[timo]

I was so excited this weekend when I went to a local gun shop and they had a PF9 on the shelf. I have been thinking about this as a secondary CCW for a while now (I typically carry a full size 1911).

My absolute first choice in a new gun is the Springfield EMP. I got to handle one at a local show and it just felt right. I knew it was the gun for me. Unfortunately, it also has a pretty steep price tag at $1200. I just can't justify the expense right now.

So... there I was at the gun store and my second choice was starting me down. The price was also cheaper than I had seen at only $269. :dancingbanana I said "I'll take it!" and the sales person said "no you won't!" :aarg It turns out that was just their demo gun and I would have to order it. And no, they don't know when more would come in.

What a buzzkill. I was all excited about walking out with my new gun, only to have to settle for putting down a deposit.

We'll see ...hopefully it won't take too long to come in. In the meantime, I guess I'm off to look for a holster. Any suggestions on a good IWB for the PF9?

 

[deadeyedick]

You might want to hold off on the Kel-Tec purchase...I personally witnessed a Kel-Tec fail during an IDPA BUG match this weekend, rendering the gun completely inoperative. It quickly went from being a Back-Up Gun to a Broken Useless Gun. If it had happened on the street instead of a match, that guy would have been dead.

 

[airhead]

Dead Eye, any gun can fail. All will eventually. They have moving parts.

Because one Kel Tec failed at a match does not make the brand suspect. I bet if you go to enough IDPA matches, you'll see Kimbers, Colts, Smiths and lots of others fail as well. I've been to shotgun events and seen Remington's, Ithaca's, Benelli's and others fail. Match shooting is hard on guns. The only thing I know worse is being one of Brownie's teaching guns....

As a back up gun (or even a primary gun), I'd have no qualms packing a Kel-Tec - after I've put several hundred flawless rounds through it to assure its dependability to my satisfaction - same as I have my other guns.

 

[deadeyedick]

Yes, any gun can fail...but if they do so when brand new (as this competitor's pistol was), that calls into question the manufacturer's quality control. I've never seen a Glock's firing pin break after just one round.

At the very least, it should serve as a warning to never carry a pistol that hasn't been test-fired.

 

[airhead]

...At the very least, it should serve as a warning to never carry a pistol that hasn't been test-fired.

That I agree strongly with. You can get a poorly assembled or a bad part from any manufacturer that makes stuff with moving parts. Nobody checks every part that goes out the door.

Before I would bet my life on a weapon, I'd be sure that it works to my satisfaction - 200 flawless rounds. Used to be more, but I'm older and don't have the time and patience. (or ammo availability). (YMMV)

 

[Josh8042]

You might want to hold off on the Kel-Tec purchase...I personally witnessed a Kel-Tec fail during an IDPA BUG match this weekend, rendering the gun completely inoperative. It quickly went from being a Back-Up Gun to a Broken Useless Gun. If it had happened on the street instead of a match, that guy would have been dead.

There's no such thing as a useless gun... you can still throw it at the bad guy! That smarts!

 

[floydpink]

Personally, after my experience with a P11 kel Tec, I wouldn't use one for more than a paperweight.

I even gave it the whole "fluff and buff" and put 300 rounds through it before making this conclusion....

 

[brownie]

floydpink,

Don't leaving us hangin, what exactly was your experience with the gun you had?

airhead,

We certainly do see those guns that will withstand some heavy "running" in the classes. :rolf

Brownie

 

[deadeyedick]

There's no such thing as a useless gun... you can still throw it at the bad guy! That smarts!

Now that I think about it, in all the TV and movie scenes I've watched over the years where an empty handgun was thrown as a weapon, I can't recall one ever striking the intended target. :laughing

Better hang on to it and use it as a club I suppose.

 

[timo]

Dead Eye, any gun can fail. All will eventually. They have moving parts.

Because one Kel Tec failed at a match does not make the brand suspect. I bet if you go to enough IDPA matches, you'll see Kimbers, Colts, Smiths and lots of others fail as well. I've been to shotgun events and seen Remington's, Ithaca's, Benelli's and others fail. Match shooting is hard on guns. The only thing I know worse is being one of Brownie's teaching guns....

As a back up gun (or even a primary gun), I'd have no qualms packing a Kel-Tec - after I've put several hundred flawless rounds through it to assure its dependability to my satisfaction - same as I have my other guns.

Yeah, I have read lots of conflicting reports about Keltec. Some people say that they have never had any problems, others say they are worthless. I can tell you that the most common thing I've read is that their customer service is great, as are the warranties. I live near Cocoa, which is where they are made, so I'm sure any service I need will be easy to get.

This all leads me to my next question...this is the first new gun I've ever bought. What do you folks recommend for someone with a new gun, before and during the first trip to the range?

 

[floydpink]

floydpink,

Don't leaving us hangin, what exactly was your experience with the gun you had?

airhead,

We certainly do see those guns that will withstand some heavy "running" in the classes. :rolf

Brownie

Ok, I will tell my story.

I picked up a Kel Tec P11 due to it's size and weight. I wasn't expecting a Sig or Glock in quality, but wasn't paying those prices either.

