pf9 oddity.

[CZ9shooter]

Yesterday a purchased a used KelTec pf9 that I found on one of those FB garage sale sights. The guy was up the road from me and only wanted 150 bucks. How could I say no?

Anyway, I now own my first micro sized 9mm. Everything else in 9mm has been full size or carbine. I do not have much experience with these, but I have heard KelTec can be kind of hit or miss in the reliability department. So I took her to the range this afternoon to give it a go. To be honest, for $150, I wasnt expecting much.

I was surprised for the most part. I brought four different varieties of reloads with me (I havent purchased loaded ammo in years). Some medium power cast rounds up to +Pish JHP rounds. The first three I tried worked flawlessly. None of the extraction problems I have read about. About 100 rounds in; I was pretty satisfied with my purchase at this point. Unfortunately, no chronograph with me today because I was indoors. My outdoor shooting location is still a bit cold.

The final test was some old stock of mine. Maximum charged (over max even depending on where you look) FMJ ammo that I developed for the HiPoint carbine I used to have. I know I should have worked up for this particular gun, but I didnt. Rounds were seated farely long but passed the plunk teat on the KT. Anyhow, these acted weird. Something I have never seen before.

Twice in each of three mags I tried, the fired round would eject, then the next round to be chambered would somehow jump out of the gun. The slide would then close on an empty chamber. What the....!? My CZ75 ate the rest of them no problem.

I am not terribly troubled by this as the gun worked fine with my more standard loads. I have confidence that I will develope a fine mid range load for it in the near future. But I would still like to understand the physics of what I just described. Any ideas?

 

[CZ9shooter]

Maybe I should mention that the problem load was the typical 9mm FMJ round nose bullet type. 115gr Montana Gold to be exact. All others were truncated cone type profiles 124-125 grain, including XTP's.

 

[scaevola]

I have a couple of PF9s and have used a bunch of different kinds of ammo (including a variety handloads) in them. I have never observed this -- I'd suggest trying another magazine.

Keep in mind this is not a durable, long-lived handgun. The reason I have 2 is because one needed to go back to KelTec for a rebuild after only about 3000 rounds. Because my state then listed handguns by model and caliber on carry permits I bought a second PF9 so I wouldn't be stuck with carrying a .32 until it came back. To their credit KT covered the rebuild, got it back to me in about 3 weeks, and told me they'd rebuild it as many times as needed.

For a carry piece and occasional shooting it's okay.

 

[CZ9shooter]

Right, I dont plan on making it a range peice. My goal today was to put it though it's paces, see what it can do. No more overzealous carbine loads for this gun. Once I find a reliable medium powered XTP load for it, the gun will probably spend most of it's time in my glove box. Maybe on my hip from time to time.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Do you have more than one mag? (If you do, does the problem happen with both or just one of the mags?)

If the feed lips aren't just right, the round may be tipping UP too high as it's being fed, and then get flipped OUT as it goes up the feed ramp.

I've got a PF9 and have had no problems. (Except finding the gun generally unpleasant to shoot... but found grips that cushion it some and make it more comfortable.)

 

[CZ9shooter]

I only got one mag with it. As near as I can tell it is in like new condition. Once it gets warmer out I will experiment with it some more and probably pick up another mag.

It's weird though that it was just with one particular load. A very hard kicking snappy load. The gun ran just like it should otherwise. Could the unique recoil impulse of this particular gun/load combination have some sort of negative effect?

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Yes, it could. My PF-9 doesn't like heavy loads and I don't like shooting heavy loads out of it.

I shoot round nose out of mine and always thought they ran better in it than the TC did. OAL plays a very big part in my Keltec. Mine seams to like 1.120" the best.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

It might be -- if another shooter is seeing the rounds slip forward -- that a new mag spring might be helpful. (I think you'll have to call Kel-Tec for the spring, as Wolff Springs only offers the mags springs for the P-11.)

 

[rhinoh]

It's weird though that it was just with one particular load. A very hard kicking snappy load. The gun ran just like it should otherwise. Could the unique recoil impulse of this particular gun/load combination have some sort of negative effect?

PF9's are known for limp wristing issues. That is why I got rid of mine.
Perhaps the higher recoil loads are "flipping" the gun too much for reliable feeding.
When I had mine the first mag or two was ok then I'd start having feeding problems as my wrist tired.

 

[JWH321]

I have one. I put a stainless trigger from Northwoods components in it because its trigger just hurt like heck. No other issues. Mine has been reliable and boring. I seldom take it out of the safe anymore, but there is no reason except that I have other choices. Its a good little gun.