Kel-tec P11? Convince me!

M

mlk18

New member
Local pawn shop has a NIB Kel-tec P11 in stock. Said he had 4 but the other three sold quickly and with no complaints or returns. He is asking $239 (w/ one mag) but when asked what his BEST CASH PRICE was, he said he could let it go for $219 cash and carry. I am looking for a low cost CCW and was ready to buy a makarov for $149, until I saw a P11 for the first time. I know my way around the old dremel tool, so fluff and buff isn't going to be a problem. But sending it back to the factory over and over will not make very happy. So, convince me one way or the other.

mlk18
 
I got mine going with all kind of different ammo after the fluff&buff from ktog and several new take down pins Kel-tec sent me.

For the money it is a great carry gun, it definitely cannot get much smaller or lighter than this!
The Makarov on the other hand is heavier, larger but also more shootable.

For concealed carry I'd go with the Kel-tec, as a "utility-gun" for several purposes, I'd rather chhose the Makarov.
 
I can't say enough good things about the P11. After a few glitches during the first 70 rounds or so, mine has performed flawlessly with all types of ammo.

Some people don't like the long, heavy trigger pull, but I consider that an essential feature in a pistol with no external safety.
 
p11

I have one that I use as my chl carry gun. It is totaly reliable and shoots to point of aim. Out to 10 yards I can put all my shots in the head or heart area without a problem.It is about the lightest 9mm that you will find. the trigger pull is long and hard,but once you find where it breaks,it is easy to shoot. sj
 
Here are some reasons to convince you:

-Bet-your-life-reliability. I guess there are some lemons out there, but once a P-11 is "proven", it appears to be a very reliable design. I bought mine used, and it has not failed to cycle.

-Surprising accuracy. Everyone who shoots the P-11 comments that it is more accurate than a "snubby" semi-auto deserves to be. Yes, you have to get used to the long trigger pull. Once you do, it will perform with the bigger, more expensive pistols.

-Carryability. It was designed for CCW and it carries wonderfully. No "de-horning" necessary, as it is already a "slick" design. You can get by easier with a cheap holster and belt. With a good holster and belt, it is a delight to carry.

-Firepower. 11 of 9X19 beats 9 of 9X18 or 5-6 of .38 special in my book.

-Price. If it didn't work, it would not be a value at any price. But if you get one that works, its nice to have enough $$ left over for range time/ammo/a .22 plinker etc.
 
I had over 1100 rounds through mine (bought brand new in '99). It was my very first "pocket pistol" and I got it for $200 NIB. My goal was to see if it would handle somewhat heavy use because I had read so many glowing reports in the gun rags.

In the first 50 rounds I had three stove pipes on three different brands of ammo. In the second 50 I had one FTF. After that it digested every round I put through it with no problem. I was pleased with its consistency in grouping. I had to get used to it's heavy DAO pull and slim grip but that was just a matter of practice. I carried it with the integral belt clip right up until Feb of this year.

There are many horror stories about the P11 out there but as for me I was impressed and, given the chance, would pick up another one (traded mine away on a Glock).
 
Get the Makarov....

As a FORMER P-11 :barf: owner and a CURRENT Makarov owner, I recommend the Mak. :D

In my experience, the Mak is more reliable (never have been able to make mine jam - EVER), easier to shoot (more controllable), more accurate (fixed barrel), better trigger, etc. Should I go on?

Get the Mak - you won't be disappointed, like I was with my P-11.
 
Personally if I was to buy a P11 or P32 it would be something to tinker with. Noting the "fluff and buff" procedures *some* owners have had to go through I couldn't put my utmost confidence in it straight from the box. I concede there are some that have not had a bit of problem and also note that people that have problems tend to be more vocal and willing to post about thier anguish than those who have praise and complete satisfaction.

Would be fun to try some home gunsmithing and the simplicity in design would make it a learning experience. If personal extensive testing produced positive results it would be considered an ideal back-up or "ALWAYS" carry piece. I would however, have to be totally confident in it before I would consider it and I can be very picky when it comes to putting confidence in a weapon or technique I'ld stake my life on :D

Rick
 
My P-11 often leaves the spent case inside the chamber and therefore jams up the following round. It won't feed any hollow points or many 9mm ball (fmj) rounds. Haven't sent it in yet however. Just thought you should see the other side too.