I was so excited I joined KTOG, or Kel Tec Owner's Group and learned all I could from the loyal Kel Tec fans.

The first thing I noticed was the extremely stiff slide.
I was told it gets much better after 250 or so rounds and to put some Militec Grease on the rails, which I did. Not much help.

Next was the trigger show, then fluff and buff and I still never felt right with the gun, mainly due to the misfeeds.

I bought the dremel and jeweler rouge, and polished the feedramp and after 500 rounds, it was time to give it in for a trade.

 

[brownie]

Ok, I will tell my story.

I picked up a Kel Tec P11 due to it's size and weight. I wasn't expecting a Sig or Glock in quality, but wasn't paying those prices either.

I was so excited I joined KTOG, or Kel Tec Owner's Group and learned all I could from the loyal Kel Tec fans.

The first thing I noticed was the extremely stiff slide.
I was told it gets much better after 250 or so rounds and to put some Militec Grease on the rails, which I did. Not much help.

Next was the trigger show, then fluff and buff and I still never felt right with the gun, mainly due to the misfeeds.

I bought the dremel and jeweler rouge, and polished the feedramp and after 500 rounds, it was time to give it in for a trade.

Never sent it back for warranty work. If you had, the issues would have gone away. I've had two as you describe come through the shop, they got sent back and fixed.

I've also had Kimber 45's that had to go back that cost 1200.00. Warranties serve a useful purpose. Some guns need warranty work, most don't.

If I were to relate the stories of the guns that puked and died in my classes, no matter how much they cost, it would really upset others who haven't had a lick of probhems with the same model, consequently I don't on an open forum.

Brownie

 

[chevthunder454]

I am currently carrying my second pf9. The first one had over 1500 rds thru it. The only problems were occasionally fail to feed properly. This diminshed tremendously after about the first 300-400 rds. also help to polish the ramp. Then I traded it cause I read to many forums and many believed it to wear out prematurly. After 4 months I just had to have another one. This one has 450 + rds and counting. Yep, failed to feed a few times. I can only speak from my own personal experiance and say I am as satisfied with my current pf9 as I was with the last one. I understand that a life may depend on it one day, but I am comfortable that my keltec will perform as expected should the need arise. I respect that not everyone may get the same performance. Just as not everyone gets the same performance from anything we buy. I also have a kimber eclipse 2 and a springfield xd9. The dan wesson 357 2" barrel belongs to my wife. thx................john

 

[southernwonton]

Especially since its starting to heat up, my pf-9 has been my EDC. I probably have close to 700rds through it. A few failure to feeds at first, but i think that was my fault do to not securing it properly while shooting (kicks like a litlle mule!) Since then, it has performed flawlessly. The long trigger needed some getting use to, but other than that, i can keep it in the red at 25'. Matched up with a nice pocket holster, its a great little 8 round gun that fits nice and comfortable in a front cargo pocket

 

[airhead]

I bought a used P-11, I've put about 500 rounds through it...

When I first got it, it had FtE problems (stovepiping).

Took it home, cleaned the heck out of it. Took a small burr off the extractor with one of my wife's diamond fingernail files (please don't tell her).

I has since functioned flawlessley. I'll put about 50-100 rounds through it every time I go to the range.

I would not want to go to Brownie's class with this gun... it is small and light and even with the pinky extensions, one 12 round mag is enough for a while. Then I switch out to my big heavy M-9 clone.

 

[capngeo]

I have a PF9, my Dad has an 11.... I also have a Sub 2000. All in all IMHO, the Kel Tecs are well worth the price paid. Are they as good as my Glocks? NO!, but they fill a different need. If Glock would build a single stack 9, I'd sell the PF9 and go get another Glock.

I have the KelTec for those days when a pocket gun is all I can carry, and the NAA .22WMR just feels too small.

 

[floydpink]

Different strokes I guess. Personally, for that size gun, I'd take a Bersa Thunder and feel safe.

 

[MPDC66]

Well, I have a new Kel-Tec PF-9 that has performed flawlesslyat the range for the first two hundred or so rounds I've put through it.

Yep, my Glock is "tamer" where recoil is concerned but the PF9 is so much more concealable and still maintains the power of a 9MM round.

The 11 is a different gun so comparisons are, at best, anecdotal.

I am not saying it is a jewel like piece of male fashion. Just a very good weapon in my personal experience AND from the research and recommendations I've had. All at an excellent price from an American Manufacturer.

I totally agree with testing a weapon BEFORE you depend on it for your life. However, I have even managed to get my venerable Glock to jamb once or twice. Also, I always take the PF-9, couldn't always do that with the Glock.

Here is a site with many links to reviews and information about the Kel Tec PF-9. Police Magazine has a nice review of it too.

http://www.mouseguns.com/pf9rev/pf9rev.htm

JMHO

 

[dudester]

Glock....jam?.....no way!

 

[MPDC66]

Glock....jam?.....no way!

LOL, when you've been jammin' things for nearly forty years, ya develop a knack!:rolf:rolf:rolf