Pro's/Con's Kel Tec p11

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ccsniper

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I recently bought a Kel Tec P11 used, it came with one mag and I wanted to do a short write up on the pro's/con's of the pistol.

Pro's
The gun is LIGHT. I don't even realize that the gun is on my hip. I had to keep checking to make sure I hadn't dropped it somewhere along the way.

9mm in virtually a 380 package, definitely a plus in my book. IIRC This gun was at one time considered the smallest 9mm in the world. Guns like the bersa .380 are actually bigger with less capacity in a smaller round.

10+1 or 12+1 rounds of 9mm with a magazine that is still flush with the bottom of this little 9 is quite awesome to me.

Uses Smith and wesson 59 series magazines. This means if I want, I can carry this gun with a 15 round magazine in it.

This gun is reliable. Went and put 125 rounds through it, if I can go 125 rounds without a jam I consider the gun reliable enough to carry. I was shooting WWB 115 grain fmj's, and 124 grain Remy Golden Sabers but the gun digested them without a hickup, and this was immediately after I bought the gun. I did not take it home to clean it and it was quite dirty (ran it dry) when I got to the range.

Kel Tec has a lifetime warranty and from what I hear excellent CS.

The Con's
This gun is LIGHT. Meaning when you pull the trigger, the gun lets you know that it is there. Recoil is not too bad with standard practice ammo, but Remington Golden Sabers of the 124 grain flavor bark and bite pretty good on both sides of the gun.

The trigger pull is LOOONNNNNNGGGGGGG. I cannot fire very quickly as the reset is so far forward. It most certainly is nothing like a 1911 lol. (this really doesn't bother me as the long heavy trigger pull is the guns only safety).

The sights on the gun are not impressive. Both front and back are plastic, of which I am not a fan. I have already removed some of the white paint on the dots by simply removing from my holster.

Gun shoots low for everyone I have allowed to shoot it. Shoots about 6 inches low at 21 feet. Kel Tec sells a different sight for it to fix this problem but to me this is a GIANT negative for the gun. I have never shot a gun that was not at least semi close to where I was aiming. Some of you might think that is being a little harsh, but I am simply being honest.

Overall, I would recommend this gun as a decent concealed carry piece. The gun will now be my daily carry. The gun is a little thicker than most 9mm guns its size but I find that neither a pro or con. I really do love this pistol and have to say that kel tec makes a good gun.
 
The trigger was thing that turned me off about it.

What kind of sight picture do you use with it? Target aligned with the top of the sights, or putting the front dot over the target? Some pistols are designed for the latter sight picture. My SIGs always seem to shoot low, and from what I've been told it's likely because I was aiming with the top of the sight post instead of the center.
 
The trigger, IMHO, is absolutely what a pocket PDW needs, perfectly safe, no safeties needed, works like my DA revolvers if a little longer throw. I shoot it very well to 25 yards as it's got a very smooth trigger. DAs that are smooth are easy to hit with no matter the spring weight. The spring is advertized at 8 lbs, mine's the old 10 lber, though as many rounds as has been through it, might be closer to 8 now days. :D It feels like 3 ounces, though, with your adrenalin is up....trust me on this.

I've actually used mine to return a very good score in IDPA competition some years ago. Like having a service weapon in your pocket. Mine will put 10 rounds into 3.5" at 25 yards off the bench. Some service guns can't do that.

Most factory stuff like WWB shoot a little high with mine at 25 yards, but my carry load, 6.4 grains Unique under a 115 grain Hornady XTP, shoots to point of aim.
 
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You can use the 15 round S&W model 59 mags. I have two of them with the K-T grip extensions and this makes for a very nice grip at the range. Mine are from Mec-Gar and have never FTF nor FTE. The gun probably won't conceal completely with a 15 round mag in place but they make for good extra mags for CC. I can carry with the extended mag installed with a loose shirt but it does show a little... though most folks would never suspect it's a pistol.
 
My ex-wife had one. It shot about 2" low. I hated the trigger, she loved it. I'm not sure how many rounds she put through it, but I don't recall any failures.


Vit
 
I've been told the 12 round mags can have problems in the gun. My 3 10 rounders function just fine and with 'em, the gun is pocketable which is the way I carry. I can't get away with IWB down here more'n a few cool days a year when it drops all the way down into the 60s. :rolleyes: I really have zero use for the bigger mags, anyway. If he aiin't dead by the 11th shot, I need more practice! Anyway, I only carry five in my revolver.
 
In a panic situation your not going to notice the trigger pull and if your shooting at someone 21 feet away something is wrong. Who gets robbed by someone standing 20 feet away. They are made for up close sd situations.
 
Enlighten me - what is the difference between a P11 and PF-9? Is the PF-9 basically the replacement for the P-11, or are both still manufactured?
 
Does anyone know if the trigger can be changed/modified. I have one as well with a 10 rnd mag and grip ext. and love it. But dam that trigger. Its now my daily carry.
 
Fishbed77
Enlighten me - what is the difference between a P11 and PF-9? Is the PF-9 basically the replacement for the P-11, or are both still manufactured?
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PF-9 is single stack 7+1 and about a tenth of an inch slimmer than the P-11. Weight-wise they are virtually identical as well. 12.7 oz -vs- 14 oz for the P-11. The trigger on the PF-9 is much lighter @ 5lb -vs- 9lb for the P-11. The P-11's trigger pull used to be at 11lb. The PF-9 is prettier.

