Looking for a thin lightweight double stack 9mm for carry. Is this pistol worth messing with. Would love to hear from anyone who has owned one.

Never owned one but I can tell you this: Kel-Tec's are fun and cute, but that's about it. I have seen too many fail and fail bad! Go with S&W, Glock, Springfield, Walther etc. There are plenty of choices out there & yea they're more $pendy than the Kel-Tec's but how much is your hide worth?

There was a robbery in my city where 2 perp's were armed. The store owner had a Kel-Tec and used it once...then it failed after the first shot. Thankfully he wrestled the badguy's gun away & used it to good effect on both perps. Likewise, so many people buy KT's only to be disappointed in them. I've seen officers who had them for whatever reason & they just weren't all that great.

I'd stick with a known, reliable brand. Glock 26 is a solid choice, the Glock 43 is good too but single stack.

For the money, they're not bad. I had a P-11 for a while back in 2009 (and a PF-9). Any holster that works for a G-26 will work for a P-11.
At the time, The PF-9 was the only Lightweight Subcompact 9mm Single-Stack and I actually front pocket carried the PF-9 for 3 yrs before the Shield came out.

The biggest Plus for the P-11 and PF-9 is the weight. The biggest Drawback (for me anyway) is the perceived recoil. They were NOT fun to shoot, so on range day, I'd shoot them just enough to maintain my proficiency, then round out the session with my other pistols.

Shooting newbies, who don't seem to know the difference between True (revolver style) DAO and Striker Fire triggers, always seem to want to try and turn a P-11's 8-10lb trigger into a 3-4lb (SA/Striker) trigger.

Also... They only have a 5K round Life Span, but if you're the original owner, KT CS will replace any/all worn parts (including the frame [issuing a new #]) for the cost of shipping it to them. Even if you're not the original owner, they have a very reasonable flat fee for refurbishing.

Even though I never had ANY problems with either my P-11, or PF-9, I eventually replaced the P-11 with a G26 and the PF-9 with my Shield.

Never had a P-11 but had a PF-9 and a sub-2000. Shot the snot out of both of them and never had a problem. Slide on the PF-9 started to rust (pocket carry). Thought enough of it that I had the slide nickel plated. It was just a touch to big for pocket carry and sold it. The sub-2000 was in 40S&W. If it was 9mm I'd still have it.

Many people who bad mouth Kel-Tec firearms have never owned one and assume they are poor guns because they are inexpensive. I own several: P-11, PF-9, P3AT, P32, Sub 2000 in 9mm, PMR 30. I like mine and all have functioned reliably when loaded according to recommendations. That said, a local big box store that I visited this morning has the Ruger LC9s for $299. $50 or so more than the P-11, and for that difference I'd buy the Ruger.

As another poster noted, the light weight 9mms of any brand are not fun range toys because of the recoil.

I had one years back. I really liked it for it's size and weight, very pleasant to carry, but I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. To be fair It was probably my fault, most likely from breaking my wrist. The only other semi autos I owned at that time were a Glock 23 and a 1911,neither similar to the Keltec and the double action of a S&W revolver is 1000 time smoother than the hammer fired P 11. I can shoot an hammer fired Ruger LC9 amazingly well today and would love to have my old P11 back to see if I was at fault for lack of accuracy.

As far as recoil, I never minded it, after all it is only a 9mm, Ha Ha! Anyway, I traded it off on a Glock 33, which I really like and though I carry it in the same holster I carried my p11 in, it doesn't seem to tuck away as nicely. All that said I do not think I would buy any Keltec today with all the other choices there are now.

Have a buddy who has a P-11. He shoots it quite a bit, and says it has been problem free.

I bought a P-32 when they first came out - the only game in town for an ultra compact, light weight pocket auto at the time. Put about 500 rounds thru it, without issue. Replaced it for pocket carry with an LCP for the perceived greater power (.380), but still have the P-32, and it works as well as it always did.

Larry

I have owned several Kel Tec guns as well as friends that do also. Never seen one break or fail.

They are not very refined. The triggers aren't great either.

I don't own them anymore because I want a gun that's a little more refined, easy to find parts and accessories for. So I carry Glock.

Never knew a double stack 9MM to be thin. If I want thin I go with a Glock 43. It's a single stack. Otherwise I carry a Glock 19.

If you really want a small double stack, buy an M&P 9 compact.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

With factory ammo, it works well. Mine had a problem with the recoil spring jumping the notch and locking it up, the factory fixed it and it's been fine. They can be had really cheap.

The quality is fine, it will work for sd, but it is no fun to practice with, especially close to SD strength loads.

It's also good for up close and personal, but to shoot it well past 5 yards takes practice. I do ok with it at 7 yards, but just ok. Past seven it gets hard. It even says so in the book.

For SD I'd buy a used Shield. Feels better and is much more comfortable to shoot with a much better trigger.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Best thing about the P11 is it takes S&W59 series magazines. Yes, there are lemons. Kel-Tec stands behind their products and will make it right if you are unlucky enough to get one. Mine wasn't. Even with the heavy DAO trigger it was accurate and reliable. Let one of my poor friends talk me out of it, shouldn't have.

As long are you are not wearing skinny jeans you can carry one in the front pocket. Academy's everyday price on them is $249. They are a bargain.

Yes I have one in Hard chrome model its about 6 years old Flawless . Also have their . 32 and .380 thousands of rounds threw them flawless.

