Makrov or Kel Tec for summertime CCW?

[Ari]

Couple weeks ago had an incident happen that made me want to renew my CCW. With the summer months approaching, and lighter clothing I'd like to find something smaller for CCW. reliable and sufficient firepower I was thinking of either the Kel Tec P11 because I remember you can get a clip for it so I won't need to use a holster, or a Makrov, for it's ultimately reliable design, of course, I'd have to use a IWB holster.

thoughts?

 

[brett30030]

I'm a KT fan, when they work. But i would never carry a gun w/o a safety that was not in a holster.

 

[Spuds]

Simple, both! Kel-Tec P11 for summer, the Mak for winter.

 

[Noble]

Kahr MK40: not too much bigger than the 3AT and chambered in .40 S&W. I carry mine IWB dressed in jeans and a t-shirt no problem.

 

[Devonai]

I carry my P11 in a simple $7 Uncle Mike's open-top nylon holster in my front pocket. You can tell something is there but it isn't obviously a pistol. The holster protects the action from pocket lint, covers the trigger, and is made out of anti-slip fabric. If I want to draw only the pistol then I grab only the pistol, and the holster remains.

In my opinion, the P11 is a better choice if you can get used to the trigger pull. I have nothing against Maks but I prefer 10+1 of 9x19mm over 8+1 of .380/9mm Mak. Plus I have a S&W 59-series 15-round magazine as a reload.

I carry the larger magazine in a Gerber multi-tool pouch so that I don't have to conceal it.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I like the Mak because of its ruggedness and dependability.

 

[Travis McGee]

Kel-Tec P-11 all the way.

 

[nwilliams]

I carry a Russian Mak as my summer carry.

Why?
• Accurate - one hole groups at 15 yards works for me!
• Dependable - Havn't had a single fail to feed or fire yet, 500 rounds of cheap Bilver Bear and few hundred rounds of S&B and not a single problem with either load. I carry Hornady as my defense load.
• Fits my hand - The smallest gun I've ever owned that still fits my hand very well.
• 9x18 - Bit more punch than .380 which is a nice thing to have
• Adjustable rear sight - Just a nice feature to have on such a surplus gun such as this.
• Decent trigger
• Built like a tank!
• Fairly light recoil
• The only gun I've owned that I can carry iwb comfortably
• $200!

Here are some pics of my baby

 

[aubie515]

Both offer advantages. The P11 can use S&W 59 series mags, so you can pack a lot of firepower.

The Maks that I own are very accurate and would trust the Mak over the KT. I'm not KT bashing, seeing how I carry a P3AT at times, but KT aren't exactly going to be impressing anyone in the accuracy department.

The Maks are wider compared to the P11, but I still like them. Make sure you get yourself a set of Pearce grips for the Mak and you will be GTG.

 

[tinygnat219]

These are your choices? Wouldn't touch the P11. LOUSY trigger, Makarov is passable, but is heavy for the cartridge it fires. Also, in summer you might have this heavy steel weight draggin yer drawers to your knees with the Makarov.

 

[Geister]

The S&W 15 rd, 59 series magazine is too big as the carry magazine inside of the P11; it's better as a spare. Also, I'm pretty sure the P11 will need stronger springs to better handle the 59 magazine.

I put my friend's P11 in both the regular pockets and cargo pockets of my Docker shorts with no problem.

The P11 has a lousy trigger but it's my understanding that it can be improved. I'd take a 9mm over a .38 Special any day.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Kel Tec other weights a ton and shoots a smaller round

 

[spence13e]

P11 all the way. light, dependable, and inexpensive.

 

[Plink]

The Makarov is a little larger and a bit heavier than the KT. If you can conceal it, it's generally a better shooter, a bit more reliable and a lot more accurate. I like both guns and I carry a P-11 a lot in the summer. If the Makarov carried as conveniently for me, the P-11 would be gathering dust in the safe. It shoots that much better.

 

[Devonai]

Also, I'm pretty sure the P11 will need stronger springs to better handle the 59 magazine.

Why? I don't follow your logic.

My P11 has fed just fine with all S&W mags it has encountered.

