laying on top of my Sigma.
With it's first paint job. Chip and all.
Horid cold blue with crack.
Yes KT replaced the slide.
Cleaned up barrel.
KT was not getting this beautiful shooter back when the slide cracked.
As fast as I can pull the trigger at 25 yards and stay on target.
It's a dead down range shooter.
Last thing you will see if I have to draw close quarter.
New out of the box before I went to work on it. Note the horid machine work on the slide and in the barrel. And yes thats a dummy round.
Mine has never dropped a mag, had a pin move, misfired, jammed or other wise not functioned. I have shot them all. A R9 is a over priced paper weight. Ruger's entry is a knock off better finished and a worse trigger. Others not even need to apply. They all need to slim down or add a round.
My wife won't shoot it. But will shoot full house mags with her 60 Pro,,,, go figure.
I like my PF-9 a lot! I love my wife, kids, grandkids, family and friends. I carry my PF-9. And I'm pretty darn good with it.
Some tips on PF-9 can be found here. http://www.youtube.com/user/psyshack1?feature=mhsn#p/a/u/1/3WfOOQJoqm8
I bought mine blued slide and black grip. The slide started rusting from the get go. I striped the blue and took out all the third world bad machine marks. And painted up with brake caliper paint, rattle can style. Heat cured it by the direction and then let it set 24 hours. When putting back together I chipped it on my bench. Should have let it set another 24. But I could not stand the chip in a otherwise great looking slide. So I striped it again and cold blued it while I waited for my rust blue formula to come in. Thats when I cracked the slide. KT replaced the slide with a new blued one. I ended up striping it taking the ugly machine marks out and reshooting it with the brake paint. I let it set 48 hours and its tough as nails. I have not rust blued it to date. But my AK looks fantastic.
lolololol I have polished the ramp and chamber, the exterior of the barrel. And hand lapped the bore a tad. Slicked up some trigger parts. Cleaned up and painted the second slide. Cleaned up some of the mold flash lines on the grip.
One does need to make sure at the min. that the frankin screw is set with blue loctite. Or it could very well spit the firing pin out at you. Make darn sure your pistol has a straight on axis firing pin bore. A bit off center isn't a problem. Off axis is very bad. And clean up burrs and machining/shipping goop from the firing pin bore.
I use Mobil 1 grease and oil on mine applied very light. Grease on the rails, inside top portion of the slide for the chamber hood. With fingers rubbed all over the barrel its self. I also put and bit of grease on the part of the slide that cocks the hammer. With one drop of M1 0w-20 on the pivot of the hammer. My frame rails look better than most with 500 rounds through them and the average gun snake oil lube. The Alum. frame is done right if lubed right.
The only issue I've had with mine other than the cracked slide was the frankin screw got loose a tad and the screw got boogered up on the end. KT sent me a new screw, flat spring, extractor, fining pin and spring and the newest mag release.
Mine has chambered, fired and extracted every round I've fed it. From mild to wild from retail fodder to my reloads. From 90gn bullets to 147gn. Be them ball or HP. It shoots POA with 124gn bullets from mild to wild loads. A tad high with 147's and low with the useless 115's and 90's. It flattens the primers out if I shoot the hottest loads I shoot with my lowly Sigma. back the PF-9 rounds down .2 tenths of a grain and that issue goes away.
And for those that complain about recoil and the poor PF-9 beating them up and they can't get good follow ups on it. You need to man up and get into your weapon. My hands are beat to crud. Rotator cups are hurt, bad back and a big hernia. Not to mention a bad knee, hip joint and foot. I'm beat to crap! The PF-9 is the best small quarter's light, small combat pistol I've ever worked with. Bar none. It's thunder in my fist. Thor never had a hammer like mine!
Here are a few picks of mine.
New out of the box laying on top of my Sigma.
With it's first paint job. Chip and all.
Horid cold blue with crack.
Yes KT replaced the slide.
Cleaned up barrel.
KT was not getting this beautiful shooter back when the slide cracked.
As fast as I can pull the trigger at 25 yards and stay on target.
It's a dead down range shooter.
Last thing you will see if I have to draw close quarter.
New out of the box before I went to work on it. Note the horid machine work on the slide and in the barrel. And yes thats a dummy round.
Mine has never dropped a mag, had a pin move, misfired, jammed or other wise not functioned. I have shot them all. A R9 is a over priced paper weight. Ruger's entry is a knock off better finished and a worse trigger. Others not even need to apply. They all need to slim down or add a round.
My wife won't shoot it. But will shoot full house mags with her 60 Pro,,,, go figure.
I like my PF-9 a lot! I love my wife, kids, grandkids, family and friends. I carry my PF-9. And I'm pretty darn good with it.
Some tips on PF-9 can be found here. http://www.youtube.com/user/psyshack1?feature=mhsn#p/a/u/1/3WfOOQJoqm8
Tell me about it! Google shopping can't even find a vendor with the PF9 in stock, let alone the specific model I want. I'm reconsidering going with a P239 instead since it would be more pleasant to practice with (and just plain cool), but you can't beat the size/weight and price of the Kel Tec for a 9mm pocket pistol.
Shadow 7D
Member
I call a few of the local shops, check out some of the pawn shops
I can usually find the gun I want locally, but asking around helps too.
I can usually find the gun I want locally, but asking around helps too.
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