Kel Tec P11 - hmmmm?

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littlelefty

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I saw a used P11 in a gun shop today for $179. Gunsamerica has a few for $250+. The one I saw looked to be in decent shape. It's a blue version. If I go back and it's there, what else can I look for and/or ask to find out more before plunking down $ on what seems to be a decent deal? Or maybe it's just that price because everyone is jumping on the PF9 now, who knows?

Thanks for the inputs.
 
There is a lifetime factory warranty on Kel-Tec guns, so buying it isn't much of a gamble. The biggest drawback is that it has a long and somewhat stiff trigger.
 
See if the gunshop will let you shoot it (if they have a range) The triggers really suck on the P11, I sold mine and bought a P32. My gun was perfect besides the long, hard trigger.:)
 
I bought one with the same attitude. I don't regret byuing it one bit. It has been a good reliable gun and still serves as my house gun.
 
I had a P11 for a couple years, it was a reliable pistol, but I couldn't get over the trigger. Worked fine for what it was designed for, but I didn't care for it.

I recently played with a P3AT, however, and the trigger was a tremendous improvement. I understand their new single stack 9mm has the improved trigger; I'll definitely pick that one up when I have the opportunity.
 
I have one but gave it to a LEO friend for a BUG. It is a fine & reliable gun (or I wouldn't have given it to my friend), but there are no "bells & whistles" to it. I could never get used it it's bad trigger and the bulky shape of it.
 
Great little 9mm, I own 2, So lightweight, it goes IWB of my gym shorts , swim trunks, walkabout shorts without dragging em down.
 
Mine is accurate, 100 percent reliable through thousands of rounds. I've carried it for over a decade now. If you can't shoot DA, either learn or don't consider it. Its DA is smooth and fairly light to me, but long. It's no harder to shoot my P11 DA than my Ruger SP101, put it that way. the Ruger has a longish DA, stiffer than the Kel Tec by several pounds, but has smoothed out. I can hit with either gun just fine, but I can shoot DA. I'm not one of those 1911 guys that can't shoot a gun unless it has a 10 ounce SA trigger. I practice DA shooting a lot and have even shot a couple of PPC events.

The bonus to the P11s trigger is safety for pocket carry. DA is the only way to carry a pocket gun IMHO. It's inherently safe, maybe not quite as safe for pocket carry as a revolver, but real close. It ain't goin' off until you make it go off, put it that way. That's the whole reason for a DAO as I see it. I like DAO guns like the P11 or the 642 Smith for pocket carry. So they don't have crisp target single action triggers? Well, guess what, they're not target guns, they're meant for self defense and concealment. Don't be taking one to a Bullseye shoot, that won't work very well. But, I don't carry a M41 Smith for self defense, either, despite its fantastic target trigger and accuracy. Different jobs, different tools.
 
Thanks folks. Great replies!
I currently CCW a full size 1911. Now, after several months of that I want (need) something for the times when I cannot, for whatever reason, gear up with the 1911.

I do realize the trigger difference and have shot a P11 previously. It is definitely not what I would call a pleasure to shoot with its long hard trigger and relative snappy recoil (compared to the 1911), but is manageable to me and fits the bill nicely as either a BUG or primary when the 1911 can't come along.

And since I live within 30 miles of Kel Tec there will be no shipping if it needs repair. So, as you can see I am talking myself into this and even wondering why I did not pick it up on Saturday. Oh well, if it's still there this week I'll nab it.

Thanks again for the replies.
 
Well, there ya go. :D I carry mine strong side front pocket even when I have an IWB. I'll often carry a .357 magnum revolver strong side IWB if I'm going to the big city, but I keep the KT in the pocket for BUG duty, but also, because I like to walk along in areas or situations that make me nervous with the gun in my hand in the pocket ready for the draw. Much quicker into action if I need it and I've got 11 rounds of +P on tap there. It really becomes a primary with my IWB gun a secondary in those situations.:banghead: But, that's just how much I like and trust the gun and how well I shoot with it.

When I carry this way, I carry a revolver to simplify the reloads. My speedloader/strip go in a pocket and I have two magazines for the KT on my off side belt in a double cordura pouch. 31 rounds with me for the 9. Now, I'm pretty sure the odds of needing all that are next to the odds of winning the lottery, but hey, I've heard about people winning the lottery before and just because I know it'll never happen to me, doesn't seem to keep me from buying a lotto ticket once in a while.

<sigh>
 
Would they take 170?

Buy a Trigger Shoe, pinkie extension and Kel-Tec 12-round flush-fitting magazine (same size as the 10 but different follower & spring) so you can carry 13 rounds of Cor-Bon in a very small package.
 
Thanks Wilson 17&26, those are my thoughts exactly since when I held it my pinky had a tendancy to slip off of the bottom of the grip. Also, the one I fired previously, belonging to a friend, had the trigger shoe; it helped spread the load and reduce the affect of the long hard trigger somewhat.

Lots of ugly long meetings this week so hopefully one of them will end early enough for me to get to the shop which will then allow me to post a great big :D

I'll be sure to let ya'll know how I do in this little adventure.
 
I beg to differ on accessories.

Trigger shoes I never have recommended on any gun, and this goes way way back.
For sure I will never recommend an over-sized trigger shoe.

Pinkie Extension is the only accessory "I can go along with".

I would recommend sticking with the factory magazines, and having at least one magazine Without a pinkie extension.
The Mec-Gar factory mags are really great!

These P-11 conceal extremely well with NO extensions.

I have been piddling for some time with various "finger" and "pinkie" extensions and disabling guns that use them.