 

[Ari]

That's what it seems to come down to. Ease of concealment, or reliability and accuracy. either one is a step up from the 59 series Smith and Wesson I have now. Reliability and Accuracy is nothing when it's sitting at home, but again, with someone that doesn't shoot nearly as much as I'd like to, reliability and accuracy is a huge plus and would be confidence inspiring when the need arises.

 

[scurtis_34471]

If I was going to get a Kel Tec, it would be a PF-9. The trigger on the P11 sucks.

 

[Devonai]

I haven't fired the PF-9, but if the trigger on the PF-9 is anything like the P32 then I would have to agree.

As to reliability, Ari, I have heard that the P11 may not feed all HP rounds without a "fluff and buff" job, or polishing the feed ramp. My personal experience has been that my first P11 (sold it, regretted it, and bought another one) and my second have both fed Speer Gold-Dot 115-grain and 124-grain JHPs without a hitch. I have not tried any other HP rounds, but if you do get one it would be wise to make sure your favorite self-defense ammo feeds properly.

If not, I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker. I would try different rounds until you found one that your P11 likes, or buff up the feed ramp and try again.

And if you already own a S&W 59, the choice is even easier!

 

[kludge]

My P-11 shoots 115's, 124's, 148's, FMJ, HP, and has never had so much as a hiccup. No "fluff and buff" either. If it won't shoot send it back. The trigger weight doesn't bother me.

 

[Bobo]

Why carry a heavier, used, .380 (9 x 18) Makarov, when you could carry a lighter, more powerful, new, lifetime warranty, 9 mm (9 x 19) Kel-Tec P-11 or Kel-Tec PF9 for about the same money

Slightly larger:
You could also spend a bit a more and get a Taurus Millenium Pro 9 mm, .40, .45,
http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=MP1
or Para Hawg 9 mm, .45,
http://www.paraord.com/product/category.html?cat=20
or a bit more and get a Kahr PM9 or PM40,
http://www.kahr.com/pistols_PM9094.html
or bit more and get a Kimber Ultra Carry.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/ultracarry/ultracarry.php

 

[usp9]

The Makarov is a pretty heavy gun. If you can go lighter, I'd suggest going that way. This is why my little Seecamp sees a lot of carry time in the warm months.

 

[Ari]

Just so we're clear, money is an object for me. I chose these because they are within "my" pricerange. I would love to have both, or even a more high class gun, but my budget simply will not allow at the moment so I need to remain realistic. Don't get me wrong, I'm always thankful for advise from this knowledgeable board, but if you're going to recommend another, I'd like to see some with in my budget. TIA

 

[Ari]

Seems as though I need to take a look at the PF-9, as the Kel Tec option appears to be getting more nods. I've only seen pics on line, but am I correct in assuming they are about the same size dimension wise?

Any wheel guns I should consider? Only thoughts on that are, speed loaders are bulky, and firepower wise, not like I anticipate going up against a Hollywood shoot out.

 

[Plink]

To me the main difference is that the Kel-Tec is basically a "belly gun" while the Makarov is capable of quite accurate aimed fire at distances farther than you'd probably ever need. The PF-9 is about the same size as the P-11, but it's about .20" thinner. It has a better trigger for sure and that might add to it's useful accuracy. I've fired one a couple times, but not enough to really get a feel for it compared to my P-11. I'm definately considering one myself though, as I find the P-11 just a tad thick for how I carry. Weight doesn't bother me, so that's not a factor. In fact I prefer a heavier gun because it's easier to shoot.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I have a p11 and like it because of it's light weight and small size. I don't consider it a pocket pistol (lesast not my pocket). The mak is heavier and is much better built, more accurate and relaible. So what if the p11 has a lifetime warranty if it breaks in the middle of a gunfight?? Yea, I know there is someone out there that has shot 10,000 rounds from their k/t w/o a single problem. Easy on the +P stuff.

My always gun is a k/t p32. It has been 100% since nib, but today I had what I believe an ammo related jam. The round I was shooting was some fn flat nose made in 1982. I've never had a problem with this round and it's been my carry round for years, but now I got the willies and can't trust it anymore.