Why shouldn't I buy a Kel-Tec P-11?

[BLU]

Okay... I think the P-11 is out of the question. I'll either leave the LCP or pick up a used P89DAO when one comes along or a top-heavy blow-back Hi-Point 9. (Certainly can't beat the price on the Hi-Point 9mm and I already have the Carbine so I have plenty of magazines.)

 

[meanmrmustard]

Okay... I think the P-11 is out of the question. I'll either leave the LCP or pick up a used P89DAO when one comes along or a top-heavy blow-back Hi-Point 9. (Certainly can't beat the price on the Hi-Point 9mm and I already have the Carbine so I have plenty of magazines.)

Not related, but I love that carbine!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The Hi-Point carbine is a good gun, but I like the Kel-Tec 9mm Sub2000 even better...

And THAT is a good home defense gun, as well -- just a bit pricier. With the Glock magazine version and a 33 round mag, it would be hard to beat for HD or must plinking at the range.

 

[meanmrmustard]

They're not bad, either. I just don't care for the sights myself. Inconsistent trigger, too. Not that it's any heavier than the Hi Point carbine.

But, you hit the nail on the head. Good HD gun, and that 33 round capacity is nothing to be sneezed at. I'd like to see one in .45 ACP, or better, a 10mm or 460 Rowland conversion!

That's another PCC to look into; the MPA in .45 can be converted to .460 Rowland.

 

[RustyShackelford]

It sounds....

Like you are trying to talk yourself out of buying a Kel Tec.
If you don't like the brand or feel you can find a better pistol for home defense, then Id keep looking.
There are plenty of decent, compact & sub-compact 9x19mm pistols out there.
If budgets are a issue, Id look at the Smith & Wesson Shield in .40 or 9mm. The larger SD9VE is a good value. It's easy to clean, DA only, offers about 17 rounds & can take white lights or laser aimers(home protection). S&W has a lifetime service plan too.
The compact Bersa Concealed Carry 9x19mm looks good. It's slim, can also hold white lights or lasers, has a magazine safety & locking feature(security).

 

[Ed Ames]

Cartridge to pop a pin? Ha! I've never had such luck. So, lol all you like. To say easier than a Glock, now, that's funny.

For grins, a friend and I once took three practice runs at stripping a P11, an SD9, and a CZ 75, just to see which was fastest. Not only was the SD9 the easiest, but the fastest. The CZ in close second, and the P11 woefully third with no hope of easy disassembly. What you jest as "easy as a Glock", I call a tragedy. I field strip a 1911 faster. With no tools. Blindfolded.

Not sure what you mean. You mentioned the CZ75...with the CZ you must align the slide and frame, then use the magazine floorplate to push a pin out. How is that easier than locking the slide back (don't need to look for the marks) and using a cartridge rim to lever out the pin?

With the P11 you lock the slide back, use a cartridge as a lever to pull the pin, and you are done. Release the slide stop and the slide comes off in your hand. Wait, there is one trick to it. When disassembling, you push down slightly on the guide rod, just as you push up slightly on it when reassembling. It takes no particular force and you don't need to align anything except the barrel when reassembling (same as a CZ in that).

If you were struggling, you were doing it wrong. I just removed and reinstalled the slide on my P11 in under 10 seconds, and I haven't owned it very long/never practiced that because it is so easy.

Compare that to a Glock where you must hold the slide partially back with your fingers, get a grip on some little textured bits that are held with springs and pull them against the spring tension, let the slide go forward, and then dry fire to get the slide to actually come off. The Glock makes you fight springs with muscles.

 

[meanmrmustard]

No struggling, just a bear and much slower.
Why would I need to use a floorplate? I use a finger for the CZ. Good luck going that with a P11.

I can have the Glock done by the time you find that shell casing.

 

[snooperman]

The Keltec P11 would not be my first choice for a house gun. I would much prefer , if on a budget, to get a S&W SD9 with 15 shots and a 4" barrel and a little more weight. It is much easier to shoot accurately and gives less recoil too.

