Range Report; Kel-Tec P-11

[ugaarguy]

Well after picking up a used P-11 yesterday evening I got to the to shoot it today. The "range" we use is an abondoned gravel pit and it works out pretty well. So I slapped an 8" shoot and see on the side of a beer box and set it up on the dirt berm. After adjusting my grip and trigger contact point appropriately the little P-11 was rockin and rollin. From 10 paces it was hitting minute of beer box as long as I did my part. I found that I was more accurate when wrapping my finger around the trigger and using the first joint as my contact point in stead of the pad of my finger tip. I also shot better with a faster squeeze as opposed to a slow squeeze like I use on my S&W M&P revolver; it was easier to hold the sights on target and quickly pull through until the trigger broke. It's no bullseye match pistol, but it's plenty accurate at self defense ranges - which is what its intended for. Shooting 9mm out of a pistol this small and light does generate some good muzzle flip. It definetly hits you on the web of the shooting hand, but is still easily controllable for an experienced shooter. I normally keep my thumbs folded down and in tight against the frame. When firing the P-11 I had to leave my support hand thumb pointing strait out and forward at about 45 degrees up and 45 degrees out from the frame to keep it from banging against the trigger guard as the pistol recoiled. The recoil also had my trigger finger hitting the inside front of the trigger guard and the line of material that sticks out of the middle of the trigger guard as a result of the manufacturing process did abrabe the front of my trigger finger as they hit each other. I'm sure a needle file and some sandpaper will quickly fix that though. I ran 100 rounds of Fiocchi 115 gr. FMJ thru the little P-11 with ZERO malfuntions of any kind. My overall impression is that this a great little pistol. It's plenty accurate for self defense, and packs a great punch for the size. Recoil and muzzle flip were as to be expected, but neither unpleasant nor uncontrollable, from a 15 & 1/2 oz, 1" wide, pistol slinging 9x19 rounds down the tube. At $190 used this is the best value I've ever gotten in a firearm. Kel-Tec has new convert.

 

[MCgunner]

Welcome to the club. Heck, when you get used to it, you'll be throughly amazed at the accuracy the thing is capable of out to 25 yards. I routinely shoot 6" plates down at that range off hand, great fun while you practice.

When I first got mine, I loaded it up, first few shots weren't bad. I noticed as the gun shot empty, it started to recoil a lot harder... I don't really notice that too much off hand, but I was shooting off sand bags determining POI of the gun at the time. Load some +Ps in it and you can REALLY notice this. But, in NO WAY is it as rough to shoot as a snubbie .357 and the +P rounds are putting up, while not quite .357 stats, well more than a .38 +P is capable of even out of a 4" barrel. Pretty amazing amount of firepower in such a small package.

It is my favorite carry piece, has been for 9 years runnin' and it hasn't given me a lick of problems in all that time. I go to the range about every two weeks average and I'll burn a box through it, usually while shooting other weapons. I haven't counted, but it's swallowed and spit out a lot of rounds in that time and it's still shootin' good and would look good weren't for all the holster wear on it. If I need to send it in for refurbishing in the future, it'll be well deserved. As of now, it doesn't appear to need anything, but more punishment.

I don't go there much, but you might check out http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi#10 if you haven't already.

 

[Srigs]

Congrats on finding a true jem in carry guns!

Love mine and makes a good primary or secondary. It is 100% reliable, the right size and provides enough punch for my needs. Ktog.org is a great site to lean about your new fetish.