Recoil in pocket auto

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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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I tried searching for this question but couldn't find an answer...

What's the recoil factor like in a KelTek P11?, their 9mm pocket rocket? I know it'll be more than out of my full-size MP because of the weight. Is the recoil enough that follow-up shots are difficult?

I shoot full-house .357 in my SP101 with no problem and can manage minute of bad-guy DA work. I do about the same shooting rapidly with my MP9. But is the P11's diminuitive size prohibitive for even that (ahem) "good" of shooting?

I'm asking because a local fellow knows I've been looking for a pocket pistol and he's willing to sell me his P11 and pay it out over a couple months...

Thanks,

Q
 
I haven't shot a K/T, but I have a Kahr PM-9. I would describe it as "snappy". There is a quick jump that makes accurate shooting difficult, (or maybe it's just me.) but it is no way uncomfortable. I have shot 200 rnds in a row to break it in with no problems. You do have to maintain a tight grip to keep accurate.
 
The main thing I noticed about a Keltec P11 was the tough trigger pull, not the recoil. The PM9 has a narrower grip and tends to dig in, though.


he's willing to sell me his P11 and pay it out over a couple months...
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Very generous of him, on such a cheap gun. Now see if he will let you testfire it and get your own impressions.
 
p11 needs a lot of practice. trigger is kind of long and on the heavy side. for follow up shots, trigger work more than recoil determines interval and accuracy. a good firm grip will handle recoil--which is stout but low in the hand. many ( most of the earlier ones) are not really accurate; they are designed for close up self-defense. even at 21 feet shooting slow fire, 2 to 4 inch groups are what to expect. doesnt even make for a plinker. shoot enuf +p's in it to know weather you will want to carry them. i carry silvertips. better/faster follow up shots. i like its double strike capability.
as to price--used with a stainless upper , 2 mags & belt clip tops $250. i'd say in excellent condition but even new it is some times hard to call them that. all this aside; i like and trust mine. and my p3at. and my p32
 
P11

I don't have any problem at all with recoil on the P11. The fat double-stack grip gives your hand a big cushion. I also use the magazine lip, always.
 
The fellow is out of town for the week on business, so I won't be able to handle it for a while.

The P11 is a 2x stack? Didn't know that...Hmmmm...so it would be a bit more hand-filling than, say the Ruger LCP? Does that thickness make it too big for pocket carry? That's what I really am looking for...

I'll have to check it out in person when he gets back.

Q
 
I put 60 rounds through my pf9 on saturday. It is easy to get the magfull into cener mass in rapid fire at 10 yrds, but after 60 rounds, my hand was feeling it. The recoil is controllable, but painfull after a while. Maybe the p11 isn't as bad because of the wider grip.
 
Any locked-breach semi-auto will not hurt as much as a revolver with similiar power & weight.

The operation of the action spreads the recoil impulse over a longer time frame.

It kicks just as hard, but it doesn't feel like it.

rcmodel
 
Kel Tec P-11

I pocket carry (in a pocket holster) my Kel-Tec P-11 often. At 14 ounces empty, it weighs less than my S&W 642 Airweight.

I use the optional Kel-Tec 12 shot factory magazines in it instead of the "sold with the gun" 10-shot one. Both of those (10 & 12) are made by Mec-Gar. I carry it loaded with Remington Golden Sabre 124 grain +P JHP's...12+1 in a small package.

The gun does have some more than noticeable hand smack when firing it due to its light weight. The trigger pull, though heavy and long, seems no different than a S&W revolver when shot double action.

In a defensive situation when shots are fired, I bet one wouldn't notice the trigger pull or the hand smack.

I like the Kel-Tec P-11 so well for pocket carry that I traded my more expensive and heavier Glock 26 for yet another S&W Revolver. :cool:

Kel Tec [strike]P-11[/strike] P-12+1

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The trigger shoe that Kel-Tec sells does make the trigger "seem" better as it adds some width to the trigger blade.
 
Anyone give me the OA dimensions of the gun - esp. width?

I want to compare it with a Taurus PT111. I shot one of those and liked it, but thought it too thick for pocket carry. Is the KT11 the same size ~ after all, both are double stack.

I'm a big guy, but as a clergyman I don't need someone coming up to me on a Sunday morning and say, "Ummmm... pastor... is that a CCW in your pocket, or have you been nipping the sacramental wine already?"

Q

Edi[o]t: Duh...went back and found dimensions on Bobo's pocket auto chart. 1.3" wide. Interestingly, the PT111 is 1.125 wide, but doesn't make Bobo's chart because it's 1/8" too long. The PT111 is also slightly heavier...about 4 ounces more. Gonna have to shoot that KT and see how it handles, cuz if they're that close, I might hold out for a used PT111.
 
Go KT

I tried both the Taurus and the Keltec.
Keltec has world-class customer service after the sale.
Taurus has a spotty rep in that regard.
I bought the Keltec. In fact, I'm on my 3rd P11
I load it with the 12-rnd mag with finger extension.
I keep a 15-round S&W mag for reloads. That's 28 rounds.

I just had to have the navy blue/hard chrome version.
This picture doesn't do the blue justice.
 

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I'm a big guy, but as a clergyman I don't need someone coming up to me on a Sunday morning and say, "Ummmm... pastor... is that a CCW in your pocket, or have you been nipping the sacramental wine already?"
Click to expand...
I applaud you carrying a firearm as a clergyman. I know of one other (Baptist) minister that carries. Most others I know of recoil in horror at the mention of guns.:confused:
 
As others said, I'd describe it as snappy. The trigger DOES smooth out over time, and I'd expect your experience with DA shooting would translate well...as long as you don't try to stack the trigger. I've found a single smooth pull with followthrough to be key.

The PF9 is much snappier and I'm still working on being more comfortable handling it well for faster followups.

The LCP, comparared to the PF-9, is a dream to shoot.

For some reason, I still avoid .357. Taking it all into account, I'd think a P-11 would be fine for you.
 
You might like the single stack Kel-Tec PF9 it's similar in size to the P11, but it has a better trigger and is thinner.
 
Here is a bunch of side by side pics of my Kel Tec P-11 and my Taurus PT-111.

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I like the Taurus better. I bought the Kel Tec because I have a couple of P38T's and they have been good guns. I actually had to send back the Taurus to get the mag release replaced, and I bought the Kel Tec to be a stand in while I waited the 5 weeks to get the Taurus back. Other than the mag release issue, it has been a great gun. The trigger is heads and tails better than the Kel Tec. It is a tad bit wider, i think just the frame is, not the slide, and the slide is a hair longer. Other than that, they are basically alike.
 
Quick update...stopped at McBrides in Austin today to look at the P-11 and PT111. P-11 felt like a slab of 1x4; PT111 felt good. Both, however, I think are too much for true "pocket" carry. A good holster would probably make them look like a wallet, but in slacks it would be obvious something is there. Guess I'll tell my buddy thanks, but no thanks.

So, it looks like a KT P3 or LCP. Both are NIB @$270. I'll go back to saving my nickles for my license first, unless a smokin' hot deal comes along (like I thought the P-11 would have been).

Thanks, all...
Q
 
had a PF9 for a short time first round i lit off was a full load cor-bon , little gun surprised me. would still have it but someone wanted it more then i did at the time. now my small gun is a TAURUS CIA 38+P 17OZ LOADED
 
You just saved yourself some misery! The KT P11 has the rottenest trigger of all guns on earth:D Thats an over statement, but it is a bit large for comfort in the pocket. A P3AT, with a pocket clip would be way more comfy.;)
 
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