Kel-Tec PF9 Range Report

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Boarhunter

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Guys,

After putting 50 rounds downrange rather quickly, I have the following brief report to make regarding serial number 2X. Nope, that is not a typo; this is real early production we are talking about here, it would appear!

The gun shoots extremely well. The sights are well-adjusted, the trigger pull is light and smooth, and the gun shoots extraordinary groups for a pocket pistol. I put 50 rounds of 9 mm hardball downrange without the first bobble whatsoever. As flat and small and light as it is, it should put the snubby pocket revolvers out of business (particularly holding eight rounds rather than the typical five or six). I can shoot it far more accurately than I can a j-frame Smith. It is the perfect summer gun, particularly here in the hot south.

The only apparent downside after 50 rounds? My strong hand started shaking like I had the palsy toward the end of the box of ammo! You can only shoot so much 9 mm out of a 12 ounce gun before suffering some of the effects.

I hope it gets better before my IDPA match tonight or my scores will suck even worse than normal!

This gun is not likely to replace my Springfield EMP, but for an inexpensive, lightweight gun of adequate power and accuracy, it will be tough to beat.

Boarhunter
 
Fergy35,

My pleasure. This is my third pocket Kel-Tec (I also currently have a .380 and a .32 acp), and all have performed satisfactorily for me. This one is a bit unique, though, in that it is in a caliber generally accepted as being adequate for self-defense.

What is most surprising about these little guns is that they tend to be (in my experience, anyway) very reliable and very accurate (all things considered).

Boarhunter
 
Thanks for the review. SWMBO has decided she wants to investigate the PF-9 as she likes single-stacks more than double stack models. She's thinking of trading her PT111 as much because of the grip width as the trigger pull (which isn't as bad as it was, but still is pretty draggy).

Regards,
Rabbit.
 
Look at the PF-9 but also check out the Kahr CW9 before you decide. So far, around here the CW9 has been within $50 or less of the PF-9, much better gun IMHO.

--wally.
 
My Pf-9 experience has been odd. First trip out to range I ran through 100 flawless rounds. Second trip, had a three point jam every mag or so for a box of 50. Third trip, 50 flawless rounds.

It's a fun gun to shoot, but the ridges on the backstrap are brutal. I still don't understand why Keltec made that part that sharp.
 
So far, around here the CW9 has been within $50 or less of the PF-9, much better gun IMHO.
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Strange pricing that's for sure. Kahrs are usually $200-250+ higher everywhere I've seen them.
 
The CW9 is a recent low cost entry, only been out a little over a year. It only comes with one magazine, and does not have dovetail front sight (making it a poor choice if you plan on night sights) along with a few other cost savings minor changes to the slide.

The P9 & PM9 and its variants approach twice the price of the PF-9 so I expect you are confusing P9 with CW9 prices, although the guns are very similar. Its come out in .40 recently as the CW40 for only a few dollars more.

--wally.
 
I've been considering one of the PF-9's, but have been waiting to hear some input.
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I bought mine in January. First trip out, it was 2°F with a pretty good wind, and I got several light primer strikes. Upon cleaning, I found a fairly viscous substance in the firing pin hole, which I'm sure was quite gelled in the low temperatures. Cleaned it out and the pistol has been flawless since, probably about 600 rounds now. I trust it completely. Accuracy is pretty good as well, considering the platform.
 
Boarhunter:

I'm trying to decide between the PF-9 and the EMP. Is the EMP light enough to carry in a front pocket? How do they compare size-wize?

Thank you!
 
Boarhunter, any chance we could get a picture of the PF9 side by side with the P3AT for size comparison?
 
Thanks for the link, shamus. That's a handy chart. I even did some cutting and pasting to put them next to each other for comparison. I'd still like to see them next to each other at a little higher resolution to get a better idea. I suppose what I really need to do is find two of them at the same shop and compare, but I've had no luck with that.
 
Can you compare the recoil to the P-3AT - more severe, the same, different impulse etc ?
 
Believe it or not, comparing the PF 9 and the EMP is a bit more difficult than you might imagine, if one is trying to decide which to purchase, one over the other. While they are both intended for precisely the same purpose (i.e., concealed-carry self-defense), they approach the problem from diametrically opposed directions. And while they both are manufactured in 9 mm caliber, the similarities between the two end at that point.

The PF 9 is a third the cost and half the weight of the EMP. Its frame is high-tech plastic, versus the alloy frame of the EMP. It is double action only compared with the EMP 1911-type single action. And while the double action of the PF 9 is surprisingly light and smooth, it does not compare to the light, crisp pull of the EMP. The PF 9 is a go-to gun in times of crisis, much like the EMP, but you are not going to pull it out to impress your gun buddies, something that the EMP owner will always do... the EMP is, without doubt, a fine "bragging" gun. Both guns are single stack. The PF 9 holds two rounds fewer than does the EMP, the latter of which has a surprising capacity of nine plus 1.

From an accuracy standpoint, the EMP almost qualifies as a "target" weapon. A "target" weapon that just happens to have a 3-inch barrel. The PF 9 does not have the same level of accuracy, but it has far better accuracy than is necessary for self-defense. And the nice, double-action-only trigger pull is so light and so smooth as to make sufficiently-accurate shooting almost easy.

Will you be putting a lot of ammo down range? After 50 rounds through the PF 9, my hand is shaking like I have the palsy. After 150 rounds down range through the EMP, I am looking for more ammo to shoot. They are that different, though neither is difficult to shoot. The lightweight PF 9 does take its toll on you eventually, though.

From my perspective, the EMP is a perfect concealed-carry weapon, properly holstered on the belt or inside the belt. As comfortable as I am with 1911 single-action weapons, I would personally not feel comfortable sticking an EMP in my front jeans pocket, even with a pocket holster. It is small enough to carry in that fashion and it is light enough to carry in that fashion... I simply would not feel comfortable doing so.

The PF 9, particularly if a pocket holster were used, would ride perfectly well in a pants pocket. Or with a clip-type holster. Or with an inside-the-belt holster. The double action only feature gives me a slim measure of additional comfort allowing for pocket carry. I have carried the Kel-Tek .32 and .380 in that fashion in the past with no worry.

So, which to buy? I made that decision by getting both. They both fill a need (perhaps the same need), but from such different perspectives that it is impossible to pick one over the other. If you want a "bragging" gun with a superb trigger and incredible accuracy and money is no object, get the EMP. If you want to be secure in your person with value in mind, buy the PF 9. They are both great guns. Just different. Very, very different.

Boarhunter

Ps: If I can get my IT guy free for a minute or two, I will get him to photo and send a comparative picture of the EMP, the PF 9, and the Kel-Tek .380. My .32 is currently on loan to a buddy of mine....
 
Boarhunter:

Thank you for the outstanding reply, that was exactly the information I needed. I am looking for a pocket gun, as I have others for use in a holster. I currently use a P3-AT for the pocket, but like the idea of a larger caliber is appealing.

Many thanks!
 
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