KEL TEC PF9?

[BIGDOG]

Please share with me any personal info or experiences you may have with this pistol
Thank you
G

[TMan]

I have one (surprised? I don't have the PF11). I didn't put a lot of rounds through it because I didn't like the recoil.

First off: don't got to the www.kel-tec.com website; it is a scam. The real web-site is:www.kel-tec-cnc.com/

If you check the specs, you will find the gun weighs 12.7oz. My carry revolver weighs 11oz, but it is 357Magnum and the recoil is brutal. Granted the 9x19mm round doesn't have the power, nor would I classify the recoil as brutal, just a tad uncomfortable to shoot.

If you compare the weights vs. my latest 9mm, which weights 2.2 lbs, it comes out to 2.76 times the recoil for the PF9.

Let's look at some of the positives: it is small, it is light, so you might more likely carry it with you. I never had any failures shooting it that I can recall.

If you need a small semi-auto, it is probably a good choice, and I'd definitely buy one before I would buy a 380. You can buy ammo for a PF-9.

Anyhow, I still think 9mm is a good round for carry, although in the past I have carried 32ACP, and for a few days 25ACP (don't go 25ACP - 22WMR is a much better round).

[5ontarget]

If these were out when I was buying my 3AT, I'd have bought it instead.

[BIGDOG]

I have read some about them but nothing is as good as word of mouth.
I have a buddy that front pocket carrys one and it is hidden completely.
I havent shot it yet but would like to see how it performs.
G

[MLB]

The Walther PPS is similar, but likely pricier too.
www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=13152&storeId=10002&productId=60492&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=44304&isFirearm=Y

[Callahan]

I have three of the pistols mentioned here, including the PF-9. I'm taking it out for the second time today since I got it back from the factory for repairs. I'll let you know how it goes.

When I got it back, I noticed it was virtually a new pistol. I shot it last week and it just killed my hand. I had not noticed that before I sent it in so I don't know what is. I've either become a wimp, changed my grip or something. Big Dog, if you are truly a big guy with meaty hands, this pistol will probably be OK for you

[BIGDOG]

Thanks
I appreciate the input
G

[TMan]

I shot it last week and it just killed my hand.

Callahan, the interesting thing is that it doesn't weigh all that much less than the 19.4oz PPS. Part of the perceived recoil may be because of the amount of grip that makes contact with your hand i.e. more pressure per square inch.

I think that the size of your hand doesn't make much difference. It is the amount of contact that it makes with your hand. I wear XL gloves and the S&W revolver only contacts about half of my hand. A person might be better with small hands where all of the bones in the hand are making contact with the gun and the recoil transmitted evenly to the wrist. I've heard some big guys say that when shooting the S&W they can feel the bones in their hand separating.

Since Callahan mentioned it, I really like the PPS. I have one of the First Edition models, but in a way wish that I'd waited. What you see in the picture is actually paint and if you aren't careful with solvents, will come off.

[Callahan]

I'm sure you're right, TMan. That is a narrow area punching back into the hand. I used a leather glove and it made a big difference.

I had 3 failures to feed in 100 rounds. Not good enough.

I cleaned it up and oiled it. Will try 100 more next week.

[TMan]

I had 3 failures to feed in 100 rounds. Not good enough.

I'm not too surprised. If you look at the way it is made vs some of your other guns. A hundred rounds in one sitting is a lot for that gun. Were the failures towards the end.

[Callahan]

They were pretty evenly spread out, until the last 30 or so, which were error free.

[5ontarget]

way back when I bough my 1st gen 3AT, there were many many internet complaints about frequent failures, especially feeding problems. Then there were a few tutorials on how to "fluff and buff" the gun. This was basically smoothing out some of the machining/tool marks on it. Shooting it a lot would also do much the same thing.
I think some of the problem is that is is such a small and narrow gun it is hard to grip it. I think many people were limp wristing it.
After a fair amount of practice and a grip/position change, my little 3AT works very well. It took about 300rds to break it in and learn it well. (others may be faster, some may even be slower.)

[Callahan]

Jan 24, 2010 19:39:05 GMT -5 5ontarget said:

way back when I bough my 1st gen 3AT, there were many many internet complaints about frequent failures, especially feeding problems. Then there were a few tutorials on how to "fluff and buff" the gun. This was basically smoothing out some of the machining/tool marks on it. Shooting it a lot would also do much the same thing.
I think some of the problem is that is is such a small and narrow gun it is hard to grip it. I think many people were limp wristing it.
After a fair amount of practice and a grip/position change, my little 3AT works very well. It took about 300rds to break it in and learn it well. (others may be faster, some may even be slower.)

This is my third Kel-Tec. I started out with a used .32-caliber and sold it when the 2nd generation 3AT came out. I still have the 3AT. I found the .32 was a bit ammo-sensitive and preferred full metal jacket. The 3AT seems to be pretty accepting of anything, after a few hundred rounds.

Today, I went to the range and fired 50 rounds in the PF-9. No stoppages whatsoever. I think it is settling down now that it's had about 200 rounds through it. Last time, I had 3 stoppages in 100 rounds. I think some of that may have been from me not letting the trigger reset. It has to be fully released after each shot. I think I was crowding it. I cleaned it up after firing it last time and left it a little more oily than do for carry.

[BIGDOG]

I tried a friends PF9 last night!
I was suprised at the over all performance of the pistol. Yes...It was a bit snappy but.... It worked flawlessly and was very personal defense accurate.
I would not hesitate to own one of these. Of course it would not be a range or target gun but....8 shots of 9 mm in a small pistol that totally disappears in my front pocket is good to have!
G

[Callahan]

Jan 29, 2010 9:28:25 GMT -5 BIGDOG said:

I tried a friends PF9 last night!
I was suprised at the over all performance of the pistol. Yes...It was a bit snappy but.... It worked flawlessly and was very personal defense accurate.
I would not hesitate to own one of these. Of course it would not be a range or target gun but....8 shots of 9 mm in a small pistol that totally disappears in my front pocket is good to have!
G

I keep mine in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster, which works well in the deep front pocket of jeans, since I don't wear them tight now that I'm an older guy.

It will also fit in a back pocket but you need a jacket or untucked shirt over it. I can also stick it in the small of my back in that rig for short trips, like to the car or shopping, under a jacket or jean shirt, untucked. The material of the pocket holster is a faux suede that keeps it in position. Cinch the belt up a bit for extra insurance.

I was concentrating on my grip and trigger control yesterday, and at 20 yards, more than half of the 50 rounds were in the 8, 9, and 10 ring. I'll grant ya that some were way off, but that pistol is more for use 7 yards or less, not 20. I was only at that range because I was also shooting the Ruger .22.