Responsible Firearms Ownership 

Kel-Tec P11  9 mm Pistol  

Kel-Tec makes a line of affordable, small, durable pistols.  Their little 9mm has a polymer frame and alloy slide, holds 10+1 rounds and will fit in most pockets.  This was just what I was looking for.

As stated elsewhere on this site, I would rather carry a real defensive pistol, preferably in 45 caliber!  But, sometimes that's not optimum or even possible.  I know, I know - some of you carry 45's all day everywhere.  But I sometimes found myself carrying a 38 special 2" five shot revolver in a pocket holster because that's all I could carry at the time.  I won't go into specifics, but if you routinely carry a personal defense weapon, I bet you can relate.  Jackets, vests, untucked shirts, whatever -- something must hide that holstered pistol.  For those times that I felt I couldn't pull it off, the 45 stayed home and the 38 (in a pocket holster) went in my pants pocket with me.  Maybe this never happens to you but read on.  A P11 might still be useful for you too.

First, let me state that the KelTec Owner's Group (KTOG) has a page with ALL the information you could ever want about this pistol.  If you're into specs, pictures, accessories, etc. please see their page.  I can supply my personal account of using this pistol - they can give you the official low down on everything else.

I was using an Uncle Mike's nylon pocket holster pouch to tote the 38 in.  There are probably better pocket holsters available, but this is what I had and this is what I used.  It actually worked very well and I felt very comfortable with the setup.  But it was an all steel revolver holding 5 rounds and was slightly heavy and bulky, not to mention having to carry a separate speed loader in another pocket.  The 38 is what it is and is a nice gun to have around but I was ready to explore other options for this limited duty arrangement.

I recalled seeing and shooting a friend's Kel Tec some years earlier and it occurred to me that the P11 just might ease my load, so to speak, and pack more punch at the same time.  I went shopping.  I looked at a P40, the .40 S&W version, tried it in my pocket pouch holster, and considered it for a while.  Then I tried the 9mm version and there is a slight size difference.  The 40 is just a tad larger than what I wanted.  I also looked at Kel Tec's 32ACP pistol.  The P32 is also a neat little pistol, but it was just a bit small and I'm not just real excited about a 32's ability to quickly end a fight.  I know that shot placement rules, but still ... a 32?  No, for me the 9mm suited me best so, like Goldilocks, I chose the middle ground and purchased the 9mm P11.  It fit my Uncle Mike's pocket holster and more importantly it fit my pocket and budget without sagging either. The P11 has more than twice the capacity of my 38 revolver, is slimmer and less bulky, fires a fair to middling cartridge, and weighs less to boot.  It was time to start shooting.

I've delayed writing this because I wanted to include chronograph results and all that other neat information that the real gun writers go with.  But I don't get paid for this and I haven't had time to do it up right, so here's what I've got so far.  If you're still with me, maybe you won't be too bored.  Plus, remember as a bonus I'm gonna give you another reason to justify having a P11.  Hang with me.

I first read all the goodies that come with a new gun (like the owner's manual) and disassembled the thing and cleaned all the goo off it.  Putting it back together, I lightly lubed it per the instructions, grabbed my bag of shooting stuff and headed for my 'place' to shoot.  Do you have a 'place'?  That private area where no one can watch as you try something totally new?  Fortunately, I do.

To wind this up, let me simply say that I fired over 200 rounds of generic ball (FMJ) ammunition without a single malfunction.  Then I shot up 80 rounds of Pro Load 124 grain +P jacketed hollow points.  To the best of my knowledge they use Speer's Gold Dot JHP in their cartridges and it is normally very accurate in the other 9mm handguns I've shot it in.  This pistol will make fist size groups, shooting freehand, at 7 yards with either ammo.  At this point I was happy.  Going back to 15 yards or more, groups opened up considerably.  As I told a buddy, "This ain't a pistol to take squirrel hunting".  The long (did I say it was long?) l o n g  DAO trigger isn't conducive to extreme accuracy.  In fact, my trigger finger was sore after this limited shooting session - but it will do what I need it to do.  I expect me and the trigger will get better with more practice.

Still here?  Thanks.  Remember earlier that I said even if you ALWAYS carry your hogleg with you that maybe the P11 had something to offer for you too?  Well, I discovered that the P11 is so light and unobtrusive that it can be carried in addition to your normal 'big' gun.  Same pocket, same everything.  A second gun, a backup gun (BUG) can be a good thing to have.  Many experienced pistoleroes and many law enforcement officers carry a BUG.  I'd never really considered it, but the P11 changed that.  If you've thought about having a BUG I bet the P11 would work for you too.

If you do much internet research on the P11 or visit the KTOG page, you'll encounter a term called 'Fluff and Buff' or F&B.  This refers to the act of smoothing or polishing the innards of the pistol to make it function more reliably, or as we say heah in the South, "Mo Betta!"  (And yes, my spellchecker hates the way I write) I haven't found this to be necessary; either I was lucky or Kel Tec did it before they shipped it, or its a bunch of hooey.  If for some reason your Kel Tec won't function properly after a short grace period, I'd take it back to the dealer or send it back to Kel Tec.  Only you can determine that, but I wouldn't put up with a pistol that won't perform its intended function - like shoot.  I have a friend that likes to say that the two loudest sounds in the world are a BANG when you expect a CLICK and a CLICK when you expect a BANG.  Possibly he knows from experience!

So that's my assessment of the P11.  Its fine for when you need a small concealable pistol and it also works well as a backup gun.  Mine has been flawless so far, after several hundred more rounds, and I find it to be a very agreeable addition to my small collection of firearms.  If you've read this far, thanks.  Stay alert and be sure to use your best weapon at all times - your brain.

Jeff Loveless
Sept 2002

how about an update after 4 months of using this pistol?  glad you asked.  ok, i still haven't chronographed any loads but i am happy to report that after 500+ more rounds, there hasn't been any malfunctions.  my accuracy could be described as 'combat adequate' at 5 to 10 yards.  i've used this little gun to shoot a stage at our local idpa match, i've carried it (still in a nylon pocket holster) in all sorts of situations, and i've shot an assortment of ammunition with no problems.  i'm at the point where i take it for granted - it's there when and where i need it, it will fire and cycle when i press the trigger, and it will hit with reasonable accuracy.    january 2003
 

For another shooter's view on his Kel Tec pistols go here.