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Spin The Wheel

One foot note it dose like to sling hot brass down shirt. I can understand some say buy a better brand. I will share this too.2015 I bought a new Springfield X D S 45ACP. For the 1st 500 rounds it was a nightmare .It would not run a full magazine fail to feed. In fact the Springfield is the only semi I own t hasent been flawless. I have Smiths and Rugers too

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Spin The Wheel

I acquired a used P11 at a GS quite a few years ago, shot it a few times for function, and immediately tore it down to smooth up the frame rails and slide because of the notchy, gritty feeling. I also did a job on the feed ramp for good measure, but left the trigger alone as it obviously would never be a target pistol. It always pulled low-right for me no matter what technique I used. I chalked that up to the very heavy trigger pull. It was always reliable, though, with never a failure to feed, fire or eject, eating whatever I ran through it. It was reliable enough that I used it as one of my EDCs. But I also realized it's limitations.

I agree fully with RWSMITH that 5 yds. is about it for decent accuracy. You CAN fiddle with the trigger group to lighten it quite a bit, but why bother? I bought the KelTec knowing full well it's purpose.

It was strictly an up-close-and-personal weapon that went BANG for me no matter what.

I've had a P-11 for about 8 years. It is what it is. Kel Tec has good customer service if there are issues. If you want to smooth it out, do the "fluff and buff" work found on the KTOG.org website. Yes, it uses the S&W 9mm double stack metal framed pistol mags. Since I also have a 5906 and a 6906, the choice of the P-11 for a pocket pistol was a no brainer.

But, be forwarned. The MecGar 17 rd 59xx mags have a slightly different taper up top, and don't fit the P-11 without a little work. The 15 rd ones fit great. The Kel Tec mags are made by Mec Gar, and even have the Mec Gar logo on them.

I've had mine for about 10 years, and it's my carry gun. I have not counted, but it's had at least 1000 trouble free rounds through it. I polished the feed ramp, slide rails, and hood when I got it, but since then nothing. I don't shoot it for fun, it is a bit snappy, but what do you expect from a 14 oz 9mm. I can hold softball size groups out to about 10 yards, and the trigger is long and heavy, but it does everything I ask of it. There really is no direct competitor. 12+1 9mm in a 14 oz. gun that's only an inch thick. Nothing else comes close, although I have been tempted by the M&P 9c.

Patrick

I've had several over the years. Right now I have one in the back of one of the safes someplace. Haven't fired it in years. I never had a problem with any P11, recoil wise or parts breakage.


If you want to complain about recoil go find one of the KelTec P40's. Same frame as the P11 only chambered in 40 S&W. I sold mine after about 500 rounds. Pure BRUTAL.


Class III

I have had my P32 for about 20 years, it functions as a pocket back up and does its job. It is phenomenally light and thin and has been reliable.

They are true innovators with their designs. The .380 twin to the P32, the P3AT, is copied and sold as the Ruger LCP. It is a bit more refined.

KelTec was ahead of their time with pocket pistols, the marketplace has definitely expanded for these guns.

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Tony

An LGS had 2 p-11's for sale, One New, one used. I had decided I would like to get one for a CC piece, and went to the store with cash in my pocket. We tried the used gun first. I could not pull the slide all the way back, I pulled the on the new gun also, and no go for that one either. My friend and I continued on a swing of all the gun shops in the south half of the area I run in, and at the last shop I saw a M&P 9c. I gave the slide a stout pull and just about jerked the gun from my other hand, the slide came back so easy! I bought the Smith. I realize they are not apples to apples. A perfect sized gun that I can't use is just a nice looking paper weight!

Ivan

99% of the problems I have seen with Kel Tecs are caused by the magazine. Those I have seen on the range, if we traded out mags they worked just fine. Got a bad mag? Send it in, they'll mail you another. Bought my first one in 2003. Still have it, still works great. Use it i warm weather for pocket carry.

Try a P40 with the rare and elusive 357 Sig barrel. That was an experience.

I have owned at least 2 of every handgun KelTec makes. I have carried 2 P9s and then 2 P11s. Each pair for 6 months. Great for carry and while they are not recreational, they aren't meant to be. Unlike some other Forum members mine were not flawless. I really liked them but in the end because of functioning problems I replaced them with 2 Glock 43s. At 19 ounces loaded, I REALLY like the KelTec PMR 30. However it does not hide well.

I've owned 3 P-11's. Sold 2 of them but still have the original one as my EDC. I bought it about 20 years ago (or whenever they 1st came out), had to have my GS order it for me as they had never heard of KelTec. When I say 1st came out, I mean it. My serial # is 0524. I can't tell you how many rounds I've shot with all kinds of brands without a single problem. I do recommend doing the "fluff & buff" mentioned above and I replaced the original trigger with a Northwood. The original pinched my finger. It certainly isn't a target pistol but for self defense it is just fine. Light and easy to carry, holds 11 rounds with the original mag and you can use S&W 15 round mags if you want. I also have a P3AT for a pocket pistol.Plus it's made in the USA!

Well, I pulled the trigger(so to speak).took it to the range and boy was I pleasantly surprised! Functioned fine, and the trigger was ok! Hot to be the lightest double stack around(what I wanted). Came with one ten round mag. Bought a twelve rounder and two pierce grip extensions(a must for my meat hooks). Best $259 I ever spent.


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I carry a P-11 daily. A perfect pistol to carry.
Their "pants clip" is a wonderful accessory and recommend you always buy one with the pistol.
Oh,,I also own 2 of their discontinued P-40 pistols. Caliber is 40SW.
This attests to their durability!!!