Seriously considering a Kel Tec PF-9

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Vegas Silver

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I'm looking for a gun for pocket concealed carry. It's the only way I can see myself doing conceal carry all the time, which is the only way I want to do it. I've combed through lots of threads on the different choices out there, and the Kel Tec PF-9 seems to be the best bet.

Now talk me out of it.

My 2nd option is the Kel Tec P-11, since it's a pretty similar gun. I guess 3rd would be a Kahr CW9...it's only slightly larger for an extra $150. Is this gun really any better?


Some of the naysayers on this gun scare me away from it, but there aren't too many guns out there of it's size, or that I'd qualify as pocket guns. Then you look at most competitor guns being double the cost. I might be willing to wait and pay that extra cost for a better quality gun, but then we come back to the size issue again. i.e. A Glock G26 sounds great, but it would come down to being too big for a pocket gun. The Walther PPS sounds ok, but again, it's double the cost, and I'm not sure if it's any more reliable.

From what it sounds like, Kel Tec has worked out the kinks on this gun, so buying a newer model should avoid the early run issues. After that, everyone just talks about the gun being a beast to shoot. I'm willing to deal with that. Any other major reliability issues I'd need to be worried about? This is the dealbreaker for me since I don't want an unreliable concealed carry gun.
 
The only real solution is for you to get one and try it. See whether you are comfortable with its operation and characteristics such as recoil. See whether the example you have runs reliably, and if not wheher Kel-Tec can fix it. It's relatively inexpensive, so if it doesn't work out you haven't lost the farm.
 
Just throwing this out there... I love my PPS. It goes with me everywhere that I'm allowed to have it, which isn't as much as I would like since I'm a college student. Yes, it was more expensive than a PF-9 but when I held them in my hand, it felt like it was worth the money. Is it necessarily going to perform twice as good? Of course not, many people have good and bad experiences with both. I would suggest shooting both the PF-9 and the PPS before you buy. I've heard shooting the Kel-tec can be painful, but if you don't plan on shooting it at the range much that won't be a problem. It was for me since I only have the one gun.
 
There's nothing to talk you out of. The PF-9 is a very respectable gun. I own one for the very same reason you are considering it: it is a full size service caliber in a very compact, concealable frame. I carry mine every single day IWB and hardly notice it. I've got 200 rnds through mine so far without a hiccup, and my dad has a P-11 that runs like a champ.

Some say the recoil is "painful" but I wouldn't go that far. It is snappy, but doable. A Hogue Handall Jr. grip sleeve made mine 10x better in the recoil department.

In terms of reliability, it is usually reccomended to do a Fluff & Buff right out of the box. I got mine used and haven't had to do one. KT's customer service is top notch, and there is a lifetime warranty that goes with the gun, new or used. If there's a problem, just send it back to mother, and they'll take care it. I've even heard of people getting brand new replacement guns back with their SN, if they couldn't fix it.

That's my experience. Try them if you can first, and that will help.

ETA: if you want the inside scoop, go say hello to the guys at www.ktog.org. Go to the bulletin board and check out the PF-9 board and P-11 board.
 
I like mine so much, and trust it, to the point of being my go anywhere gun. I have several hundred rounds through it without any problems, but I will tell you I had a problem right out of the box. It shot 6" high and 6" to the left of point of aim, no matter what ammo was used or what shooter used it. I sent it back and in 2 weeks it was returned with a new barrel & slide. It shot to point of aim and held very tight groups for such an inexpesnive gun. They also replaced the plastic mag release with a metal one. :D Oh I have a P-11
that I have had for several years, that used to be my go anywhere gun, but was promoted to nightstand gun when the PF-9 came home.

bigmike45
 
I was right where you are a couple weeks ago. I chose the P-11. I felt that the extra rounds were worth the extra width. I couldn't justify spending twice as much for a Kahr. KTs customer service reputation was a big factor as well.
 
Thanks for the info guys. The PM9 isn't really in consideration simply due to the price tag (~$750). I don't want to spend that much on the gun right now. I'm going to shoot the PF-9, P-11, and CW9 and figure out which one suits me best.
 
