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  #1  
Old 10-11-2020, 11:00 PM
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Default Experience with P-11

Anybody here ever owned a Kel-Tec P-11?

In terms of mechanics it looks pretty comparable to the first generation Ruger LC9 - just with a slightly thicker grip to accommodate an extra 3 rounds capacity.

I know they aren't on par with Ruger's in terms of quality, but I'm wondering how they are for a low-cost carry gun.

I've heard good and bad, just wondering who, if anyone, here has had a personal experience with one.
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Old 10-12-2020, 01:00 AM
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I have had two P11s. The first was about 20 years ago and was very problematic. The early guns had problems with the mag springs not being stiff enough to feed reliably. Upgraded springs fixed the issue. I sold this one years back.

The second P11 I got a couple of years back on a whim. I bought new factory mags for it and it has been flawless, though I've only run maybe 100 rounds thru it.

That said, the P11 is different from a LC9. The LC9 is based on the Keltec PF9, which has a light trigger due to the half-cocked hammer. The P11 is uncocked so the DAO trigger is much heavier. It's not terrible, but in such a small gun it feels heavy. That uncocked DAO design also means the gun is less drop safe if you swap out the stock springs to lighten the trigger, which sucks.

I also have a PF9, and I much prefer it to the P11. It's just a more elegant design with a marvelous trigger. I also have a Taurus G2C that has been flawless and is just a hair bigger than the P11. The G2C trigger is a decent SAO trigger with a long take-up for safety, just like the H&K LEM trigger.

I guess my take on the P11 is it's an ok gun, but even in the same price range I think there are better options. FWIW, it's also discontinued by Keltec and parts are no longer available. I hope Keltec is working on a improvement to the P11, but we'll see. Before the current insanity, you could get a PF9 for well under $200 shipped. Incredible bargain.
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Old 10-12-2020, 01:17 AM
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Had one years ago. It was problematic from the start. I did a “fluff and buff” and it was better but not enough to trust it for carry.

IMO the Ruger EC9s is a better deal under $300. If you can find one.
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Old 10-12-2020, 11:28 AM
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Friend of mine had one that would fail to fire once or twice in every magazine. It fed and ejected fine when it went off but sometimes it just wouldn’t. He sent it back and it was returned with the problem unresolved. He sent it back again and still it wasn’t fixed. Last I heard it was living in a sock drawer. It was in no way suitable as a carry gun.
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Old 10-12-2020, 12:22 PM
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I've had mine since they first came out. It has a 3 digit serial #. I've shot many, many rounds of all kinds and brands of ammo through it and can't recall a single problem. I did change the hammer spring when they brought out the 12 # and I put a Northwood trigger in it. I carried it for years until I bought my Canik C-100 because it has a higher capacity. Just about every small size 9mm ( SCCY, Ruger, Sig Sauer) all copied the P 11 design. Still have it and do carry it occasionally. I used it to qualify for my CC license and did very well.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another, like any small pistol you can't 'limp' wrist it. And I keep the feed ramp with a mirror finish.

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Old 10-12-2020, 01:19 PM
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The SCCY CPX series guns are a reboot of the P11 design IIRC. Wife's buddy has one and it shot fine for me even with the long DAO trigger.
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Old 10-12-2020, 01:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LVSteve View Post
The SCCY CPX series guns are a reboot of the P11 design IIRC. Wife's buddy has one and it shot fine for me even with the long DAO trigger.
That brings up a question.

I handled one of the SCCYs and the grip felt too long in the front to rear dimension (measured frontstrap to backstrap).

It has been a long time since I handled a P-11 but I don't recall the grip feeling so oversized in that dimension. Are they?

I have fairly large hands (size large or XL gloves) but my fingers are kinda short - I have what I refer to as sausage fingers. As a result my hands are pretty "blocky", which is a family trait.
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Old 10-12-2020, 01:35 PM
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I have one that I got off my son, never had feed issues but the gun shoots 6” low at 7 yards regardless of ammo.


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Old 10-12-2020, 01:39 PM
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I have owned two. One made a trip through the washing machine and still functioned the next day. They were always one of those guns, that despite being 100% reliable, I just pictured breaking one day. I frequently think about getting another one.
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Old 10-12-2020, 01:48 PM
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I have one, can’t say I’ve put hundreds of rounds through it but it has always worked 100%. Not pleasant to shoot but it is somewhat of a sleeper, the first 13-round subcompact 9 mm. And fairly inexpensive, at least the last time I looked.

I think the magazine might be a good foundation for another company to make a similar gun. Perhaps Kel-Tec is doing just that?
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Old 10-12-2020, 06:19 PM
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My P-11 was totally reliable even though I didn't shoot thousands of rounds through it. I sold it to move "up" to the Rugers.