Just something I wanted to do...

I just wish more magazines were sealed at the bottom, NOT able to be taken apart from the base.

Just drop your favorite easy to take apart mag, with or without pinkie extension , and then drop say a USGI / Colt 7 round mag.

Take note the USGI/ Colt , sealed bottom mag, with or without a bump pad is not affected like easy to take apart mags, especially with pinkie extensions.

It does not matter how many round a mag holds, if the mag gets disabled, NONE of the rounds are ever going to be chambered, much less fired.;)

Careful with the mags that extend way past a grip well...
For fun and testing I chose to "hit the deck" and while the gun run "hitting the deck", bouncing off the deck the extended mags, or extensions hitting the deck...busted in various ways and some guns will not run without a mag in the gun.

When I find the original base plates to my P-11 mags, I am removing my pinkie extensions...
 
I carry my spare with a pinky extension, the one in the gun has the stock plate on it for concealment in my pocket. I do have a Hogue Handall Jr. on the gun, a finger grooved grip sleeve. It feels better to me with this on it and indexes my hand as I grip it which I like. The pinky extension on my spare magazine works sorta like a bump pad in a speed reload and it carries on my belt just fine with the extension, but the gun hangs on things and doesn't conceal as well in a pocket with the pinky extension. Works okay IWB, but I almost always carry in a pocket anymore.

I'm with sm on the trigger shoe thing. I don't care for trigger shoes, something to fall off and goof up. There was a guy over at http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi#10 that was gearing up to make a trigger for the P11, wider, replacement trigger, not just a shoe. I'd thought I'd order one, but I haven't been there in a while. He may have it ready for order by now. I shoot well with the standard trigger, though, doesn't bother me and to me, a skinny trigger is easier to get around when shooting DA as you must with the P11. The worst is a wide serrated trigger such as on lots of medium frame revolvers. A trigger can be wide, but it sure helps to be slick with no serrations.

I might go for the 12 round mags, though. I have three ten rounders now. As I understand it, the 12 rounders are available from Kel Tec and everyone says they're reliable. But, really, I've not been in a big hissy to order any. I mean, 10 rounders are plenty. Kinda cool, though, the thought of 13 rounds on tap from a pocket, eh?
 
I've had my P-11 for a little over 9 months,
it's been 100% for over 900 rounds.So far
the only mods is a hogue slip on grip and
i trimmed the tip of the trigger back about
1/8" which improved the feel of the trigger.

I also blacked out the rear white dots as it
helps me to focus the front sight in low
light conditions.It's a great little pistol for
what i paid (254.99 with tax) and it came
with a bonus,it had finish wear on the slide
right out of the box:uhoh:
 
I scored it! And no, I don't have any pictures of it, but you all know what a blue KT P-11 looks like.

Thanks for the counter points on trigger shoe. Me being me (cheap), I'll definitely try it without a shoe first.

As for pinky extension, that too will be a trial thing - if I can shoot it without the extension, then I won't bother.

But first things first - off to the range this weekend. I am happy - now my 1911 has a little brother:D
 
Sounds like a good deal at 179.00. I added a trigger stop to mine and that eliminated the overtravel and made the trigger a bit more comfortable. I also smoothed up the trigger bar and hammer. It now has a 6lb somewhat smooth trigger with no overtravel.
Dallas Jack
 
I've got one that gets used as a BUG or for when really deep concealment is called for. I can't say I like shooting it, but it definitely fils a need for me. Snaps pretty dang hard with +P in it, and the trigger takes some getting used to.
 
There's ah...a way to lighten up the trigger pull some. But you didn't hear it from me.:cool:

I fondled a PF9 at the last gun show. Much lighter pull, very thin gun. So thin in fact, it felt like holding a cell phone, not something I like with my large hands.

IMO the little finger extension is a must on the P11. I hate not getting the last finger on a grip.
 
My P11 is one of my primary carry guns. Works with all ammo except for 147 grain ammo for mine. I just use 115 or 124 in mine and works great. My other primary is a S&W 6946 so they use the same mags which is a great option. :D
 
Pf 9

I waited on the P11 until all the bugs were worked out of the PF9. I love that little pistol!!!! It goes with anything I wear, anything I'm doing and can fit in my pocket or IWB holster. The trigger is much more supior than that of the P11. True I don't have the amount of ammo like that of the P11, but the PF9's thinnest and weight make up for that as I tend to carry it more. I'd rather have a weapon on me that carries 8 rounds than a weapon at home or in the car that carries 10-12 rounds.:neener:
 
From March 27, 2007

Well, I finally got with the instructor to do the renewal for my CCL Sunday. This time, I decided to use the P11 (took the Combat Commander along for insurance). I haven't shot the P11 in 1 1/2 years. I did the "fluff & buff" on it after shooting it when I first got it, and have lubed with MiliTec 1 following the warming procedure. The little gun shot well when I bought it, but now, it shoots like a house on fire. After qualifying, the instructor and I played around with it for a couple more boxes, and it just eats them up. All shots from 3 and 5 yd ranges were in a ragged hole about 3 1/2" O.D. From 15 yd, they were no more than 2" outside that except for 2 4's because I got in a hurry. Even the instructor was impressed (a gunsmith) who said he'd never fired or messed with KelTec's before (except a P40 that he did not like). With the fluff and buff and the MiliTec job, it even ejected and rechambered from a very loose wrist hold we tried out of curiosity. I definately feel secure with the gun, and will carry it more and leave the P32 home some even though I know it's trustworthy.The yellow box UMC 115 gr. seemed pretty hot too.
 
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