I have a 2 year old PF-9 with about 5,000 rounds through it and a newer one with a 1,000 or so. Both work great. I also have several P-11s, a number of P-32s and more P-3ATs than I can count on both hands, plus non-Kel-Tecs too. However my daily carry is my 13-year-old P-11 with a flush-fitting 12-round magazine (Kel-Tec should make this magazine standard). It’s hard to beat for lightweight carry :)

Now if you plan on having fun at the range, buy a Glock or other hefty pistol, as the added weight will absorb recoil better.
 
My P11 is my primary carry piece. I modded the 10 round mags to reliably hold 12 rounds. Sure, the PF9 is a little lighter and thinner, but with 12+1 rounds of 9mm, I'll stick with the P11.
 
You mentioned the Kahr CW9 being bigger than the PF9... The Kahr PM9 is SMALLER than the PF9 and, from my experience, a better gun.
Click to expand...

The PM9 is all of .2 inches shorter, is same height, 2 oz heavier, .22 inch wider, and holds one less round all for more than twice the price.

IMHO, the PF-9 gets great reviews from actual owners, is a great value, and is nice for pocket carry. The PF-9 is going for about $300 (plus shipping) on some popular online purchasing sites for either new or used. Worse case, you buy it, and don't like it and sell it to someone else for virtually no loss.

Kel Tec is already on my short list for my CC. From what I have read, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one and most likely will when I get ready to carry.

Just my .02!
Ben
 
I have two KTs and no problems with either. I use the P-3AT when I pocket carry and the P-11 for waist carry.
I don't think you will go wrong with with it.
 
I've had a P-40 for around 8(?) years. I used to carry it while running and it has taken a lot of abuse. It needed to be broken in with around a 100 rounds but is now reliable.

It'll do the job at close range. I recommend it for a value carry gun.
 
Keltecs need no apologies.

I have the .32, the .380, and the P11 and all work reliably, without so much as a hicough from any of them.

The P32 is a pleasant little shooter and accurate too.

3Pat bites my trigger finger badly because of the pinch when pulled through to fire and I don't like that but shoot it anyway.

The P11 would be a really great gun if it only had a shorter trigger pull.

I had a PM9, all black with nightsights and was glad to sell it. Without going into the reasons I sold it I can say that a PM9 is virtually exactly the same size in all dimensions as a P11, but carries less than half the ammo when it's that size. It goes one over half as much with the ugly longer mag inserted.
I thought that the PM9 was one of the gun world's bigger ripoffs.
 
It does the job it's designed for, without any trouble (without any trouble that can't be fixed by the warranty at the worst).

I wouldn't call the recoil 'painful' either, but I will say that I would not consider it a 'fun' gun at the range by any stretch of the word. It may take SOME willpower to practice on it as much as you should.

Never handled a P-11 or a CW9, so can't say anything about them.
 
Vegas Silver said:
I'm looking for a gun for pocket concealed carry. It's the only way I can see myself doing conceal carry all the time, which is the only way I want to do it. I've combed through lots of threads on the different choices out there, and the Kel Tec PF-9 seems to be the best bet.

Now talk me out of it.

My 2nd option is the Kel Tec P-11, since it's a pretty similar gun. I guess 3rd would be a Kahr CW9...it's only slightly larger for an extra $150. Is this gun really any better?
Click to expand...

If you are going to pocket carry, you will be far happier with the PF-9 than the P-11. The P-11 is too large for pocket carry under normal conditions IMO - it is just too thick. Buy the PF-9, and later a P-3AT for when that is too big.
 
Thanks for the info guys. The PM9 isn't really in consideration simply due to the price tag (~$750). I don't want to spend that much on the gun right now.
Click to expand...

Look used. I got my MK40 for $500 shipped. I've seen Kahr K9s at the local store for $400-$450 before.

----------------

The PM9 is all of .2 inches shorter, is same height, 2 oz heavier, .22 inch wider, and holds one less round all for more than twice the price.
Click to expand...

Maybe if you don't do the math right. Kahr does exaggerate the length of their guns by only measuring the slide, but my MK40 is 5.57" long overall, 4.25" tall including sights and magazine (3.94" without those, which is how Kel-Tec seems to measure), and 0.997" across the grips (instead of across the controls; once again, across the grips is how Kel-Tec measures).

The PM actually is pretty significantly smaller.
 
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