For me, the LC Rugers were a total dud. Shoulda kept the KelTec!

Iffn you're looking for a cheap semi-auto it's probably fine. If you want something you're gonna carry and maybe your life will depend on .... most any $300 gun is not the answer. For that I'd think Glock or Sig.
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Old 10-12-2020, 11:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
I think the magazine might be a good foundation for another company to make a similar gun. Perhaps Kel-Tec is doing just that?
George Kelgren designed the P-11 to accept the S&W 59XX
magazine, as they were still popular guns back in 1995, to
fill a back-up role for LE.

His inspiration was the AWB--with the federal 10-round mag
restriction on new production, he designed the smallest and
lightest 9mm*, that would hold a ten round mag.

Nowadays, it's pretty easy to shorten the legs on mag follower,
to hold an eleventh round. With more effort, the follower
body can be dremeled to allow 12 rounds. Kel-Tec now sells
(or used to) a 12 round version.

*There's also a P-40, relatively rare. Never seen one,
supposed to have pretty good kick.
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Old 10-13-2020, 10:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterGun View Post
I have one that I got off my son, never had feed issues but the gun shoots 6” low at 7 yards regardless of ammo.


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Mine did the same. I contacted KelTec and they sent me a taller rear sight. Problem solved.
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Old 10-14-2020, 12:59 AM
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Two customers of mine purchased consecutive P-11's a anumber of years ago. Both have been pleased with them, firing many thousands of rounds without difficulty. A interesting fact is that the one gun, you could fire a mag, reload the empties and manually cycle the gun and they fed and ejected just fine. He told me about it, but I wanted to see it. He brought it over, I put a mag through, reloaded the empties into mag and handcycled them. It would not cycle empties from other 9mm's and his brother's gun would not cycle the empties. He carries it as a back-up to his Colt Government. I tried doing it with a few different 9mm's, SW 39, Glock 19, Sigma 9, Beretta 92, none would cycle the empty brass from their gun. What does it mean?? No idea, just thought it was and interesting oddity. Be Safe,
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Old 10-14-2020, 01:29 AM
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Seems about right. The rounds from the other guns were fire-formed in different sized chambers compared with the P-11.

If you own multiple rifles chambered .303 British you quickly learn a great deal about chamber dimension variations and fire-forming. You may guess how I know.
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Old 10-14-2020, 08:51 AM
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Quote:
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Mine did the same. I contacted KelTec and they sent me a taller rear sight. Problem solved.
Mine's a good 20" or so low at 25 yards, even with highest
rear sight. Only thing I don't like about it!

Last edited by Steve912; 10-14-2020 at 08:52 AM.
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Old 10-14-2020, 10:14 PM
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Mine's a good 20" or so low at 25 yards, even with highest
rear sight. Only thing I don't like about it!
That is a wee bit too much off, I do think.
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Old 10-14-2020, 10:43 PM
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That is a wee bit too much off, I do think.
Go for the head and get the gut.

Hopefully won't need it at that range (or any
other, frankly).
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Old 10-14-2020, 10:56 PM
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Quote:
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Mine's a good 20" or so low at 25 yards, even with highest
rear sight. Only thing I don't like about it!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnRippert View Post
That is a wee bit too much off, I do think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve912 View Post
Hopefully won't need it at that range (or any other, frankly).
Yeah, it is specifically intended as a SD CCW gun. At 25 yards it is pretty much impossible to make the case that you're shooting in self defense.

Though if it hits 20" low at 25 yards it will hit over 6" low at 25 feet. That is a bit much.
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Old 10-15-2020, 11:41 PM
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Yeah, it is specifically intended as a SD CCW gun. At 25 yards it is pretty much impossible to make the case that you're shooting in self defense.

Though if it hits 20" low at 25 yards it will hit over 6" low at 25 feet. That is a bit much.
Ya never know what situation you'll find yourself in, and I'm
not going to try and explain that.

Defense shooting isn't bullseye competition. Six inches low
at 25 feet is absolutely fine & dandy. If it was six inches
high, that would be something else.
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Old 10-15-2020, 11:50 PM
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Quote:
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Ya never know what situation you'll find yourself in, and I'm
not going to try and explain that.

Defense shooting isn't bullseye competition. Six inches low
at 25 feet is absolutely fine & dandy. If it was six inches
high, that would be something else.
Better 6" low rather than 6" high - for sure...

Aim for the pecs and hit the diaphragm, aim for the diaphragm and hit the navel, etc.
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Last edited by BC38; 10-15-2020 at 11:52 PM.
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