 

[Ed Ames]

No struggling, just a bear and much slower.

I don't get it being a bear. The only effort is to put the slide back, and if you are using a pistol you should be able to do that. It can be done in seconds...are you saying "slower" when you mean it takes you 3 seconds instead of 2.5?

Why would I need to use a floorplate? I use a finger for the CZ. Good luck going that with a P11.

My CZ75 had a firmer grasp of its pin...or my fingers are wimpy...either way, I have tried that and it didn't work. I usually used a table edge.

I can have the Glock done by the time you find that shell casing.

I doubt that. when I pop back the slide, a cartridge lands in my hand. Not that hard to find.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I don't get it being a bear. The only effort is to put the slide back, and if you are using a pistol you should be able to do that. It can be done in seconds...are you saying "slower" when you mean it takes you 3 seconds instead of 2.5?



My CZ75 had a firmer grasp of its pin...or my fingers are wimpy...either way, I have tried that and it didn't work. I usually used a table edge.



I doubt that. when I pop back the slide, a cartridge lands in my hand. Not that hard to find.

I'm not using a live round. I don't care how safe you think it is, not happening. If I went that route, itd be empty brass.

Slower means slower. I personally cannot field strip any handgun faster than a Glock.

I'm not going to say you have wimpy fingers, but maybe your CZ pin is tight...

 

[Ed Ames]

Yeah I'm not worried about a round going off in my fingers. If I was I would probably use a key, screwdriver, etc..

If it makes you feel better: The P11 is one of the few guns I own/have owned (though the CZ75 is another) that has its own snap cap that lives in the chamber when the gun is not in use (because dry firing is fun). So if I pull it out of the safe and check that it is clear I will have in my hand a cartridge that works perfectly well to remove the pin but cannot go boom.

I can strip and reassemble a P11 as fast as anything I own. I find it easier than most, and thought the field strip ease was one of the big features of it, especially compared to guns like the P3AT.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I guess my point is, I'd prefer to not use a tool. Or, rather, HAVE to use a tool. But that's me.

My hats off to you. I'm not impressed with my skill disassembling a P11. Maybe you don't have wimpy fingers after all!

Edit to add: You CANT have wimpy fingers; you've exercised them with that P11 trigger!

 

[Onward Allusion]

meanmrmustard
Cartridge to pop a pin? Ha! I've never had such luck. So, lol all you like. To say easier than a Glock, now, that's funny.

For grins, a friend and I once took three practice runs at stripping a P11, an SD9, and a CZ 75, just to see which was fastest. Not only was the SD9 the easiest, but the fastest. The CZ in close second, and the P11 woefully third with no hope of easy disassembly. What you jest as "easy as a Glock", I call a tragedy. I field strip a 1911 faster. With no tools. Blindfolded.

Edit to add: Sorry, you said "Glocks are harder". Funnier still.

Most modern semis are pretty easy to field strip without tools. The P11 is no different. The main caveat being, you need to have a spare cartridge or an empty 9mm case. Is it easier than a Glock? Um, heck no! No gun in the world is easier to field strip than a Glock or Sigma/SD, IMO.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Still and all, I own no handgun that requires anything other than my hands and a few choice words. No cartridges or tools need apply.

 

[BLU]

RUSTY.... Nah, not trying to talk myself out of it. (This IS related so be patient!) I was Hell bent on buying a Heizer Double-Tap and took a chance and asked for some advice here. I'm almost 60 and have been using firearms at least a half a century, (Dad was a gun-nut too!). I know if you ask guys about a firearm, almost no one will have the same opinion but put them altogether and you see the big picture. Oh yeah.... I saw the big picture. I did not buy the Double-Tap. Incredible input on that firearm gave me many different sources to actually view some videos on it, (which I never thought to check on before.) So I thought, what the heck... I wonder what the general consensus is on the Kel-Tec P-11.