For me, I'd go with the P-11 any day due to a capacity of 12+1 flush. That plus the fact it can take S&W 59 mags. The P-11 has become my wear-around-the-house gun. Light but with decent power.
 
Gun shoots low for everyone I have allowed to shoot it.
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You mentioned that you are shooting 115 and 124gr loads out of it. Might be worth trying some 147gr. loads. Heavier bullets tend to hit higher.

Some also say that a heavier bullet is better for a shorter barrel because it has longer "dwell" time compared to a lighter bullet and therefore loses less of a percentage of its velocity because the gasses have longer to throughly expand.
 
Zundfolge said:
Same here.

If the P11 had the same trigger as the PF9 I'd own one...
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RE: P11 Lightened Trigger Pull

It can easily be done. I did it to mine. HOWEVER... the lightened trigger spring necessitates a lighter firing pin spring to eliminate light strikes. This makes the pistol more prone to accidental discharge if dropped on a very hard surface directly on the muzzle. If you do this I suggest NOT keeping one in the pipe.
 
Save up and get a G26 or a CW9! I had one of them nasty P11s, trigger flat out sucked, shot 8" low at 21' as did every other KT I have fired. The slide peening was awefull, and I greased it per KT instruction. Can't say anything bad about reliability, just shootability.....Great bellygun If you like to wait that long to defend yourself. A G26 is only very slightly larger in size and weight, and you have an accurate gun for the range, if you like extended training with your carry gun. My CW9 will never go off on accident, as the trigger is very long like the P11s, but it sure is smooth, and a pleasure to shoot.
 
I had one of these and am very pleased to say it is gone.
My closest experience to this was the Detonics Pocket 9 good idea until you shoot it.
Holster is more important than size in concealment.
Hitting the target is more of a priority than all others.
Neither of these 9mm's did hit the target for me.
I would rather have an 1858 Colt for carry. need I say more?
 
The solution to the trigger is just practice. You have to actually SHOOT the gun once in a while. DA shooting can be mastered, and the P11 is actually a GOOD smooth DA trigger. It's just long, and that's a good thing for carry.

The PF9 and the P11 are both in production. The PF9 has a lighter, shorter trigger, but is not second strike capable.

The G26 and the CW9 are fine if you like to spend that much. The P11 is just as accurate and just as reliable, though, at least mine is. The G26 is a pig, heavy and oversized, and I won't carry a "safe action" gun, especially in a pocket.


In a panic situation your not going to notice the trigger pull and if your shooting at someone 21 feet away something is wrong. Who gets robbed by someone standing 20 feet away. They are made for up close sd situations.
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I have already proved this to myself. I was attacked by a Chow when he came on my property after my barn cats. I kicked him off the cats, he backed up a few feet and came after me. I already had the gun out, pulled down on him. Felt like a 3 ounce trigger, bullet went straight and true. Wasn't even a human armed attack, just a mean dog, and the adrenalin did that.

I HATE that "it's a belly gun" excuse, especially when the gun is as accurate as this thing. It's a great 25 yard plinker. I've put many rounds out of it at 25 on the 6" steel plates. Yes, I practice at hand shake to 15 yards, but I like to plink. I like to hear that DINGGGG with a hit. :D Shooting paper is boring.

We have pepper poppers at our range, too. I back off 15 yards as I don't wanna get too close and practice point shooting them with speed. Practice makes perfect. I ain't perfect yet, but I'm getting there. :D
 
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Any gun that can't hit exactly where you aim it at 21' is a belly gun to me;) I shot my KT off a sandbag rest because it hit so low, and it still hit low off the bag. The gun is capable of good groups, don't get my wrong, just not where I want them.

I can easily hit a 10"x10" steel plate at 40yrds with my CW9, (8 out of 8 shots) and at 75yrds I'm at least 50%. Do that with your KT!:D
 
The solution to the trigger is just practice. You have to actually SHOOT the gun once in a while. DA shooting can be mastered, and the P11 is actually a GOOD smooth DA trigger. It's just long, and that's a good thing for carry.
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Agreed. The P-11 requires alot of practice, but anyone should get alot of practice with a carry gun anyway. I had to put the right sight on mine to get it to shoot to point of aim, but it's there now, it's plenty accurate, dead reliable and cheap enough to not worry about beating it up. If you don't intend to master the trigger, don't buy a P-11, but it can be mastered. I am VERY comfortable with my trigger and can put hits on target pretty quickly and accurately with it.

I can easily hit a 10"x10" steel plate at 40yrds with my CW9, (8 out of 8 shots) and at 75yrds I'm at least 50%. Do that with your KT!
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Meet me at the range. Don't underestimate the power of practice and familiarity.
 
Yea, gas prices are too high anyway. Besides, I haven't been eating my Wheaties lately - may not be able to back up the claims;)
 
Quote:
I can easily hit a 10"x10" steel plate at 40yrds with my CW9, (8 out of 8 shots) and at 75yrds I'm at least 50%. Do that with your KT!

Meet me at the range. Don't underestimate the power of practice and familiarity.
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:D Yeah, I'll take that bet, too. Mine shoots to POA with my carry load at 25 yards. A 10x10 at 50 would be child's play. It's not MUCH less accurate than my snubby and we used to play hit the 12" gong at 100 yards with .38 snubbies. I could hit 'em probably 3 of 5 shooting SORT OF creedmore. I say "sort of" because I was very aware of the short barrel and got it well out in front of my leg. Pretty steady, though, though it weren't my TC 7mm TCU IHMSA gun.

Hey, just because the gun isn't designed for it, don't mean it ain't fun DOIN' it. :D
 
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