Ben
 
My P11 works great - no fluff & buff required or done. I like Makarovs also, and I wish the Kel-tec were a traditional double action like the Mak, but I'd still choose the P11 for your purposes. As has been pointed out, with the Mak you'd get a considerably heavier, lower capacity, less powerful handgun.

My guess would be that you have an 90% chance of getting a reliable P11 right from the start, but if yours has problems, Kel-tec is very good about standing behind their products - to the point of replacement (using the same serial number) if you get a lemon.

I'd also recommend that you send your slide, barrel, and takedown pin to Kel-tec for the hard chrome upgrade. They will replace your parts with hard chromed ones for $20. I've done this with all four of my Kel-tecs.

Doug
 
Kinda apples to oranges here, but I have a P40 that has about 1500 rounds downrange without a hiccup...no fluff & buff, no return trips to the mother ship, just out of the box. I've had to back off on the practice though as the 40 Auto is a high power round and I don't want to beat this guy to death...besides more than 25 rounds per range session and I can't feel my hand anymore:eek:
 
IMO $219 is a very good price. I bought one, and traded it for another. 2nd one has been a keeper. I think Kel-Tec pistols are hit and miss with reliability. I think you'll find one that works like a charm. Keep that one :). I carry mine every day.
 
around here you can get them for 200 bucks out the door brand spankin new.do not buy from a pawn shop.first his price is for brand new not as brand new.why pay top doller for somthing somone else has had and sold for some reson.
more importantly run away from that kel tec p11.it is truley a pos.it is 200 dollers for a reason.40 cal and that crummy trigger adds up to a pos.
 
I am not sure how Pawnshops work where everyone else resides, but we have two in town and both sell about 60% used and about 40% brand new retail products. And they have larger handgun displays (mostly Glock, H&K and Sig) then most gun-only shops. The P11 I am looking at is NIB (new in the box) and has never been fired. Thanks for all the input, I am still debating it but I am leaning toward buying KelTec's plastic_fantastic 9mm.

mlk18
 
I've owned 2 P-11's, one was a beater that I bought that had been so severely abused that I had to replace the barrel to make it run right.After about 1200 rds thru it I got rid of it due to the fact that it was just so ugly. My other one I bought NIB in '98. After my range trip last wekend, I have 7,950 rds thru it (yes, I actually keep track of not only how many rds I put thru my guns, but also what brand, and any malfunctions. Man, am I starved for entertainment or what?) everything from that nasty steel cased wolf, to my carry rnd of +P+ Gotdots. I've had 6 Failures to fire, all with Winchester white box, and many failures to feed with Cor-Bon, which for some reason my gun just doesn't like. ANd the only F&B I ever did was to polish the feed ramp. That's reliable enough for me. It isn't the most accurate, or pretty that I own, but it's the one that rides on my hip day in and day out.
 
I have a P-40 that I sent the slide, and barrel back to the factory for the 20 buck hard chromed finish and night sights for 80 more bucks. It was money well spent. My P-40 is very accurate if you can learn to master that dastardly trigger. My 15 year old son, put 4 in the x ring with mine from the 7 yard line. Mine is my off duty carry gun and I have confidence that 10 rounds of .40 cal will get the job done. I carry mine in my right front pocket of my blue jeans, sans holster. I highly reccommend the little pocket rockets. I have a P-32 also that I carry as a duty backup gun and it has never jammed either.

7th
 
Bought a P-11 for concealable 9MM firepower. Never had a problem with it, just didn't like the looks & trigger feel. Feel good enough about the reliability of it to give to a cop friend for her back-up.

The Makarov should work fine as well, I just prefer the parabellum cartridge.
 
Wow, thanks for all the great input. Still just can't make up my mind. So many guns and so little money! I am hoping to find someone with a P11 in my area so I can treat him (and me) to some range time.
 
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